Device for shifting without clutch and without synchronizing elements in a multiple gear ratio transmission of a vehicle

Claim 1

A drive for a vehicle comprising: a driving engine; power control means coupled to said engine for adjusting the speed of said engine during a gear change; a multiple gear ratio transmission for coupling said engine to the wheels of said vehicle; engine speed detecting means for generating signals corresponding to said speed of said engine; engine torque detecting means for generating signals corresponding to the torque of said engine; vehicle speed detecting means for generating signals corresponding to the speed of said vehicle; gear shift operation detecting means for generating signals corresponding to the old and new gears involved in said gear change; and regulating means, coupled to said power control means and responsive to said engine speed signals, said engine torque signals, said vehicle speed signals, and said gear shift operation signals, for adjusting said power control means of said engine to a torque-free condition prior to disengagement of the old gear, and for adjusting said power means for substantially continuously adjusting and controlling said speed of said engine starting substantially at the time of said disengagement of said old gear, and ending substantially at the time the new gear is engaged, from a speed corresponding to said vehicle speed in the old gear, to a synchronous speed corresponding to said vehicle speed in the new gear according to the shift operation being performed.