Adaptive customer driveability module

• US 20050049772A1
• Filed: 08/28/2003
• Published: 03/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Liu, Haifeng
• Granted Patent: US 6,941,209 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/54
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/06 including control of combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/11 Stepped gearings
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/10 Accelerator pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/106 Rate of change
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/182 Selecting between different operative modes, e.g. comfort and performance modes
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2059/0221 for selecting modes, i.e. input device
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2061/0227 Shift map selection, i.e. methods for controlling selection between different shift maps, e.g. to initiate switch to a map for up-hill driving
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 59/18 dependent on the position of the accelerator pedal
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/0213 characterised by the method for generating shift signals

Abstract

An engine control system and method adjusts vehicle driveability based on input from a vehicle operator. A selector switch includes a plurality of selector settings corresponding to a plurality of drive modes. The selector switch is moveable between the plurality of selector settings by the vehicle operator. A controller communicates with the selector switch and includes a plurality of predetermined drive settings corresponding to the plurality of drive modes. The controller utilizes predetermined transmission shift points, torque converter slip and throttle position progression data based on a current selector setting chosen by the vehicle operator.

Claims

1. An engine control system for adjusting vehicle driveability based on an input from a vehicle operator, comprising:

a transmission;

a torque converter;

a throttle;

a selector switch having a plurality of selector settings corresponding to a plurality of drive modes, said selector switch moveable between said plurality of selector settings by said vehicle operator; and

a controller that communicates with said selector switch and that includes a plurality of predetermined drive settings corresponding to said plurality of drive modes;

wherein said controller utilizes predetermined transmission shift points, torque converter slip and throttle position progression data based on a current selector setting chosen by said vehicle operator.

2. The engine control system of claim 1, further comprising a mode display providing visual confirmation to said vehicle operator of said current selector setting.

3. The engine control system of claim 1 wherein said selector switch is an electrically-actuated switch.

4. The engine control system of claim 1 wherein said selector switch is a toggle switch.

5. The engine control system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of selector settings includes a setting option whereby said controller utilizes predetermined transmission shift points, torque converter slip and throttle position progression data based on driver input patterns to said throttle.

6. A method for adjusting vehicle driveability based on an input from a vehicle operator for a vehicle having a throttle, transmission and torque converter, said method comprising:

providing a selector having a plurality of driveability settings corresponding to a plurality of driveability modes;

determining a current driveability setting based on said selector;

utilizing predetermined transmission shift point data for said transmission based on said current driveability setting;

utilizing predetermined torque converter slip data for said torque converter based on said current driveability setting; and

utilizing predetermined throttle position progression data based on said current driveability setting.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising displaying said current driveability setting to said vehicle operator.

8. The method according to claim 6 wherein said plurality of driveability modes correspond to various degrees of vehicle acceleration.

9. A method for adjusting vehicle driveability based on an input from a vehicle operator for a vehicle having a throttle, transmission and torque converter, said method comprising:

providing a selector having a plurality of driveability settings corresponding to a plurality of driveability modes;

determining a current driveability setting based on said selector; and

utilizing predetermined transmission shift points, torque converter slip and throttle position data based on said current driveability setting;

whereby said plurality of driveability modes correspond to various degrees of vehicle acceleration.

10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising displaying said current driveability setting to said vehicle operator.