System for determining a gear ratio change in an automatic transmission

A system for determining a gear ratio change in an automatic transmission in a vehicle having an accelerator pedal actuated by a driver of the vehicle, the system comprising:

• first sensor means for detecting the position (DK) of said accelerator pedal as a first variable;
• second sensor means for detecting the straight-line speed (V.sub.x) of said vehicle as a second variable;
• recognition means for determining an adaptation variable (BZ) in dependence upon at least one of the following:
• the instantaneous driving behavior of the driver, the environmental conditions to which the vehicle is subjected and the driving situation in which the vehicle is;
• gear ratio change means for determining the gear ratio change in said automatic transmission and said gear ratio change means including a basic characteristic field;
• adaptation means for receiving said first and second variables (DK, V.sub.x) as first and second input variables (DK, V.sub.x) and for changing at least one of said first and second input variables (DK, V.sub.x) in dependence upon said adaptation variable (BZ) to form at least one changed input variable (DK.sup.* and/or V.sub.x.sup.*) and then outputting said changed input variable (DK.sup.* and/or V.sub.x.sup.*) to said basic characteristic field of said gear ratio change means;
• and,
• said gear ratio change means being adapted to utilize said basis characteristic field to determine said gear ratio change in dependence upon said at least one input variable (DK.sup.* and/or V.sub.x.sup.*) changed in dependence upon said adaptation variable (BZ).