Method for shortening shifting time in a semi-automatic transmission

A method for shortening a duration required for shifting gears in a semi-automatic transmission for motor vehicles controlled by an electronic system with a microprocessor and including a shifting command emitter for initiation of a gear shifting operation carried out by synchronization equipment in the transmission, the transmission further including a clutch, an input shaft, an output shaft, and an acknowledgment device for emitting an acknowledgment signal to a driver that re-engagement of the clutch may be properly effected, the method comprising:

• determining a beginning of synchronization of the transmission during a shifting operation, said step of determining including evaluating a number of distance values of the synchronization equipment, whereby an oldest one of said number of distance values is continually omitted and a newest one of said number of distance values is included, said step of determining further including forming an average value from said number of distance values evaluated;
• and
• emitting the acknowledgment signal at said beginning of synchronization, the electronic system recognizing said beginning of synchronization from a gradient of each said average value over time.

In a semi-automatic transmission of the type in which operation is controlled by an electronic system with a microprocessor, initiation of a gear shifting operation being carried out by synchronization equipment in the transmission actuated by operation of a shifting command emitter, and in which a clutch is disengaged during the gear switching operation, the transmission including an input shaft, an output shaft, and an acknowledgment device for emitting an acknowledgment signal to a driver that re-engagement of the clutch may be properly effected, the synchronization equipment including at least one sliding bushing movable along the input shaft by operation of actuating elements, the improvement comprising:

• distance sensors installed on at least one of said at least one sliding bushing or the actuating elements of said at least one sliding bushing for the recognition of a beginning of a synchronization process by evaluation of a movement covered by said at least one sliding bushing along the input shaft, thereby permitting the acknowledgement signal to be emitted at a point in time in advance of completion of the synchronization process.