METHOD FOR ADAPTING AN AUTOMATIC MECHANICAL TRANSMISSION ON A HEAVY VEHICLE

• US 20100063697A1
• Filed: 09/13/2007
• Published: 03/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB (Volvo AB)
• Original Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB (Volvo AB)
• Inventors: Hammerlid, Bo, Tobiasson, Mats Henrik, Berglund, Sixten, Eriksson, Anders, Lindgren, Anders
• Application Number:
  US12/441,388
• Publication Number:
  US 20100063697A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/59
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/06 including control of combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/10 including control of change-speed gearings
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/30 Driving style
• 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

Abstract

System and method for adapting an automatic mechanical transmission (AMT) on a heavy vehicle. The method includes assessing at least one driving characteristic of an operator of the vehicle. Specific examples are detailed below, but in general these will be driving traits that demonstrate the driver'"'"'s proficiency at executing certain driving tasks. This is taken as a predictor of his or her ability to handle and properly use advanced vehicle features that are beneficial when used properly, but that typically also have a capacity for misuse. Based on the assessment, the operator is classified as being either entitled to enhanced transmission features or not entitled to enhanced transmission features. If the classification is positive, that is the driver is classified as being entitled to enhanced transmission features; at least one enhanced transmission feature is enabled for the operator.

Claims

1. A method for adapting an automatic mechanical transmission (AMT) on a heavy vehicle, the method comprising:

assessing at least one driving characteristic of an operator of the vehicle;

classifying the operator based on the assessment as being one of;

entitled to enhanced transmission features, and

not entitled to enhanced transmission features; and

enabling at least one enhanced transmission feature for the operator if classified as being entitled to enhanced transmission features.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

maintaining current transmission features for the operator if classified as not being entitled to enhanced transmission features.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

reducing current transmission features for the operator if classified as not being entitled to enhanced transmission features.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

reducing current transmission features for the operator if assessed to have sub-par driving characteristics.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one driving characteristic of the operator of the vehicle comprises at least one of a measurable transmission-related characteristic and a measurable engine-related characteristic.

6. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein the at least one driving characteristic of the operator of the vehicle comprises at least one measurable transmission-related characteristic.

7. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein the at least one measurable transmission-related characteristic of the operator of the vehicle comprises at least one of the following:

a) proficiency of operator selection of economy mode driving;

b) proficiency of operator selection of free-wheeling mode driving;

c) proficiency of start gear selection; and

d) proficiency of operator utilization of braking programs.

8. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein the at least one measurable transmission-related characteristic of the operator of the vehicle comprises proficiency of operator selection of economy mode driving.

9. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein the at least one measurable transmission-related characteristic of the operator of the vehicle comprises proficiency of operator selection of free-wheeling mode driving.

10. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein the at least one measurable transmission-related characteristic of the operator of the vehicle comprises proficiency of start gear selection.

11. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein the at least one measurable transmission-related characteristic of the operator of the vehicle comprises proficiency of operator utilization of braking programs.

12. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein the at least one driving characteristic of the operator of the vehicle comprises operator proficiency at switching between brake and accelerator actuation.

13. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein the at least one driving characteristic of the operator of the vehicle comprises operator proficiency at clutch utilization.

14. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein the at least one driving characteristic of the operator of the vehicle comprises operator proficiency at accelerator utilization.

15. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein the at least one driving characteristic of the operator of the vehicle comprises operator proficiency at cruise control utilization.

16. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein the at least one driving characteristic of the operator of the vehicle comprises operator proficiency at engine warm-up utilization.

17. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein the at least one driving characteristic of the operator of the vehicle comprises operator proficiency at engine cool-down utilization.

18. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein the at least one driving characteristic of the operator of the vehicle comprises operator proficiency at affecting regeneration of a regenerative diesel particulate filter.

19. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein the at least one enhanced transmission feature that is enabled is at least one of the following:

a) kickdown;

b) skip shifting;

c) manual mode shifting;

d) auxiliary brake enabled mode;

e) free-wheeling mode;

f) idle driving; and

g) bump-shifting in idle drive mode.

20. The method as recited in claim 19, wherein the at least one enhanced transmission feature that is enabled is kickdown.

21. The method as recited in claim 19, wherein the at least one enhanced transmission feature that is enabled is skip shifting.

22. The method as recited in claim 19, wherein the at least one enhanced transmission feature that is enabled is manual mode shifting.

23. The method as recited in claim 19, wherein the at least one enhanced transmission feature that is enabled is auxiliary brake enabled mode.

24. The method as recited in claim 19, wherein the at least one enhanced transmission feature that is enabled is free-wheeling mode.

25. The method as recited in claim 19, wherein the at least one enhanced transmission feature that is enabled is idle driving.

26. The method as recited in claim 19, wherein the at least one enhanced transmission feature that is enabled is bump-shifting in idle drive mode.

27. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

classifying the operator based on the assessment as being one of;

entitled to enhanced engine features, and

not entitled to enhanced engine features; and

enabling at least one enhanced engine feature for the operator if classified as being entitled to enhanced engine features.

28. The method as recited in claim 27, wherein the at least one enhanced engine feature that is enabled is at least one of the following:

a) increased maximum horsepower output;

b) increased maximum torque output;

c) increased maximum engine speed; and

d) enhanced engine responsiveness.

29. The method as recited in claim 28, wherein the at least one enhanced engine feature that is enabled is increased maximum horsepower output.

30. The method as recited in claim 28, wherein the at least one enhanced engine feature that is enabled is increased maximum torque output.

31. The method as recited in claim 28, wherein the at least one enhanced engine feature that is enabled is increased maximum engine speed.

32. The method as recited in claim 28, wherein the at least one enhanced engine feature that is enabled is enhanced engine responsiveness.

33. A computer program comprising a program code for executing the method as claimed in claim 1, when the computer program is executed on a computer.

34. A computer program product comprising a program code, stored on a computer-readable medium, for executing the method as claimed in claim 1, when the computer program is executed on the computer.

35. A computer program product directly loadable into an internal memory in a computer, which computer program product comprises a computer program for executing the method as claimed in claim 1, when the computer program on the computer program product is executed on the computer.