Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for increasing the spontaneity of automatic gear boxes with overlapping gear shifts. The overlapping gear shifts consist of three phases. Upshifting from a first gear ratio to a second gear ratio is aborted and downshifting to a first gear ratio occurs if an abort criterion is detected. The abort criterion is validated if a request for downshifting is made by the driver and detected before the third overlapping shift phase begins.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a method for increasing the spontaneity in an automatic transmission in which the gear shifts are carried out as overlapping gear shifts. The overlapping gear shift comprises three phases. During the first phase the curve of a transmission input rotational speed is determined by the pressure curve of the first clutch, during the second phase the second clutch takes over the load from the first clutch and during the third phase the second clutch becomes completely closed. 
     In automatic transmissions, the gear shifts can be carried out as overlapping gear shifts, i.e. while a first clutch opens a second clutch closes. The pressure curve of the clutches involved in the gear shift is determined via electromagnetic actuators of an electronic transmission control. Such a control and regulation method has been disclosed, e.g. in DE-OS 42 40 621. 
     Gear shifts of the automatic transmission are usually initiated when a desired performance presettable by a driver, such as throttle valve position, exceeds an upshift or downshift characteristic line of a shift characteristic field. Together with the gear shifts triggered by means of accelerator pedal, a driver has the possibility at any desired moment of triggering manual gear shifts. For example, DE-OS 43 11 886 shows a device by which a driver can trigger gear shifts by means of a selector lever having a manual gate or switching levers on the steering wheel. 
     The following problem can now arise: during an overtaking operation the driver detects that he must give way to traffic coming from the opposite direction. As a reaction to this, he will interrupt the overtaking operation by releasing the accelerator pedal. Hereby an upshift can be triggered. During the upshift. if the driver now detects that the opposite lane is free, he will then again initiate the overtaking operation. For this purpose, the driver will either actuate the accelerator pedal or initiate a downshift via the selector lever. But according to the prior art, the automatic transmission will first completely carry out the upshift, followed by a blocking time and only then is a downshift begun. The problem thus consists in that a long time offset exists between the driver&#39;s wish relative to the acceleration and the reaction thereto of the automatic transmission. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is based on the problem of improving the spontaneity of an automatic transmission. 
     According to the invention, the problem is solved during an upshift from a first to a second gear ratio by the upshift not being completely terminated and returning to the first gear ratio when an abort criterion is detected. An abort criterion exists when, prior to the start of the third phase of the overlapping gear shift, a request for a downshift presettable by a driver is detected. The solution, according to the invention, offers the advantage that for the above described practice, the rigid cycle of upshift, blocking time and subsequent downshift is interrupted. Unnecessary gear shifts, such as an upshift from the fourth to the fifth gear followed by a downshift from the fifth to the fourth gear, are eliminated. The characteristic of the automatic transmission is more closely tied to the driver&#39;s desired performance, i.e. the automatic transmission acts more spontaneously. 
     In a development of this, it is proposed that during the second phase the abort criterion be confirmed only when a time step activated with the start of the second phase still has not exceeded a limit value. 
     In one other development of the invention, it is proposed that during the second phase the abort criterion be confirmed only when the actual transmission input rotational speed value still has not fallen below the synchronous rotational speed of the first gear ratio. Both developments offer the advantage that an abort of the upshift be allowed only in a stage during which the driver still perceives no reaction of the automatic transmission. In other words: an abort of the upshift is no longer allowed when a reaction a driver can perceive, such as change of the vehicle acceleration occurs. 
