US 6,973,981 B2 · System for the control of multiple transmissions in a multi-combination vehicle

Abstract

A system is provided for the control of two transmissions in a multi-combination vehicle having at least two engines, each engine operatively coupled to one transmission. Each transmission has its own electrical power source and an electronic control unit. The system includes an electronic gear selector having a power input and a variable output representative of a desired operation of each of the transmissions. The system further includes a gear selector control module that is provided power from each of the electronic control units and selectively provides power to the power input of the electronic gear selector from a selected one of the electronic control units. The variable output of the electronic gear selector is in communication with at least the selected one of the electronic control units. The electronic gear selector further includes a display for displaying diagnostic codes from an electronic control unit, the selector selectively displaying diagnostic codes form the electronic control unit that it is provide power from. In other embodiments, the system of the present invention is effective for the control of multi-combination vehicles having at least three engines.

Claims3

Dependent claims

A system for the control of multiple transmissions in a multi-combination vehicle having at least two engines, each engine having its own electrical power source and being drivingly coupled to one of the transmissions, each of the transmissions having an electronic control unit provided power from the respective engines power source, said system comprising:

at least three transmissions;
an electronic gear selector, said electronic gear selector having a power input and a gear selector output representative of a desired operation of each of said transmissions;
a gear selector module that is provided power from the electronic control of each of said transmissions and selectively provides power to said power input of said electronic gear selector from a selected one of the three electronic control units;
said gear selector output of said electronic gear selector being in communication with said selected one of the transmission control units and at least one of the other transmission control units.

1 more element

A multi-combination vehicle comprising:

a powered towing unit having a first transmission, said first transmission including a first power source and a first transmission electronic control unit;
a plurality of trailers, said powered towing unit and said trailers being mechanically coupled to one another in a series arrangement;
a power trailer having a second transmission, said second transmission having a second power source and a second transmission electronic control unit, said power trailer mechanically coupled in said series arrangement to the plurality of trailers and said powered towing unit;
an electronic gear selector, said electronic gear selector having a power input and a gear selector output representative of a desired operation of said first and second transmissions;
a gear selector module which is provided power from said electronic control units of said first and said second transmissions and selectively provides power to said power input of said electronic gear selector from a selected one of said first and second transmission electronic control units;
said gear selector output of said electronic gear selector being in communication with at least said selected one of said first and second transmission electronic control units.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System for the control of multiple transmissions in a multi-combination vehicle

Life of this patent

System for the control of multiple transmissions in a multi-combination vehicle

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims3