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:
Feb. 18, 2003
Filed:
Mar. 30, 2001
Takehiko Nanri, Saitama, JP;
Yoshinobu Itani, Saitama, JP;
Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A hydrostatic continuously variable transmission includes a fixed capacity hydraulic pump and a variable capacity hydraulic motor, connected by a hydraulic closed circuit. A control system and method for the variable transmission provides a good deceleration feeling when going downhill. In accordance with the control system and method, a range of a selected gear is determined. Next, it is determined whether the vehicle is in an automatic gear shift mode. If these conditions are met, it is then determined whether or not certain criteria for descent control are satisfied. The certain criteria may include: (1) whether the throttle is closed; (2) a speed or acceleration of the vehicle; (3) whether the acceleration exceeds a threshold; and (4) whether simultaneous satisfaction of conditions (1)-(3) exist for a period of time exceeding a fixed time. If all of the criteria are satisfied, the gear ratio is shifted by a specified amount towards a LOW side. Therefore, when driving downhill, the vehicle is not subject to acceleration greater than a predetermined value.