Abstract: A method for synchronizing a gearbox in a vehicle, whereby the engine and/or the clutch are controlled in a suitable manner during synchronization. In addition, a device for damping the vibrations in a gearbox, especially during synchronization, wherein at least one torsion damper is provided.

Abstract: A control system and control method for a swap-shift transmission having auxiliary and main gearsets wherein precise synchronization control of ratio changes of each gearset at the start and at the end of a swap-upshift progression is achieved using an adaptive control to adjust friction element pressure values and slip times for friction elements of each gearset, whereby shift synchronization is achieved throughout the operating life of the transmission.

Abstract: A target command generator for use in a control system for an automatic transmission having a simple planetary gearset in series with a multiple-ratio gearset, the target command generator providing input for a controller for the simple planetary gearset to achieve synchronized control of pressure operated friction elements of the gearsets to effect smooth swap-shifts during an overall transmission ratio change.

Abstract: A select control system for a vehicle transmission includes a gate mechanism having plural gates respectively selected upon a shift operation and having at least an actual gate, a temporary target gate, and a target gate, a select position determining mechanism adjusted to move the actual gate to the target gate along a select direction of the gate mechanism, and a select control element adjusted to control the select position determining mechanism. The select control element performs a temporary target gate remaining process in which the actual gate temporarily remains at the temporary target gate and moves to the target gate.

Abstract: A method for detecting tie-up in an automatic transmission is provided. The rate of change of the output shaft acceleration is calculated by twice differentiating with respect to time the transmission output shaft speed. The calculated rate is then compared to a predetermined value, and each time the acceleration rate drops below the predetermined value, a controller stores the event in memory. If the acceleration rate drops below the predetermined value too frequently, a flag is set and indication of the transmission tie-up is prevented. When a predetermined amount of time passes, during which the acceleration rate does not drop below the predetermined value, the flag is cleared and indication of a tie-up is allowed. When the acceleration rate drops below the predetermined value, and the transmission is in a shift cycle and tie-up prevention flags are cleared, a transmission tie-up is indicated.

Abstract: A method of locating nodes in train having at least one node per car and includes enabling each node; querying each enabled node to respond during a response interval; disabling each node which responded; and re-querying the enabled nodes until no further responses are received during a response interval. The method further includes disabling the responding nodes before the expiration of the response interval if the interval is under utilized and after the expiration of the response interval if the interval is fully utilized. The method further includes determining the number of responses during a present response interval and setting the length of a subsequent response interval as a function of the determined number of responses. The number of responses may be determined for a whole interval or for a portion of the present response interval, and the length of the subsequent response interval is set based on the response rate determined for the portion of the present response interval.

Abstract: A method for controlling the shifting operation of an automated twin-clutch transmission includes executing a shifting operation between a load gear and a target gear assigned to a first transmission unit by using an intermediate gear assigned to a second transmission unit. The engine speed is adjusted to reach the synchronous speed of the target gear at the end of the shifting operation. At the start of the shifting operation an initial target speed gradient is set such that the engine speed reaches the synchronous speed at the end of the shifting operation based on an estimated total shifting time. The actual shifting progress is determined during the shifting operation and is compared with the estimated shifting progress. The target speed gradient is adjusted to the actual shifting progress in case the actual shifting progress and the estimated shifting progress deviate from one another.

Abstract: A hydraulic clutch transmits driving torque in a power train of a vehicle. An oil pressure supply unit supplies oil pressure for engagement to the clutch and a controller controls the unit. The controller causes the unit, prior to engagement of the clutch, to precharge the interior of the clutch with hydraulic fluid. The controller counts an elapsed time since the last release of the clutch and shortens the precharge period as the elapsed time decreases, thereby optimizing the precharge state of the clutch.

Abstract: A shift device for an automatic transmission of a vehicle, particularly of a motor vehicle, is proposed in which the request to change the current ratio of the automatic transmission upon reaching preset operating states of the vehicle can be automatically generated or by manual input in a manual shifting mode. A pulse counter is here provided by way of successive pulses and manual input can be functionally interlinked wherein a shift signal can be generated depending on the linkage.

Abstract: When a target duty of a solenoid valve of an automatic transmission of a vehicle lies in a predetermined duty range, the solenoid valve is driven for an adjusted over-excitation period obtained by adjusting a base over-excitation period on the basis of an over-excitation period adjusting value. Therefore, the solenoid valve may be normally controlled in a region in which it shows an abnormal response characteristic.

Abstract: A method, used in a powertrain of a motor vehicle having an engine, a secondary power source, and a step-change automatic transmission for driving a load, controls an upshift from a current gear to a next gear and includes the steps of establishing first shift points of a demanded engine output and a corresponding vehicle speed, at which the upshift would occur if the engine were the only power source. The length of a first period in which energy is available to the secondary power source is determined. The length of a second period for the current vehicle speed to increase to a target vehicle speed of a first shift point whose corresponding demanded engine output is equal to a combined current demanded output of the engine and secondary power source is determined. The upshift is produced if the length of the second period is equal to or greater than the length of the first period.

Abstract: A control system and control method for an automotive vehicle having a multiple-ratio automatic transmission having two gearsets arranged in series relationship for delivering vehicle engine power to vehicle traction wheels, each gearset being controlled using friction elements that establish multiple torque flow paths, each gearset being characterized by at least two ratios, which define an overall transmission ratio, synchronous shifting of the gearsets effecting at least one swap-upshift and at least one swap-downshift in the overall transmission ratio, the control system compensating during a swap-shift progression for dynamic interaction between the gearsets.

Abstract: Friction clutches 203, 204 and engaging clutches 19, 20, 21 are arranged between an input shaft and an output shaft of a gear type transmission having a plurality of gear trains. A power train unit 100 controls an output shaft torque and an input rotation speed of the transmission during changing speed by estimating or detecting input a torque to the transmission, and detecting an output rotation speed of the transmission, and setting a target shift torque during shifting gear, and setting a command value to the friction clutches 203 and 204 from the target shift torque and the input torque.

Abstract: A system and a method for controlling a vehicle remotely over a network are disclosed. A vehicle is provided with a vehicle control module configured to transmit and receive network communications containing vehicle control data. In one embodiment, the vehicle control module is configured to transmit and receive network switched packets wirelessly. Additionally, the vehicle may comprise one or more cameras configured to transmit a two dimensional, three dimensional, or 360° panoramic view from the vehicle. The network comprises a user station, a server, and at least one vehicle to be controlled. The user station may comprise an operator booth that resembles the driving compartment of a vehicle. Alternatively, the user station may comprise a portable control device.

Abstract: In a hydraulic system for an automatic transmission, a method for automatically draining fluid from an oil cooler and related hydraulic lines when power is off to prevent fluid leakage, escape and outflow when they are disconnected from the system. A control system includes a source of relatively high pressure when power is on, an oil cooler, fluid circuit lines for supplying transmission oil to the cooler, a source of low pressure for containing fluid, such as an oil sump, and a valve hydraulically connected to the circuit, high pressure source, and low pressure source, the valve having a first state at which a hydraulic connection through the valve between the circuit and the source of low pressure is closed when power is on, and a second state at which a hydraulic connection through the valve between the circuit and the low pressure source is open when power is off.

Abstract: A method of controlling the clutches of a dual clutch transmission during a two-gear positive downshift, wherein the first clutch drives an initial gear and the final gear and the second clutch drives an intermediate gear. The torque transfer across each clutch is controlled so that the torque output of the transmission will be linearly changed over from the first clutch to the second clutch to cause the engine to track a target engine speed profile. The method changes over the gears driven by the first clutch from the initial gear to the final gear as the engine continues to tracks the target speed. The torque transfer across each clutch is controlled so that the torque output will be linearly changed back from the second clutch to the first clutch in an inversely proportional rate to continue to cause the engine to track the target engine speed profile.

Abstract: A vehicle-mounted information processing apparatus such as a car-navigation system detects that a key switch of the vehicle has been set up at a Lock position (i.e., the engine is stopped). After that, the apparatus performs data reproduction of data files in an order from the oldest, then re-recording the reproduced data files with no change added thereto. Here, the above-described data files, which are stored within a magnetic disk device built in the apparatus, have been not updated for a constant time-period. This re-recording prevents a data loss caused by a thermal decay in the case where the magnetic disk device is mounted inside the vehicle that is likely to have existed under a high-temperature environment for a long time-period.

Abstract: In a vehicle in which a moderate throttle opening degree control of maintaining a degree of throttle opening that is less than a degree of throttle opening that corresponds to an accelerator operation is performed for a predetermined period following a beginning of the accelerator operation, if it is determined that a clutch-to-clutch downshift judgment has been made, the reduction of the engaging pressure of a disengage-side friction engagement device is restrained until it is determined that the moderate throttle opening degree control has ended. Therefore, even if the turbine torque is returned to a normal value at the end of the moderate throttle opening degree control, insufficient engaging torque is avoided, and the takeover of engaging torque for the clutch-to-clutch downshift is smoothly performed while the turbine torque is stable. Hence, occurrence of a shock related to the end of the moderate throttle opening degree control is suitably prevented.

Abstract: A method of controlling the torque transferred across each clutches of a dual clutch transmission during a gear shift. The method includes the steps including determining when a shift has been commanded, sensing the speed of the driven member of the off-going clutch, determining the desired clutch torque and slip profile for the changeover of the clutches, and sensing the speed of the driven member of the on-coming clutch to determine a target engine speed profile. The method simultaneously controls the torque transfer across each clutch by linearly decreasing the torque transferred across the off-going clutch while linearly increasing the torque transferred across the on-coming clutch in an inversely proportional rate. Finally, the pressure applied to the on-coming clutch is varied, to cause the engine to continue to track the target engine speed profile so that vehicle speed is maintained.

Abstract: In a vehicle with a gear-shift transmission of a kind that requires a torque-free state to shift gears, the riding comfort is improved by a method of shifting gears where a gear shift is preceded by the steps of: reducing the vehicle acceleration at a time t1 from an existing level (1) to a first acceleration level (3), maintaining the vehicle acceleration at the reduced level (3) for a predetermined time interval, and at the end point t3 of the predetermined time interval, reducing the acceleration further to a second acceleration level that is lower than the first level.

Abstract: A driving assist system for a vehicle comprises: a driving environment detection device that detects a driving environment of the vehicle; a risk potential calculation device that calculates a risk potential present along a longitudinal direction (a RPlongitudinal) and a risk potential present along a lateral direction (a RPlateral) relative to the vehicle based upon the driving environment detected by the driving environment detection device; a longitudinal information conveyance device that presents the RPlongitudinal calculated by the risk potential calculation device to a driver; a lateral information conveyance device that presents the RPlateral calculated by the risk potential calculation device to the driver; and a timing control device that adjust an output timing of the longitudinal information conveyance device and an output timing of the lateral information conveyance device so as to prompt a driver to perform a longitudinal driving operation or a lateral driving operation to stabilize behavior of

Abstract: A location of interest is received by a server, and a buffer zone is determined surrounding that location. Real-time spatial events may be continually updated in one or more GIS databases. The database entries may be software spatial objects, which consist of the location and supplemental information pertaining to each event. All locations that are related to a spatial event may be listed in a relationship table. The location of interest is used to query the relationship table for events occurring within the location's buffer zone, and therefore affecting the location.

Abstract: A device and a method determine an offset value which represents the offset of the output signal of a vehicle sensor, the sensor detecting at least one motion of a vehicle, and the output signal is analyzed at at least two different points in time. An additional signal is determined independently of the output signal, this signal also representing the motion of the vehicle. An arrangement is provided for analyzing the characteristic of the output signal, which depends on the longitudinal velocity of the vehicle, and the characteristic of the additional signal, which also depends on the longitudinal velocity of the vehicle, in order to determine the offset value.

Abstract: A control system and method maintains a constant engine idle speed during a garage shift of an automatic transmission-equipped vehicle with a torque converter. An engine control module or other processor identifies when transmission input clutch fill occurs. The engine control module increases engine output based on the transmission input clutch fill and before a decrease in engine idle speed occurs. The engine control module latches a turbine speed and a speed ratio (turbine speed/engine speed). The engine control module declares transmission input clutch fill if the latched turbine speed minus a current turbine speed is greater than the first calibration constant or if the latched speed ratio minus a current speed ratio is greater than the second calibration constant. The engine control module increases the engine output after waiting a first time delay after the transmission clutch fill.

Abstract: Power train control unit 100 controls friction clutch 203 when shifting from one cogwheel row to the other cogwheel row, sets the target synchronous rotation speed based on the output rotation speed of a transmission and parameters indicative of the state of engine 1 or the transmission, and sets the command value to the friction clutch so that the input rotation speed can be synchronized with the target synchronous rotation speed. Control unit 100 sets the target shifting required time based on parameters indicative of the state of engine 1 or the transmission, and corrects the command value to the friction clutch so that the required shift time can approach the above target shift required time.

Abstract: In order to more precisely calculate a fill time of a friction element of an automatic transmission that is either engaged or disengaged during shifting between an N-range, a D-range, and an R-range, this invention compensates a piston stroke ratio by detecting an N-range hold time and by using the N-range hold time and a pre-installed map when a shift signal indicating shifting into one of the D-and R-ranges from an N-range is detected, compensates the piston stroke ratio by detecting a D/R-range hold time and by using the D/R-range hold time and the pre-installed map when a shift signal indicating shifting into the N-range from one of the D- and R-ranges is detected, and calculates a fill time using the compensated piston stroke ratio.

Abstract: A constant detecting apparatus 15 comprising a detecting unit 26 and a calculating unit 27. The detecting unit 26 is structured comprising a rotation sensor 41, a torque sensor 42, a position sensor 43, a rotor temperature sensor 44, a winding temperature sensor 45, a phase voltage detector 46, and phase current detectors 47 and 47. The calculating unit 27 calculates the induced voltage constant Ke that changes depending on the motor temperature Tmag while the motor 11 is being driven based on each of the detected signals from the detecting unit 26, and at the same time, the d axis current Id and the q axis current Iq are calculated after elimination of the iron loss, and the d axis inductance Ld and the q axis inductance Lq in the actual operating state of the motor 11 are calculated.

Abstract: A method for control of a transmission of a vehicle, especially of an automatic transmission or an automated manual mechanical transmission with hydraulically actuatable shifting elements is described. A speed signal (n_ab_ist, n_t_ist) of the output train with precalculatable time curve (n_ab_soll, n_t_soll) is determined and for adjustment of a nominal filling of the shifting elements an interference signal (P1, P2, P3, P4, PF1, PF2, PF3, PF4) is applied. In case of a untolerable divergence of the speed signal (n_ab_ist, n_t_ist) of the output train from its precalculated curve, a divergence from the nominal filling of the shifting element is detected, the information being processed for control of the shifting elements.

Abstract: A shift control apparatus for an automatic transmission eliminates or reduces a sense of discomfort to the driver and other occupants during slip, while maintaining the necessary driving force. When slip is determined by detection of wheel speed, a slip signal is output. A controller which receives the slip signal outputs a maintaining signal for maintaining the gear stage which existed at the time the slip signal was received, until a predetermined period of time has passed. If the slip continues after the predetermined period of time, the controller outputs a shift signal to the automatic transmission to shift it to a predetermined gear stage, thus reducing driving force and preventing slip from continuing. If the slip stops within the predetermined period of time, the slip signal is canceled such that the current gear stage is maintained and no shift is executed.

Abstract: A kick-down shift control method for a five-speed automatic transmission comprises: detecting a fifth-to-third or fifth-to-second gear shifting signal; performing fifth-to-fourth gear shifting by performing a duty control on a secondary shift part if the fifth-to-third or fifth-to-second gear shifting signal is detected; determining a starting point of duty control on a release side of a primary shift part, and performing duty control on the release side of the primary shift part; and performing duty control on a coupling part of the primary shift part.

Abstract: The trunnion (23) of a vehicle toroidal continuously variable transmission is displaced by a step motor (52) via a control valve (56) and oil pressure servo cylinder (50) in order to vary a speed ratio of the transmission. A controller (80) calculates a target value (z*) of a control variable (z) based on an accelerator pedal depression amount (APS) and output disk rotation speed (&ohgr;co) (S5). Further, a time-variant coefficient (f) showing the relation between the trunnion displacement (y) and variation rate ({dot over (&phgr;)}) of the gyration angle (&phgr;) of the power roller, is calculated (S10). The error between the speed change response of the transmission and a target linear characteristic can be decreased by determining a command value (u) to the step motor (52) under a control gain determined based on a time differential ({dot over (f)}) of the coefficient (f) (S20).

Abstract: In a process wherein a before-shifting gear ratio Gx changes to a gear ratio of the target gear position, an actual shift time is measured by regarding as a shift starting point an earlier one between a time point when the present gear ratio G has repeated decreasing by a value equal to or larger than a predetermined unit gear ratio &Dgr;G a predetermined number of times N and a time point when the present gear ratio reaches a first gear ratio G1 that is set to a value smaller than the gear ratio Gx by a predetermined value. If the gear ratio changes rapidly, the start of shifting can be detected at a time tsl when the present gear ratio G reaches the gear ratio G1, and if the gear ratio changes slowly, the start of shifting can be detected at a time ts4 when the gear ratio has repeated decreasing by a value equal to or larger than a predetermined unit gear ratio a predetermined number of times N.

Abstract: Within the scope of the method for acceleration of the torque breakdown of clutches in automatic transmissions, the follow-up of the hydraulic pressure and therewith the torque breakdown are accelerated by an over-compensation in the control.

Abstract: A method of evaluating traffic information transmitted by a traffic information service, in which data on the traffic situation on a route to be traveled in the present direction of travel is received and, from the data on the traffic situation, an anticipated delay in journey time on the route to be travelled is calculated. In order to avoid unnecessary waiting in traffic hold-ups it is provided that the size of the calculated anticipated delay in journey time together with a recommendation to interrupt the journey is displayed if the anticipated delay in journey time in the present direction is greater than a given value.

Abstract: In a constitution that a transmission torque capacities of friction engagement elements are determined based on an input shaft torque of a speed change mechanism and a torque sharing ratio, a change velocity of the torque sharing ratio of when the transmission torque capacity of a release side friction engagement element is changed from a value greater than a critical transmission torque capacity to a value smaller than the critical transmission torque capacity, is abruptly altered when the input shaft torque is equal to or less than predetermined value.

Abstract: Disclosed is a shift control method comprising the steps of determining if an input shift signal is a power-on upshift signal; determining if driving conditions satisfy power-on upshift learn conditions if the input shift signal is a power-on upshift signal; performing power-on upshift control if power-on upshift learn conditions are satisfied; learning an initial fill time and completing shifting; determining if shifting is completed; determining if run-up occurred during the shift operation if shifting is completed; determining if interlocking occurred if run-up did not occur; determining, if interlocking occurred, if the interlocking is above a predetermined level; and learning a fill time if the interlocking is above the predetermined level.

Abstract: A real-time distributed model-based predictive control method having a time maintenance mechanism that solves all state synchronization problems. Method steps include generating a message that predicts a system value corresponding to a future time, and executing a control process using the system value contained within said message, resulting in a process state. The process state is then stored in a state queue. The local process time is rolled back to the latest valid local process time prior to said message if the message precedes the current process state time. Rolling back comprises retrieving the system state values at that latest valid local process time from said state queue and re-executing the control process, using the system value contained within the message, and storing the new state in the state queue.

Abstract: A method for blocking and releasing gear ratios in a vehicle equipped with an automatic gear box. The process includes combined functions F1, F2, F3 in which F1 is a function for blocking a passage of a transmission ratio during a first time delay, F2 is a function for blocking passage of a ratio in response to an instability of a fuel throttle opening angle, and F3 is a function for blocking passage of a ratio in response to a deceleration of the vehicle.

Abstract: An automatic transmission controller is capable of compensating for both driver type and tendencies of a driver in temporary acceleration, such as in passing. The automatic transmission controller executes a driver type judging subroutine for judging the overall acceleration habits of the driver and classifying the driver as one of a plurality of driver types by monitoring the driving behavior for a predetermined time. The controller also executes a temporary acceleration inclination judging routine for judging the habits of the driver in temporary acceleration by monitoring driving behavior for a period of time shorter than the predetermined time, and executes shift control routines for controlling and changing the shift timing based on the judged driver type and the inclination in temporary acceleration. The controller controls shift timing, taking into account both the driver type and the inclination in temporary acceleration, such as passing.

Abstract: An electrically controlled braking system for a vehicle is proposed, in which at least one actuating variable for the service brake and one actuating variable for a parking-brake request are received by a central control unit, the variables, or variables derived therefrom, being transmitted separately via a communication system to wheel modules actuating at least one wheel brake.

Abstract: A first switch (2) which can select a manual mode, and a second switch (5, 6) which can select one of an upshift and a downshift, are provided. A microprocessor (1) varies a speed ratio of an automatic transmission (10) according to the specification of the second switch (5, 6) when the first switch (2) has previously selected the manual mode, and the second switch (5, 6) subsequently specifies one of the upshift and the downshift (S20, S21, S33, S40, S41, S34, S36, S37, S53, S54, S55). On the other hand, variation of the speed ratio of the automatic transmission (10) according to the specification of the second switch (5, 6) is prohibited when the second switch (5,6) specifies one of the upshift and the downshift at a timing not later than a timing at which the manual mode is selected by the first switch (2) (S20, S22, S33, S40, S38, S34, S36, S38, S53, S54, S56).

Abstract: This system for characterizing a computer to control a wheel anti-lock device, incorporated in an onboard electronic system (1;) for a motor vehicle, using a remote coding device (6), the computer (2) comprising a data processing unit (4) associated with means (5) for storing said computer's operating data, is characterized in that a single logic device for controlling the wheel anti-lock device is loaded into the unit (4), in that the data storage means (5) include several sets of characteristic parameters (V1, V2, Vn) selectable for different vehicles, and in that the remote coding device (6) comprises means (7, 8) for recognizing the vehicle and means (7, 8) for characterizing the computer by associating with the logic device loaded in the unit, the set of parameters corresponding to the recognized vehicle.

Abstract: For an automatic transmission (2), a safety system is proposed in which a virtual reduction ratio is calculated when a driver moves the selector lever from a drive position to neutral and then from neutral back to a drive position. The virtual reduction ratio is then compared with the reduction ratio resulting from a shift characteristic field. In case of divergence, the virtual reduction ratio is assigned to a characteristic field having a linearly constant reduction ratio surrounded by a reduction ratio range. The electronic control unit (5) selects as a set reduction ratio, the one containing in its range the virtual reduction ratio.

Abstract: A method for controlling ratio changes in a swap-shift transmission having a first simple planetary gear unit and a second compound planetary gear unit, the two gear units being arranged in series disposition, pressure-operated friction elements for separately braking the reaction member at each of the gear units to establish a change in ratio. The change in ratio consists of a downshift by releasing a reaction friction element for the first gear unit and upshifting the second gear unit by applying a second friction element to anchor a reaction member of the second gear unit in a non-synchronous fashion to achieve a consistent shift quality without precise matching of friction element application and release whereby inertia torque disturbances in the torque output elements of the transmission are avoided.

Abstract: An improved on-coming clutch fill control method in which a model of the transmission hydraulic system is used for control purposes to accurately predict the achievement of on-coming clutch torque capacity based on a comparison of the modeled volume of supplied fluid to a reference volume representing the actual volume of the on-coming clutch, and in which the reference volume for each type of shift is adaptively adjusted based on input speed aberrations observed during shifting. If input speed flaring occurs due to an underestimated reference volume, the reference volume is adaptively increased based on the volume of fluid supplied to the on-coming clutch between the initial detection of flaring and a detection of maximum flaring.

Abstract: An improved shift control for a hydraulic automatic transmission in which the apply chamber of an on-coming clutch is filled in the preparation phase of the shift using a hydraulic flow rate model to estimate the volume of hydraulic fluid supplied to the apply chamber. In an initial portion of the fill interval, fluid is supplied to the apply chamber at a first elevated pressure, while continuously updating the fluid volume estimate. When the remaining un-filled volume of the apply chamber reaches a reference volume, the supply pressure is reduced to a second pressure at which the next phase of the shift is to be carried out. When the chamber volume is filled, the torque capacity of the clutch rises to a level corresponding to the second pressure, and the next phase of the shift automatically ensues.

Abstract: A navigation system is proposed which stores data concerning the motion states of the motor vehicle. The navigation system is usable as a trip recorder, in particular as an accident data recorder.

Abstract: A semi-automated vehicle transmission includes a method of returning torque control to the driver of the vehicle. The transition from an initial current torque value to a desired torque value is accomplished in two stages. A first rate of change is utilized during a preselected time period or until the current torque value corresponds to the desired torque value. In the event that the desired torque value is not achieved during the preselected period of time, then a second rate of change is implemented. The second rate of change preferably is very aggressive relative to the first rate of change. The rate of change of the current torque value is accomplished within a window of available torque limits that progressively change with time.

Abstract: A computer controlled braking system utilizes gross vehicle weight of a materials handling vehicle and maximum allowable vehicle speeds to calculate braking force in response to a service brake request. For vehicles equipped with a caster brake, the calculated braking force is proportionally distributed between a drive brake and the caster brake. The drive brake includes a mechanical brake and motor braking which is performed by a traction motor. The drive brake force is divided between the mechanical brake and the motor braking so that the motor provides as much braking as possible to reduce wear on the mechanical brake and also to conserve battery power. For vehicles equipped with a caster brake, the caster brake portion of the calculated braking force is determined as a programmable percentage of the total braking force and can differ based on travel direction.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission of an automobile which varies the drive ratio arbitrarily between an input axis and an output axis is combined with a traction control device for example which performs braking corresponding to vehicle running conditions and irrespective of the accelerator pedal depression. A microprocessor calculates the vehicle speed from the rotation speed of the output axis, calculates the target drive ratio depending on the vehicle speed, and controls the drive ratio of the continuously variable transmission to be equal to the target ratio. When the brake operation device performs braking, fluctuation of the drive ratio based on the rotation variation of the output axis is prevented by the correction of the drive ratio in the upshift direction.