Apparatus and method for determining a failure of an automatic transmission fluid temperature sensor
First Claim
1. An apparatus for determining a failure of an automatic transmission temperature sensor in a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
- means for detecting a start-up of the vehicle;
a sensor for detecting a transmission fluid temperature;
means for prohibiting a failure determination for the automatic transmission fluid temperature sensor when the transmission fluid temperature at the start-up is below a first predetermined temperature or above a second predetermined temperature that is below the first predetermined temperature; and
sensor test means for determining that the sensor has failed when the sensor does not detect a predetermined change in temperature during operation of the vehicle after it is determined that the transmission fluid temperature at the start-up is above the first predetermined temperature or below the second predetermined temperature.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus are provided to determine a failure of an automatic transmission temperature sensor in an automobile. The apparatus detects a start-up of the vehicle. A sensor detects the transmission fluid temperature. The transmission fluid temperature at start-up is checked to see if the temperature is below a first predetermined temperature or above a second predetermined temperature. If the sensor does not detect a predetermined change in temperature during operation of the vehicle after it is determined the transmission fluid temperature at start-up is above the first predetermined or below the second predetermined temperature, the sensor has failed.
40 Citations
10 Claims
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1. An apparatus for determining a failure of an automatic transmission temperature sensor in a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
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means for detecting a start-up of the vehicle; a sensor for detecting a transmission fluid temperature; means for prohibiting a failure determination for the automatic transmission fluid temperature sensor when the transmission fluid temperature at the start-up is below a first predetermined temperature or above a second predetermined temperature that is below the first predetermined temperature; and sensor test means for determining that the sensor has failed when the sensor does not detect a predetermined change in temperature during operation of the vehicle after it is determined that the transmission fluid temperature at the start-up is above the first predetermined temperature or below the second predetermined temperature. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for determining a failure to automatic transmission fluid temperature sensor for a vehicle comprising the steps of:
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determining that the vehicle experiences a start-up; sensing a first transmission fluid temperature at the start-up; sensing a second transmission fluid temperature after the vehicle has operated for a predetermined amount of time; prohibiting a failure determination of the transmission fluid temperature sensor when the first transmission fluid temperature is below a first predetermined temperature or above a second predetermined temperature that is above the first predetermined temperature; and determining whether a magnitude of the difference between the first and second transmission fluid temperatures is greater than a predetermined amount, otherwise determining that the automatic transmission fluid temperature sensor has failed. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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Specification