Shift controller for a continuously variable transmission

In a hybrid vehicle comprising an engine and a drive motor, both the engine and the drive motor operatively connected to a drive wheel for driving the vehicle, the hybrid vehicle comprising:

• a generator connected to the engine,
• a battery charged by the generator for powering the drive motor, the improvement comprising a shift control apparatus for a continuously variable transmission, the shift control apparatus comprising:
• a continuously variable transmission for transmitting power of the engine to the driving wheel;
• a shift actuator for changing a gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission;
• and
• a gear ratio control device for controlling the shift actuator such that the gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission exhibits a predetermined shift pattern;
• wherein the shift control apparatus further includes a battery monitoring device for detecting remaining charge of the battery;
• and
• wherein the predetermined shift pattern is selected from among a plurality of predetermined shift patterns according to the remaining charge of the battery.

A method of controlling a continuously variable transmission in a vehicle, the vehicle comprising:

• an engine,
• a continuously variable transmission for transmitting power of the engine to the driving wheel;
• a generator connected to the engine,
• a battery, and
• a shift control apparatus for a controlling the continuously variable transmission, the shift control apparatus comprising:
• a shift actuator for changing a gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission;
• a gear ratio control device for controlling the shift actuator such that the gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission exhibits a predetermined shift pattern;
• and
• a battery monitoring device for detecting remaining charge of the battery;
• the method steps comprising
• detecting the remaining charge of the battery using the battery monitoring device,
• selecting a shift pattern from among a plurality of predetermined shift patterns according to the remaining charge of the battery
• actuating the shift actuator according to the selected shift pattern.