Method and system for detecting a gear shift in a gearbox

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for detecting an upshift in a gearbox, the shift being intended to change from a starting gear to a target gear, without using the clutch, the gearbox comprising a selector shaft that can be moved between a first position corresponding to the starting gear and a second position corresponding to the target gear, a main angular position sensor outputting a voltage value corresponding to a current angular position of the selector shaft, the method comprising: - iteratively acquiring the voltage value (61) output by a main sensor and auxiliary information (71) output by an auxiliary sensor arranged on the control mechanism connecting the external control lever to the selector shaft; and - determining a condition for reducing engine torque if the auxiliary information denotes a movement on the control mechanism, the reduction possibly being confirmed by a start in the rotation of the selector shaft.

Description

[0001] Method and system for detecting a gear change in a gearbox

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and detection system for managing a gear change in a gearbox of a motorized mobile machine.

[0004] The present invention finds particular application in mobile vehicles of the motor cycle type, such as motorcycles or off-road motorcycles. The mobile vehicles in question may have two wheels, three wheels, or even four wheels (quad bikes).

[0005] The mobile device to which the present invention is applied includes a manually controlled gear-shifting gearbox, i.e., the gear changes are not automatic.

[0006] The gearbox is a gearbox with discrete ratios, each having a predetermined reduction ratio, i.e. it is not a continuously variable reduction transmission ('variator').

[0007] The mobile device to which the present invention is applied comprises a gear selector shaft and an angular position sensor, referred to herein as the 'main' sensor, which delivers a voltage value corresponding to a current angular position of the selector shaft. Furthermore, it should be noted that auxiliary sensors exist that can be retrofitted to the gear shift lever.

[0008] Regarding the engine, here an internal combustion engine, it can be a 4-stroke or a 2-stroke engine, moreover the engine can be a single cylinder, a twin cylinder, without excluding other configurations.

[0009] In a very common configuration, the gear change control is performed with a foot of the driver, in this case the left foot, by operating an external gear change control lever.

[0010]

[0008] We are interested here in a so-called rapid gear change, in particular a gear change without using the clutch. In practice, the driver operates the external gear shift lever with their foot without using the clutch control with their hand, nor changing the position of the throttle grip.

[0011] The benefit of practicing a rapid gear change is mainly for upshifts, when the moving vehicle is at increasing speed.

[0012]

[0010] It is known to detect, by means of the aforementioned main sensor, the start of the gear change sequence, and to reduce or eliminate engine torque during the gear change time, in particular to allow the engine speed to fall, so that the engagement of the next higher adjacent gear is easy and quick.

[0013]

[0011] However, detecting the start of the shift sequence, as described above, implies that the selector shaft is already undergoing a rotational movement. Now, a substantial torque can oppose any rotational movement of the selector shaft, particularly when the gearbox is transmitting a high torque, i.e., when the driver is heavily demanding on the engine of their vehicle to accelerate.

[0014] In practice, this means that the effort the driver has to exert on the external control lever can be quite significant.

[0015] It would be desirable to be able to detect very early on the maneuver performed by the driver on the external control lever.

[0016] The inventors sought to improve the situation, in particular to increase the early detection and robustness of the start of the gear change sequence in order to offer a faster, safer, smoother / fluid gear change.

[0017]

[0015] To this end, a detection method is proposed for managing an upshift in a gearbox of a mobile machine having an engine, the shift being intended to change from a starting gear to an ending gear, in which the gearbox includes a selector shaft movable between a first stable position corresponding to the starting gear and a second stable position corresponding to the ending gear, the gearbox including a main sensor delivering a voltage value corresponding to a current angular position of the selector shaft, the gearbox including a gear shift control mechanism including an external control lever and a linkage mechanism connecting the external control lever to the selector shaft, the gearbox including an auxiliary sensor capable of detecting a force or movement of at least one part of the control mechanism,the process comprising:

[0018] - an acquisition step in which the voltage value corresponding to the angular position of the selection shaft is iteratively acquired using the main sensor, and / or at least one auxiliary information delivered by the auxiliary sensor is iteratively acquired, said auxiliary information corresponding to the force that the driver applies to the external control lever,

