Transmission shift indicator apparatus and method

• US 20060047396A1
• Filed: 08/31/2004
• Published: 03/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Donar, Paul D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,219,001 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/51
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/0213 characterised by the method for generating shift signals
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 63/42 Ratio indicator devices

Abstract

A transmission system for a vehicle includes an automatic transmission configured to automatically change speed ratios between an input member and an output member. An indicator is configured to provide an indication of predetermined speed ratio changes to a driver inside a passenger compartment. A corresponding method is also provided. The method includes establishing a speed ratio, determining that a speed ratio change is appropriate, and generating an indication perceptible to a driver.

Claims

1. A transmission system for a vehicle having a passenger compartment, the transmission system comprising:

an automatic transmission having an input member and an output member, and being configured to selectively establish a plurality of discrete speed ratios between the input member and the output member; and

an indicator operatively connected to the transmission and configured to provide an indication inside the passenger compartment of the occurrence of a predetermined speed ratio change between the input member and the output member.

2. The transmission system of claim 1, wherein the indication is audible.

3. The transmission system of claim 1, wherein the indication is visual.

4. The transmission system of claim 1, wherein the transmission includes a controller configured to initiate speed ratio changes between the input member and the output member, and configured to transmit a signal to the indicator to which the indicator is responsive to provide the indication when the controller initiates the predetermined speed ratio change.

5. A vehicle comprising:

an automatic transmission having an input member and an output member, and being configured to selectively establish a plurality of discrete speed ratios between the input member and the output member;

a vehicle body defining a passenger compartment; and

an indicator operatively connected to the transmission and configured to provide an indication inside the passenger compartment of the occurrence of a predetermined speed ratio change between the input member and the output member.

6. The vehicle of claim 5, wherein the indicator is a speaker.

7. The vehicle of claim 5, wherein the indicator is a light-emitting device.

8. The vehicle of claim 5, wherein the transmission includes a controller configured to initiate speed ratio changes between the input member and the output member by generating command signals to release an off-going clutch and engage an on-coming clutch;

and wherein the controller is configured to transmit a signal to the indicator to which the indicator is responsive to provide the indication.

9. A method comprising:

establishing a first speed ratio between a transmission input member and a transmission output member;

determining that a first shift is appropriate; and

generating a first indication perceptible by a human vehicle driver in response to said determining that a first shift is appropriate.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising initiating the first shift whereby a second speed ratio different from the first speed ratio is established between the input member and the output member.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising determining that a second shift is appropriate, and generating a second indication perceptible by the human vehicle driver, the second indication being different from the first indication.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising initiating the second shift whereby a third speed ratio different from the second speed ratio is established between the input member and the output member.