Semi-automatic shift implementation with automatic splitter shifting

• US 5,755,639 A
• Filed: 05/30/1997
• Issued: 05/26/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eaton Corp. (Wisconsin) (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Original Assignee: Eaton Corp. (Wisconsin) (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Genise, Thomas A., McReynolds, James R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wright, Dirk
• Application Number:
  US08/865,512
• Time in Patent Office: 361 Days
• Field of Search: 477/111
• US Class Current: 477/111
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/06 including control of combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/11 Stepped gearings
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/111 with separate change-speed gear trains arranged in series
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0045 using databus protocols
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/19 Improvement of gear change, e.g. by synchronisation or smoothing gear shift
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2306/20 Timing of gear shifts for smoothing gear shift F16H61/08
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2306/42 Changing the input torque to the transmission
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2306/48 Synchronising of new gear
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/0248 Control units where shifting is directly initiated by the driver, e.g. semi-automatic transmissions generation of movements for final actuating mechanisms F16H61/28
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/682 with interruption of drive
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/70 specially adapted for change-speed gearing in group arrangement, i.e. with separate change-speed gear trains arranged in series, e.g. range or overdrive-type gearing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/702 using electric or electrohydraulic control means
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 63/44 Signals to the control unit of auxiliary gearing

Abstract

A semi-automatic shift implementation system (100) for a manually lever (57) shifted, splitter-type transmission (10). Lever shifts are semi-automatically implemented by automatic splitter shifting and, upon sensing transmission neutral, automatic control of engine fueling to cause substantially synchronous conditions for engagement of a target ratio.

Claims

1. A semi-automated mechanical transmission system (100) comprising:

a splitter-type compound transmission (10) including a main transmission section (12) connected in series with a splitter-type auxiliary transmission section (14), said main transmission section including an input shaft (18) drivingly connected to a fuel-controlled engine (102) by a manually controlled friction coupling (104) and a plurality of selectively engageable and disengageable jaw clutches (48,

     50), allowing selection of a plurality of main section ratios and a main section neutral, said jaw clutches selectively positioned by a manually operated shift lever (57) operating on a shift pattern having a plurality of shift lever positions, said auxiliary section including an output shaft (58), a splitter clutch having at least splitter-high and splitter-low positions, and a splitter actuator (116) responsive to splitter command signals to cause said splitter clutch to be positioned in a commanded one of said splitter-high and splitter-low positions;

means (146) to automatically sense required forward dynamic splitter shifts and to automatically command said splitter actuator to automatically execute all of said required dynamic splitter shifts;

means (146) to determine a forward target gear ratio (GR_T);

means (146) to sense a main-section-neutral condition and, effective upon sensing a main-section-neutral condition, to command said engine to be fueled to cause the engine to achieve a synchronous rotational speed for engaging said target gear ratio; and

means (146) to sense engagement of said target gear ratio and, effective upon sensing engagement of said target gear ratio, to command said engine to be fueled in accordance with operator demand.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising means to sense disengagement of said friction clutch and, effective upon sensing disengagement of said friction clutch, to command said engine to be fueled in accordance with operator demand.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said system includes means to sense conditions indicative of an operator intent to shift said main section into neutral and, effective upon sensing conditions indicative of an operator intent to shift said main section into neutral, to command said engine to be fueled to minimize torque transfer from said input shaft to said output shaft.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein said system includes means to sense conditions indicative of an operator intent to shift said main section into neutral and, effective upon sensing conditions indicative of an operator intent to shift said main section into neutral, to command said engine to be fueled to minimize torque transfer from said input shaft to said output shaft.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising means to sense and indicate to the operator engine speed equaling a synchronous rotational speed for engaging said target gear ratio.

6. The system of claim 2 further comprising means to sense and indicate to the operator engine speed equaling a synchronous rotational speed for engaging said target gear ratio.

7. The system of claim 3 further comprising means to sense and indicate to the operator engine speed equaling a synchronous rotational speed for engaging said target gear ratio.

