Transmission shift indicator apparatus and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A vehicle comprising:
- an automatic transmission having an input member and an output member, and being configured to selectively establish a plurality of discrete speed ratios between the input member and the output member;
a controller programmed for detecting the presence of a turning condition, said controller being operable to command a downshift from said transmission in response to said condition so said vehicle will respond when throttle tip-in occurs upon completion of said turn, wherein said detecting the presence of a turning condition comprises evaluating lateral vehicle acceleration, throttle, and braking history;
a vehicle body defining a passenger compartment; and
an indicator operatively connected to the transmission and configured to provide an indication inside the passenger compartment of the occurrence of a predetermined speed ratio change between the input member and the output member;
wherein said indicator is a radio speaker within said passenger compartment.
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Abstract
A transmission system for a vehicle includes an automatic transmission configured to automatically change speed ratios between an input member and an output member. An indicator is configured to provide an indication of predetermined speed ratio changes to a driver inside a passenger compartment. A corresponding method is also provided. The method includes establishing a speed ratio, determining that a speed ratio change is appropriate, and generating an indication perceptible to a driver.
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Citations
7 Claims
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1. A vehicle comprising:
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an automatic transmission having an input member and an output member, and being configured to selectively establish a plurality of discrete speed ratios between the input member and the output member; a controller programmed for detecting the presence of a turning condition, said controller being operable to command a downshift from said transmission in response to said condition so said vehicle will respond when throttle tip-in occurs upon completion of said turn, wherein said detecting the presence of a turning condition comprises evaluating lateral vehicle acceleration, throttle, and braking history; a vehicle body defining a passenger compartment; and an indicator operatively connected to the transmission and configured to provide an indication inside the passenger compartment of the occurrence of a predetermined speed ratio change between the input member and the output member;
wherein said indicator is a radio speaker within said passenger compartment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method comprising:
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establishing a first speed ratio between a transmission input member and a transmission output member; determining the presence of a turning condition and that a first shift is appropriate wherein said determining the presence of a turning condition comprises evaluating lateral vehicle acceleration, throttle, and braking history; generating a first indication perceptible by a human vehicle driver in response to said determining that a first shift is appropriate. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7)
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Specification