Abstract:
A method for controlling a gear-shifting process from an initial gear to a target gear in a manual transmission with active interlock. According to the method, the active interlock gear-shifting mechanism includes at least one shifting finger which co-operates with a selector fork, and has a layout geometry including a finger and a cam. The method contains the following steps: the selector fork of the initial gear is brought into a reliable shifting position by a method for compensating errors on the gear shifting mechanism, and/or the selector fork of the target gear is brought into a reliable shifting position a method for compensating errors on the gear shifting mechanism, before the target gear is engaged, when ever a temporarily non-critical gear-shift is to be carried out.

Description:
[0001]     This application is a continuation of prior International Application PCT/DE2006/000426, filed Mar. 9, 2006, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
       [0002]     The invention relates to a method for controlling a gear-shifting process from an initial gear to a target gear in a manual transmission, which has a so called active interlock shifting mechanism.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     In a regular transmission, thus a manual transmission, or an automatic transmission, the actions “lay gear out”; “select” and “shift gear” take place in this predetermined sequence. In a transmission, comprising an active interlock shifting mechanism, the functions of laying the gear out, and shifting the gear, are performed through different structural components, in particular, shifting is performed through shifting fingers, which are only being used for shifting the gears. The laying out is performed through layout geometries, in turn, comprise a layout finger and a layout cam, moving the shifting rod, depending on the shifting process. The shifting geometry, this means the shifting fingers, and the layout geometry, are separate components, so that the selection movement for the target gear can be performed before the layout movement of the initial gear performed.  
         [0004]     Thus, in an active interlock shifting mechanism, the shifting finger can be moved back into the middle position, when a gear is shifted, without laying out the current initial gear. Thus, the new gear can be selected, before the old gear is laid out. In all shift alleys, in which the shifting finger is not positioned, a layout geometry operates to lay out the initial gear. It lays out the initial gear directly prior to a new gear being shifted by the shifting finger. Thereby, the shifting finger and the layout geometry are geometrically associated by design, so that an active gear lock is provided, so that a target gear cannot be shifted, before the initial gear is laid out.  
         [0005]     Shifting systems with active interlock generally comprise error recognition systems, which cause a control system for an automated transmission to bring the transmission into a safe state through mechanisms, which are not influenced by the detected error, this means into a state, which is not dangerous for the respective driving condition, and which possibly avoids damages to the transmission. Such occurring errors can be a broken or damaged shifting finger, a broken or damaged layout mechanism, in particular, a broken or damaged layout cam, or other mostly mechanical failures of the gear-shifting mechanism. Furthermore, the errors can relate to test functions, which are being performed, in order to detect the safe shifting of a target gear, or the return of shifting mechanism elements into their initial positions.  
         [0006]     Conditions can be problematic, however, in which a failure at an element of the shifting mechanism has e.g. occurred, which, however, has not been detected yet by the transmission control system, so that an error handling mode of the transmission control system is not yet activated, and the control operates in error free operating mode, in spite of the present damage.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     An object of the present invention provides a shifting method for a transmission with active interlock, in which it may be assured that a shifting position results from the shifting process, which is not critical for driving and for the transmission, even when a not yet detected error or damage is present at the shifting mechanism of the transmission.  
         [0008]     A method for controlling a shifting process from an initial gear into a target gear in a transmission with active interlock, in which the active interlock shifting system comprises at least one shifting finger, cooperating with a selector fork, and a layout geometry with a layout finger and a layout cam, brings the selector fork of the initial gear into a safe shifting position through a shifting process, capable of compensating for errors in the shifting mechanism, and/or brings the selector fork of the target gear into a safe shifting position, through a shifting process, compensating for an error at the shifting mechanism, before the selected target gear is engaged. The process is always performed, when, and preferably only performed, when a time critical shifting process is present.  
         [0009]     The invention is based on the idea, to guide the layout geometry, as well as the shifting finger, not directly into the target gear, but to initially bring it into a safe shifting position, this means, a shifting position, which is acceptable, when it remains selected instead of the initially selected gear, due to an error in the shifting mechanism, before the actual target gear is shifted. Thereby, it may be assured, that the transmission is in a safe, predetermined state, and not in a non predetermined state, when an error is present in the transmission, which has not yet been detected. A not yet detected error is an error, which the transmission control system has not detected yet. As soon as the error is detected, the function, according to the invention, is not responsible for transmission control anymore, but an error handling process activated by the control system. The present method constitutes a preventive measure in case the error has not been recognized yet. Since the preventive measures, which are being performed, so that the transmission ends in a safe state, when an error is present, which has not been detected yet, require time in addition to the normal shifting times, it is determined before the method according to the invention, if a time critical or a non time critical shifting process occurs. Only non time critical shifting processes, this means such, in which a delay due to the preventive measures does not matter, or is acceptable, are being performed with the preventive shifting measures.  
         [0010]     Preferably, the safe gear, or the safe transmission position is the neutral position.  
         [0011]     According to a preferred embodiment, the target gear is only shifted through shifting the shifting finger, which shifts the selector fork, when the error free reaching of the safe gear is detected in the safe gear via a testing process, and reported back to the transmission control system.  
         [0012]     Preferably, shifting processes, which downshift, may be determined as time critical, so that the process is not performed in this case.  
         [0013]     According to a preferred embodiment, a shifting process is considered a time critical shifting process, where the target gear is the neutral position and/or where the initial gear or the target gear is a reverse gear.  
         [0014]     Preferably, also shifting processes from a lower initial gear into a higher target gear, i.e. up shifting processes, may be characterized as non time critical.  
         [0015]     According to a preferred embodiment, the selector fork shifting a gear may be brought into a safe gear, when the target gear is “neutral”, wherein the layout cam may be being used to bring the selector fork into the neutral position, the layout finger may be being used to bring the selector fork into the neutral position, and the shifting finger may be being used to bring the selector fork into the neutral position. Through the layout cam, as well as, the layout finger being used, to bring the selector fork of the initial gear into the neutral position, the selector fork reaches the neutral position, even when a problem is present at the shifting finger, or at the layout cam, or at the layout finger. Through the shifting finger being additionally used to bring the selector fork into the neutral position, a problem, which relates to the entire layout mechanism, is also being compensated.  
         [0016]     Preferably, when the target gear is at the same selector fork, as the initial gear, the layout cam or the layout the finger is used, in order to bring the selector fork into the neutral position, and the shifting finger is being used, in order to bring the selector fork into the target gear. Thereby, a problem at the shifting finger is compensated, since the layout mechanism is used for moving the selector fork into the neutral position. Through the shifting finger being used for moving the selector fork into the target gear, the shifting finger remains in the safe position, this means, the neutral position, when the shifting finger is damaged.  
         [0017]     According to a preferred embodiment, the shifting finger is being used, when the target gear is at another selector fork, than the initial gear, in order to bring the selector fork of the initial gear into the neutral position, and the shifting finger is also used to bring the selector fork for the target gear into the target gear. When a problem occurs at the layout mechanism, it is compensated by using the shifting finger for moving the selector fork into the neutral position. When there is an error at the shifting finger, the gear remains in neutral position, since the shifting finger is used to bring the selector fork into the target gear position.  
         [0018]     Preferably, it is being examined, after shifting the target gear, if the target gear is shifted correctly, and if a deviation is detected, this is reported back to the transmission control system.  
         [0019]     Thus it may be assured through the measures described above that the preventive safety functions assure that the selector fork ends in a safe position (neutral), instead of e.g. leaving the initial gear shifted, or being stuck in an intermediary state, when a not yet recognized error is present.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0020]     Subsequently, the invention is described in an exemplary manner with reference to a shifting mechanism for a parallel shifting transmission with reference to the attached figures, in which:  
         [0021]      FIG. 1  shows an active interlock shifting mechanism in a perspective view;  
         [0022]      FIG. 2  shows an active interlock shifting mechanism for a parallel shifting transmission, with a shifting finger and two layout geometries, wherein both partial transmissions of a parallel shifting transmission are operated with one active interlock shifting mechanism;  
         [0023]      FIG. 3  is a flow diagram, showing the course of the process for the event, where the transmission shaft is to be brought into neutral position;  
         [0024]      FIG. 4  is a flow diagram for the course of the process, where a target gear is to be shifted from an initial gear, when the selector fork for the target gear and the initial gear is the same; and  
         [0025]      FIG. 5  is a flow diagram, which shows the course of the process in an exemplary manner, when the target gear and the initial gear are not at the same selector fork. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0026]      FIG. 1  shows an active interlock shifting mechanism  10 , as it is used e.g. in rear wheel drive vehicles. The central shifting shaft  12  for the illustrated application comprises a shifting finger  14  and two layout geometries  16 . The layout geometries  16  each have a cam shaped area  17 , and a finger shaped area  18 . The shifting finger  14  and the layout geometries  16  are moveable on the shifting shaft  12 , and are being shifted on the rectangular shifting shaft  12  during the selection process. A motor, e.g. a brushless motor  20 , drives the shifting shaft  12  through a gear mechanism and e.g. a gear segment  22 . An additional motor, e.g. also a brushless motor  24 , is provided, which serves as a selection motor and which drives a spindle, which moves the shifting fingers  14  and the layout geometries  16 .  
