Patent ID: 9052013
Filing Date: 2015-06-09
Classification: F16H

Abstract:
1. A method, implemented by a programmed controller, of controlling an automatic transmission during deceleration of a vehicle arising from a force resisting forward movement of the vehicle arising from a combination of an uphill incline grade and a vehicle mass, the method comprising: determining a force of resistance to forward movement of the vehicle, the force of resistance being determined at least based upon the uphill incline grade; determining, by the programmed controller, a destination gear based upon a set of gear-specific output curves and the force of resistance; comparing, by the programmed controller, the destination gear to a current gear within which the vehicle is currently operating; and executing, by gear selection logic providing electronic control signals to the automatic transmission, an early downshift schedule in response to determining, during the comparing, that the destination gear is at least two positions lower than the current gear, thereby performing a series of downshifts of the automatic transmission from the current gear to the destination gear, wherein, during each gear shift performed according to the early downshift schedule, shifting occurs at a cross-over point between output curves of current and next lower gears.