Method For Influencing an Automatic Gearbox, Taking Into Consideration the Tractional Resistance

• US 20080201047A1
• Filed: 09/30/2006
• Published: 08/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Original Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Inventors: Nolzen, Harry, Eisele, Markus, Adams, Harm, Blaser, Juergen
• Granted Patent: US 7,945,365 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/65
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2059/142 of driving resistance calculated from weight, slope, or the like
• 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 2061/0234 Adapting the ratios to special vehicle conditions
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 59/52 dependent on the weight of the machine, e.g. change in weight resulting from passengers boarding a bus
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 59/66 Road conditions, e.g. slope, slippery
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/0213 characterised by the method for generating shift signals

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for influencing an automated transmission taking into consideration the tractional resistance with which the magnitude of an external tractional resistance can be determined easily and without need of data exchange with devices outside the vehicle, the same as independently of a digitalized road map of the area in which the vehicle drives and with low construction complexity.

In particular a topographical information of the area in which the vehicle drives is obtained which allows a tractional resistance detection unit, optionally in combination with additional influencing variables in relation to the external tractional resistance, to act upon the controller of an automated transmission so that by shifting the gear change points or selecting a suitable program, reduces both the fuel consumption and the pollutant and noise emissions. Moreover, the driving comfort and the climbing capacity of the vehicle are improved by preventing, starting from a specific threshold, the switching of the automated transmission to neutral position and in the full load range of the prime mover than allows the witching to a higher gear if in the gear a minimum acceleration capacity of the vehicle is guaranteed.

Claims

1-16. -16. (canceled)

17. A method of influencing an automated transmission of a motor vehicle having a tractional resistance detection unit which determines an external tractional resistance of the vehicle and, depending on an external tractional resistance, influences a shift program of the automated transmission by at least one of activation, adaptation and variation, the method comprising the steps of:

reading data, via the tractional resistance detection unit, containing at least information about a torque of a drivetrain, an appertaining rotational speed and an acceleration of the vehicle and, via read data, an input torque,

reaching a conclusion about the external tractional resistance of the vehicle, and

on a basis one of actual and statistically prepared data about the external tractional resistance of the vehicle, influencing the shift program of the automated transmission by the at least one of activation, adaptation and variation.

18. The method according claim 17, further comprising the step of determining the external tractional resistance with the tractional resistance detection unit by taking into consideration additional parameters.

19. The method according claim 18, further comprising the step of determining the external tractional resistance with the tractional resistance detection unit by taking a rolling resistance of the vehicle into consideration.

20. The method according claim 18, further comprising the step of determining the external tractional resistance with the tractional resistance detection unit by taking an air resistance of the vehicle into consideration.

21. The method according claim 18, further comprising the step of determining the external tractional resistance with the tractional resistance detection unit by taking the real total weight of the vehicle into consideration.

22. The method according claim 18, further comprising the step of determining the external tractional resistance with the tractional resistance detection unit by taking a real total weight of the vehicle into consideration.

23. The method according claim 18, further comprising the step of determining the external tractional resistance with the tractional resistance detection unit by taking into consideration internal resistances which reduce an input torque actually abutting on wheels of the vehicle compared to an expected input torque based on information read about the input torque in the drivetrain.

24. The method according claim 23, further comprising the step of considering, with the tractional resistance detection unit, a reduction of the input torque actually abutting on the wheels of the vehicle and produced by operation of additional units.

25. The method according claim 23, further comprising the step of considering, with the tractional resistance detection unit, a reduction of the input torque actually abutting on the wheels of the vehicle and produced by at least one of automatic and manual brake engagement.

26. The method according claim 17, further comprising the step of delivering, with one averaging module of the tractional resistance detection unit, actual values of the tractional resistance over a predetermined time and determining a medium tractional resistance.

27. The method according claim 26, further comprising the step of determining, with the averaging module, the medium tractional resistance by a timed filtering of the actual values of the tractional resistance.

28. The method according claim 26, further comprising the step of determining, with the averaging module, the medium tractional resistance by grading the actual values using mathematical-statistic methods.

29. The method according claim 26, further comprising the step of determining the medium tractional resistance with the averaging module using at least two alternative possibilities and selecting one of the alternative possibilities by one of manual and automatic actuation with a selector element.

30. The method according claim 17, further comprising the step of influencing the shift program with the tractional resistance detection unit, based on one of an actual and a medium tractional resistance, such that at least one shifting point is lifted for an upshift operation with increasing tractional resistance.

31. The method according claim 17, further comprising the step of determining the input torque available in the drivetrain, after an upshift, for a next higher gear with the tractional resistance detection unit, at least in the full load range of the prime mover, and locking gears above the actual gear with the tractional resistance detection unit when after a change to a higher gear under conditions otherwise remaining the same, locking the gears above the actual gear would not be enough for sufficient acceleration of the vehicle.

32. The method according claim 17, further comprising the step of setting out of operation an NBS (neutral during stoppage) switch of the transmission control with the tractional resistance detection unit on a basis of the tractional resistance determined and on the basis of a determined uphill gradient of the underground, from one of a predetermined or adaptable first threshold and resets the NBS (neutral during stoppage) switch in operation when the tractional resistance determined is below one of a preset and adapted second threshold.

33. A method controlling an automated transmission of a motor vehicle having a tractional resistance detection unit, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving data in the tractional resistance detection unit concerning at least one of torque of a drivetrain, a rotational speed of the drivetrain and acceleration of the vehicle and data about input torque of the drivetrain;

determining an external tractional resistance of the vehicle; and

at least one of activating, adapting and varying a shift program of the automated transmission on a basis of one of actual prepared data and statistically prepared data about external tractional resistance of the vehicle, to influence the shift program.