Patent ID: 9403532
Filing Date: 2016-08-02
CPC Classification: B60W,F16H

Claim Text:
1. A method of using a transmission to inhibit a moving vehicle from contacting an object in the path of the moving vehicle, the transmission having a transmission controller and a transmission output speed sensor and the vehicle having a proximity sensor, an engine having an engine speed, an engine controller configured to control the engine speed, and the engine coupled to the transmission, the method comprising: (a) determining whether a user input switch is enabled; (b) receiving a signal from the proximity sensor and comparing the signal to a signal threshold; (c) measuring a transmission output speed with the transmission output speed sensor and comparing the measured transmission output speed to an output speed threshold; (d) receiving a throttle percentage with the transmission controller and comparing the received throttle percentage to a throttle threshold; (e) enabling a vehicle speed assistance program for controlling vehicle speed by the transmission controller if (i) the user switch is enabled, (ii) the signal satisfies the signal threshold, (iii) the transmission output speed is less than the output speed threshold, and (iv) the throttle percentage is less than the threshold percentage; controlling the transmission by engaging at least two of a plurality of clutches to an engaged clutch pressure and disengaging at least one of the plurality of clutches to a disengaged clutch pressure, where each of the plurality of clutches is operably controlled at a clutch pressure between its respective disengaged clutch pressure and its engaged pressure; executing the vehicle assistance program if the program is enabled in step (e); operably controlling vehicle sped with the transmission controller by reducing the clutch pressure of one of the at least two engaged clutches to a clutch pressure less than its engaged clutch pressure and greater than its disengaged clutch pressure, increasing the clutch pressure of the at least one disengaged clutch to a clutch pressure greater than its disengaged clutch pressure and lesser than its engaged clutch pressure, and maintaining another of the at least two engaged clutches at its engaged clutch pressure; and reducing vehicle speed with the transmission controller to inhibit movement of the vehicle.