8. The system of claim 4 further comprising means to sense and indicate to the operator engine speed equaling a synchronous rotational speed for engaging said target gear ratio.

9. The system of claim 1 further comprising a display with individual display elements corresponding to each of said shift lever positions and means for causing said display to indicate the shift lever positions of at least one of the currently engaged ratio and of the target gear ratio.

10. The system of claim 2 further comprising a display with individual display elements corresponding to said shift lever positions and means for causing said display to indicate the shift lever positions of at least one of the currently engaged ratio and of the target gear ratio.

11. The system of claim 3 further comprising a display with individual display elements corresponding to said shift lever positions and means for causing said display to indicate the shift lever positions of at least one of the currently engaged ratio and of the target gear ratio.

12. The system of claim 4 further comprising a display with individual display elements corresponding to said shift lever positions and means for causing said display to indicate the shift lever positions of at least one of the currently engaged ratio and of the target gear ratio.

13. The system of claim 5 further comprising a display with individual display elements corresponding to said shift lever positions and means for causing said display to indicate the shift lever positions of the currently engaged ratio and of the target gear ratio.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein said means to determine a target gear ratio comprises a microprocessor-based controller receiving input signals indicative of engaged gear ratio and of engine speed and processes said input signals in accordance with logic rules whereby:

if a splitter-high ratio is engaged and engine speed exceeds a first reference value (REF₁), then the target gear ratio is determined to be the next higher ratio; and

if a splitter-low ratio is engaged and engine speed is lower than a second reference value (REF₂), said second reference value lower than said first reference value (REF₂ <

REF₁), then the target gear ratio is determined to be the next lower ratio.

15. The system of claim 2 wherein said means to determine a target gear ratio comprises a microprocessor-based controller receiving input signals indicative of engaged gear ratio and of engine speed and processes said input signals in accordance with logic rules whereby:

if a splitter-high ratio is engaged and engine speed exceeds a first reference value (REF₁), then the target gear ratio is determined to be the next higher ratio; and

if a splitter-low ratio is engaged and engine speed is lower than a second reference value (REF₂), said second reference value lower than said first reference value (REF₂ <

REF₁), then the target gear ratio is determined to be the next lower ratio.

16. The system of claim 3 wherein said means to determine a target gear ratio comprises a microprocessor-based controller receiving input signals indicative of engaged gear ratio and of engine speed and processes said input signals in accordance with logic rules whereby:

if a splitter-high ratio is engaged and engine speed exceeds a first reference value (REF₁), then the target gear ratio is determined to be the next higher ratio; and

if a splitter-low ratio is engaged and engine speed is lower than a second reference value (REF₂), said second reference value lower than said first reference value (REF₂ <

REF₁), then the target gear ratio is determined to be the next lower ratio.

17. The system of claim 4 wherein said means to determine a target gear ratio comprises a microprocessor-based controller receiving input signals indicative of engaged gear ratio and of engine speed and processes said input signals in accordance with logic rules whereby:

if a splitter-high ratio is engaged and engine speed exceeds a first reference value (REF₁), then the target gear ratio is determined to be the next higher ratio; and

if a splitter-low ratio is engaged and engine speed is lower than a second reference value (REF₂), said second reference value lower than said first reference value (REF₂ <

REF₁), then the target gear ratio is determined to be the next lower ratio.

18. The system of claim 5 wherein said means to determine a target gear ratio comprises a microprocessor-based controller receiving input signals indicative of engaged gear ratio and of engine speed and processes said input signals in accordance with logic rules whereby:

if a splitter-high ratio is engaged and engine speed exceeds a first reference value (REF₁), then the target gear ratio is determined to be the next higher ratio; and

if a splitter-low ratio is engaged and engine speed is lower than a second reference value (REF₂), said second reference value lower than said first reference value (REF₂ <

REF₁), then the target gear ratio is determined to be the next lower ratio.