[0019] - a step for determining a motor torque reduction condition, the torque reduction condition being determined based on: a. at least one of the following criteria relating to the main sensor: i. A first criterion in voltage: when the voltage supplied by the main sensor is greater than or less than a predefined voltage threshold, ii. A second criterion in voltage derivative: when the derivative of the voltage supplied by the main sensor is greater than or less than a predefined voltage derivative threshold, iii. A combination of the first and second criteria relating to the main sensor, for which each of the two criteria must be met / verified, b. And / or at least one of the following criteria relating to the auxiliary sensor: i. A first criterion in voltage: when the voltage supplied by the auxiliary sensor is greater than or less than a predefined voltage threshold, ii.A second derivative criterion: when the derivative of the voltage supplied by the auxiliary sensor is greater than or less than a predefined derivative threshold, iii. A third voltage variation criterion: when the voltage variation supplied by the auxiliary sensor is increasing; for this, the voltage variation of the auxiliary sensor is determined by comparing the voltage value measured by the last auxiliary sensor with one or more previously measured values, iv. A combination of at least two of the preceding criteria relating to the auxiliary sensor.

[0020]

[0016] Control lever also called "gear selector"

[0021]

[0017] According to a first case, when the voltage supplied by the main sensor increases between a ratio N and a ratio N+1 (i.e., increases when shifting to a higher gear), then the torque reduction condition is detected when the voltage supplied by the main sensor exceeds its specific threshold. The same applies to the voltage supplied by the auxiliary sensor.

[0022]

[0018] In a second case, if the voltage supplied by the main sensor decreases between a ratio N and a ratio N+1 (i.e., decreases when shifting to a higher gear), then the torque reduction condition is detected when the voltage supplied by the main sensor falls below its specific threshold. The same applies to the voltage supplied by the auxiliary sensor.

[0023]

[0019] The direction of voltage evolution of the main sensor and the auxiliary sensor may be different.

[0024]

[0020] The direction of evolution / variation of the voltage of each sensor may depend on the direction of mounting of said sensor and / or the nature of the sensor itself.

[0025] Thanks to the method proposed here, it is possible to detect early and robustly the start of the gear change maneuver assigned to the external control lever by the driver.

[0026] Advantageously, the reduction in engine torque makes it possible to decrease the effort to be exerted on the external control lever, and thus to increase the flexibility and smoothness of the control of rapid gear changes in the gearbox.

[0027] The phrase "and / or" in the clause "depending on the information provided by the auxiliary sensor and / or the main sensor" means that both pieces of information can be used in combination or either one separately. The choice of using only one or both pieces of information can, for example, be made by the vehicle driver.

[0028] Using two pieces of information, one from the main sensor and the other from the auxiliary sensor, allows for faster and more efficient determination of the engine torque reduction condition. This, in turn, optimizes gear shifting.

[0029]

[0025] It must be understood that the gear change is carried out without using the clutch, that is to say without disengaging the clutch.

[0030] It should be noted that the concept of 'torque reduction' encompasses a substantial reduction in torque or a complete elimination of torque. Thus, a typical case would consist of the outright elimination of engine torque for a certain number of crankshaft cycles. In other words, it is expected that if a torque reduction condition occurs, this engine torque reduction condition will cause the engine to lose torque.

[0031]

[0027] In practice, as soon as the driver exerts force on the external control lever, this triggers a reduction in torque, and this facilitates gear changes.

[0032] Note that the main sensor will generally be analog, i.e., potentiometric, while the auxiliary sensor can be either binary, i.e., an on / off switch, or analog, i.e., providing continuous information, representing angular or even linear movement. The auxiliary sensor can also be a strain gauge.

[0033] It should be noted that the terms 'first' and 'second' above cover not only the case of shifting from the first to the second gear, but all cases of higher gears as well. Therefore, the final gear ratio is understood to be directly above the initial gear ratio; for example, an R4 final gear ratio with an R3 initial gear ratio, or, as another example, an R3 final gear ratio with an R2 initial gear ratio.

[0034] The concept of threshold exceedance by auxiliary information should be interpreted broadly and may concern the eigenvalue of the auxiliary information or the rate of change of the auxiliary information.

