Patent ID: 7867137

Claim:
A method of operating a drivetrain of a motor vehicle having at least a drive motor and an automatic transmission with at least five shift elements, the method improving a shift speed of at least one of a successive upshift and a successive downshift such that during a first upshift or a first downshift at least one shift element, required for the respective successive upshift or the successive downshift, is prepared such that when a synchronization point of the first upshift or the first downshift, in progress, is reached, the successive upshift or the successive downshift can be immediately carried out, the method comprising the steps of: requiring, for each of a plurality of forward gears and a reverse gear, at least three shift elements to be engaged while a remainder of the at least five shift elements are disengaged, and accomplishing two respective consecutive upshifts or two respective consecutive downshifts with at least some overlap; defining the first upshift and the first downshift as a multiple gear shift; preparing the successive upshift or the successive downshift during the first upshift or the first downshift, with the successive upshift or the successive downshift being one of a single gearshift or a multiple gearshift; disengaging a first of the at least five shift elements and engaging a second of the at least five shift elements, during the first upshift or the first downshift; preparing a third of the at least five shift elements, during the first upshift or the first downshift, for disengagement in the successive upshift or the successive downshift; preparing a fourth of the at least five shift elements, during the first upshift or the first downshift, for engagement in the successive upshift or the successive downshift; and at least partially retaining at least a fifth of the at least five shift elements during the first upshift or the first downshift and during the successive upshift or the successive downshift.