Method for providing different speed ranges for a speed pedal

• US 5,553,453 A
• Filed: 05/18/1995
• Issued: 09/10/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Rajagopalan, Sanjay, Coutant, Alan R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ryznic, John E.
• Application Number:
  US08/443,843
• Time in Patent Office: 481 Days
• Field of Search: 60/327, 60/445, 60/448, 60/487, 60/490, 60/452, 180/307, 180/176, 180/177, 180/179
• US Class Current: 60/327
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2037/0886 with switching means, e.g. to change ranges
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2312/10 Inching
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 47/04 the mechanical gearing being of the type with members having orbital motion
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/425 Motor capacity control by electric actuators
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/46 Automatic regulation in accordance with output requirements
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/47 for achieving a target output speed

Abstract

A method is disclosed for providing different speed ranges for a speed pedal in a continuously variable transmission having a closed loop control. The method comprises the steps of monitoring the output speed of the continuously variable transmission, monitoring the position of the speed pedal relative to the transmission output speed, establishing a plurality of control maps each having the same travel distance of a speed pedal but different speed ranges, and selecting the desired speed range relating to one of the plurality of control maps. This enables the operator to select a speed range to fit the operation, such as, travelling from one location to another, maneuvering, or loading a truck.

Claims

1. A method for providing different operating speed ranges for a speed pedal in a machine having a continuously variable transmission with a closed loop control, comprising the steps of:

monitoring the output speed of the continuously variable transmission;

monitoring the position of the speed pedal relative to the transmission output speed;

establishing a first predetermined control map that is effective to accelerate or retard the continuously variable transmission in response to the position of the speed pedal to maintain a zero point along a zero line on the first predetermined control map for a first predetermined output speed range of the continuously variable transmission, the first predetermined control map having a first region relating to acceleration of the continuously variable transmission and a second region relating to retarding of the continuously variable transmission with the zero line defined therebetween along which there is no accelerating or retarding of the continuously variable transmission;

establishing a second predetermined control map that is effective to accelerate or retard the continuously variable transmission in response to the position of the speed pedal to maintain a zero point along a zero line on the second predetermined control map for a second predetermined output speed range of the continuously variable transmission, the second predetermined control map having a first region relating to acceleration of the continuously variable transmission and a second region relating to retarding of the continuously variable transmission with the zero line defined therebetween along which there is no accelerating or retarding of the continuously variable transmission; and

selecting the desired one of the first and second predetermined output speed ranges.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of selecting includes moving a selector switch or lever.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein in the steps of establishing the first and second predetermined control maps the zero line is a linear line.

4. The method of claim 1 including the step of establishing a third predetermined control map that is effective to accelerate or retard the continuously variable transmission in response to the position of the speed pedal to maintain a zero point along a zero line on the third predetermined control map for a third predetermined output speed range of the continuously variable transmission, the third predetermined control map having a first region relating to acceleration of the continuously variable transmission and a second region relating to retarding of the continuously variable transmission with the zero line defined therebetween along which there is no accelerating or retarding of the continuously variable transmission and the step of selecting includes selecting the desired one of the first, second, or third predetermined output speed ranges.

5. The method of claim 4 including the step of establishing a fourth predetermined control map that is effective to accelerate or retard the continuously variable transmission in response to the position of the speed pedal to maintain a zero point along a zero line on the fourth predetermined control map for a fourth predetermined output speed range of the continuously variable transmission, the fourth predetermined control map having a first region relating to acceleration of the continuously variable transmission and a second region relating to retarding of the continuously variable transmission with the zero line defined therebetween along which there is no accelerating or retarding of the continuously variable transmission and the step of selecting includes selecting the desired one of first, second, third, or fourth predetermined output speed ranges.