Automated mechanical transmission having wireless interface

• US 20070298929A1
• Filed: 06/27/2006
• Published: 12/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Original Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Inventors: Sayman, Robert A., DeVore, James H., Klimek, Beth
• Application Number:
  US11/475,508
• Publication Number:
  US 20070298929A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 477/34
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/06 including control of combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/11 Stepped gearings
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0075 Automatic parameter input, automatic initialising or calibrating means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/55 using telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18 Propelling the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/28 with at least one movement of the final actuating mechanism being caused by a non-mechanical force, e.g. power-assisted

Abstract

An automated mechanical transmission (AMT) includes a conventional multi-speed (gear ratio) mechanical transmission, a transducer/actuator assembly, a microprocessor controller which drives the actuator assembly and includes a plurality of inputs, and a plurality of sensors providing information to the controller inputs. A wireless interface is disposed between the controller and the actuator assembly. The wireless connection may utilize any of several technologies and protocols such as Bluetooth or WiFi. Such wireless interfaces or connections may also be utilized between various sensors or input devices and indicators or readouts and the controller as well as between any other components in the system.

Claims

1. An automated mechanical transmission assembly comprising, in combination:

a multiple speed transmission assembly having an input shaft, a plurality of selectable forward gear ratios and a plurality of actuators for selecting said selectable gear ratios;

a master friction clutch for selectively providing drive torque to said input shaft of said transmission, said clutch having an actuator;

a controller having a plurality of inputs and outputs for controlling said plurality of actuators and said clutch;

a first transmitter operatively coupled to said controller; and

a first receiver operatively coupled to said plurality of actuators

whereby said transmitter and said receiver provide a radio frequency link between said controller and said plurality actuators.

2. The automated mechanical transmission assembly of claim 1 further including at least one RFID tag associated with one of said plurality of actuators.

3. The automated mechanical transmission assembly of claim 1 further including a sensor associated with a gear selector assembly.

4. The automated mechanical transmission assembly of claim 1 further including a sensor associated with an ABS system of a vehicle.

5. The automated mechanical transmission assembly of claim 1 wherein said transceiver replaces a wire connection between said controller and said plurality of actuators.

6. The automated mechanical transmission assembly of claim 1 wherein said radio frequency link operates on a proprietary protocol.

7. The automated mechanical transmission assembly of claim 1 wherein said actuators include position sensors having outputs supplied to a second transmitter.

8. A mechanical transmission assembly comprising, in combination:

a multiple speed transmission assembly having an input shaft, a plurality of selectable forward gear ratios and a plurality of actuators for selecting said selectable gear ratios;

a controller having a plurality of inputs and outputs for controlling said plurality of actuators;

means for linking said controller and said plurality of actuators by radio frequency data transmission.

9. The mechanical transmission assembly of claim 8 further including at least one RFID tag associated with one of said plurality of actuators.

10. The mechanical transmission assembly of claim 8 further including a sensor associated with a gear selector assembly.

11. The mechanical transmission assembly of claim 8 further including a sensor associated with an ABS system of a vehicle.

12. The mechanical transmission assembly of claim 8 wherein said linking means replaces a wire connection between said controller and said plurality of actuators.

13. The mechanical transmission assembly of claim 8 wherein said actuators include position sensors having outputs supplied to said linking means.

14. The mechanical transmission assembly of claim 8 wherein said radio frequency means includes first and second radio frequency transceivers.

20. The mechanical transmission assembly of claim 14 further including a sensor associated with an ABS system of a vehicle.

15. An mechanical transmission assembly comprising, in combination:

a multiple speed transmission assembly having an input shaft, a plurality of selectable forward gear ratios and a plurality of actuators for selecting said selectable gear ratios;

a controller having a plurality of inputs and outputs for controlling said plurality of actuators;

first transceiver operatively coupled to said controller; and

second transceiver operatively coupled to said plurality of actuators

whereby said first and said second transceiver provide a radio frequency link between said controller and said plurality actuators.

16. The mechanical transmission assembly of claim 15 further including at least one RFID tag associated with one of said plurality of actuators.

17. The mechanical transmission assembly of claim 15 further including a sensor associated with a gear selector assembly.

18. The mechanical transmission of claim 17 wherein said sensor includes an associated RFID tag.

19. The mechanical transmission assembly of claim 15 wherein said actuators include position sensors having outputs supplied to said second transceiver.