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US5099720A
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Control mechanism for an automatic gear-shifting transmission using turn signal control unit
Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
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Filing: 1988-02-12
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Granted: 1992-03-31
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Expires: 2008-02-12
Abstract
Abstract A control mechanism for an automatic transmission (1) of a motor vehicle including one electronic control unit (2) for determining the shift points for the change of gear. The latter results at least from the information from the vehicle speed (3) and the required load (4). The shift points are overridden by orders issued by the adjusting means needed for operation of the vehicle. A flasher unit (6) known per se for indicating the direction of travel is additionally connected via a line (61) with the electronic control unit (2) and via a flash-unit signal the generally known determination of the shift point is overridden either by an immediate downshift by at least one gear or a control of the downshift and upshift points in the sense of increasing them. The activity of the flash-unit signal can remain limited to the higher gears of an automatic transmission. The signal from the flasher unit (6) also overrides all eventually selected programs (such as economic program) and can also suppress intended upshifts.
Inventors
- 👤 Reimund Raue
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 20:14
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H61/00; F16H61/02; F16H61/0202; F16H61/0204; F16H61/0213; B; B60; B60W; B60W30/00; B60W30/18; B60W30/18009; B60W30/18145; B60W2540/00; B60W2540/20; F16H2061/0234; F16H59/00; F16H59/50; F16H59/58; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20012; Y10T74/20018; Y10T74/20073; Y10T74/2014; Y10T74/20146; Y10T74/20207; Y10T74/20256
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
A control mechanism for an automatic gear-shifting transmission (1) of a motor vehicle comprising an electronic control unit (2), for determining a shift point for changing from one gear to another gear, receiving at least speed (sensor 3) and load requirement (accelerator pedal sensor 4) inputs of the vehicle, in which a general determination of the shift point in a forward travel direction is overridden by an order issued via an adjusting device (5) needed for operation of the vehicle, wherein a turn signal control unit (6), for indicating a turn direction of the vehicle, is electrically connected with said electronic control unit (2) and actuation of said turn signal control unit produces a signal, sent to said electronic control unit (2), that also overrides the general determination of the shift point.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
A control mechanism for an automatic gear-shifting transmission (1) of a motor vehicle comprising an electronic control unit (2), for determining a shift point for changing from one gear to another gear, receiving at least speed (sensor 3) and load requirement (accelerator pedal sensor 4) inputs of the vehicle, in which a general determination of the shift point in a forward travel direction is overridden by an order issued via an adjusting device (5) needed for operation of the vehicle, wherein a turn signal control unit (6), for indicating a turn direction of the vehicle, is electrically connected with said electronic control unit (2) and actuation of said turn signal control unit produces a signal, sent to said electronic control unit (2), that also overrides the general determination of the shift point.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
A control mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the speed of at least one of the down and up shift points of a shift is increased, according to the inputs of the speed of the vehicle (sensor 3) and the load requirement (accelerator pedal sensor 4), when the signal from said turn signal control unit is received by said electronic control unit (2).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
A control mechanism according to claim 2 and to a program selector, wherein at least one of an economy program and a comfort operating program is overridden by a power program for a duration of time during which the signal from said turn signal control unit is received by said electronic control unit (2).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
60 words
A control mechanism according to claim 2 and to a program selector, wherein at least one of an economy and a comfort operating program is overridden by a power program for a duration of time during which the signal from said turn signal control unit is received by said electronic control unit (2) plus a predetermined period of time thereafter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
59 words
A control mechanism according to claim 2 and to a program selector, wherein at least one of an economy and a comfort operating program is overridden by a power program for a duration of time during which the signal from said turn signal control unit is received by said electronic control unit (2) plus a defined period of time.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A control mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the increased speed for a shift point approaches a permissible maximum speed for the vehicle engine (7).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
A control mechanism according to claim 1, wherein when the transmission is operating in a higher gear a downshift by at least one gear takes place, via said electronic control unit, upon receiving the signal from said turn signal control unit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
A control mechanism according to claim 1, wherein an upshift, which may normally occur during operation of the vehicle, is prevented when the signal from said turn signal control unit (6) is received by said electronic control unit (2).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
61 words
A control mechanism according to claim 1, wherein a timer element (23) is connected to said electronic control unit (2) to receive the signal from the turn signal control unit and the general determination of a shift point is overridden by said electronic control unit (2) only after the timing element (23) receives the signal for a predetermined period of time.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
99 words
A control mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the turn signal control unit has a lever having a central neutral position and an intermediate and an end position on both sides of the neutral position, the lever being operable in a single plane to actuate both of the intermediate and the end positions, wherein when the lever is in one of the end positions a turn signal is generated along with the signal for overriding the general determination of a shift point and when the lever is in one of the intermediate positions only a turn signal is generated.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
A control mechanism according to claim 10, wherein said turn signal control unit (6) has an additional separate switch (66), for generating the signal for overriding the general determination of a shift point, which is actuated upon actuation of said turn signal control unit (64).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
A control mechanism according to claim 10, wherein said turn signal control unit (6) includes a separate switch (67, 68), for generating the signal for overriding the general determination of a shift point, which can be actuated upon actuating said turn signal control unit 64.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
A control mechanism according to claim 10, wherein said turn signal control unit (6) includes a separate switch (67, 68), for generating the signal for overriding the general determination of a shift point, which can be actuated separately.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
A control mechanism according to claim 3, wherein a separate switch (67, 68) is attached to said turn signal control unit (64) for changing to one of an economy program, a comfort program, and a power-oriented program.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-03-31 | 1995-09-30 | 1996-03-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-03-31 | 1999-09-30 | 2000-03-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-03-31 | 2003-09-30 | 2004-03-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |