Neutral-hold mode system and method
First Claim
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1. A system for maintaining a vehicle in a neutral-hold mode, the vehicle including a shift-by-wire transmission, the system comprising:
- a transmission control unit in signal communication with the shift-by-wire transmission and a first control unit of the vehicle, the transmission control unit configured to control a gear configuration of the shift-by-wire transmission; and
a second control unit removably coupled to a vehicle control system that is in signal communication with at least the transmission control unit, wherein the second control unit sends a neutral-hold mode activation signal to the transmission control unit, causing the transmission control unit to remain powered even if the engine of the vehicle is stopped.
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Abstract
A system for maintaining a vehicle including a shift-by-wire transmission in a neutral-hold mode is provided. The system includes a transmission control unit in signal communication with the shift-by-wire transmission and an internal control unit of the vehicle. The transmission control unit is configured to control a gear configuration of the shift-by-wire transmission. An external control unit is in signal communication with the transmission control unit. The external control unit is configured to transmit a neutral-hold mold activation signal.
21 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A system for maintaining a vehicle in a neutral-hold mode, the vehicle including a shift-by-wire transmission, the system comprising:
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a transmission control unit in signal communication with the shift-by-wire transmission and a first control unit of the vehicle, the transmission control unit configured to control a gear configuration of the shift-by-wire transmission; and a second control unit removably coupled to a vehicle control system that is in signal communication with at least the transmission control unit, wherein the second control unit sends a neutral-hold mode activation signal to the transmission control unit, causing the transmission control unit to remain powered even if the engine of the vehicle is stopped. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of maintaining a vehicle in a neutral-hold mode, the vehicle having a shift-by-wire transmission, a transmission control unit, a park-lock solenoid, and a first control unit, the method comprising:
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receiving, at the transmission control unit, a neutral-hold mode activation signal from a second control unit, wherein the neutral-hold mode activation signal is initiated manually or automatically by the second control unit when the second control unit is communicatively coupled to the vehicle, wherein the neutral-hold mode causes the transmission control unit to; activate the park-lock solenoid to allow the shift-by-wire transmission to be in a neutral gear configuration; and transmit a false signal from the transmission control unit to the first control unit indicating the shift-by-wire transmission is in a parked gear configuration; and canceling the neutral-hold mode upon a substantially simultaneous receipt of a brake pedal actuation signal and a parking gear selector signal. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A system for maintaining a vehicle in a neutral-hold mode, the vehicle including a shift-by-wire transmission, the system comprising:
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a transmission control unit in signal communication with the shift-by-wire transmission and a first control unit of the vehicle, the transmission control unit configured to control a gear configuration of the shift-by-wire transmission; and a second control unit in signal communication with the transmission control unit, the second control unit configured to transmit an activation signal to the transmission control unit to configure the shift-by-wire transmission in a neutral configuration, and when an engine of the vehicle is stopped, the transmission control unit configured to transmit a signal to the first control unit to configure the vehicle to only provide electrical power to the transmission control unit and a park-lock solenoid to maintain the neutral-hold mode. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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Specification