Upshift logic

Claim 1

An automated transmission system for vehicles having a fuel supply controlled engine, a throttle controlling means for controlling the amount of fuel supplied to the engine and 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 a coupling device, said transmission system including an information processing unit having means for receiving a plurality of input signals including (1) an input signal indicative of the position of said throttle controlling means, and (2) an input signal indicative of the speed of said vehicle, said processing unit including means for processing said input signals in accordance with predetermined logic rules to select a desirable gear ratio for a given combination of input signals, to provide a value indicative of the acceleration of the vehicle, and for generating command output signals whereby said transmission system is operated in accordance with said predetermined logic rules, and means associated with said transmission effective to actuate said transmission to effect engagement of one of said gear ratio combinations in response to said output signals from said processing unit, the improvement characterized by: said processing unit having means for defining a subroutine, effective upon sensing conditions at which an upshift from the currently engaged rear ratio is normally required, effective to: determine an estimated value of continuing vehicle acceleration; determine if, during a reference period of time, conditions at which an upshift from the next higher gear ratio (GR+1) is required will occur if an upshift to the next higher gear ratio is performed and the vehicle continues to accelerate at at least said estimated value of continuing vehicle acceleration; compare the position of the throttle controlling means to a throttle position reference value, and (i) if the position of the throttle controlling means does not exceed said reference value, command an upshift to the next higher gear ratio (GR+1), and (ii) if the position of the throttle control exceeds said throttle position reference value and it is determined that during said reference period of time conditions at which an upshift from the next higher gear ratio is required will occur if an upshift to said next higher gear ratio is performed and the vehicle continues to accelerate at at least said estimated value of continuing vehicle acceleration, command a direct skip upshift to a gear ratio (GR+N, where N equals a whole number greater than one) higher than the next higher gear ratio, otherwise command an upshift to the next higher gear ratio (GR+1).