     In one other development of the invention, it is proposed that during a change over from coast to traction or viceversa during the gear shift, the abort criterion be confirmed only after lapse of a time step. This develop contributes to comfort when shifting. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A preferred embodiment is shown in the drawings. In the drawings: 
     FIG. 1 is a system diagram; 
     FIG. 2 is a table of the clutch logic; 
     FIGS. 3A-3D are time line diagrams of a first embodiment of an upshift as an overlapping gear shift, with the gear shift cycle according to the prior art shown as a solid line, and a solution according to the invention shown as a dotted line, in which 
     FIG. 3A is a graph showing in the course of time shift command SB; 
     FIG. 3B is a graph showing in the course of time the curve of the transmission input rotational speed nT; 
     FIG. 3C is a graph showing in the course of time the pressure level of the first clutch pK 1 ; 
     FIG. 3D is a graph showing in the course of time the pressure level of the second clutch pK 2 ; 
     FIGS. 4A-4D are time line diagrams of a second embodiment of a control method for load take over, FIGS. 4B-4D each showing two examples, the first example shows a gear shift cycle by dotted line, the second example shows a solid curve according to the invention, in which 
     FIG. 4A is a graph showing in the course of time signal curve SB; 
     FIG. 4B is a graph showing in the course of time the input rotational speed nT; 
     FIG. 4C is a graph showing in the course of time the pressure level of first clutch pKl; 
     FIG. 4D is a graph showing in the course of time the pressure level of second clutch pK 2 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 shows a system diagram of an automatic transmission. It consists of the intrinsic mechanical part, a hydrodynamic converter  3 , a hydraulic control unit  21  and an electronic transmission control  13 . The automatic transmission is driven by a prime move  1 , preferably an internal combustion engine, via an output shaft  2 . The latter is non-rotatably connected with the impeller  4  of the hydrodynamic converter  3 . The hydrodynamic converter  3  is known to consist of a stator  4 , a turbine wheel  5  and a stator  6 . A converter clutch  7  is situated parallel to the hydrodynamic converter  3 . The converter clutch  7  and the turbine wheel  5  lead to a turbine shaft  8 . When the converter clutch  7  is actuated, the turbine shaft  8  has the same rotational speed as the input shaft  2 . The mechanical part of the automatic transmission consists of clutches and brakes A to G, a free wheel  10  (FL 1 ), a Ravigneaux set  9  and a rear-mounted planetary gear set  11 . The output is effected via a transmission output shaft  12 . The latter leads to a differential, not shown, which drives the input wheels of a vehicle, not shown, via two axle half shafts. A gear is determined by an adequate clutch/brake combination. The coordination of the clutch logic with the gear can be seen in FIG.  2 . Thus, e.g. in a downshift from the fourth to the third gear the brake C closes and the clutch E is deactivated. As can be seen below from table  2 , the gear shifts from the second up to the fifth gear ratios are each carried out as overlapping gear shifts. Since the mechanical part is not relevant for a better understanding of the invention, a detailed description is omitted. 
     The electronic transmission control  13  selects an adequate gear in accordance with the input variables  18  to  20 . The electronic transmission control  13  then activates a corresponding clutch/brake combination, via the hydraulic control unit  21 , where electromagnetic actuators are located. During the shift transitions, the electronic transmission control  13  determines the pressure curve of the clutches/brake taking part in the gear shift. Of the electronic transmission control  13  are shown as blocks in extensively simplified manner: micro-controller  14 , memory  15 , function block control actuators  16  and function block calculation  17 . In the memory  15  are deposited the data relevant to the transmission. Data relevant to the transmission are, e.g. programs and specific characteristic values of the vehicle, the same as diagnosis data. The memory  15  is usually designed as EPROM, EEPROM, or as buffered RAM. In the function block calculation  17  are calculated the data relevant to a gear shift curve. The function block control actuators  16  serves for control of the actuators located in the hydraulic control unit  21 . The electronic transmission control  13  receives input variables  20 . Input variables  20  are, e.g. a variable representative of the driver&#39;s desired performance like the accelerator pedal/throttle valve position, or manually requested gear shifts, the signal of the torque emitted by the internal combustion engine, the rotational speed and temperature of the internal combustion engine, etc. The specific data of the internal combustion engine are usually prepared by a motor control unit. This is not shown in FIG.  1 . As added input variables, the electronic transmission control  13  receives the rotational speed of the turbine shaft  18  and of the transmission output shaft  19 . 
     FIGS. 3 and 4 are based on the case that a driver detects during an overtaking operation that he must let pass the traffic coming from the opposite direction. The driver will then interrupt his overtaking operation by releasing the accelerator pedal. It is assumed that hereby an upshift characteristic line is exceeded and the automatic transmission begins an upshift in coasting. During the upshift, the driver detects that the opposite road is now free and again initiates the overtaking operation by either actuating the accelerator pedal or requesting a manual downshift. It is assumed that in both cases a downshift characteristic line is exceeded. 
