Semi-automatic gearbox system including improved control means for when the vehicle is stationary

• US 6,014,603 A
• Filed: 10/02/1997
• Issued: 01/11/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Magneti Marelli France (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Magneti Marelli France (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Le Van, Adriana
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Donnelly, Arthur D.
• Application Number:
  US08/945,999
• Time in Patent Office: 831 Days
• Field of Search: 701/51, 701/52, 701/64, 701/66, 74/336 R, 74/375, 74/475, 74/335, 477/78, 477/70, 477/124, 477/120, 477/75, 477/63, 477/65, 477/154, 477/155, 477/85, 477/904, 477/80, 475/127, 475/158
• US Class Current: 701/52
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/165 acting on elements of the vehicle drive train other than the propulsion unit and brakes, e.g. transmission, clutch, differential acting on brakes B60T8/17
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/06 including control of combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/11 Stepped gearings
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/143 Alarm means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/0638 Engine speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/1005 Transmission ratio engaged
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/1015 Input shaft speed, e.g. turbine speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/104 Output speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/10 Accelerator pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/1005 Transmission ratio engaged
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18 Propelling the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18054 at stand still, e.g. engine in idling state hill holding B60W30/18118
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2059/006 Overriding automatic control
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2059/082 with different modes
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2059/084 Economy mode
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2059/085 Power mode
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2059/506 Wheel slip
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2061/0096 using a parameter map
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2312/02 Driving off
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 59/12 comprising push button devices
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/0213 : characterised by the method for generating shift signals
• 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 61/12 : Detecting malfunction or potential malfunction, e.g. fail safe in control of hydrostatic gearing F16H61/4192; Circumventing or fixing failures
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 63/502 : for smoothing gear shifts

Abstract

The present invention relates to a semi-automatic gearbox system, characterized by the fact that it includes means suitable for causing first gear to be engaged automatically when the system detects that the vehicle has stopped, with the engine running, and with a gear ratio other than neutral or than reverse.

Claims

1. A control system for a semi-automatic gearbox installed in a vehicle, including means suitable for detecting when the vehicle is stationary by detecting when an engine speed, an inlet speed and an outlet speed of the gearbox are below minimum thresholds for a predefined time T, and causing first gear to be engaged automatically when said system detects that the vehicle is stationary, with the engine running, and with a gear ratio other than neutral or than reverse.

2. A system according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it includes a signaling device suitable for warning a driver of dangerous situations.

3. A system according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it includes a signaling device suitable for warning a driver of dangerous situations of the type in which the vehicle is stationary, with the engine running, with first gear engaged, and with a door of the vehicle open.

4. A system according to claim 2, characterized by the fact that the signaling device (440) is an audible device.

5. A system according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the predefined time T can be configured differently depending on whether or not an ABS is present.

6. A system according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it includes a control device suitable for causing first gear to be engaged automatically when;

a control lever is in a rest position; and

the system is not in the automatic operating mode; and

the gear ratio engaged is a gear that corresponds to a gear higher than first gear; and

the engine speed is higher than a threshold; and

the speed of a primary shaft of the gearbox is lower than a threshold; and

the speed of a differential outlet shaft is lower than a threshold.

7. A system according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it includes control means suitable for controlling an automatic operating mode for changing gear ratios in the gearbox.

8. A system according to claim 7, characterized by the fact that the control means (420) include a memory which stores information required to change gear ratios.

9. A system according to claim 7, characterized by the fact that the control means include a memory which stores charts for changing gear as a function in particular of position of an accelerator pedal of the engine speed, and of the vehicle speed.

10. A system according to claim 9, characterized by the fact that the control means (420) store a plurality of gear change charts that can be selected by the driver.

11. A system according to claim 9, characterized by the fact that the control means (420) store three charts corresponding respectively to "economy" driving, to "comfort" driving, and to "sports" driving, the charts being selectable by the driver.

12. A system according to claim 9, characterized by the fact that the control means include a control available to the driver for initiating an automatic operating mode, and where applicable for initiating a change over from automatic mode to manual mode.

13. A system according to claim 12, characterized by the fact that the control available to the driver is formed by a monostable button.

14. A system according to claim 12, characterized by the fact that the control is placed on a lever for controlling gear changes.

15. A system according to claim 12, characterized by the fact that the control available to the driver defines a transient automatic state.

16. A system according to claim 12, characterized by the fact the control available to the driver defines a transient automatic state in which a control module maintains the automatic operating mode so long as the driver does not act on a gear shift control lever or on the control itself, thereby canceling the automatic operating mode.

17. A system according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it includes a subassembly suitable for imposing an automatic operating mode when it no longer recognizes requests made by the driver, as expressed by actuating a lever.

18. A control system, for a semi-automatic gearbox installed in a vehicle, including means for detecting when the vehicle is stationary by detecting when;

a control lever is in a rest position; and

said system is not in an automatic operating mode; and

the gear ratio engaged is a gear that corresponds to a gear higher than first gear; and

when for a predefined time T;

the engine speed is lower than a threshold; and

the speed of the primary shaft of the gearbox is lower than a threshold; and

the speed of the differential outlet shaft is lower than a threshold,

and causing first gear to be engaged automatically when the system detects that the vehicle is stationary, with the engine running, and with a gear ration other than neutral or than reverse.