Method for controlling AMT system including after transmission gear change clutch and fuel control

Claim 1

A method for controlling a vehicle automatic mechanical transmission system for devices having an operator actuated throttle pedal, a throttle-controlled engine, a transmission having a plurality of gear ratio combinations selectively engageable between a transmission input shaft and a transmission output shaft, said transmission input shaft being operatively connected to said engine by means of a selectably engageable and disengageable friction coupling, said automatic mechanical transmission system comprising an information processing unit having means for receiving a plurality of input signals including (1) an input signal indicative of the rotational speed of the engine; (2) an input signal indicative of the operator's setting of the throttle pedal; and (3) an input signal indicative of the rotational speed of the input shaft, said processing unit including means for processing said input signals in accordance with a program for generating output signals whereby said transmission system is operated in accordance with said program, and means associated with said transmission system effective to actuate said transmission system to effect engagement of said gear ratio combinations in response to said output signals from said processing unit, said processing unit having means to sense friction coupling engagement after a transmission gear change operation and, in a friction coupling engagement after a transmission gear change operation, issuing output signals to control means for controlling the amount of engagement of said friction coupling, said control means having a first state in which said friction coupling is completely disengaged, a second state in which said friction coupling is completely engaged and a third state occurring during the transition from said first state to said second state, when said friction coupling engageable elements are partially engaged, said control means being operative during said third state to engage said coupling elements sufficiently to maintain the speed of rotation of said engine at a value in predetermined relation to the adjustment position of said throttle whereby the function E is minimized where E is a function of the throttle position, rate of change of engine speed and rate of change of input shaft speed; the method characterized by: calculating the value of E; comparing the value of E to a predetermined reference value; and preventing increased supply of fuel to the engine, regardless of the throttle pedal setting, if E is equal to or greater than said reference value.

Claim 2

A method for controlling a vehicle automatic mechanical transmission system for devices having an operator actuated throttle pedal, a throttle-controlled engine, a transmission having a plurality of gear ratio combinations selectively engageable between a transmission input shaft and a transmission output shaft, said transmission input shaft being operatively connected to said engine by means of a selectably engageable and disengageable friction coupling, said automatic mechanical transmission system comprising an information processing unit having means for receiving a plurality of input signals including (1) an input signal indicative of the rotational speed of the engine; (2) an input signal indicative of the operator's setting of the throttle pedal; and (3) an input signal indicative of the rotational speed of the input shaft, said processing unit including means for processing said input signals in accordance with a program for generating output signals whereby said transmission system is operated in accordance with said program, and means associated with said transmission system effective to actuate said transmission system to effect engagement of said gear ratio combinations in response to said output signals from said processing unit, said processing unit having means to sense friction coupling engagement after a transmission gear change operation and, in a friction coupling engagement after a transmission gear change operation, issuing output signals to control means for controlling the amount of engagement of said friction coupling, said control means having a first state in which said friction coupling is completely disengaged, a second state in which said friction coupling is completely engaged and a third state occurring during the transition from said first state to said second state, when said friction coupling engageable elements are partially engaged, said control means being operative during said third state to engage said coupling elements sufficiently to maintain the speed of rotation of said engine at a value in predetermined relation to the adjustment position of said throttle whereby the function E is minimized where E is a function of the throttle position, rate of change of engine speed and rate of change of input shaft speed; the method characterized by: calculating the value of E; comparing the value of E to a predetermined reference value; and preventing increased supply of fuel to the engine, regardless of the throttle pedal setting, if E is equal to or greater than said reference value.