         [0027]     In  FIG. 2 , the shifting and selection processes through a shifting finger, and through two layout geometries  16  disposed on a common shifting shaft  12  are shown schematically. The shifting finger  14  is located between the two layout geometries  16 , which are disposed at a distance according to the width of the alley. The shifting rods  28 ,  30 , which are being moved through the shifting fingers, or the layout geometries, are provided, wherein two respective shifting rods form a gear group, for even gears or for odd gears. In each position of the shifting finger  14 , a layout geometry  16  acts upon the other shifting rod of the same group. The shifting rods  28  form one group, the shifting rods  30  form another group. Since, it is initially caused through rotating the shifting shaft  12  for moving the shifting rod  28 ,  30  through the shifting finger  14 , due to the geometry of the assembly, that the layout geometries  16  initially bring their associated shifting rods into a neutral position, it may be assured that within each group always only one gear is shifted. In a parallel shifting transmission, however, one respective gear of both groups can be shifted (an even or an odd gear) simultaneously. When a gear of a group is shifted or laid out, everything stays unchanged in the other group. When required, also several shifting fingers  14  can be provided, e.g. when larger distances occur between the shifting rods.  
         [0028]      FIG. 2  shows four shifting conditions, wherein the shifting finger  14  respectively acts upon another shifting rod  28  or  30 . The geometry of the shifting finger  14 , or of the layout geometries  16  assure that the shifting rod  12 , whose gear is supposed to be laid out, is shifted, before the gear to be shifted, this means the target gear, is shifted through the shifting finger  14 . Depending on the operating direction, different sections  17  or  18  of a layout geometry act upon the respective shifting rod  28  or  30 , in order to move the shifting rods into a neutral position.  
         [0029]     Subsequently, the method for reaching a safe gear condition is described with reference to  FIGS. 3 through 5 , independently of a respective, not yet detected, failure in the shifting mechanism of a shifting transmission with active interlock. Thus it is always assumed for controlling the layout geometry and the shifting finger that the gear, shifted at the shaft is known in the initial position and the selector fork for the shifted gear (initial gear) is shifted.  FIG. 3  shows the method in the flow chart, when the neutral position is the target position,  FIG. 4  shows the process, when the initial gear and the target gear are shifted with the same selector fork, and  FIG. 5  shows the case where the target gear and the initial gear are shifted with different selector forks.  
         [0030]     When the target position of the shifting process is the neutral position of the transmission, a transmission control system recognizes this, and determines that the preventive safety functions can be performed in the shifting process, since a shifting process is normally not time critical in neutral position, which means that the increased time, which is required for performing the preventive safety function, is acceptable. On the other hand, when the target gear is the neutral position, reaching this neutral position is often safety critical. In particular, no force in the drive train is acceptable, even for processes in which the clutch is only engaged for test purposes. Therefore, the shift control system detects, when the neutral position is the target position, preferably always a non time critical position, and performs the steps shown in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0031]     It may be initially determined in step S 30 , if it is necessary, to test the shifting finger of the active interlock shifting mechanism with respect to its position. Thus e.g. an incremental distance measurement may be performed for detecting the position of the shifting finger.  
         [0032]     When such a test process is necessary, it may be performed in step S 31 . Otherwise, when the position of the active interlock shifting finger is well known, the process goes to step S 32 , in which the selector fork of the initial gear is brought into neutral position. Thus, the layout geometry is being used, in particular, the layout cams, as well as the layout finger may be used, so that in case of a failure, or a damage, either of the layout cam, or the layout finger, the other element can still reliably move the selector fork into the neutral position. In case the shifting finger is damaged, the shifting finger may also be reliably brought into the neutral position through step S 32 , since the shifting finger is not being used.  
         [0033]     Subsequently, in step S 33 , another process is performed, in which the selector fork is moved to “neutral”, if it has not reached this status yet, since the shifting finger is moved here, so that it would move the selector fork to “neutral” itself. Thus, should the layout geometry have failed in step S 32 , the selector fork still reliably reaches the neutral position. Thus, three different mechanisms are used in step S 32  and S 33 , in order to bring the selector fork from the initial gear into the neutral position. A failure of one, or even two mechanisms can thus be compensated, and the selector fork still reliably reaches the neutral position. A failure or damage of the entire layout geometry as well as of the shifting finger simultaneously is hardly probable, in particular, because no previous failure has been recognized in this case.  
         [0034]     In step S 34 , eventually a test with reference to the reached reference point of the selector fork is performed, in order to assure that the selection and shift position is good, this means, precisely positioned. In case the neutral position is not achieved completely, or in an erroneous manner, this is detected in step S 34 . Therefore, e.g. position measurements for the selection and shift process are being performed, this means, performed separately for the two directions.  