[0031] Advantageously, the torque reduction condition is determined based on a hybrid / cross configuration comprising one of the following sets of criteria: o a first set comprising:

[0035] ■ one of the criteria or combination of criteria relating to the main sensor,

[0036] ■ a criterion relating to the auxiliary sensor which consists of verifying whether the voltage supplied by the auxiliary sensor varies beyond a predefined voltage variation threshold, o a second set comprising:

[0037] ■ one of the criteria or combination of criteria relating to the auxiliary sensor,

[0038] ■ A criterion relating to the main sensor, which consists of verifying whether the voltage supplied by the main sensor varies beyond a predefined voltage variation threshold. For example, the predefined voltage variation threshold for the main or auxiliary sensor is on the order of a few tens of mV.

[0039] Preferably, the first set includes at least one optional criterion from the following criteria:

[0040] ■ one of the criteria or combination of criteria relating to the auxiliary sensor,

[0041] ■ and / or a criterion relating to the main sensor which consists of checking whether the voltage supplied by the main sensor varies beyond a predefined voltage variation threshold.

[0042] Advantageously, the second set includes at least one optional criterion from the following criteria:

[0043] ■ one of the criteria or combination of criteria relating to the main sensor,

[0044] ■ and / or a criterion relating to the auxiliary sensor which consists of checking whether the voltage supplied by the auxiliary sensor varies beyond a predefined voltage variation threshold.

[0045]

[0035] An additional criterion verifying the information delivered by the main sensor can also be used.

[0036] If the auxiliary sensor delivers binary information, then the threshold corresponds to the transition from 0 to 1 (or vice versa), but in the case where the sensor is analog, each threshold defined for said auxiliary sensor will typically be a configurable or calibrable value.

[0046]

[0037] The predetermined thresholds are configurable and can be adjusted so that the torque reduction does not trigger in the event of simple vibration or stress reflected by irregularities in the road surface, and conversely so that it does trigger in the case where it is actually the driver who applies force on the external control lever.

[0047] Preferably, a detection confirmation counter is defined for each criterion / combination of criteria relating to the main sensor (2) and for each criterion / combination of criteria relating to the auxiliary sensor (7), the method includes a step of confirming the determination of the motor torque reduction in which: o The counter relating to a criterion selected to determine a torque reduction condition is incremented when each criterion is met / validated, o the determination of the torque reduction is confirmed when the value of each counter reaches a predefined threshold N which is specific to said counter.

[0048]

[0039] The counter relating to a combination or set of criteria of one of the sensors (auxiliary or main) is incremented when each condition / criterion of said combination / set is checked / validated at the same time.

[0049] The value of the threshold N may differ for each criterion.

[0050] Thus, a single erroneous value can be ruled out, meaning that the process will not trigger the torque reduction in the presence of a single value from the auxiliary sensor that exceeds the first threshold.

[0051] In one embodiment, the internal counter is decremented over time when the value of the auxiliary sensor falls below the first threshold. For example, the second threshold for the counter could be 3 or 4, and the process maintains very good responsiveness despite the presence of the counter.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the torque reduction condition is established if the auxiliary information delivered by the auxiliary sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold, and if the current voltage value acquired on the main sensor becomes greater than a third predetermined threshold.

[0053] For example, the third predetermined threshold exceeds a first reference value by a first predefined deviation, the first reference value corresponding to the first stable position of the selection tree.

[0054]

[0045] It is noted that the information delivered by the main sensor confirms the early information given by the auxiliary sensor, and this confirmation is consolidated by the total suppression of torque during the transition from the starting gear to the arrival gear.

[0055] Confirmation is given as soon as the selection tree starts to rotate and moves away from the first stable position, a condition which is materialized by the appearance of the first predefined deviation on the voltage delivered by the main sensor.

[0056] Furthermore, it can be anticipated that if the primary sensor fails to confirm the early auxiliary information provided by the secondary sensor, there will be no change in torque. This could correspond to an incomplete maneuver or an impact.

[0057] When the gear change sequence is complete, the engine torque is restored as requested by the driver.

[0058] For example, the motor torque can be restored after a predetermined time delay.

[0059]

[0050] The present invention also relates to a computer configured to implement the process as defined above.

[0060] The present invention also relates to a computer program product, preferably stored on a non-transient memory medium, comprising instructions which, when executed by at least one processor of the computer, performs the process as defined above.

[0061] The present invention also relates to a control system for managing an upshift in a gearbox of a mobile machine having an engine, the shift being intended to change from a starting gear to an ending gear, the gearbox comprising a selector shaft movable between a first stable position corresponding to the starting gear and a second stable position corresponding to the ending gear, the gearbox comprising a main sensor delivering a voltage value corresponding to a current angular position of the selector shaft, the gearbox comprising a gear shift control mechanism comprising an external control lever and a linkage mechanism connecting the external control lever to the selector shaft, the gearbox comprising an auxiliary sensor capable of detecting a force or movement of at least one part of the control mechanism,The control system includes a computer configured to acquire information from the main sensor and the auxiliary sensor, so as to be able to detect a force exerted by the driver's foot on the external control lever, in order to proceed, if a torque reduction condition occurs, to a proactive reduction of engine torque. In one embodiment, the auxiliary sensor is mounted at the axis of the external control lever and is of the analog potentiometric type and provides angular information.

[0062] The auxiliary sensor is mounted externally on the gearbox; it can be retrofitted or installed as a factory option without affecting the gearbox's basic compactness. The auxiliary sensor forms a ring around the shaft attached to the external control lever.

[0063] According to one embodiment, the auxiliary sensor is mounted opposite a connecting rod of the linkage mechanism.

[0064]

[0056] The auxiliary sensor is mounted inside and is thus protected from physico-chemical environmental conditions and potential mechanical aggressions.

[0065] In one design, the auxiliary sensor is an on / off switch. Such a sensor is inexpensive, reliable, and robust. A Hall effect sensor is typically chosen.

[0066]

[0058] According to one embodiment, the auxiliary sensor can be a strain gauge capable of detecting an applied force, even before any movement. This allows for relevant anticipation.

[0067] The invention will be further detailed by describing non-limiting embodiments, and based on the accompanying figures illustrating variants of the invention, in which:

[0068] [Fig.1] schematically illustrates an area of ​​the gear shift lever on a motorcycle with an example of mounting the auxiliary sensor on the external control lever;

[0069] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates an example of a linkage mechanism connecting the external control lever to the selector shaft in a motorcycle gearbox;

[0070] [Fig.3] illustrates a chronogram of the transmission of reports;

[0071] [Fig.4] shows a functional diagram of the control system involved in the present invention;

[0072] [Fig.5] illustrates an example of a timing diagram for shifting from one gear to another, in this case between 2nd and 3rd gear, with an auxiliary switch-type sensor;

[0073] [Fig.6] illustrates another example of a timing diagram, with an auxiliary potentiometric-type sensor;

[0074] [Fig.7] shows an example of a logic diagram for determining a motor torque reduction / cut-off condition.

[0075] In the various figures, the same references designate identical or similar elements. For the sake of clarity, some elements are not necessarily shown to scale.

[0076] The present invention finds particular application in mobile vehicles of the motor cycle type, such as motorcycles or off-road motorcycles. The mobile vehicles in question may have two wheels, three wheels, or even four wheels (quad bikes).

[0077] The application was illustrated on a motorcycle, with a manually controlled gear-shifting gearbox.

[0078] In the illustrated example, there are five gears in the gearbox, labeled R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 respectively. Of course, the invention is also applicable to configurations with fewer than five gears or more than five gears.

[0079] As is known, the gearbox includes shift forks that move sliding gears to engage the gears. The position of the shift forks is controlled by a gear selector shaft marked 1.

[0080]

[0065] According to one embodiment, an angular position sensor 2 is provided, with the rotating part fixedly connected for rotation to the gear selector shaft 1, and the sensor body being stationary.

[0066] In this document, the angular position sensor providing the angular position of the selector shaft is also referred to as the "main sensor".

[0081] The angular position sensor 2 delivers a voltage value 61 corresponding to the current angular position of the selection shaft.

[0082] With reference to Figure 2, the angular position sensor 2 is arranged at the end of the selection shaft.

[0083]

[0069] The angular position sensor 2 is electrically connected to a control unit, also called a computer, discussed later, by electrical conductors 20.

[0084]

[0070] The angular position sensor 2 is an analog sensor. In the illustrated example, the angular position sensor 2 is a potentiometric type sensor. It covers an angular range close to 360°. It could cover a smaller range.

[0085]

[0071] Other types of sensors can also be used, provided that their output resembles an analog value which takes several distinct values ​​depending on the respective ratio engaged.

