Pseudo-gear transmission control system and method
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method of providing an operator interface for a self-powered off-road vehicle having an internal combustion engine and multiple gear powershift transmission controlled by an electronic control system, the method comprising the step of:
- (a) commanding, via the electronic control system, the transmission to operate in a particular one of a plurality of actual transmission gears;
(b) commanding, via the electronic control system, the engine to operate at a particular desired engine speed; and
(c) indicating to the operator that the transmission has more forward gears than actually exist by advising the operator that the transmission is operating in a forward transmission gear other than the particular one actual transmission gear in which the transmission is actually operating.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electronic transmission control system for a self-propelled off-road vehicle having an internal combustion engine and multiple gear powershift transmission controls the powershift transmission and provides the at least on control signal to the engine for selecting the speed at which the engine is to operate. The system preferably includes a first electronic controller that provides transmission control signals required to command the powershift transmission to shift to and operate in any particular one of its forward gears, and a second electronic controller that provides at least one engine control signal required to command the engine to operate at one of a number of different desired engine speeds and to monitor the actual engine speed. By use of gear ranges which overlap slightly, and a throttle that is infinitely adjustable within a range of engine speeds, any given ground speed within the range of possible vehicle speeds can be achieved and maintained, as long as the engine is operating within its overall power envelope. The system also supports a pseudo-gear mode where the operator interface indicates there are more gears in the transmission than actually exist.
77 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method of providing an operator interface for a self-powered off-road vehicle having an internal combustion engine and multiple gear powershift transmission controlled by an electronic control system, the method comprising the step of:
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(a) commanding, via the electronic control system, the transmission to operate in a particular one of a plurality of actual transmission gears; (b) commanding, via the electronic control system, the engine to operate at a particular desired engine speed; and (c) indicating to the operator that the transmission has more forward gears than actually exist by advising the operator that the transmission is operating in a forward transmission gear other than the particular one actual transmission gear in which the transmission is actually operating. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An computer controlled electronic control system for providing an operator interface for a self-powered off-road vehicle having an internal combustion engine and multiple gear powershift transmission, the control system comprising:
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an electronic controller operating in accordance with at least one stored program for providing transmission and engine control signals required to command the powershift transmission to operate in any particular one of a plurality of actual forward gears, and to command the engine to operate at any one of a plurality of different desired engine speeds; a first electrical output system for commanding the transmission to operate in a particular one of the actual transmission gears indicated by the transmission control signals from the electronic controller; a second electrical output system for commanding the engine to operate at a particular engine speed indicated by at least one engine control signal from the electronic controller; and a display, responsive to the electronic controller, for indicating to the operator that the transmission has more forward gears than actually exist by displaying to the operator a forward gear which is other than the actual forward gear in which the transmission is actually operating in. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An computer controlled electronic control system for providing an operator interface for a self-powered off-road vehicle having an internal combustion engine and a multiple gear powershift transmission, the control system comprising:
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an electronic controller operating in accordance with at least one stored program for providing transmission and engine control signals required to command the transmission to operate in any particular one of a plurality of actual forward gears, and to command the engine to operate at any one of a plurality of desired engine speeds; the electronic controller includes a first electronic controller for providing transmission control signals, and a second electronic controller for providing at least one engine control signal, the first and second electronic controllers each being operable to transmit and receive information from the other controller, and each being operable under the control of a distinct stored program; a first electrical output for commanding the transmission to operate in a particular actual transmission gear indicated by the transmission control signals from the first electronic controller; a second electrical output for commanding the engine to operate at a particular speed indicated by at least one engine control signal from the second electronic controller; a display, responsive to the first electronic controller, for indicating to the operator that the transmission is operating in a transmission gear other than the actual transmission gear in which the transmission is actually operating, and said first electronic controller being arranged to receive information from the second electronic controller and is arranged to provide at least some of the received information to the operator via the display; the second electronic controller being operable to receive an electronic signal from an operator adjustable throttle to provide the operator with the capability to vary the ground speed of the vehicle; and the first electronic controller being operable to receive an electronic signal from a first operator input device providing for operator capability to select a higher or lower gear, and the first electronic controller being operable to receive an electronic signal from a second operator input device providing for operator capability to select a forward or reverse direction. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification