An automatic gear-shifting strategy for manual transmissions

Abstract Based on two different criteria, namely the engine working conditions and the driver's intention, the governing parameters in decision making for gear shifting of an automated manual transmission are discussed. The gear-shifting strategy was designed by taking into consideration the effects of these parameters, with the application of a fuzzy control method. The controller structure is formed in two layers. In the first layer, two fuzzy inference modules are used to determine the necessary outputs. In the second layer a fuzzy inference module makes the decision of shifting by upshift, downshift, or maintain commands. The behaviour of the fuzzy controller is examined by making use of ADVISOR software. It is shown that at different driving conditions the controllers make correct decisions for gear shifting accounting for the dynamic requirements of the vehicle. It is also shown that the controller based on both the engine state and the driver's intention eliminates unnecessary shiftings that are present when the intention is overlooked. A microtrip is designed in which a required speed in the form of a step function is demanded for the vehicle on level or sloping roads. Both strategies for the vehicle to reach the maximum speed starting from rest allow the gear shift to be made consecutively. Considerable differences are observed between the two strategies in the deceleration phase. The engine-state strategy is less sensitive to downshift, taking even unnecessary upshift decisions. The state intention strategy, however, interprets the driver's intention correctly for decreasing speed and utilizes engine brake torque to reduce the vehicle speed in a shorter time.