AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM UTILIZING PADDLE SHIFTERS

Abstract

A shift system and methodology for use in relation to the automatic transmission of a vehicle is provided. The system includes a paddle shifter arrangement adapted to be operated by a driver to manually and selectively shift the gears of the transmission. The paddle shifter system includes steering wheel-mounted or hand-held paddles to allow the operator to make upshift or downshift requests. The paddles comprise a mechanical switch, a transmitter, and a conventional power source. A computing module capable of interfacing with the vehicle via the Unified Diagnostic Services protocol is provided. A number of components are installed on the module to support device functionality. These components include operating components, flash storage, display driver and communication circuitry. The system includes a wireless communication system that allows the user to link the paddles and the computing module. A display indicates the current vehicle gear and gear requested by the driver.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The disclosed inventive concept relates generally to shift systems for vehicles having automatic transmissions. More particularly, the disclosed inventive concept relates to an automatic transmission control systems that enables a driver to selectively request forward motion gears that may not be normally be commanded by the shift strategy programmed into a vehicle's powertrain control module.

Description of the Related Art

It is known to have paddle shifters provided in vehicles to permit a driver to manually shift the vehicle's gears without the necessity of a traditional clutch pedal or gear shift mechanism. Conventionally these systems are provided with the vehicle as a factory installed component. The prior art does not provide for a practical and cost-effective method or system for retrofitting such control mechanisms to an existing vehicle. In addition, current paddle shifters require extensive wiring, re-wiring or other hardware modifications to adapt the shifters to existing vehicles.

Accordingly, a system that may be installed in a vehicle after the vehicle is manufactured is desirable. To be practical to the consumer, such a system must be practical, easily installed, and of a cost that is reasonable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The disclosed inventive concept provides a response to the need for a practical, easily adapted, and cost-effective arrangement for retrofitting a paddle shift system to an existing vehicle. As set forth herein, the system is for use in a vehicle having an engine and an associated automatic transmission. The shift system includes a paddle shifter arrangement adapted to be operated by a vehicle driver to manually and selectively shift the gears of the automatic transmission.

The disclosed inventive concept provides a solution to the need for such a system by providing an arrangement that integrates directly with the existing vehicle system without the need for external modification. The system enables the driver to selectively command forward motion gears.

More particularly, the disclosed inventive concept provides a combination automatic transmission control system that includes:

A pair of steering wheel-mounted paddles to allow the vehicle operator to make upshift or downshift requests. The paddles are comprised of a mechanical switch, a transmitter, and a conventional power source.

Alternatively or additionally, the paddles may be hand-held thus enabling impaired drivers to “manually” control the automatic transmission.

A computing module (client) capable of interfacing with the vehicle via the Unified Diagnostic Services (UDS) protocol is provided. A number of components are operatively installed on the computing module for the purpose of supporting device functionality. These components include operating system components, flash storage, display driver and communication circuitry.

A wireless communication system that allows the user to link the paddles and the computing module system for wireless communication between the paddles and the computing module.

The display can be any type of display such as 7-segment or an LCD that provides visual confirmation of gear change requests as well as enables the user to configure parameters of the disclosed inventive concept.

The system of the disclosed inventive concept constantly monitors the current vehicle gear and any inputs made by the driver via the input paddles. When the system is “activated,” the driver can request the transmission to be either upshifted or downshifted by pressing the corresponding paddle. The computing module compares the current vehicle gear to the gear requested, and if permitted by established logic, advances this request to the disclosed transmission control system. The success of the command is notified to the driver by way of the display incorporated into the computing module.

The system of the disclosed inventive concept offers the further advantage of being readily “activated” or “deactivated” on-the-fly. Thus it is not necessary for the vehicle to be at a standstill before engaging or disengaging the system.

The present invention allows for wireless communication between the opposed buttons or paddles and the computing module. This wireless transmission may be accomplished by a variety of means, such as through any number of common low-power, short range wireless radio communication.

The system of the disclosed inventive concept can be readily fitted to existing vehicle systems whether or not the manufacturer offered paddle shifters as an option.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of this invention, reference should now be made to the embodiments illustrated in greater detail in the accompanying drawings and described below by way of examples of the invention wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary paddle shifter assembly for use in the system described herein;

FIG. 2A is a frontal view of a left side paddle shifter assembly for use in the system described herein;

FIG. 2B is a frontal view of a right paddle shifter assembly for use in the system described herein;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the pair of the left side paddle shifter assembly shown in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the pair of the left side paddle shifter assembly shown in FIG. 2B;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the computing module used in association with the paddle shifter assembly and the automotive vehicle;

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the computing module shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a front view of a wireless, hand-held paddle shifter controller; and

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating the operative steps of the disclosed inventive concept.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The drawings disclose the preferred embodiments of the present invention. While the configurations according to the illustrated embodiment are preferred, it is envisioned that alternate configurations of the present invention may be adopted without deviating from the invention as portrayed. The preferred embodiments are discussed hereafter.

With respect to FIG. 1, a paddle shifter assembly, generally illustrated as 10, is shown. The paddle shifter assembly 10 includes a base 12 to which is attached a paddle shifter 14. Attached to the base 12 and the paddle shifter 14 is a housing 16. The housing 16 encloses the assembly switches and transmitter used to request an up-shift or a down-shift from the driver. The paddle shifter assembly 10 is attached to the vehicle's steering wheel (not shown) and provide the operational touch points of the system for the driver.

With respect to FIGS. 2A and 2B, side-by-side paddle shifters 10, 10′ are illustrated in front views. With respect to FIGS. 3A and 3B, side-by-side paddle shifters 10, 10′ are illustrated in front perspective views. Each paddle shifter assembly includes bases 12, 12′ to which are attached paddle shifters 14, 14′. The base 12 includes at least one alignment pin 13 and, as illustrated includes three alignment pins 13. The base 12′ includes at least one alignment pin 13′ and, as illustrated includes three alignment pins 13′. A greater or lesser number of alignment pins 13, 13′ may be adopted for use in the present invention depending on the vehicle. The alignment pins 13, 13′ allow the installer to place the paddle shifters 10, 10′ in a predetermined ideal position relative to the steering wheel.

Attached respectively to the bases 12, 12′ and the paddle shifters 14, 14′ are housings 16, 16′. The housings 16, 16′ enclose the assembly switches and transmitters used to request an up-shift or a down-shift from the driver. The paddle shifter assemblies 10, 10′ are attached to the vehicle's steering wheel (not shown) and provide the operational touch points of the system for the driver.

With respect to FIG. 4, a perspective front view of a computing module 20 for use in association with the paddle shifter assemblies 10, 10′ is illustrated. The computing module 20 includes a housing 22. The housing 22 includes an internal receiver to function as the receiving end of the transmitters housed in the housings 16, 16′. A display 24 is incorporated into the computing module 20 to indicate the operator's gear selection. The display 24 can be any type of display such as 7-segment or an LCD that provides visual confirmation of gear change requests as well as enables the user to configure preferred parameters.

With respect to FIG. 5, a perspective rear view of the computing module 20 for use in association with the paddle shifter assemblies 10, 10′ is illustrated. The computing module 20 includes an arrangement for pairing the wireless paddle shifter assemblies 10, 10′ to the vehicle to allow for operation. For an added measure of operator security, the pairing is unique/secure per paddle<->computing module set. As illustrated, pairing may be engaged by way of a pairing button 28 or may be by another arrangement.

A connection cable 26 extends from the housing 22 for attachment to the vehicle via a Data Link Connector (DLC), thereby allowing the system to interface with the vehicle's operational systems. The connection cable includes a terminal plug as is known in the art such as a standard J1962 or other standard plug. Accordingly, no vehicle modification is required for installation of the disclosed system.

In addition, the computing module 20 includes proprietary software necessary to perform the operational functions of the system. The proprietary software includes the algorithms, logic, and decision tree necessary for complete system operation.

With respect to FIG. 6, a front view of an exemplary, non-limiting wireless, hand-held paddle shifter controller 30 is illustrated. The hand-held paddle shifter controller 30 includes a body 32 paddle shifters 34, 34′. This arrangement allows a physically impaired user to operate the shifters remotely.

With respect to FIG. 7, a step-wise flow chart illustrates the operative steps of the disclosed inventive concept.

At Step 30, the user presses the appropriate paddle or switch 14, 14′ to request either an “up” shift or a “down” shift.

At Step 32, the computing module 20 compares the current vehicle gear to the gear requested by the operator; The computing module 20 undertakes a preliminary check to determine which gear to request from the electronic control unit (ECU) or electronic control module (ECM).

At Step 34, an inquiry is made by the computing module 20 as to whether or not the user is requesting a valid gear selection. If the inquiry results in a negative decision, then the display 24 is updated to indicate that the requested gear selection cannot be made.

Conversely, if the inquiry results in an positive decision, then the computing module 20 transmits the gear request to the ECU/ECM onto the vehicle's high-speed controller area computer network (such as a High-Speed Controller Area Network or HSCAN) at Step 36. A person skilled in the art will recognize that other vehicle communication protocols may also be utilized and that their respective interfaces are well within the embodiments of this invention.

At Step 38, the ECU/ECM communicates the gear selection to the vehicle's transmission provided that the gear selection request falls within pre-established parameters for the vehicle.

At Step 40, an inquiry is made by the computing module 20 as to whether or not the requested gear change has occurred. If the inquiry results in a negative decision, then the display 24 is updated to indicate that no gear change has occurred.

Conversely, if the inquiry results in a positive decision, then the display 24 is updated to indicate that the gear change has been made.

The step-wise operation listed above may be reasonably varied as required without deviating from the disclosed inventive concept.

One skilled in the art will readily recognize from such discussion, and from the accompanying drawings, that various changes, modifications and variations can be made therein without departing from the true spirit and fair scope of the invention as set forth.

Claims

1. A paddle shifter system for a vehicle for facilitating wireless user selection of the gear of an automatic transmission of a vehicle, the vehicle including an operational system, the system comprising: a pair of wireless shifter assemblies;a computing module to which said pair of shifter assemblies is wirelessly connected, the computing module being operatively associated with the vehicle's operational system; anda gear selection display operatively associated with the computing module.

2. The paddle shifter system of claim 1 wherein the vehicle's operational system includes one or both of an electronic control unit and an electronic control module.

3. The paddle shifter system of claim 1 wherein the vehicle includes a steering wheel and steering column assembly and the paddle shifter assemblies are operatively associated with the steering wheel and steering column assembly.

4. The paddle shifter system of claim 3 wherein the steering column includes a first side and a second side and one paddle shifter assembly is fitted to the first side of the steering column and the other paddle shifter assembly is fitted to the second side of the steering column.

5. The paddle shifter system of claim 1 further including a mechanism for pairing the paddle wireless assemblies to the computing module.

6. The paddle shifter system of claim 1 further including a data link connector connecting the computing module to the vehicle's operational system.

7. The paddle shifter system of claim 1 wherein the computing module uses a unified diagnostic services protocol.

8. The paddle shifter system of claim 1 wherein each of said wireless shifter assemblies includes at least one alignment pin for aligning the assembly with the steering wheel and steering column assembly.

9. The paddle shifter system of claim 1 further including a wireless, remote, hand-held paddle shifter controller to which the pair of wireless shifter assemblies are attached.

10. A paddle shifter system for a vehicle for facilitating user selection of the gear of an automatic transmission of a vehicle, the vehicle including an operational system having one or both of an electronic control unit and an electronic control module, the system comprising: at least one wireless shifter assembly;a computing module to which the at least one wireless shifter assembly is wirelessly connected;a data link connecting the computing module to the vehicle's operational system; anda gear selection display operatively associated with the computing module.

11. The paddle shifter system of claim 10 wherein the vehicle includes a steering wheel and steering column assembly and wherein the at least one paddle shifter assembly is operatively associated with the steering wheel and steering column assembly.

12. The paddle shifter system of claim 11 wherein the steering column includes a first side and a second side and wherein one paddle shifter assembly is fitted to the first side of the steering column and the other paddle shifter assembly is fitted to the second side of the steering column.

13. The paddle shifter system of claim 12 further including an apparatus for pairing the paddle wireless assemblies to the computing module.

14. The paddle shifter system of claim 13 wherein the apparatus for pairing is operatively associated with the computing module.

15. The paddle shifter system of claim 10 wherein the computing module uses a unified diagnostic services protocol.

16. The paddle shifter system of claim 10 wherein each of said wireless shifter assemblies includes at least one alignment pin for aligning the assembly with the steering wheel and steering column assembly.

17. The paddle shifter system of claim 10 further including a wireless, remote, hand-held paddle shifter controller to which the at least one shifter assembly is attached.

18. A method for manually shifting an automatic transmission of a vehicle by hand operation of the operator, the method including the steps of forming an assembly including at least one manual shifter wirelessly connected to a computing module, the computing module being operatively associated with the one or both of the vehicle's electronic control unit and electronic control module and a display;manipulating the manual shifter to request either an “up” shift or a “down” shift by the operator;comparing the current vehicle gear to the gear requested by the operator, the comparison being undertaken by the computing modulepreliminarily checking to determine which gear to request from the electronic control unit or electronic control module, the checking being made by the computing module;inquiring whether or not the user is requesting a valid gear selection, the inquiry being made by the computing module, whereby if the inquiry results in a negative decision, then the display is updated to indicate that the requested gear selection cannot be made or if the inquiry results in an positive decision, then the computing module transmits the gear request to the electronic control unit or electronic control module which communicates the gear selection to the vehicle's transmission provided that the gear selection request falls within pre-established parameters for the vehicle; andinquiring whether or not the requested gear change has occurred, the inquiry being made by the computing module, whereby if the inquiry results in a negative decision, then the display is updated to indicate that no gear change has occurred, but if the inquiry results in a positive decision, then the display is updated to indicate that the gear change has been made.

19. The method for manually shifting of claim 18 wherein the at least one manual shifter comprises at least one paddle shifter.

20. The method for manually shifting of claim 19 wherein a pair of paddle shifters is provided.