19. The system of claim 6 wherein said means to determine a target gear ratio comprises a microprocessor-based controller receiving input signals indicative of engaged gear ratio and of engine speed and processes said input signals in accordance with logic rules whereby:

if a splitter-high ratio is engaged and engine speed exceeds a first reference value (REF₁), then the target gear ratio is determined to be the next higher ratio; and

if a splitter-low ratio is engaged and engine speed is lower than a second reference value (REF₂), said second reference value lower than said first reference value (REF₂ <

REF₁), then the target gear ratio is determined to be the next lower ratio.

20. The system of claim 1 wherein said means to automatically sense required dynamic splitter shifts comprises a microprocessor-based controller receiving input signals indicative of engaged gear ratio and of engine speed and processes same in accordance with logic rules whereby:

if a splitter-high ratio is engaged and engine speed is less than a third reference value (REF₃), then a splitter downshift is required; and

if a splitter-low ratio is engaged and engine speed is greater than a fourth reference value (REF₄), said fourth reference value greater than said third reference value (REF₄ >

REF₃), then a splitter upshift is required.

21. The system of claim 14 wherein said means to automatically sense required dynamic splitter shifts comprises a microprocessor-based controller receiving input signals indicative of engaged gear ratio and of engine speed and processes same in accordance with logic rules whereby:

if a splitter-high ratio is engaged and engine speed is less than a third reference value (REF₃) and is less than said second reference value (REF₃ <

REF₂), then a splitter downshift is required; and

if a splitter-low ratio is engaged and engine speed is greater than a fourth reference value (REF₄) greater than said first reference value (REF₄ >

REF₁), then a splitter upshift is required.

22. The system of claim 15 wherein said means to automatically sense required dynamic splitter shifts comprises a microprocessor-based controller receiving input signals indicative of engaged gear ratio and of engine speed and processes same in accordance with logic rules whereby:

if a splitter-high ratio is engaged and engine speed is less than a third reference value (REF₃) and is less than said second reference value (REF₃ <

REF₂), then a splitter downshift is required; and

if a splitter-low ratio is engaged and engine speed is greater than a fourth reference value (REF₄) greater than said first reference value (REF₄ >

REF₁), then a splitter upshift is required.

23. The system of claim 16 wherein said means to automatically sense required dynamic splitter shifts comprises a microprocessor-based controller receiving input signals indicative of engaged gear ratio and of engine speed and processes same in accordance with logic rules whereby:

if a splitter-high ratio is engaged and engine speed is less than a third reference value (REF₃) and is less than said second reference value (REF₃ <

REF₂), then a splitter downshift is required; and

if a splitter-low ratio is engaged and engine speed is greater than a fourth reference value (REF₄) greater than said first reference value (REF₄ >

REF₁), then a splitter upshift is required.

24. The system of claim 17 wherein said means to automatically sense required dynamic splitter shifts comprises a microprocessor-based controller receiving input signals indicative of engaged gear ratio and of engine speed and processes same in accordance with logic rules whereby:

if a splitter-high ratio is engaged and engine speed is less than a third reference value (REF₃) and is less than said second reference value (REF₃ <

REF₂), then a splitter downshift is required; and

if a splitter-low ratio is engaged and engine speed is greater than a fourth reference value (REF₄) greater than said first reference value (REF₄ >

REF₁), then a splitter upshift is required.

25. The system of claim 18 wherein said means to automatically sense required dynamic splitter shifts comprises a microprocessor-based controller receiving input signals indicative of engaged gear ratio and of engine speed and processes same in accordance with logic rules whereby:

if a splitter-high ratio is engaged and engine speed is less than a third reference value (REF₃) and is less than said second reference value (REF₃ <

REF₂), then a splitter downshift is required; and

if a splitter-low ratio is engaged and engine speed is greater than a fourth reference value (REF₄) greater than said first reference value (REF₄ >

REF₁), then a splitter upshift is required.

