Shifting method and controller for controlling a shifter assembly in a drag racing vehicle

Abstract

In the present invention a solenoid is used on a ratchet shifter and is controlled through a relay by an electronic controller. This controller can be an analog, digital, or microprocessor driven device. The power supplied to the solenoid most conveniently is the existing battery of the vehicle. This power source is the only source needed, unlike pneumatic cylinders that require a bottle of compressed gas, e.g., air or CO.sub.2. The electronic controller is reset when the hold button is activated at the starting line. When the hold button is released, the vehicle launches violently at or above the rpm lock up of the transmission converter. This is sometimes referred to as "converter flash". If the rpm lock up of the converter is close to the rpm level setting for the first shift, or tire spin occurs, the rpm level will be reached prematurely causing the vehicle to shift early. The electronic controller has a preset time delay, disabling a shift, that begins when the hold button is released. This delay allows the vehicle to settle or sometimes referred to as "catch up" to the track before the first shift. The first shift occurs after the delay has timed out and when the preset rpm level is reached. When the transmission changes gears the rpm level of the engine falls off switching the controller. Ratchet shifters can allow as many shifts as there are gears in the transmission. The controller then is deactivated or set for the next shift if the transmission has more then two gears and is deactivated only after all gears have been accessed. Each shift can be controlled independently at the same rpm level or at different rpm levels. The first rpm level can be set lower or higher then the second rpm level. After the controller is deactivated, the engine can reach any rpm level above the shift rpm levels and the controller will not try to activate the solenoid.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.