METHOD FOR OPERATING AN AUTOMATIC OR SEMI-AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OF A HEAVY VEHICLE WHEN IN IDLE-DRIVING MODE

• US 20100234177A1
• Filed: 02/27/2007
• Published: 09/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB (Volvo AB)
• Original Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB (Volvo AB)
• Inventors: Lauri, Erik, Karpenman, Fredrik
• Granted Patent: US 8,251,871 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 477/79
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/06 including control of combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/11 Stepped gearings
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2530/16 Driving resistance
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/065 Idle condition
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18063 Creeping
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/0097 Predicting future conditions
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2306/44 Removing torque from current gears
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2306/52 Applying torque to new gears
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2312/06 Creeping
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 59/22 Idle position
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 63/46 Signals to a clutch outside the gearbox
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 63/50 Signals to an engine or motor

Abstract

A method for operating a semi-automatic or automatic mechanical transmission of a heavy truck when driving at idle speed is provided. The method includes supplying fuel to the engine of the heavy truck at a rate that facilitates engine-idle operation. In another step, the method engages the automatic or semi-automatic transmission in a gear higher than the starting gear of the transmission and permits the truck to operate at a first substantially uniform driving velocity under engine-idle power. Depending upon traffic and environmental requirements which require a higher speed, the driver upshifts the semi-automatic or automatic transmission by depressing a control device for manual gear selection arranged on a gear shift lever of the truck and then drives the truck at a second substantially uniform driving velocity under engine-idle power. The second substantially uniform driving velocity is greater than the first substantially uniform driving velocity.

Claims

1. A method for operating an automatic or semi-automatic transmission of a heavy vehicle when in idle-driving mode, the method comprising:

supplying fuel to an engine of the heavy vehicle at a rate that facilitates engine-idle operation;

engaging the transmission in a gear higher than the starting gear of the transmission and permitting the heavy vehicle to operate at a first substantially uniform driving velocity under engine-idle power; and

upshifting the transmission by manual control of a control device for manual gear selection and then driving the heavy vehicle at a second substantially uniform driving velocity under engine-idle power, wherein the second substantially uniform driving velocity is higher than the first substantially uniform driving velocity.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the control device is a toggle switch, button, lever, joystick or scroll.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein speed of the vehicle is automatically increased up to a predetermined vehicle speed before the upshift is performed by controlling the engine.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein speed of the vehicle is automatically increased after the upshift by reengaging a clutch, the clutch being part of the transmission and being arranged between the engine and a gearbox of the transmission.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the speed of the vehicle is automatically increased by performing by at least one of controlling the engine and reengaging a clutch.

6. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein the vehicle speed increase is dependent of and adapted to current vehicle travel resistance.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the upshift function is only available when travel resistance of the vehicle is below a predetermined value.

8. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the manual control of the control device causes the transmission to upshift one gear step.

9. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein a longer manual control action of the control device causes the transmission to upshift at least two gears steps.

10. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein a certain number of manual control actions of the control device causes the transmission to upshift corresponding number of gear steps.

11. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the control device is arranged on a gear shift lever.