26. The system of claim 19 wherein said means to automatically sense required dynamic splitter shifts comprises a microprocessor-based controller receiving input signals indicative of engaged gear ratio and of engine speed and processes same in accordance with logic rules whereby:

if a splitter-high ratio is engaged and engine speed is less than a third reference value (REF₃) and is less than said second reference value (REF₃ <

REF₂), then a splitter downshift is required; and

if a splitter-low ratio is engaged and engine speed is greater than a fourth reference value (REF₄) greater than said first reference value (REF₄ >

REF₁), then a splitter upshift is required.

27. The system of claim 2 wherein said means to automatically sense required dynamic splitter shifts comprises a microprocessor-based controller receiving input signals indicative of engaged gear ratio and of engine speed and processes same in accordance with logic rules whereby:

if a splitter-high ratio is engaged and engine speed is less than a third reference value (REF₃) and is less than said second reference value (REF₃ <

REF₂), then a splitter downshift is required; and

if a splitter-low ratio is engaged and engine speed is greater than a fourth reference value (REF₄) greater than said first reference value (REF₄ >

REF₁), then a splitter upshift is required.

28. The system of claim 3 wherein said means to automatically sense required dynamic splitter shifts comprises a microprocessor-based controller receiving input signals indicative of engaged gear ratio and of engine speed and processes same in accordance with logic rules whereby:

if a splitter-high ratio is engaged and engine speed is less than a third reference value (REF₃) and is less than said second reference value (REF₃ <

REF₂), then a splitter downshift is required; and

if a splitter-low ratio is engaged and engine speed is greater than a fourth reference value (REF₄) greater than said first reference value (REF₄ >

REF₁), then a splitter upshift is required.

29. The system of claim 5 wherein said means to automatically sense required dynamic splitter shifts comprises a microprocessor-based controller receiving input signals indicative of engaged gear ratio and of engine speed and processes same in accordance with logic rules whereby:

if a splitter-high ratio is engaged and engine speed is less than a third reference value (REF₃) and is less than said second reference value (REF₃ <

REF₂), then a splitter downshift is required; and

if a splitter-low ratio is engaged and engine speed is greater than a fourth reference value (REF₄) greater than said first reference value (REF₄ >

REF₁), then a splitter upshift is required.

30. The system of claim 1 further comprising means to sense said engine achieving a synchronous speed for engaging said target gear ratio and for causing the operator to be informed that the target gear ratio is engageable at substantially synchronous speeds.

31. The system of claim 2 further comprising means to sense said engine achieving a synchronous speed for engaging said target gear ratio and for causing the operator to be informed that the target gear ratio is engageable at substantially synchronous speeds.

32. The system of claim 3 further comprising means to sense said engine achieving a synchronous speed for engaging said target gear ratio and for causing the operator to be informed that the target gear ratio is engageable at substantially synchronous speeds.

33. The system of claim 1 further comprising sensors for providing input signals indicative of input shaft speed and output shaft speed, said means to sense a transmission section neutral condition, making such determinations as a function of said speed signals.

34. The system of claim 1 further comprising sensors for providing input signals indicative of input shaft speed and output shaft speed, said means to sense a transmission section neutral condition and engagement of a target ratio, making such determinations as a function of said speed signals.

35. The system of claim 2 further comprising sensors for providing input signals indicative of engine speed, input shaft speed and output shaft speed, said means to sense a transmission section neutral condition, and to sense a non-engaged condition of said friction clutch, making such determinations as a function of said speed signals.

53. The control system of claim 1 wherein said engine includes a microprocessor-based engine controller mounted to said engine and having a memory, all of said means comprising logic rules stored in said memory.

