The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 10, 2001
Filed:
Dec. 30, 1999
Steven P. Thomas, Temperance, MI (US);
Peter T. Szymanski, Toledo, OH (US);
Dana Corporation, Toledo, OH (US);
Abstract
An integrated system for automatically controlling the operation of both an automated manual transmission and a multiple speed axle assembly in a vehicle drive train assembly includes a transmission actuator for operating the transmission in any one of a plurality of transmission gear ratios. The system further includes an axle actuator for operating the axle assembly in any one of a plurality of axle gear ratios. An electronic controller is provided for operating the transmission in a desired one of the plurality of transmission gear ratios and for operating the axle assembly in a desired one of the plurality of axle gear ratios to provide a desired overall gear ratio for the vehicle. To accomplish this, the electronic controller is responsive to one or more input signals that represent operating parameters of the vehicle. When it is determined that a change in the overall gear ratio of the vehicle is necessary, the electronic controller initially causes the amount of torque that is being generated by the engine to be reduced to a relatively low level. When it is determined that the actual torque generated by the engine has been reduced to this relatively low level, the electronic controller generates a signal to the axle actuator to pre-select a shift to an appropriate speed reduction gear ratio in the axle assembly. Next, the clutch is operated to disengage the engine from the transmission. The rotational speed of the engine is then caused to be synchronized with a calculated anticipated rotational speed of the output shaft of the transmission after the shifting process within the axle assembly has been completed. When these rotational speeds are synchronized, the clutch is operated to re-engage the engine with the transmission. Lastly, the amount of torque that is being generated by the engine is increased to a normal level.