[0086] The angular position sensor can be installed on an auxiliary wheel engaged with the selector shaft. Regardless of the sensor technology or installation configuration, the angular position sensor provides, directly or indirectly, a picture of the angular position of the selector shaft.

[0087] The gearbox is equipped with a gear change control mechanism 9 comprising an external control lever 3 and a linkage mechanism 4. The linkage mechanism 4 mechanically connects the external control lever 3 to the selector shaft 1 as will be seen below.

[0088] As is well known, and visible in Figure 1, the control lever 3 is moved by the driver's foot, either upwards (G-up) or downwards (G-Dn) depending on whether the driver wants to shift to a higher or lower gear.

[0089]

[0075] The control lever 3 is mounted to rotate about the axis X0. More precisely, as shown in Figure 1, the control lever 3 is fixed to a shaft with axis AX0 which is mounted with a single degree of freedom, namely rotation about the axis X0.

[0076] The control lever 3 is of the impulse type, that is to say, the control lever returns to a rest position in the absence of any input from the driver's foot.

[0090]

[0077] The control lever 3 cooperates with the selection shaft by means of the linkage mechanism noted 4, a simplified version of which is illustrated in figure 2.

[0091]

[0078] A first connecting rod 41 is linked in rotation with the control lever 3, with rotation around the axis X0.

[0092]

[0079] A second connecting rod 42 is connected to the first connecting rod 41 by a pivot joint with axis X1. The second connecting rod 42 includes teeth 13 configured to engage the pins 11. The gear selector shaft 1 is rotatably mounted on the gearbox housing with respect to axis X2.

[0093] The ratio selection tree 1 includes pins 11 actuated by the second connecting rod 42 and indexing grooves 12.

[0094] A third connecting rod 43 with a roller 44 indexes the particular positions of the ratios of the ratio selection shaft 1, the roller 44 fitting into the index grooves 12.

[0095] To complete the understanding about the ratio selector shaft 1 and the linkage mechanism 4, the reader may refer to documents US3421384 and US4491031. The ratio selector shaft 1 includes generally annular grooves which allow the movement of the forks to be driven axially, i.e. along the X2 axis, by cam action.

[0096] According to an advantageous aspect of the present invention, an auxiliary sensor is provided on the mobile device capable of detecting a force or movement occurring in the gear change control mechanism.

[0097]

[0085] In practice, this involves detecting the effect of force exerted by the driver on the external control lever 3. Indeed, as will be seen below, it is advantageous to detect an upshift sequence early, that is, as soon as the driver exerts upward force on the control lever 3, even before the selector shaft 1 begins to rotate.

[0086] According to a first configuration specifically illustrated in Figure 1 and also visible in Figure 2, the auxiliary sensor 7 is mounted on the AXO axis of the external control lever 3.

[0098] According to this first example, the auxiliary sensor 7 is of the analog potentiometric type. The rotating part is fixed in rotation with the external control lever and the non-rotating, therefore static, part is fixed to the gearbox housing.

[0099] The auxiliary sensor 7 provides angular information representing the displacement of the external control lever relative to its rest position, said rest position being the one that is elastically returned in the absence of external mechanical stress. Electrical conductors 70 are provided to connect the auxiliary sensor 7 to the wiring harness and, functionally, to the control unit 5.

[0100] According to a second configuration illustrated in figure 2, the auxiliary sensor 7' is arranged opposite the end 41 a of the first connecting rod 41 on the opposite side of the X0 axis. The auxiliary sensor 7' can be, for example, a Hall effect sensor and delivers binary information, i.e. all-or-nothing, i.e. OFF or ON.

[0101] For example, the auxiliary sensor delivers the ON information when the first connecting rod is perfectly aligned with the rest position and conversely the auxiliary sensor delivers the OFF information when the first connecting rod is away from the rest position.

[0102]

[0091] Here too, electrical conductors 70' are provided to connect the auxiliary sensor 7' to the wiring harness and functionally extend to the control unit in charge of detecting gear changes.

[0103] In addition, it is possible to provide for another installation of an auxiliary sensor capable of detecting an effort or movement in the control mechanism from the external lever 3 to the selection shaft 1.

[0104] The signals, or the signal delivered, by the auxiliary sensor, also called auxiliary information here, is identified as 71 in figures 5 and 6, whether this information is on or off or analog.

