Interrelated power delivery controls – including engine control – Transmission control – Engine controlled by transmission
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-19
2001-05-01
Wright, Dirk (Department: 3681)
Interrelated power delivery controls, including engine control
Transmission control
Engine controlled by transmission
C477S123000, C074S335000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06224511
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to manually lever-shifted mechanical transmission systems having automated assist features including at least engine automation to achieve a substantially zero torque condition for shifting into neutral.
In particular, in a preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a manually lever-shifted splitter-type compound mechanical transmission system including means to sense an operator intent to shift, an electronic control unit, an electronically controlled engine, and a three-position splitter actuator responsive to command output signals from the control unit. In the preferred embodiment, upon sensing an intent to shift, the electronic control unit is effective to cause automatic engine fueling to cause a substantially zero driveline torque, while urging the splitter actuator to splitter-neutral. Upon sensing a splitter-neutral condition, the automatic engine fueling to cause a substantially zero torque condition (preferably dithering intentially to cause a drive torque and then a coast torque condition, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,850,236) is ceased and the splitter retained in the splitter-neutral condition until a lever shift into main-section-neutral is sensed.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Fully automatic and semi-automatic vehicular mechanical transmission systems and fully or partially automated shift implementation systems utilizing electronic control units, usually microprocessor-based controllers, are known in the prior art. Examples of such automated mechanical transmission systems may be seen by reference to U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,961,546; 4,361,060; 4,425,620; 4,595,986; 4,631,679; 4,648,290; 4,722,248; 4,850,236; 5,038,627; 5,050,079; 5,053,959; 5,053,961; 5,053,962; 5,063,511; 5,081,588; 5,089,962; 5,089,965; 5,133,229; 5,172,609; 5,231,582; 5,272,939; 5,335,566; 5,435,212; 5,508,916 and 5,509,867, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Partially automated mechanical transmission systems having automatic splitter shifting and/or automatic shifting between the highest sequentially related group of ratios, and requiring manual shifting in the lower ratios, are known in the prior art, as may be seen by reference to aforementioned U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,722,248 and 4,850,236, and to U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,038,627; 5,393,277; 5,435,212 and 5,498,195, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Compound mechanical transmissions of the range, splitter or combined range-and-splitter type are well known in the prior art, as may be seen by reference to U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,799,002; 4,754,665; 4,920,815; 4,974,468; 5,000,060; 5,370,013 and 5,390,561, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Partially automated mechanical transmission systems providing automatic assistance, such as automatic engine fuel control, for manual lever-shifted transmissions are known in the prior art, as may be seen by reference to U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,682,790; 5,755,639; 5,735,791; 5,743,143; 5,569,115; 5,571,059; 5,573,477 and 5,582,558, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. These systems utilize automatic engine fueling controls and/or range and/or splitter shift actuators, actuated by a driver indication of an intent to shift, allowing an old gear to be disengaged and a new or target gear to be engaged without requiring the driver to manipulate the clutch pedal (required only for vehicle launch and stop) or the throttle pedal.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, Applicants have provided a partially automated, manually lever-shifted vehicular mechanical transmission system which, at minimal additional cost compared to prior art comparably sized, fully manual and/or partially automated systems, provides at least automatic engine fueling and splitter actuator operation to allow a shift to neutral and also possibly added features, such as (i) automated shifting in the upper two sequentially related ratios, (ii) automatic implementation of manually requested splitter-only shifts and/or (iii) automated fuel control and splitter shifting for combined splitter and lever shifts.
The foregoing is accomplished by providing a vehicular transmission system including a manually lever-shifted, splitter-type transmission, an electronically controlled engine, means to sense a driver intent to shift, a three-position splitter actuator operable by command signals from an ECU and control logic residing in the engine ECU and/or a separate system ECU for processing input signals and issuing command output signals to said engine and said splitter actuator.
The logic, upon sensing an intent to shift, will urge the splitter to a neutral or disengaged position while controlling engine fueling to reduce drive line torque. Upon sensing that either the main or splitter section is in neutral, such automatic engine fueling will cease. Upon sensing main section neutral, the splitter section will be shifted into the appropriate splitter ratio for a known target gear ratio.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved partially automated, manually lever-shifted, splitter-type vehicular mechanical transmission system.
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Eaton Corporation
Gordon Howard D.
Wright Dirk
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