     In FIG. 3 is shown a first embodiment. It is based on an upshift as overlapping gear shift such as known from DE-OS 42 40 621. In a first phase of the overlapping gear shift, a rotational speed increase of the transmission input rotational speed is set. The second phase corresponds to the load take over. This is detected when the rotational speed increase diminishes. In a third phase the second clutch becomes completely closed. 
     FIG. 3 consists of the parts FIGS. 3A to  3 D. Each one shows here in the course of time: FIG. 3A the shift command SB, FIG. 3B the curve of the transmission input rotational speed nT, FIG. 3C the pressure curve of the first clutch pK 1  and FIG. 3D the pressure curve of the second clutch pK 2 . Two examples are shown in each of FIGS. 3A to  3 D. A first example shows the gear shift cycle, according to the prior art. This is designed as solid line. The second example shows a solution, according to the invention, designed in dotted line. 
     First example: 
     The gear shift cycle, according to the prior art, corresponds in FIG. 3B to the series of curves with the points A, B, C and D; in FIG. 3C to the series of curves with the points E, F, G and H; in FIG. 3D to the series of curves with the points K, L, M, N and O. At moment t 0 , the electronic transmission control  13  issues the shift command SB. In FIG. 3A, the signal curve hereby changes from one to zero. At moment t 1 , the pressure level of the first clutch K 1  diminishes from a first to a second pressure level. This corresponds to the points E and F. Thereafter the first phase begins for the first clutch K 1 . During this phase, the pressure curve is regulated so that the transmission input rotational speed nT increases. This occurs at moment t 3 , point A. This increase in rotational speed is preset here as nominal value for a closed loop. Increase in rotational speed means that the transmission input rotational speed nT reaches a higher rotational speed value than would result from the first gear ratio i 1 . Likewise at moment t 1  up to moment t 2 , the second clutch K 2  is loaded with rapid filling pressure. The pressure level here corresponds to the value of the point K. Thereafter follows for the second clutch K 2 , a filling equalization phase up to moment t 5 . It is assumed that at moment t 4 , the electronic transmission control  13  detects a downshift request. But, according to the prior art, the automatic transmission will first terminate the upshift, i.e. at moment t 5  being for the second clutch K 2  at the point L, a first and second pressure ramps up to moments t 7  and t 8 , respectively, corresponding to the points M and N. During the first pressure ramp, the second clutch K 2  begins to take over the load from the first clutch K 1 . This is detected by the transmission input rotational speed nT changing in direction of the point C, the synchronization point of the first gear ratio i 1 . At moment t 6 , the transmission input rotational speed nT has again reached the synchronous rotational speed of the first gear ratio i 1  so that the first clutch K 1  becomes completely disengaged. The further curve of the transmission input rotational speed nT is determined by the pressure ramp corresponding to M and N, time interval t 7  to t 8 . The time interval t 5  to t 8  corresponds to the second phase of the overlapping gear shift. In time interval t 8  to t 9 , the second clutch K 2  is passed to a pressure level outside the gear shift, this corresponds to the pressure level of the point O. The upshift is terminated at t 9 . The third phase thus corresponds to the time interval t 8  to t 9 . 
     Second example: 
     The solution, according to the invention, shows in FIG. 3B the curve cycle with the points A, A 1 , B 1 , C and D 1 . In FIG. 3C, the curve cycle with the points E, F, G, G 1  and H 1 . In FIG. 3D, the curve cycle with the points K and L. The gear shift cycle, up to moment t 4 , develops as described above. At moment t 4 , it is assumed that a downshift request presettable by a driver is present. Since this occurs within the first phase, the electronic transmission control will then, at moment t 4 , confirm the abort criterion and issue the downshift command, thereby changes the signal level SB from zero to one in FIG.  3 A. As a consequence of this, the pressure level of the first clutch will rise from the actual pressure level, corresponding to the point G, via a ramp function, to the first pressure level, this corresponds to the value of the point G 1 . The pressure level of the second clutch K 2  is simultaneously reduced to zero from the actual pressure level, i.e. the filling pressure level corresponding to the point L 1 , via a ramp function. Hereby, the transmission input rotational speed nT in point A 1  changes in direction to the point B 1 . The rotational speed value of the point B 1  corresponds here to the synchronous speed of the first gear ratio i 1 . Thereafter the transmission input rotational speed nT will change up to moment t 8  only according to the first gear ratio. The pressure level of the first clutch pK 1  will remain constant, corresponding to the pressure level of the point G 1 . 
