METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATED CONTROL OF TRANSMISSION RATIO CHANGE

• US 20100332090A1
• Filed: 06/25/2009
• Published: 12/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America Incorporated (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Ahn, Samuel S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,965,645 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/58
• 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 59/60 Inputs being a function of ambient conditions
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/0213 characterised by the method for generating shift signals

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and system for automated control of transmission ratio change which balances the requirements for power with energy efficiency. A plurality of sensors detect environmental conditions of a vehicle. An environmental conditions analysis unit analyzes the environmental conditions to determine whether the detected environmental conditions indicate a likelihood of a transmission ratio increase. When the detected environmental conditions indicate the likelihood of the transmission ratio increase, an automatic transmission changes in operation from a normal state to a prepared state. However, after a predetermined amount of time, the automatic transmission changes from the prepared state back to the normal state when there is no user indication that the transmission ratio should be increased.

Claims

1. A method for automated control of transmission ratio change comprising:

detecting environmental conditions of a vehicle;

analyzing the detected environmental conditions to determine whether the detected environmental conditions indicate a likelihood of a transmission ratio increase; and

changing the operation of a transmission from a normal state to a prepared state when the detected environmental conditions indicate the likelihood of the transmission ratio increase.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising changing the operation of the transmission from the prepared state to the normal state after a predetermined amount of time has lapsed without a user indication that the transmission ratio should be increased.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the user indication that the transmission ratio should be increased includes depressing an accelerator pedal beyond a predetermined depression threshold.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the user indication that the transmission ratio should be increased includes rotating a steering wheel beyond a predetermined rotational threshold.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the environmental conditions include at least one of longitudinal acceleration, distance to another vehicle, longitudinal acceleration of the another vehicle, engine input speed, engine output speed, longitudinal speed, steering wheel rotation, turn signal activation data, or alternate transmission control mode.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the alternate transmission control mode is at least one of a cruise control mode, a snow mode, or an electric power only mode.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the prepared state includes increasing a hydraulic pressure in the transmission.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the prepared state includes increasing the transmission ratio.

9. A method for automated control of transmission ratio change comprising:

detecting environmental conditions of a vehicle, the environmental conditions including at least one of longitudinal acceleration, distance to another vehicle, longitudinal acceleration of the another vehicle, engine input speed, engine output speed, longitudinal speed, steering wheel rotation, or turn signal activation data;

analyzing the detected environmental conditions to determine whether the detected environmental conditions indicate a likelihood of a transmission ratio increase;

changing the operation of the transmission from a normal state to a prepared state when the detected environmental conditions indicate the likelihood of the transmission ratio increase; and

changing the operation of the transmission from the prepared state to the normal state after a predetermined amount of time has lapsed without a user indication that the transmission ratio should be increased.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the user indication that the transmission ratio should be increased includes at least one of depressing an accelerator pedal beyond a predetermined depression threshold or rotating a steering wheel beyond a predetermined rotational threshold.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the prepared state includes increasing a hydraulic pressure in the transmission.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein the prepared state includes increasing the transmission ratio.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein the environmental conditions includes an alternate transmission control mode.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the alternate transmission control mode is at least one of a cruise control mode, a snow mode, or an electric power only mode.

15. A system for automated control of transmission ratio change comprising:

a sensor detecting environmental conditions of a vehicle;

an environmental conditions analysis unit analyzing the detected environmental conditions to determine whether the detected environmental conditions indicate a likelihood of a transmission ratio increase; and

a power train control module changing the operation of the transmission from a normal state to a prepared state when the detected environmental conditions indicate the likelihood of the transmission ratio increase.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein the power train control module changes the operation of the transmission from the prepared state to the normal state after a predetermined amount of time has lapsed without a user indication that the transmission ratio should be increased.

17. The system of claim 15 wherein the environmental conditions include at least one of longitudinal acceleration, distance to another vehicle, longitudinal acceleration of the another vehicle, engine input speed, engine output speed, longitudinal speed, steering wheel rotation, turn signal activation data, or alternate transmission control mode.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the alternate transmission control mode is at least one of a cruise control mode or a snow mode.

19. The system of claim 15 wherein the prepared state includes increasing a hydraulic pressure in the transmission.

20. The system of claim 15 wherein the prepared state includes increasing the transmission ratio.