36. A semi-automated mechanical transmission system (100) comprising:

a splitter-type compound transmission (10) including a main transmission section (12) connected in series with a splitter-type auxiliary transmission section (14), said main transmission section including an input shaft (18) drivingly connected to a fuel-controlled engine (102) by a manually controlled friction coupling (104) and a plurality of selectively engageable and disengageable jaw clutches (48,

     50), allowing selection of a plurality of main section ratios and a main section neutral, said jaw clutches selectively positioned by a manually operated shift lever (57) operating on a shift pattern having a plurality of shift lever positions, said auxiliary section including an output shaft (58), a splitter clutch having at least splitter-high and splitter-low positions, and a splitter actuator (116) responsive to splitter command signals to cause said splitter clutch to be positioned in a commanded one of said splitter-high and splitter-low positions;

means (146) to determine a forward target gear ratio (GR_T);

means (146) to automatically sense a dynamic forward splitter shift required to engage said target gear ratio;

means effective, upon sensing an operater initiation of a shift into said target ratio to automatically command said splitter actuator to execute said splitter shift required to engage said target ratio;

means (146) to sense a main-section-neutral condition and, effective upon sensing a main-section-neutral condition, to command said engine to be fueled to cause the engine to achieve a synchronous rotational speed for engaging said target gear ratio; and

means (146) to sense engagement of said target gear ratio and, effective upon sensing engagement of said target gear ratio, to command said engine to be fueled in accordance with operator demand.

37. The system of claim 36 further comprising means to sense disengagement of said friction clutch and, effective upon sensing disengagement of said friction clutch, to command said engine to be fueled in accordance with operator demand.

38. The system of claim 36 wherein said system includes means to sense conditions indicative of an operator intent to shift said main section into neutral and, effective upon sensing conditions indicative of an operator intent to shift said main section into neutral, to command said engine to be fueled to minimize torque transfer from said input shaft to said output shaft.

39. The system of claim 36 further comprising means to sense and indicate to the operator engine speed equaling a synchronous rotational speed for engaging said target gear ratio.

40. The system of claim 38 further comprising means to sense and indicate to the operator engine speed equaling a synchronous rotational speed for engaging said target gear ratio.

41. The system of claim 36 further comprising a display with individual display elements corresponding to each of said shift lever positions and means for causing said display to indicate the shift lever positions of at least one of the currently engaged ratio and of the target gear ratio.

42. The system of claim 38 further comprising a display with individual display elements corresponding to said shift lever positions and means for causing said display to indicate the shift lever positions of at least one of the currently engaged ratio and of the target gear ratio.

43. The system of claim 39 further comprising a display with individual display elements corresponding to said shift lever positions and means for causing said display to indicate the shift lever positions of at least one of the currently engaged ratio and of the target gear ratio.

44. The system of claim 36 wherein said means to determine a target gear ratio comprises a microprocessor-based controller receiving input signals indicative of engaged gear ratio and of engine speed and processes said input signals in accordance with logic rules whereby:

if a splitter-high ratio is engaged and engine speed exceeds a first reference value (REF₁), then the target gear ratio is determined to be the next higher ratio; and

if a splitter-low ratio is engaged and engine speed is lower than a second reference value (REF₂), said second reference value lower than said first reference value (REF₂ <

REF₁), then the target gear ratio is determined to be the next lower ratio.

45. The system of claim 38 wherein said means to determine a target gear ratio comprises a microprocessor-based controller receiving input signals indicative of engaged gear ratio and of engine speed and processes said input signals in accordance with logic rules whereby:

if a splitter-high ratio is engaged and engine speed exceeds a first reference value (REF₁), then the target gear ratio is determined to be the next higher ratio; and

if a splitter-low ratio is engaged and engine speed is lower than a second reference value (REF₂), said second reference value lower than said first reference value (REF₂ <

REF₁), then the target gear ratio is determined to be the next lower ratio.

46. The system of claim 39 wherein said means to determine a target gear ratio comprises a microprocessor-based controller receiving input signals indicative of engaged gear ratio and of engine speed and processes said input signals in accordance with logic rules whereby:

if a splitter-high ratio is engaged and engine speed exceeds a first reference value (REF₁), then the target gear ratio is determined to be the next higher ratio; and

if a splitter-low ratio is engaged and engine speed is lower than a second reference value (REF₂), said second reference value lower than said first reference value (REF₂ <

REF₁), then the target gear ratio is determined to be the next lower ratio.

