MULTIFUNCTIONAL, FLAMEPROOFED TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE

Abstract

The invention relates to a multifunctional, flameproofed transmission control module [10] adapted for automatically altering transmission performance based on an alert received from a Proximity Detection System (PDS) [12]. The transmission control module [10] comprises a Proximity Detection Interface (PDI) [14] which is electronically linked to a PDS [12] and which is adapted to reduce transmission performance and vehicle speed the moment an obstacle is detected within a detection zone, and to allow an increase in transmission performance and vehicle speed the moment an obstacle is no longer detected within a detection zone.

Claims

1. A multifunctional, flameproofed transmission control module adapted for automatically altering transmission performance based on an alert received from a Proximity Detection System (PDS), the transmission control module comprising a Proximity Detection Interface (PDI) which is electronically linked to a PDS and which is adapted to reduce transmission performance and vehicle speed the moment an obstacle is detected within a detection zone, in real time, and to allow an increase in transmission performance and vehicle speed the moment an obstacle is no longer detected within a detection zone.

2. The transmission control module according to claim 1 wherein the control module is adapted proportionally to reduce or increase transmission output and vehicle speed relative to the vehicle's distance from an obstacle.

3. The transmission control module according to claim 2 wherein the PDI is adapted intelligently to interpret a PDS alert and, taking into account a vehicle's operating parameters, to determine which gear change should take place, whether the brake should also be actuated, engine throttle manipulated, or whether the engine should be cut out, without the need for operator intervention and regardless of whether the vehicle is accelerating or decelerating.

4. The transmission control module according to claim 3 wherein the control module is particularly adapted for automation of a PowerSoft™ transmission by using information received from a PDS to determine when a gear change should take place based on a vehicle's operating parameters.

5. The transmission control module according to claim 3 wherein the operating parameters are selected from a group including distance from an obstacle, vehicle and/or wheel speed, engine load, inclination of travel, degree of acceleration, level of brake actuation, and unfavourable road conditions.

6. The transmission control module according to claim 1 wherein the control module includes a pre-programmable Power Take Off (PTO) switch which is configured to switch off an engine PTO in the event that slip exceeds a predetermined percentage.

7. The transmission control module according to claim 6 wherein the PTO switch is programmable deliberately to delay re-actuation of the PTO after it has been switched off due to an overload condition.

8. The transmission control module according to claim 1 wherein the control module includes a pre-programmable data logger which is adapted to record both operator identity and activity, as well as machine or vehicle operating parameters.

9. The transmission control module according to claim 6 wherein the data logger is adapted to record, without limitation, identity of an operator; duration of such an operator's uninterrupted working of the machine or vehicle; system or component failures, especially at the time of an accident; actual and average vehicle speed and frequency and extent of over-speeding; frequency of which a PTO switch was actuated; frequency and severity of brake actuation; efficiency and manner in which a machine or vehicle responded to a PDS alert signal; frequency of service checks; load cell readings from vehicle loads; data capturing of camera images from cameras on the machine or vehicle.

10. The transmission control module according to claim 1 wherein the control module includes a plurality of input and output portals, and is electronically linked to a vehicle's transmission electronics, including shift solenoids, pressure control solenoid and/or torque converter clutch solenoid, via an intermediary junction box.

11. The transmission control module according to claim 10 wherein the control module is operatively associated with a flameproofed gear selector such that the control module is electronically located between the flameproofed gear selector and the transmission electronics and associated solenoids, the arrangement being such that direct coupling between the gear selector and solenoids is interrupted by the intermediary control module so that the control module controls gear change in response to a PDS alert signal regardless of positioning of the gear selector.

12. An automated PowerSoft™ transmission including the transmission control module according to claim 1.

Description

SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Without limiting the scope thereof, the invention will now further be illustrated and exemplified with reference to the accompanying FIG. 1, which is a schematic illustration of a manual-automated transmission and integrated control module according to the invention.

[0020] A multifunctional, flameproofed transmission control module according to the invention is designated by reference numeral [10]. The control module [10] is adapted for in automatically altering transmission performance based on an alert received from a Proximity Detection System (PDS) [12]. The transmission control module [10] comprises a Proximity Detection Interface (PDI) [14] which is electronically linked to a PDS [12] and which is adapted to reduce transmission performance and vehicle speed the moment an obstacle is detected within a detection zone, and to allow an increase in transmission performance and vehicle speed the moment an obstacle is no longer detected within a detection zone.

[0021] The control module [10] includes a pre-programmable data logger [16] which is adapted to record both operator identity (if required) and activity, as well as machine or vehicle operating parameters and component conditions so as to facilitate accountability and responsibility in the event of an accident.

[0022] The control module [10] also includes a plurality of input and output portals [18], and is electronically linked to the vehicle's transmissions electronics [20], including shift solenoids, pressure control solenoid and/or torque converter clutch solenoid, via an intermediary junction box [22].

[0023] The control module [10] may operatively be associated with a flameproofed gear selector [24] such that the control module [10] is electronically located between the flameproofed gear selector [24] and the transmission electronics and associated solenoids [20], the arrangement being such that direct coupling between the gear selector [24] and solenoids [20] is interrupted by the intermediary control module [10] so that the control module [10] controls gear change in response to a PDS [12] alert signal, regardless of positioning of the gear selector [24].

[0024] It will be appreciated that other embodiments of the invention are possible without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined in the claims.