[0105] The timing diagram in Figure 3 illustrates a complete driving phase from zero speed with the gearbox in neutral (N), up to 5th gear and back down to 2nd gear.

[0095] More precisely, from the beginning until time t1, the gearbox is in neutral (N); then from time t1 to time t2, first gear (R1) is engaged; then from time t2 to time t3, second gear (R2) is engaged; then from time t3 to time t4, third gear (R3) is engaged; then from time t4 to time t5, fourth gear (R4) is engaged; and finally, at time t5, fifth gear (R5) is engaged. Times t6, t7, and t8 correspond to downshifts (from R5 to R2).

[0106] We note that the voltage delivered by the sensor evolves in steps, each step (VRO, VR1, VR2, VR3, VR4, VR5) corresponds to a particular angular position of the selection shaft (ON, 0R1, 0R2, 0R3, 0R4, 0R5, see figure 4).

[0107]

[0097] Moreover, each bearing corresponds to a particular ratio of the gearbox.

[0108] In the illustrated example, the value delivered by the angular position sensor 2 when the box is in neutral ratio N is approximately 1.1 volts. When the box is in ratio R1, the voltage value is VR1. When the box is in ratio R2, the voltage value is VR2. When the box is in ratio R3, the voltage value is VR3. When the box is in ratio R4, the voltage value is VR4. When the box is in ratio R5, the voltage value is VR5.

[0109]

[0099] As apparent in Figure 4, the control system involved here comprises a control unit 5 which includes at least a first functional block 51 (acronym 'Shift CTrl') in charge of detecting gear ratio changes and a second functional block 52 (acronym 'Trq CTrl') in charge of calculating and applying torque through the engine (internal combustion engine here).

[0110]

[0100] The control unit 5 ('computer') continuously acquires the voltage delivered by the angular position sensor 2, and the information delivered by the auxiliary sensor 7,7' which will be referred to in this document as "auxiliary information".

[0111]

[0101] The acquisition step is performed at an acquisition frequency of at least 100 Hz, for example at 1 kHz. This sampling provides at least one value every 1 millisecond for the voltage delivered by the sensor. An upshift without disengaging the clutch typically lasts a few tens of milliseconds in practice.

[0112] Turning now to Figure 5, we observe in detail a transition from a starting ratio to an ending ratio; in the example shown, it is a transition from the 2nd ratio to the 3rd ratio. Of course, what is presented applies, mutatis mutandis, to the R3 -> R4, R4 -> R5, and R5 -> R6 transitions as appropriate.

[0113] We start, around the instant ta, for the main sensor, from a first reference value V1 corresponding to the first stable position 91 of the selection tree, and we obtain at the end of the passing sequence a second reference value V2 corresponding to the second stable position 62 of the selection tree (arrival position).

[0114]

[0105] If the starting ratio is the 2nd ratio then V1 = VR2 and 91 = 6R2, and also V2 = VR3 and 62 = 9R3. If the starting ratio is the 3rd ratio then V1 = VR3, 91 = 9R3, V2 = VR4 and 92 = 9R4.

[0115]

[0106] Before time ta, the on / off signal 71 from the auxiliary sensor is taken from a first logic level, OFF or ON depending on the logic applied. The signal from the auxiliary sensor 7 is shown at the bottom of the timing diagram ('Capt aux bool').

[0116]

[0107] The driver initiates the gear change maneuver by placing his foot under the control lever and exerting an upward force.

[0117]

[0108] At time ta, the auxiliary sensor 7 or 7' detects a rotational movement of the external control lever or the first connecting rod 41. The on / off signal 71 of the auxiliary sensor switches to a second logic level, the inverse of the first. In the case of a variant of an analog auxiliary sensor, the value exceeds the first threshold, denoted S1.

[0118]

[0109] This change triggers the motor torque reduction step (transition 62 at time ta, OFF to ON for torque reduction).

[0119] For reasons of conciseness, the output, here boolean, of reduction of the couple, i.e. ON or OFF, is represented halfway up and in the middle of the chronogram.

[0120] At time t, the user has brought their foot down and the external control lever has returned to its rest position, while the gear change on the selector shaft side is completing. The transition back to the OFF state of the auxiliary information delivered by the auxiliary sensor may occur later, as represented by the falling edges in dashed lines.