47. The system of claim 36 further comprising means to sense said engine achieving a synchronous speed for engaging said target gear ratio and for causing the operator to be informed that the target gear ratio is engageable at substantially synchronous speeds.

48. The system of claim 38 further comprising means to sense said engine achieving a synchronous speed for engaging said target gear ratio and for causing the operator to be informed that the target gear ratio is engageable at substantially synchronous speeds.

49. The system of claim 39 further comprising means to sense said engine achieving a synchronous speed for engaging said target gear ratio and for causing the operator to be informed that the target gear ratio is engageable at substantially synchronous speeds.

50. The system of claim 36 further comprising sensors for providing input signals indicative of input shaft speed and output shaft speed, said means to sense a transmission section neutral condition making such determinations as a function of said speed signals.

51. The system of claim 38 further comprising sensors for providing input signals indicative of input shaft speed and output shaft speed, said means to sense a transmission section neutral condition and engagement of a target ratio making such determinations as a function of said speed signals.

52. The system of claim 39 further comprising sensors for providing input signals indicative of engine speed, input shaft speed and output shaft speed, said means to sense a transmission section neutral condition and to sense a non-engaged condition of said friction clutch making such determinations as a function of said speed signals.

54. The control system of claim 36 wherein said engine includes a microprocessor-based engine controller mounted to said engine and having a memory, all of said means comprising logic rules stored in said memory.

55. A microprocessor-based system controller for controlling a semi-automated mechanical transmission system (100) comprising a splitter-type compound transmission (10) including a main transmission section (12) connected in series with a splitter-type auxiliary transmission section (14), said main transmission section including an input shaft (18) drivingly connected to a fuel-controlled engine (102) by a manually controlled friction coupling (104) and a plurality of selectively engageable and disengageable jaw clutches (48, 50), allowing selection of a plurality of main section ratios and a main section neutral, said jaw clutches selectively positioned by a manually operated shift lever (57) operating on a shift pattern having a plurality of shift lever positions, said auxiliary section including an output shaft (58), a splitter clutch having at least splitter-high and splitter-low positions, a fuel controller for controlling fueling of the engine, and a splitter actuator (116) responsive to splitter command signals to cause said splitter clutch to be positioned in a commanded one of said splitter-high and splitter-low positions, said system controller receiving input signals and processing same according to logic rules to issue command output signals, said logic rules including rules effective:

to automatically sense required forward dynamic splitter shifts and to automatically command said splitter actuator to automatically execute all of said required dynamic splitter shifts;

to determine a forward target gear ratio (GR_T);

to sense a main-section-neutral condition and, effective upon sensing a main-section-neutral condition, to command said engine to be fueled to cause the engine to achieve a synchronous rotational speed for engaging said target gear ratio; and

to sense engagement of said target gear ratio and, effective upon sensing engagement of said target gear ratio, to command said engine to be fueled in accordance with operator demand.

56. The system controller of claim 55 wherein said logic rules further comprise rules effective to sense disengagement of said friction clutch and, effective upon sensing disengagement of said friction clutch, to command said engine to be fueled in accordance with operator demand.

57. The system controller of claim 55 wherein said logic rules include rules effective to sense conditions indicative of an operator intent to shift said main section into neutral and, effective upon sensing conditions indicative of an operator intent to shift said main section into neutral, to command said engine to be fueled to minimize torque transfer from said input shaft to said output shaft.

58. The system controller of claim 56 wherein said logic rules include rules effective to sense conditions indicative of an operator intent to shift said main section into neutral and, effective upon sensing conditions indicative of an operator intent to shift said main section into neutral, to command said engine to be fueled to minimize torque transfer from said input shaft to said output shaft.

59. The system controller of claim 55 wherein said logic rules further comprise logic rules effective to sense and indicate to the operator engine speed equaling a synchronous rotational speed for engaging said target gear ratio.

60. The system controller of claim 56 wherein said logic rules further comprise logic rules effective to sense and indicate to the operator engine speed equaling a synchrnous rotational speed for engaging said target gear ratio.