Deere + Company

Dean L Heino

Wayne E Gruben

A controller including a microprocessor for automatically shifting a transmission and selectively locking and unlocking a torque converter connecting the engine with the transmission. The controller has both manual and automatic modes of operation. In the automatic mode, one of three different shift patterns is automatically selected depending on the condition of a transport/loading mode switch and a throttle position switch. Transmission output speed is monitored and downshifts are prevented when the output is accelerating. Solenoid valves which are selectively activated to shift the transmission are monitored for open- or short-circuits. When a faulty solenoid is detected, the controller prevents shifting to a gear ratio which utilizes that solenoid and a display flashes diagnostic information including the gear ratios still available. The solenoids are pulsed at one of two duty cycles depending on the voltage level of the power supply.

Automatic electronic control for a power shift transmission

An electronically controlled transmission system includes an engine driven torque converter driving a planetary gear transmission. The torque converter is lockable by a lockup solenoid valve to provide a direct through drive and the planetary gear transmission is shiftable among a plurality of gear ratios by selected operation of solenoid operated valves which control power to clutch- and brake-selected transmission gears. An automatic electronic control provides for a 'work' mode of transmission operation wherein a shift control provides for manual shifting over a first set of selected gear ratios and for automatic, speed dependent shifting over a second set of selected gear ratios while torque converter lockup inhibition is provided for both sets of ratios. The automatic electronic control further provides for a 'transport' mode of transmission operation wherein the shift control provides for manual shifting over a third set of selected gear ratios and for automatic, speed dependent shifting over a fourth set of selected ratios while automatic torque converter lockup is provided for the upper speeds of each of the gear ratios in the third and fourth sets of ratios. The automatic electronic control still further incorporates hysteresis and time delay automatic shifting to prevent speed related hunting for the proper gear ratios as well as the downshift control to prevent manual downshifting at excessive speeds. A manual override and a hold for holding any automatically selected gear ratio is provided for greater operator control.

Growing community of inventors

Cedar Falls, IA, United States of America

Dean L Heino