Apparatus and method for controlling a manual-automatic transmission after a power reset
First Claim
1. A method of electronically controlling a manual/automatic transmission after an electrical power reset in a vehicle having an engine engageable to the transmission and means for sensing vehicle speed, the transmission including both manually and electronically selectable gears and an electronically selectable neutral position, the method comprising the steps of:
- (1) maintaining engagement of the gear commanded prior to the power reset for a first predetermined time period;
(2) performing steps (3)-(7) after said first predetermined time period elapses;
(3) sensing vehicle speed;
(4) commanding neutral position if said vehicle speed is less than a first predetermined vehicle speed;
(5) commanding the highest of the electronically selectable gears if said vehicle speed is above a second predetermined vehicle speed and the engine is not engaged to either of the two highest electronically selectable gears;
(6) sensing vehicle speed; and
(7) performing steps (5)-(6) until a second predetermined time period elapses.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method of electronically controlling a manual/automatic transmission after a power reset is provided. Within a predetermined time period after a power reset, the current commanded transmission gear is held, or alternatively the highest of the electronically selectable gears is commanded, until an accurate determination of the vehicle speed can be made. If the vehicle speed is thereafter determined to be below a minimum vehicle speed value, the transmission is commanded to the neutral position, or alternatively, the lowest of the electronically selectable gears is commanded. If the vehicle speed is above the minimum vehicle speed value, or alternatively, above a maximum vehicle speed value, then the transmission is commanded to the highest of the electronically selectable gears. In either case, further electronic shifts are inhibited for a predetermined time period after recovery from the power reset is accomplished.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A method of electronically controlling a manual/automatic transmission after an electrical power reset in a vehicle having an engine engageable to the transmission and means for sensing vehicle speed, the transmission including both manually and electronically selectable gears and an electronically selectable neutral position, the method comprising the steps of:
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(1) maintaining engagement of the gear commanded prior to the power reset for a first predetermined time period; (2) performing steps (3)-(7) after said first predetermined time period elapses; (3) sensing vehicle speed; (4) commanding neutral position if said vehicle speed is less than a first predetermined vehicle speed; (5) commanding the highest of the electronically selectable gears if said vehicle speed is above a second predetermined vehicle speed and the engine is not engaged to either of the two highest electronically selectable gears; (6) sensing vehicle speed; and (7) performing steps (5)-(6) until a second predetermined time period elapses. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of electronically controlling a manual/automatic transmission after an electrical power reset in a vehicle having an engine engageable to the transmission and means for sensing vehicle speed, the transmission including both manually and electronically selectable gears and an electronically selectable neutral position, the method comprising the steps of:
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(1) commanding the highest of the electronically selectable transmission gears; (2) maintaining the transmission gear commanded in step (1) for a first predetermined time period; (3) performing steps (4)-(7) after said first predetermined time period elapses; (4) sensing vehicle speed; (5) commanding the lowest of the electronically selectable gears if said vehicle speed is less than a predetermined vehicle speed; (6) commanding the highest of the electronically selectable gears if said vehicle speed is above said predetermined vehicle speed; and (7) inhibiting auto electronic shifts until a second predetermined time period elapses. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A control device for use with a motor vehicle having an engine and a manual/automatic transmission including a gear selection input and further having a manual gear selection mode of operation and an automatic gear shift mode of operation including a plurality of electronically selectable gears and a neutral position, said device comprising:
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means for sensing vehicle speed and providing a vehicle speed signal corresponding thereto; means for sensing engine speed and providing an engine speed signal corresponding thereto; and processor means for controlling the transmission after a power reset, said processor means having a first input for receiving said vehicle speed signal, a second input for receiving said engine speed signal and an output connected to the gear selection input; wherein said processor means is responsive to said power reset to provide a gear selection signal to the gear selection input to maintain engagement of the gear commanded prior to the occurrence of said power reset; and wherein said processor means is responsive to said vehicle speed signal, after a first predetermined time period has elapsed since the power reset, to provide a gear selection signal to the gear selection input to command one of, the neutral position if said vehicle speed is less than a first predetermined vehicle speed; and the highest of the electronically selectable gears if a vehicle speed in excess of a second predetermined vehicle speed level is detected before a second predetermined time period elapses and if the ratio of said engine speed to said vehicle speed is within a predetermined range. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A control device for use with a motor vehicle having an engine and a manual/automatic transmission including a gear selection input and further having a manual gear selection mode of operation and an automatic gear shift mode of operation including a plurality of electronically selectable gears and a neutral position, said device comprising:
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means for sensing vehicle speed and providing a vehicle speed signal corresponding thereto; and processor means for controlling the transmission after a power reset, said processor means having a first input for receiving said vehicle speed signal and an output connected to the gear selection input; wherein said processor means is responsive to the power reset to provide a signal to the gear selection input to command the highest of the electronically selectable gears; and wherein said processor means is responsive to said vehicle speed signal, after a first predetermined time period has elapsed since the power reset, to provide a signal to the gear selection input to command one of, the lowest of the electronically selectable gears if said vehicle speed is less than a predetermined vehicle speed; and the highest of the electronically selectable gears ifs aid vehicle speed is in excess of said predetermined vehicle speed level. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32)
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Specification