         [0035]     When the test from step S 34  is successful, it may be detected in the shifting mechanism that the neutral position is reached reliably, and there is a high probability that no failure in the shifting mechanism has occurred (steps S 35 , S 36   a ). Otherwise, a lower safety level is determined in step S 36   b , and an error management is performed accordingly.  
         [0036]     When a shifting process is to be performed, in which the target and the initial gear are located at the same selector fork, this means, they are shifted with the same selector fork, a process according to  FIG. 4  is performed. Thereby, it is initially determined in step S 40 , if the preventive safety function is to be performed or not. Thereby, it is generally true, that in a change of the driving direction, this means, a shift process into or out of the reverse gear, a non time critical shifting process occurs, so that, in this case, the determination in step S 40  may be such, that the preventive safety function is to be performed. Shifting processes, in which the target gear and the initial gear are located at the same selector fork, and no reversal of the driving direction occurs, are rare, considering that the shifting mechanism is configured, so that subsequent gears, e.g. first gear and third gear, are located at different selector forks. Thereby, the block diagram, illustrated in  FIG. 4 , especially relates to shifting processes with a reversal of the driving direction. However, the determination in step S 40  can be “yes”, when the vehicle moves, but the shift time is not time critical, e.g. in up shifting processes, from first gear into fifth gear, wherein undetected errors are more severe in this case, since the possibility exists, that the clutch overspends. Thus the determination in step S 40  is preferably “yes”, also when the target and initial gear are located at the same selector fork, and an up shift process is performed.  
         [0037]     Typically, the shifting finger shifts the selector fork for laying the old gear out, and for shifting the target gear, when the target gear is to be shifted with the same selector fork, as the initial gear. This means that in case of a failure of the shifting finger, the shaft stays in the old gear in this case, which can be safety critical.  
         [0038]     Therefore, when it is determined in step S 40 , that the preventive safety function shall be performed, the layout mechanism uses the active interlock shifting mechanism, in order to bring the selector fork into “neutral” (step S 41 ). Thereby, “neutral” forms the safe shifting position. Only subsequently, as it occurs also without a preventive safety feature, the shifting finger is being used in step S 42  to shift the selector fork into the target gear. Thus it is avoided, that the target gear remains shifted in case of an erroneous shifting finger. If the shifting finger is damaged, the selector fork remains in the neutral position in step S 42  in this case, so that no erroneous gear is shifted, and the shifting position remains predictable.  
         [0039]     In the subsequent steps S 43 , S 44  it is determined, if the target gear is correctly shifted, and it is determined, when the gear is not correctly shifted, which can, in turn, cause the determination of a lower safety level, and can be a cause for performing an error handling in step S 45   b . Otherwise, the high level of confidence that is placed in the shifting control system is maintained (step S 45   a ).  
         [0040]     When a time critical shift process (e.g. downshift process) is determined in step S 40 , then the method proceeds from step S 40  directly to step S 42 .  
         [0041]      FIG. 5  eventually shows the case, where the target and initial gear are located at different selector forks. Again, it is initially determined in step S 50 , if the preventive safety function is to be performed, or not. When the vehicle is at a standstill, preferably the preventive safety function is performed, since the shifting time is not time critical. When, on the other hand, the vehicle moves, the resulting synchronization force prevents shifting the target gear, when the layout mechanism fails, so that the error management system of the shifting control system recognizes this.  
         [0042]     In case the preventive safety function is to be performed according to the determination in step S 50 , the shifting finger is used in step S 51 , in order to move the selector fork into the safe shifting position, this means, the neutral position. Thus it can be avoided that through using the shifting finger for shifting the selector fork into the target gear, two gears are shifted simultaneously, should the layout geometry fail. After the shifting finger was used for moving the selector fork into “neutral”, the shifting finger is used for moving the selector fork into the target gear, as it is typical. Subsequently, as already explained in connection with  FIG. 4 , a check of the shifted gear is performed in the steps S 53  through S 55 .  
         [0043]     Thus, an aspect of the invention is that in non time critical shifting processes, the conventional shifting- or action sequence in the active interlock system is supplemented by a process that is performed before the target gear is shifted, by bringing the selector fork of the target gear into a safe shifting position, e.g. into the neutral position. This preferably also occurs in a redundant manner. Thus, it may be assured, in case of a failure of the layout geometry, or in case of a failure of the shifting finger for shifting the target gear, that the transmission remains in a safe condition.  
       DESIGNATIONS  
       [0000]    
       
           10  Active interlock  
           12  Central shifting shaft  
           14  Shifting finger  
           16  Layout geometry  
           17  Cam shaped area  
           18  Finger shaped area  
           20  Brushless motor  
           22  Tooth segment  
           24  Brushless motor  
           26  Spindle  
           28  Shifting rod  
           30  Shifting rod