Patent US5778331A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5778331A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Kickdown delay in cruise control for automatic transmission
Assignee: FCA US LLC
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Filing: 1996-06-14
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Granted: 1998-07-07
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Expires: 2016-06-14
Abstract
Abstract An interactive cruise control system and method for providing automatic speed control of a vehicle with improved shifting of an automatic transmission. The system and method controls speed of a vehicle equipped with cruise control and minimizes downshifts in an automatic transmission of the vehicle. Vehicle speed is detected and compared with a setpoint speed which is associated with the cruise control system. Transmission gear shifting is determined based on predetermined shift schedule points. Determined transmission gear downshifts are prevented for a kickdown delay period based on vehicle speed loss and the presence of vehicle deceleration. Also provided is an overspeed reduction method for causing a transmission downshift during an overspeed condition with the throttle closed. Further, the system provides hunting prevention between both second gear and third gear as well as between third gear and fourth gear for a four speed automatic transmission.
Inventors
- 👤 Maurice B. Leising
- 👤 Howard L. Benford
- 👤 Hans A. Dourra
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 17:31
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60K; B60K31/00; B60K31/02; B60K31/04; B60K31/042; B60K31/045; B60K31/047; F; F16; F16H; F16H61/00; F16H61/02; F16H61/0202; F16H61/0204; F16H61/0213
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of controlling the speed of a vehicle equipped with cruise control and minimizing downshifts in an automatic transmission of the vehicle, said method comprising the steps of: detecting speed of the vehicle; comparing the speed of the vehicle with a setpoint speed associated with the cruise control; determining vehicle speed loss based on comparing the speed of the vehicle with the set point speed; determining a presence of deceleration of the vehicle based on a change in the speed of vehicle; determining transmission gear shifts based on predetermined shift schedule points; and preventing transmission gear downshifts for a delay period based on the vehicle speed loss and the presence of vehicle deceleration.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of controlling the speed of a vehicle equipped with cruise control and minimizing downshifts in an automatic transmission of the vehicle, said method comprising the steps of: detecting speed of the vehicle; comparing the speed of the vehicle with a setpoint speed associated with the cruise control; determining vehicle speed loss based on comparing the speed of the vehicle with the set point speed; determining a presence of deceleration of the vehicle based on a change in the speed of vehicle; determining transmission gear shifts based on predetermined shift schedule points; and preventing transmission gear downshifts for a delay period based on the vehicle speed loss and the presence of vehicle deceleration.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said step of preventing transmission gear downshifts further comprises providing the delay period as a function of the comparison of the vehicle speed with the setpoint speed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method as defined in claim 1 further comprising the step of detecting a driver activated throttle input and ignoring the step of preventing the transmission gear downshift in response to detecting the driver activated throttle input.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method as defined in claim 1 further comprising the step of allowing the vehicle transmission to downshift in accordance with the shift schedule points after the delay period has elapsed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as defined in claim 4 further comprising the step of reducing vehicle throttle for a period of time when the automatic transmission downshifts.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said step of preventing transmission gear downshifts comprises preventing transmission gear downshifts for a delay period and thereafter determining transmission gear shifts based on the shift schedule points.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as defined in claim 6 wherein said time delay period is based on the vehicle speed loss and the presence of deceleration of the vehicle.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
146 words
A method of controlling speed of a vehicle equipped with cruise control while minimizing downshifts in an automatic transmission of the vehicle, said method comprising the steps of: detecting speed of the vehicle; comparing the speed of the vehicle with a setpoint speed associated with the cruise control; determining vehicle speed loss based on comparing the speed of the vehicle with the set point speed; determining a presence of deceleration of the vehicle based on a change in the speed of vehicle; monitoring automatic transmission shift schedule points; determining when to shift gears in the automatic transmission based on the shift schedule points; preventing transmission gear downshifts for a period of time based on the vehicle speed loss and the presence of deceleration of the vehicle; and allowing the vehicle transmission to downshift in accordance with the shift schedule points after the delay period has elapsed.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
146 words
A method of controlling speed of a vehicle equipped with cruise control while minimizing downshifts in an automatic transmission of the vehicle, said method comprising the steps of: detecting speed of the vehicle; comparing the speed of the vehicle with a setpoint speed associated with the cruise control; determining vehicle speed loss based on comparing the speed of the vehicle with the set point speed; determining a presence of deceleration of the vehicle based on a change in the speed of vehicle; monitoring automatic transmission shift schedule points; determining when to shift gears in the automatic transmission based on the shift schedule points; preventing transmission gear downshifts for a period of time based on the vehicle speed loss and the presence of deceleration of the vehicle; and allowing the vehicle transmission to downshift in accordance with the shift schedule points after the delay period has elapsed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method as defined in claim 8 further comprising the step of detecting a driver activated throttle input and ignoring the step of preventing the transmission gear downshift in response to detecting the driver activated throttle input.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as defined in claim 8 further comprising the step of reducing the throttle position prior to shifting gears.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of shifting gears with an automatic transmission in a vehicle equipped with cruise control, said method comprising: detecting speed of the vehicle; comparing the speed of the vehicle with a setpoint speed associated with the cruise control; determining transmission gear shifts based on predetermined shift schedule points; shifting transmission gears according to said determined transmission gear shifts; and reducing throttle position prior to performing said step of shifting transmission gears.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of shifting gears with an automatic transmission in a vehicle equipped with cruise control, said method comprising: detecting speed of the vehicle; comparing the speed of the vehicle with a setpoint speed associated with the cruise control; determining transmission gear shifts based on predetermined shift schedule points; shifting transmission gears according to said determined transmission gear shifts; and reducing throttle position prior to performing said step of shifting transmission gears.
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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) | 2001-07-06 | 2002-01-05 | 2002-07-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-07-06 | 2006-01-05 | 2006-07-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-07-06 | 2010-01-05 | 2010-07-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |