US 12,270,469 B2 · Systems and methods for shifting multi-speed transmissions

Abstract

A method for shifting a marine propulsion device transmission between first and second gears transmitting torque from a powerhead with a redline RPM. The transmission has a transition time for completing a shift. The method includes measuring an RPM of the powerhead, comparing the RPM to a first threshold, and starting a timer when the RPM exceeds the first threshold. The method includes measuring the RPM of the powerhead after the first threshold is exceeded, comparing the RPM to a second threshold, stopping the timer when the RPM exceeds the second threshold, determining an elapsed time between starting and stopping the timer, and determining a shift RPM based on the determined elapsed time, the redline RPM, and the transition time of the transmission. The method includes controlling the transmission to shift when the RPM measured for the powerhead reaches the shift RPM such that shifting completes before the redline RPM.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method for shifting a multi-speed transmission of a marine propulsion device between a first gear and a second gear each configured to transmit torque from a powerhead to a propulsor, wherein the powerhead has a redline RPM and the multi-speed transmission has a transition time for completing a shift, the method comprising:

measuring an RPM of the powerhead and comparing the RPM to a first RPM threshold;
starting a timer when the RPM exceeds the first RPM threshold, wherein the timer is reset when the RPM falls below the first RPM threshold;
measuring the RPM of the powerhead after the first RPM threshold is exceeded and comparing the RPM to a second RPM threshold that is different than the first RPM threshold;
stopping the timer when the RPM exceeds the second RPM threshold and determining an elapsed time between starting and stopping the timer;
determining a shift RPM based on the determined elapsed time, the redline RPM of the powerhead, and the transition time of the multi-speed transmission;
and
controlling the multi-speed transmission to shift when the RPM measured for the powerhead reaches the shift RPM such that the shifting completes before the RPM of the powerhead reaches the redline RPM.

4 more elements

A marine propulsion device comprising:

a powerhead configured to generate torque for rotating a propulsor, the powerhead having a redline RPM;
a multi-speed transmission having a first gear and a second gear selectively engageable to transmit the torque from the powerhead to the propulsor, the multi-speed transmission having a transition time for completing a shift between the first gear and the second gear;
a sensor operatively coupled to measure an RPM of the powerhead;
a control system operatively coupled to the multi-speed transmission and to the sensor, the control system being configured to:
receive the RPM of the powerhead and compare the RPM to a first RPM threshold;
start a timer when the RPM exceeds the first RPM threshold, wherein the timer is reset when the RPM falls below the first RPM threshold;
receive the RPM of the powerhead after the first RPM threshold is exceeded and compare the RPM to a second RPM threshold that is different than the first RPM threshold;
stop the timer when the RPM exceeds the second RPM threshold and determine an elapsed time between starting and stopping the timer;
determine a shift RPM based on the determined elapsed time, the redline RPM of the powerhead, and the transition time of the multi-speed transmission;
and
cause the multi-speed transmission to shift when the RPM measured for the powerhead reaches the shift RPM such that the shifting completes before the RPM of the powerhead reaches the redline RPM.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Systems and methods for shifting multi-speed transmissions

Life of this patent

Systems and methods for shifting multi-speed transmissions

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20