An actuator assembly includes a primary load path for tightly coupling an actuated surface to a reference structure, and a secondary load path having a backlash portion for coupling the actuated surface to the reference structure with backlash, wherein the secondary load path is unloaded during an operative state of the primary load path and loaded during a failure state of the primary load path. A first sensor is configured to sense relative displacement between a portion of the primary load path and a portion of the secondary load path. A controller is operatively coupled to the first sensor, the controller configured to determine a load on the primary load path based on relative displacement sensed by the first sensor.

An actuator assembly includes a primary load path for tightly coupling an actuated surface to a reference structure, and a secondary load path having a backlash portion for coupling the actuated surface to the reference structure with backlash, wherein the secondary load path is unloaded during an operative state of the primary load path and loaded during a failure state of the primary load path. A first sensor is configured to sense relative displacement between a portion of the primary load path and a portion of the secondary load path. A controller is operatively coupled to the first sensor, the controller configured to determine a load on the primary load path based on relative displacement sensed by the first sensor.

The present invention provides a shift control method implemented in a vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission for controlling an input shaft rotation speed to a target input shaft rotation speed during a shift. The method includes setting of a basic target synchronization rotation speed that is a basic target value of the input shaft rotation speed during the shift, and setting of a corrected target input shaft rotation speed as the target input shaft rotation speed when the shift is a downshift without a requirement for a driving force of the vehicle, The corrected target input shaft rotation speed is obtained by decreasingly correcting the basic target synchronization rotation speed. Further, a decreasing correction amount of the basic target synchronization rotation speed is set so as to become larger as a deceleration of the vehicle becomes larger.

The present invention provides a shift control method implemented in a vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission for controlling an input shaft rotation speed to a target input shaft rotation speed during a shift. The method includes setting of a basic target synchronization rotation speed that is a basic target value of the input shaft rotation speed during the shift, and setting of a corrected target input shaft rotation speed as the target input shaft rotation speed when the shift is a downshift without a requirement for a driving force of the vehicle, The corrected target input shaft rotation speed is obtained by decreasingly correcting the basic target synchronization rotation speed. Further, a decreasing correction amount of the basic target synchronization rotation speed is set so as to become larger as a deceleration of the vehicle becomes larger.

Disclosed is method for operating a multi-gear vehicle transmission having a plurality of shifting elements (A, B, C, D, E) for engaging gears of the vehicle transmission. In a neutral gear a transmission input (1) and a transmission output (2) of the vehicle transmission are decoupled from one another. In a driving gear the transmission input (1) and the transmission output (2) of the vehicle transmission are coupled with one another by closing the shifting elements (A, B, C, D, E) associated with the driving gear in order to propel the vehicle. When the neutral gear is engaged, a transmission condition is determined, and if a transmission condition with elevated drag losses exists, then in addition to the shifting elements (A, B, C, D, E) of a driving gear, at least one further shifting element (A, B, C, D, E) of the vehicle transmission is closed.

Disclosed is method for operating a multi-gear vehicle transmission having a plurality of shifting elements (A, B, C, D, E) for engaging gears of the vehicle transmission. In a neutral gear a transmission input (1) and a transmission output (2) of the vehicle transmission are decoupled from one another. In a driving gear the transmission input (1) and the transmission output (2) of the vehicle transmission are coupled with one another by closing the shifting elements (A, B, C, D, E) associated with the driving gear in order to propel the vehicle. When the neutral gear is engaged, a transmission condition is determined, and if a transmission condition with elevated drag losses exists, then in addition to the shifting elements (A, B, C, D, E) of a driving gear, at least one further shifting element (A, B, C, D, E) of the vehicle transmission is closed.

During changing of a shift range (for example, from P-range to NotP-range), an SBW-ECU determines whether it is in a range-change delay condition (a switching completion time of the shift range is delayed than a normal switching completion time). When it is determined that it is in the range-change delay condition, it is determined whether a target range should be changed to a safer range (for example, P-range). As a result, when it is determined that the target range should be changed to the safer range, the target range is changed to the safer range. Thereby, even if a driver determines that the shift range cannot be changed before the switching completion of the shift range and the driver gets off the vehicle, the shift range can be changed to the safer range (P-range).

The intent to exit a vehicle when a driver attempts to exit a vehicle is detected by an exit intent detection unit, and regardless of whether or not the shift range other than the parking range is detected by a shift range detection unit, a securing control unit controls a vehicle securing unit and secures the vehicle when an intent to secure is detected by a securing intent detection unit. Thus, unintended vehicle movement after exiting is suppressed by securing the vehicle in a stopped state during exiting.

A seat belt attachment determining unit of a rough terrain vehicle determines whether or not a seat belt is being worn by a vehicle occupant. In the case it is determined by the seat belt attachment determining unit that the vehicle occupant is wearing the seat belt, the ECU switches a transmission gear stage of an automatic transmission using a first speed change mode. On the other hand, in the case it is determined by the seat belt attachment determining unit that the vehicle occupant is not wearing the seat belt, the ECU switches the transmission gear stage using a second speed change mode.

A seat belt attachment determining unit of a rough terrain vehicle determines whether or not a seat belt is being worn by a vehicle occupant. In the case it is determined by the seat belt attachment determining unit that the vehicle occupant is wearing the seat belt, the ECU switches a transmission gear stage of an automatic transmission using a first speed change mode. On the other hand, in the case it is determined by the seat belt attachment determining unit that the vehicle occupant is not wearing the seat belt, the ECU switches the transmission gear stage using a second speed change mode.