Method for controlling and/or regulating an automated transmission

• US 8,527,164 B2
• Filed: 08/31/2010
• Issued: 09/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Original Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Inventors: Staudinger, Joachim, Mueller, Lutz
• Primary Examiner(s): FREJD, RUSSELL WARREN
• Application Number:
  US13/497,280
• Publication Number:
  US 20120245810A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,099 Days
• Field of Search: 701/52, 477/79, 477/81
• US Class Current: 701/52
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/02 including control of driveline clutches
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/06 including control of combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/11 Stepped gearings
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/16 Ratio selector position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/215 Selection or confirmation of options
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/0644 Engine speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/065 Idle condition
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18072 Coasting
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18136 Engine braking
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/182 Selecting between different operative modes, e.g. comfort and performance modes
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/1882 characterised by the working point of the engine, e.g. by using engine output chart
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/082 Selecting or switching between different modes of propelling
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/085 Changing the parameters of the control units, e.g. changing limit values, working points by control input
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2300/18083 without torque flow between driveshaft and engine, e.g. with clutch disengaged or transmission in neutral
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2059/0221 for selecting modes, i.e. input device for selecting between different modes with range selector F16H2059/082; for conjoint control B60W30/182
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2059/0243 with push buttons, e.g. shift buttons arranged on steering wheel range selection with push buttons F16H59/12
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2059/186 Coasting
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 59/02 Selector apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/60 Other road transportation technologies with climate change mitigation effect
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/84 Data processing systems or methods, management, administration

Abstract

A method of controlling and/or regulating an automated transmission of a vehicle in which a rolling function or a coasting function of the vehicle is activated in an automatic mode, under predetermined conditions, such that the drivetrain is disengaged and the drive motor is one of operated at idle or is switched off at times. The rolling function or the coasting function is automatically terminated if at least one of the predetermined conditions is no longer present. The rolling function or the coasting function can also be terminated manually by the driver, and a manually operable shifting strategy can be initiated.

Claims

1. A method of at least one of controlling and regulating an automated transmission of a vehicle, in which, in an automatic mode and under predetermined conditions either a rolling function or a coasting function of the vehicle is activated, during which the drive-train is disengaged and the drive motor is either operated in the idling mode or switched off at times, the method comprising the steps of:

automatically terminating the rolling or the coasting function if at least one of the predetermined conditions is no longer present; and

manually terminating the rolling function or the coasting function and initiating a manually influenced predetermined shifting strategy with the predetermined shifting strategy being independent of a normal shifting strategy.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of immediately terminating the rolling function or the coasting function by manually actuating a driving switch and implementing the predetermined shifting strategy that is associated with the driving switch.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of immediately terminating the rolling function or the coasting function and engaging a gear for maximum acceleration of the vehicle by manually actuating a tip-minus key of the driving switch.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of immediately terminating the rolling function or the coasting function and engaging a gear that produces a maximum motor braking action by manually actuating a tip-minus key of the driving switch.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of immediately terminating the rolling function or the coasting function and engaging a gear that enables low-consumption operation by manually actuating a tip-plus key of the driving switch.

6. A method of at least one of controlling and regulating an automated transmission of a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

automatically actuating either a rolling function or a coasting function of the vehicle when the automated transmission is operating in an automatic mode and predetermined conditions are met;

disengaging a drive-train of the vehicle and, when the rolling function is actuated, operating a drive motor in an idling mode and, when the coasting function is actuated, switching off the drive motor;

automatically terminating either the rolling function or the coasting function when the predetermined conditions are no longer present; and

manually terminating either the rolling function or the coasting function and initiating a predetermined transmission shifting strategy by manually actuating a key, and the predetermined shifting strategy being independent of a normal shifting strategy.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising the step of manually terminating either the rolling function or the coasting function by actuating a tip-minus key and engaging either a gear for maximum acceleration of the vehicle or a gear that produces a maximum motor braking action.

8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising the step of manually terminating either the rolling function or the coasting function by actuating a tip-plus key and engaging a gear that enables low-consumption operation of the vehicle.

9. A method of at least one of controlling and regulating an automated transmission of a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

automatically actuating either a rolling function or a coasting function of the vehicle when the automated transmission is operating in an automatic mode and predetermined conditions are met;

disengaging a drive-train of the vehicle and, when the rolling function is actuated, operating a drive motor in an idling mode and, when the coasting function is actuated, switching off the drive motor;

automatically terminating the rolling or the coasting function when at least one of the predetermined conditions is no longer present;

upon manual actuation of an actuator, automatically terminating either the rolling function or the coasting function and implementing a predetermined transmission shifting strategy that is independent of a normal shifting strategy.

10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising the steps of selecting between and implementing one of a plurality of predetermined transmission shifting strategies upon actuation of the actuator, and

basing one of the plurality of predetermined transmission shifting strategies implemented on a manner in which the actuator is manually actuated.

11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising the step of providing a tip key as the actuator.

12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising the steps of, when the tip key is actuated in a minus direction, terminating either the rolling function or the coasting function and engaging either a gear for maximum acceleration of the vehicle or a gear for producing maximum motor braking action, and

engaging a gear that enables low-consumption operation of the vehicle, when the tip key is actuated in a plus direction.

13. The method according to claim 9, further comprising the step of providing a tip key as the actuator.

14. The method according to claim 9, further comprising the step of implementing a different shift strategy when the actuator is actuated than when one of the predetermined conditions is no longer present.

15. The method according to claim 9, further comprising the step of selecting between and implementing one of a plurality of predetermined transmission shifting strategies upon one of a plurality of manners of actuation of the single actuator.