IP Library Granted Patent US 8,135,520
Granted Patent B2
US 8,135,520 · App. 12/332,884 · Granted Mar 13, 2012

Gear clash logic

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,135,520
App. No.
12/332,884
Granted
Mar 13, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system and method for selectively engaging and disengaging auxiliary equipment to avoid gear clash in a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a transmission, a transfer case, and a transmission controller. The transmission has a plurality of gears for establishing a plurality of gear ratios. The transfer case is coupled to the transmission by an output shaft. The transmission controller is in communication with a plurality of control devices for controlling the operation of the transmission. The controller includes control logic for controlling the engagement and disengagement of the auxiliary equipment. The control logic has a first control logic for determining whether an operator has actuated a selector switch, a second control logic for actuating a torque transmitting device to engage or disengage the auxiliary equipment and avoid gear clash, a third logic for monitoring the engagement or disengagement of the auxiliary equipment, and a fourth control logic determining whether the auxiliary equipment has been engaged or disengaged.

Claims (20)

1. A system for selectively engaging and disengaging auxiliary equipment to avoid gear clash in a vehicle, the system comprising:

a transmission having an output shaft selectively interconnected to a plurality of gears by at least a first torque transmitting device and a second torque transmitting device in order to establish a plurality of gear ratios at the output shaft;

a transfer case having a plurality of transfer gears coupled to the output shaft and selectively coupled to the auxiliary equipment;

a transmission controller in communication with the first and second torque transmitting devices, wherein the transmission controller includes control logic comprising:

a first control logic for determining a change of mode request;

a second control logic for engaging the first torque transmitting device and the second torque transmitting device to lock the output shaft;

a third control logic for disengaging the second torque transmitting device; and

a fourth control logic for engaging the second torque transmitting device and disengaging the first torque transmitting device to allow the output shaft to rotate.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the second torque transmitting device is engaged and the first torque transmitting device is disengaged in order to establish a neutral gear ratio.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the second control logic begins when a change of mode request has been received by the transmission controller, when the transmission is in neutral, and when a transmission output speed is less than a transmission output speed threshold.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the second control logic further comprises incrementing a first timer after the transmission output shaft is locked.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the second control logic further comprises comparing a first recorded time recorded by the first timer to a first time threshold.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the third control logic begins when the first recorded time exceeds the first time threshold.

7. The system of claim 3 wherein the third control logic further comprises incrementing a second timer after the second torque transmitting device has been disengaged to allow the transmission output shaft to rotate.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the second control logic further comprises comparing a second recorded time recorded by the second timer to a second time threshold.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the fourth control logic begins when the second recorded time exceeds the second time threshold.

10. The system of claim 3 wherein the fourth control logic further comprises incrementing a third timer after the second torque transmitting device has been engaged and the first torque transmitting device has been disengaged.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the fourth control logic further comprises comparing a third recorded time recorded by the third timer to a third time threshold.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the fourth control logic terminates when the third recorded time exceeds the third time threshold or the transmission output speed exceeds a second transmission output speed threshold.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the first, second, third, and fourth control logic occurs as the transfer case engages the auxiliary equipment.

Assignments (13)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2014
From: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 034185/0789 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 10, 2011
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 025781/0245 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 8, 2010
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 025324/0515 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 5, 2010
From: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025315/0046 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 4, 2010
From: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025245/0909 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 28, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
Reel/Frame 023162/0237 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 27, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 023156/0313 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 21, 2009
From: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 023126/0914 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 21, 2009
From: CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR BANK PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES; CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR HEDGE PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 023155/0769 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 16, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR BANK PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES; CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR HEDGE PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES
Reel/Frame 022554/0538 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 4, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 022201/0610 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 14, 2009
From: GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 022117/0047 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 15, 2008
From: SHULTZ, JEFFREY E.; MUNDY, SCOTT E.
To: GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 021980/0472 →