     If a downshift is requested during the second phase, this corresponds to the time interval t 5  to t 8 , then the abort criterion is only confirmed when a time step activated with the beginning of the second phase still has not exceeded a limit value. The time step is designated in FIG. 3B with tF 2 . The limit value preferably corresponds here to moment t 6 . A request for a downshift at the t 5 A moment, as shown in FIG. 3A, would thus result in the abort criterion being confirmed and the electronic transmission control issuing the downshift command. The admissibility of the abort criterion can be determined instead of via a time step also via the transmission input rotational speed nT. During the second phase, the abort criterion is here confirmed only when the actual transmission input rotational speed still has not fallen below the synchronous rotational speed value of the first gear ratio i 1 . This corresponds in FIG. 3B to the point C, i.e. an abort of the upshift in a transmission input rotational speed below the point C is no longer admitted, since a reaction of the automatic transmission perceivable by the driver has already appeared. Another possibility of determining the admissibility of the abort criterion consists in effecting this depending on the pressure level pK 2  of the second clutch. If the pressure level of the second clutch pK 2  is lower than a limit value GW, then the abort criterion is confirmed. In the practice, this limit value can be implemented, e.g. so that a hydraulic of the second clutch disengages the first clutch. The limit value GW is accordingly shown in FIG.  3 D. Starting from the point B 1  or G 1 , it is possible to carry out additional downshifts, e.g. according to the driver&#39;s wish. 
     The solution, according to the invention, offers the advantage that for the above described case from the practice the rigid cycle of upshift, blocking time and subsequent downshift is interrupted. Unnecessary gear shifts, e.g. an upshift from the fourth to the fifth gear, followed by a downshift from the fifth to the fourth gear, are eliminated. The characteristic of the automatic transmission is more closely tied to the driver&#39;s desired performance, i.e. the automatic transmission acts more spontaneously. 
     In FIG. 4, a second embodiment is shown consisting of the parts FIGS. 4A to  4 D. This second embodiment is based on a control method for load take over in an automatic transmission, as it also has been disclosed in DE-OS 42 40 621. In this control method only, one small rotational speed increase of the transmission input rotational speed nT is set, e.g. less than 10 revolutions. In FIGS. 4B to  4 D, two examples are shown. The first example shows a gear shift cycle, according to the prior art, and designed in dotted line. 
     First example: 
     The gear shift cycle according to the prior art corresponds in FIG. 4B to the series of curves with the points A, B and D. In FIG. 4C to the series of curves with the points E, F, G and H. In FIG. 4D to the series of curves with the points K, L, M, N and O. 
