Apparatus for controlling an automatic transmission of an automobile and method thereof
First Claim
1. An apparatus for controlling an automatic transmission of an automobile, comprising:
- road information storing means for storing information concerning roads;
specific position detecting means for detecting a specific position, which is located on a planned driving route, from the road information stored in said road information storing means;
location detecting means for detecting present location of the automobile;
distance computing means for computing distance between the detected present location of the automobile and the specific position;
speed detecting means for detecting speed of the automobile;
an accelerator sensor for detecting an off position of an accelerator and for generating an accelerator OFF signal;
first gear ratio selecting means for selecting an appropriate gear ratio for the automatic transmission by reference to a prestored gear change table, responsive to receipt of a demand signal; and
second gear ratio selecting means including determining means for determining, responsive to the computed distance reaching a predetermined distances, whether or not a downshift is needed by comparing a present gear ratio with a gear ratio determined in accordance with the detected speed and the computed distance when the accelerator sensor generates the accelerator OFF signal, said second gear ratio selecting means outputting a downshift demand signal to the first gear ratio selecting means responsive to a determination that a downshift is needed.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for controlling an automatic transmission of an automobile and a method therefor utilize a route guidance system. The apparatus includes a memory which stores road information, a detector for detecting a specific position which is located on a planned driving route from the road information stored in the memory; a position detector for detecting the present position of the automobile; a speed detector for detecting the speed V of the automobile; a sensor for detecting an opening degree θ of a throttle of the automobile; a computer for computing a distance "d" between the detected automobile position and the detected specific position; a driving operation detector for detecting an operation by the driver of the automobile; a first gear ratio selecting device for selecting a first gear ratio for the automatic transmission based on the detected speed V and the detected throttle opening degree θ; and a second gear ratio selecting device for selecting a second gear ratio based on the detected speed V, the distance "d", the detected operation by the driver and the first gear ratio selected by the first gear ratio selecting device. As a result, it is possible to carry out gear change control taking anticipated changes in the driving conditions into account, thus enabling smooth and comfortable driving. Further, since the driver of the automobile can have advance voice notice of control operations, it is possible to avoid confusion caused by sudden unexpected changes.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An apparatus for controlling an automatic transmission of an automobile, comprising:
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road information storing means for storing information concerning roads; specific position detecting means for detecting a specific position, which is located on a planned driving route, from the road information stored in said road information storing means; location detecting means for detecting present location of the automobile; distance computing means for computing distance between the detected present location of the automobile and the specific position; speed detecting means for detecting speed of the automobile; an accelerator sensor for detecting an off position of an accelerator and for generating an accelerator OFF signal; first gear ratio selecting means for selecting an appropriate gear ratio for the automatic transmission by reference to a prestored gear change table, responsive to receipt of a demand signal; and second gear ratio selecting means including determining means for determining, responsive to the computed distance reaching a predetermined distances, whether or not a downshift is needed by comparing a present gear ratio with a gear ratio determined in accordance with the detected speed and the computed distance when the accelerator sensor generates the accelerator OFF signal, said second gear ratio selecting means outputting a downshift demand signal to the first gear ratio selecting means responsive to a determination that a downshift is needed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An apparatus for controlling an automatic transmission of an automobile, comprising:
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road information storing means for storing information concerning roads; specific position detecting means for detecting a specific position, which is located on a planned driving route, from the road information stored in said road information storing means; location detecting means for detecting present location of the automobile; distance computing means for computing distance between the detected present location of the automobile and the specific position; speed detecting means for detecting speed of the automobile; a brake sensor for detecting actuation of a brake and for generating a brake ON signal; first gear ratio selecting means for selecting an appropriate gear ratio for the automatic transmission by reference to a prestored gear change table, responsive to receipt of a demand signal; and second gear ratio selecting means including determining means for determining, responsive to the computed distance reaching a predetermined distance, whether or not a downshift is needed by comparing a present gear ratio with a gear ratio determined in accordance with the detected speed and the computed distance, when the brake sensor generates the brake ON signal, said second gear ratio selecting means outputting a downshift demand signal to the first gear ratio selecting means responsive to a determination that a downshift is needed. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An apparatus for controlling an automatic transmission of an automobile, comprising:
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road information storing means for storing information concerning roads; specific position detecting means for detecting a specific position, which is located on a planned driving route, from the road information stored in said road information storing means; location detecting means for detecting present location of the automobile; distance computing means for computing distance between the detected present location of the automobile and the specific position; speed detecting means for detecting speed of the automobile; an accelerator sensor for detecting an OFF position of an accelerator for the automobile and for generating an accelerator OFF signal; a brake sensor for detecting actuation of a brake and for generating a brake ON signal; first gear ratio selecting means for selecting an appropriate gear ratio for the automatic transmission by reference to a prestored gear change table, responsive to receipt of a demand signal; and second gear ratio selecting means including determining means for determining, responsive to the computed distance reaching a predetermined distance, whether or not a downshift is needed by comparing a present gear ratio with a gear ratio determined in accordance with the detected speed and the computed distance, when the accelerator sensor generates the accelerator OFF signal but the brake sensor does not generate the brake ON signal, or when the accelerator sensor generates the accelerator OFF signal and the brake sensor generates the brake ON signal, said second gear ratio selecting means outputting a downshift demand signal to the first gear ratio selecting means when it determines that a downshift is needed. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification