Allison Transmission, Inc.

Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Other

Mark A Rains

John P Kresse

Edmond M Etchason

John Andrew Byerly

Brent Maurer

Jeffrey Kurt Runde

Brett Caldwell

Randall S Conn

Jeffrey E Shultz

Scott E Mundy

Jared S Shattuck

Scott S Lee

Todd Dygert

John A Byerly

Systems and methods for managing shift changes of a multi-speed automatic transmission of a vehicle are provided. The multi-speed automatic transmission being capable of establishing a plurality of forward speed ratios. The vehicle may include a transmission shift selector having at least one operator selectable shift request input to request a shift change of the multi-speed automatic transmission. A control circuit operatively coupled to the multi-speed automatic transmission is provided which shifts the multi-speed automatic transmission from a first forward speed ratio to a second forward speed ratio in response to shift criteria. The shift criteria may be based on a plurality of operational characteristics related to the vehicle.

Manual shifting control system and method for multi-speed automatic transmission

Shifting control system and method for multi-speed automatic transmission based on object detection

Shifting control system and method for multi-speed automatic transmission based on vehicle location

The present invention provides a method of reducing the output speed of a transmission in a vehicle, whereby the transmission includes a speed sensor and a controller and the vehicle includes a proximity sensor. The method includes measuring the output speed with the speed sensor and comparing the measured output speed to an output speed threshold. The controller receives throttle percentage and compares the throttle percentage to a throttle threshold. The method further includes receiving an input signal from the proximity sensor and comparing the input signal to a signal threshold. The output speed of the transmission can be controlled based on the values of the measured output speed, throttle percentage, and input signal.

Closed-loop transmission integration with forward and/or reverse assist system

A system and method for controlling double transition shifts in an automatic transmission having multiple gear sections. During a double transition shift, the system performs simultaneous closed loop control of the primary oncoming clutch in the primary gear section and the secondary off-going clutch of the secondary gear section. Before the input shaft of the secondary gear section is fully pulled down or the secondary off-going clutch becomes overheated, the system switches closed loop control of the input shaft to the secondary on-coming clutch of the secondary gear section. The system utilizes model-based calculations to determine the initial clutch pressure settings when a clutch enters closed loop control.

Double transition shift control in an automatic powershifting transmission

A method of selecting a gear ratio of a transmission. The method includes measuring a current road grade with a sensing device and communicating the current road grade measurement to the controller. The controller receives a signal corresponding to a service brake input and determines a desired maximum acceleration limit of the vehicle. The method also includes calculating a predicted vehicle acceleration, measuring a current vehicle acceleration, and calculating an error value as a function of the predicted vehicle acceleration and measured vehicle acceleration. The method also computes an estimated required tractive braking effort and estimated tractive braking effort for at least one of N automatically selectable gear ratios of the transmission and selects one gear ratio of the N automatically selectable gear ratios for the operation of the transmission based on a comparison of the estimated required tractive braking effort and estimated tractive braking effort.

System and method for optimizing downshifting of a transmission during vehicle deceleration

An improved method for predicting the health of a power transmission and an apparatus for practicing the same are provided. The method includes: monitoring a total number of converged shifts after a first shift has converged; determining if the total number of converged shifts is greater then a calibrated number of completed converged shifts; if yes, determining an initial clutch volume, an initial free running clearance, a free running clearance, and a free running clearance per face and monitoring a change in free running clearance per face; determining if either the free running clearance per face is greater than a calibrated free running clearance per friction surface for failure or if the change in free running clearance per face is greater than a calibrated change in free running clearance per friction surface for failure; if yes, activating a service indicator configured to warn vehicle occupants that transmission service is required.

Apparatus and method for predicting the health of a power transmission

An automatic transmission may be coupled to an internal combustion engine. A shift selector may be coupled to the transmission and may have a plurality of user selectable inputs for controlling operation of the transmission that are electrically connected to a control circuit. The control circuit may include a memory having a value stored therein that relates to operation of the transmission. The memory may further include instructions stored therein that are executable by the control circuit to change the value stored in the memory to a different value upon detection of user selection of a predefined sequence of two or more of the plurality of user selectable inputs.

System and method for changing values stored in memory that relate to the operation of an automatic transmission

An improved method for predicting the remaining useful life of transmission oil and an apparatus for practicing the same are provided. The method includes: detecting if the transmission has completed a new shift; if yes, determining a total shift count; determining accumulated distance and accumulated time parameters; determining a transmission temperature degradation factor; detecting if the lockup clutch is open and if the transmission is in range; if yes, determining a converter degradation factor; determining a total degradation factor based at least in part upon the transmission temperature degradation factor and converter degradation factor; determining an oil life time limit and oil life distance limit; determining if either the accumulated time parameter is greater than the oil life time limit or the accumulated distance parameter is greater than the oil life distance limit; if yes, activating a service indicator to notify vehicle occupants that transmission oil service is required.

Apparatus and method for determining remaining transmission oil life

A system for determining the type of hydraulic fluid employed in a transmission includes a translating valve, a valve position sensor, a hydraulic fluid temperature sensor, and a controller. The valve position sensor is operable to measure the actual time the valve takes to translate within the hydraulic fluid. The controller is operable to compare the actual time of valve translation to an expected time of valve translation. If the actual time of valve translation is different than the expected time of valve translation to a predetermined degree, the controller is operable to signal an operator of the motor vehicle or a service technician that the hydraulic fluid being used in the transmission is not meeting operating expectations.

Hydraulic fluid determination system and method

A vehicle has a transmission, a transmission filter, and a controller having an algorithm or method for predicting the remaining useful life of the filter. The algorithm or method uses a sensor to detect an operating event of the transmission, such as a completed shift event or zero transmission output speed event, and increases a stored value of an accumulated distance and time variable. A shift sensor is operable for comparing a detected speed ratio of the transmission to a stored threshold speed ratio for determining the completed shift event. The remaining useful filter life is predicted using one or more look up tables using the values of the accumulated distance and time variables. The accumulated distance is calculated in part by dividing a prior recorded accumulated distance value by a ratio of an output speed of the transmission to an actual vehicle speed.

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Avon, IN, United States of America

Mark A Rains