     At moment t 0 , the electronic transmission control  13  issues an upshift command. In FIG. 4A, the signal curve SB thereby changes from one to zero. At moment t 1 , the pressure level of the first clutch K 1  becomes reduced from a first pressure level to a second pressure level. This corresponds in FIG. 4C to the points E and F. Thereafter follows a first pressure ramp up to moment t 4 . The pressure ramp is selected so that during the curve a small rotational speed increase of the transmission rotational speed nT appears. This occurs at moment t 3  in point A. Likewise at moment t 1  up to moment t 2 , the second clutch K 2  is loaded with the rapid filling pressure, pressure level corresponding to the point K. Thereafter follows for the second clutch K 2 , the filling equalization phase up to moment t 4 . The first phase of the overlapping gear shift corresponds here to the time interval t 1  to t 4 . At moment t 4  begins for the second clutch K 2  up to moment t 8  a first and second pressure ramps, this corresponds to the range point L up to the point M, for the taking over of the load from the first clutch K 1  and the points M to N. At moment t 4  simultaneously begins for the first clutch K 1 , a second pressure ramp during which the pressure level of the first clutch K 1  becomes reduced. The final point of the pressure ramp is point H. The increases of both pressure ramps, corresponding respectively to the ranges G, H and L and M, are usually designed equal. During the time interval t 4  to t 7 , the second clutch K 2  takes over the load from the first clutch K 1  so that the transmission input rotational speed curve nT in FIG. 4B changes in direction of the synchronization point of the second gear ratio i 2 . As soon as the second clutch has taken over the load, which is approximately at moment t 6 , the first clutch K 1  becomes completely opened. The second phase of the overlapping gear shift corresponds to the time interval t 4  to t 8 . At moment t 8 , the second clutch K 2  is led to a new pressure level corresponding to the point O. At moment t 8 , the transmission input rotational speed nT has reached the synchronization point D of the second gear ratio i 2 . The gear shift is terminated at t 9 . The time interval t 8  to t 9  corresponds to the third phase of the overlapping gear shift. 
     Second example: 
     The second example shows a curve according to the invention. In FIG. 4B, this corresponds to the series of curves A, B and C; in FIG. 4C to the series of curves with the points E, F, G, G 1 , G 2  and H 1 ; in FIG. 4D to the series of curves with the points K, L, L 1  and L 2 . In this embodiment, it is assumed that the downshift command takes place during the second phase. Up to moment t 4 , the curves of the transmission input rotational speed and the pressure curves of the first and second clutch result as above described. At moment t 4 A, the electronic transmission control  13  issues the downshift command. In FIG. 4A, the signal level thereby changes from zero to one. At moment t 5 , this is, already in the range of the actual load take over, the first clutch K 1  increases over a ramp from the actual pressure value, corresponding to the point G 1  to the original first pressure level corresponding to the point E or G 2 . At the same time, the second clutch is likewise led over a ramp from the point L 1  to the point L 2 . The transmission input rotational speed curve nT thereby changes according to the first gear ratio i 1 . At moment t 6 , i.e. upon reaching the point G 2 , the gear shift is terminated. This means that thereafter other gear shifts derived from the driver&#39;s wish can immediately be carried out. 
     The downshift is requested during the second phase, i.e. the time interval t 4  to t 8 . The abort criterion is confirmed, since a time step activated with the beginning of the second phase still has not exceeded a limit value. This time step is designated in FIG. 4C with tF 2 . The limit value preferably corresponds here to moment t 6 . The admissibility of the abort criterion can be determined also by the transmission input rotational speed nT instead of by the time step tF 2 . The abort criterion is only confirmed here during the second phase when the actual transmission input rotational speed value nT still has not fallen below the synchronous speed value of the first gear ratio i 1 . This corresponds in FIG. 4B to the point B, i.e. an abort of the upshift at a transmission input rotational speed nT below the point B is no longer allowed, since here a reaction of the automatic transmission perceivable by the driver has already set in. One other possibility of determining the admissibility of the abort criterion consists in effecting this according to the pressure level pK 2  of the second clutch. If the pressure level of the second clutch pK 2  is lower than a limit value GW, the abort criterion is confirmed. In the practice, this limit value can be implemented, e.g. so that a hydraulic ** of the second clutch opens the first clutch. The limit value GW is shown in FIG. 4D accordingly. 
     The embodiment, according to FIG. 3, and the embodiment, according to FIG. 4, have in common that in a change from coast to traction or viceversa during the upshift, the abort criterion is not confirmed until a blocking time has lapsed. 
     REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       1  prime mover 
       2  input shaft 
       3  hydrodynamic converter 
       4  impeller 
       5  turbine wheel 
       6  stator 
       7  converter clutch 
       8  turbine shaft 
       9  Ravigneaux set 
       10  free wheel FL 1   
       11  planetary gear set 
       12  transmission output shaft 
       13  electronic transmission control 
       14  micro-controller 
       15  memory 
       16  function block control actuators 
       17  function block calculation 
       18  transmission input rotation speed signal 
       19  transmission output rotational speed signal 
       20  input variables 
       21  hydraulic control unit