초록 ▼

Engine and transmission control apparatus for use in passenger cars and other applications includes a throttle-and-gear-ratio control system and a special calibration of the engine fuel metering system, both being oriented toward maximum fuel economy. Although the engine calibration was originated f

Engine and transmission control apparatus for use in passenger cars and other applications includes a throttle-and-gear-ratio control system and a special calibration of the engine fuel metering system, both being oriented toward maximum fuel economy. Although the engine calibration was originated for use with the continuously variable type of transmission, the apparatus is instead intended for use with discrete-ratio transmissions. The throttle-and-gear-ratio control system makes only small sacrifices in fuel economy in order to significantly reduce the number of gearshifts executed by the transmission.

대표청구항 ▼

Apparatus for improving the efficiency with which mechanical power is produced by a combustion engine and delivered through a discrete-ratio gearbox to a load, the apparatus comprising: means containing at least one stored array of data which yield a continuous range of a performance parameter when

Apparatus for improving the efficiency with which mechanical power is produced by a combustion engine and delivered through a discrete-ratio gearbox to a load, the apparatus comprising: means containing at least one stored array of data which yield a continuous range of a performance parameter when said array is addressed using variables indicative of a power level and an operating speed, said performance parameter being based at least primarily on fuel consumption of the engine, iterating means operative to select for the gearbox tentative gearshifts each of which offers a magnitude of increase in performance of the engine as based on values of said performance parameter obtained from said stored array of data, and means operative to incorporate a variable time delay before executing said tentative gearshifts, said delay having a longer duration when said magnitude of increase in engine performance is less significant, and said tentative gearshifts being aborted when they cease to offer said increase in engine performance before expiration of said time delay, whereby fuel economy is well balanced against the number of gearshifts performed.