[0121] Advantageously, a step is provided to restore the motor torque, where the reduction of the motor torque is removed, and the required motor torque is applied (transition 66 at time td).

[0122] In a particular embodiment, an internal counter is provided which counts the number of sampled occurrences of exceeding the first threshold predetermined by the auxiliary information, and a torque reduction is triggered if the internal counter exceeds a second predetermined threshold.

[0123] The second predetermined threshold is an integer, for example 3, 4 or 5

[0124] If the acquisition frequency of the auxiliary sensor is 1000 hertz, with an acquisition every 1 millisecond, and if the second threshold is 5, the triggering of the torque reduction takes place after 5 ms.

[0125] This makes it possible to strengthen the process without introducing too much delay.

[0126] The system will either count down or reset the counter to zero when subsequent sampled values ​​of the auxiliary information fall below the first threshold. The counting and recounting can be symmetrical or asymmetrical.

[0127] Figure 6 illustrates a scenario where the auxiliary sensor is of the analog type and the auxiliary information is not all or nothing but continuously represents the image of the movement of the external control lever or another element of the control mechanism 9.

[0128] At time ta, the auxiliary sensor 7 or 7' detects a rotational movement of the external control lever or the first connecting rod 41. The signal 71 exhibits a significant time ramp 72. The signal from the auxiliary sensor 7 is shown at the bottom of the timing diagram ('Capt aux analog').

[0129]

[0120] The decision criterion for validating a torque reduction condition can be based on exceeding a level or threshold, or preferably on a ramp slope greater than a reference ramp slope. The reference ramp slope is configurable or calibrable. In one example, this threshold could be on the order of 1 Volt / 100 ms.

[0121] It should be noted that the counting process described above for the case of auxiliary information can also be applied to the calculated rate of change of the auxiliary information.

[0130] In addition, a confirmation of motor torque cut-off is planned if the current voltage value 61 acquired on the main sensor 2 becomes greater than a third predetermined threshold noted VS1. This occurs at time tb.

[0131] The third predetermined threshold VS1 exceeds the first reference value V1 by a first predetermined deviation noted E1.

[0132] Put another way, early detection by the auxiliary sensor is confirmed by the detection of the rotation of the selector shaft.

[0133]

[0125] It is noted that the selection tree is indexed to the particular positions of the ratios and therefore it is not subject to vibrations or hazards as the auxiliary sensor may be in contrast.

[0134]

[0126] Thus, confirmation by counting is mainly intended for the auxiliary sensor.

[0135] However, confirmation by counting can also be implemented for sampling the 61 values ​​from the main sensor.

[0136]

[0128] At time te, the auxiliary information 71 returns to its reference position. At time td, when the current voltage value 61 increases further, the motor torque reduction is removed, and the required motor torque is applied (transition 66 at time td).

[0137]

[0129] At time tf, the voltage 61 is established at the second reference value V2 and the selection shaft 1 is indexed to the position of the arrival ratio, here the third ratio R3.

[0138]

[0130] Regarding the deviations, we can choose for example that the first deviation E1 is between 5% and 15% of the difference between the second reference value V2 and the first reference value V1.

[0139] It should be noted that the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth gear ratio tensions (VR1, VR2, VR3, VR4, VR5) are derived from a calibration table. They can be adjusted through learning, in relation to the indexing of the gear ratio positions as explained above.

[0140] With reference to Figure 5, where only auxiliary information is used to trigger the reduction of engine torque, the auxiliary information could be analog, similar to that shown in Figure 6, and a person skilled in the art could apply mutatis mutandis the case of analog auxiliary information to the scenario in Figure 5.

[0141] Conversely, with reference to Figure 6, where early auxiliary information is confirmed by information delivered by the main sensor, the auxiliary information could be of an all-or-nothing nature, and the person skilled in the art could apply mutatis mutandis the case of all-or-nothing auxiliary information to the scenario in Figure 6.

[0142] With reference to Figure 7, we have illustrated the four cases of establishing the CRC reduction / cut-off condition of the motor torque.

[0143]

[0135] More specifically, we have illustrated a step in determining a detection condition that leads to a reduction in engine torque. As discussed above, this reduction in engine torque facilitates a gear change to a higher gear.

[0144]

[0136] The branch shown on the left, C2, indicates that the CRC torque cut-off condition can be obtained from the main sensor 2 alone. This can occur, for example, when the auxiliary sensor 7 is not operating or is temporarily unavailable. The detection condition is then based solely on the main sensor 2.

[0145]

[0137] The branch represented at the box marked C7 indicates that the torque cut-off condition can only be obtained from the auxiliary sensor 7, as has been shown in relation to figure 5. As a reminder, there may or may not be a counting device in the processing of the information acquired from the auxiliary sensor.

[0146]

[0138] The branch shown in box C27 indicates that the torque cut-off condition CRC can be obtained mainly from the main sensor 2 and confirmed by the information delivered by the auxiliary sensor 7. Conversely, the branch shown in box C72 indicates that the torque cut-off condition can be obtained mainly from the auxiliary sensor 7 and confirmed by the information delivered by the main sensor 2 as shown in relation to Figure 6.

[0147]

[0139] The momentary cut-off of engine torque can be achieved, for a certain number of engine cycles, by inhibiting the ignition control and canceling the fuel injection control.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. A detection method for managing an upshift in a gearbox of a mobile machine having an engine, the shift being intended to change from a starting gear to an ending gear, in which the gearbox includes a selector shaft (1) movable between a first stable position (91) corresponding to the starting gear and a second stable position (62) corresponding to the ending gear, the gearbox including a main sensor (2) delivering a voltage value (61) corresponding to a current angular position of the selector shaft, the gearbox including a gear shift control mechanism (9) comprising an external control lever (3) and a linkage mechanism (4) connecting the external control lever to the selector shaft (1), the gearbox including an auxiliary sensor (7) capable of detecting a force or movement of at least one part of the control mechanism (9),the process comprising: - an acquisition step according to which the voltage value (61) corresponding to the angular position of the selection shaft is iteratively acquired by means of the main sensor, and / or at least one auxiliary information (71) delivered by the auxiliary sensor is iteratively acquired, said auxiliary information corresponding to the force that the driver applies to the external control lever (3), - a step of determining a condition for reducing motor torque, the condition for reducing torque being determined as a function of: o at least one of the following criteria relating to the main sensor (2):

1. A first criterion based on voltage: when the voltage supplied by the main sensor (2) is above or below a predefined voltage threshold, 2. A second criterion based on voltage derivative: when the derivative of the voltage supplied by the main sensor (2) is greater than or less than a predefined voltage derivative threshold, 3. A combination of the first and second criteria relating to the main sensor (2), for which each of the two criteria must be met / verified, and / or at least one of the following criteria relating to the auxiliary sensor (7):

1. A first criterion in voltage: when the voltage supplied by the auxiliary sensor (7) is greater than or less than a predefined voltage threshold (S1), 2. A second derivative criterion: when the derivative of the voltage supplied by the auxiliary sensor is greater than or less than a predefined derivative threshold, 3. A third criterion for voltage variation: when the voltage variation supplied by the auxiliary sensor (7) is increasing, 4. A combination of at least two of the preceding criteria relating to the auxiliary sensor (7).

2. A method according to the preceding claim, wherein in the step of determining a motor torque reduction condition, the torque reduction condition is determined based on a hybrid / cross configuration comprising one of the following sets of criteria: o a first set comprising: ■ one of the criteria or combination of criteria relating to the main sensor (2), ■ a criterion relating to the auxiliary sensor (7) which consists of verifying whether the voltage supplied by the auxiliary sensor (7) varies beyond a predefined voltage variation threshold, o a second set comprising: ■ one of the criteria or combination of criteria relating to the auxiliary sensor (7), ■ a criterion relating to the main sensor (2) which consists of checking whether the voltage supplied by the main sensor (2) varies beyond a predefined voltage variation threshold.

3. A method according to the preceding claim, wherein the first set comprises at least one optional criterion from the following criteria: ■ one of the criteria or combination of criteria relating to the auxiliary sensor (7), ■ and / or a criterion relating to the main sensor (2) which consists of checking whether the voltage supplied by the main sensor (2) varies beyond a predefined voltage variation threshold.

4. A method according to any one of claims 2 and 3, wherein the second set comprises at least one optional criterion from the following criteria: ■ one of the criteria or combination of criteria relating to the main sensor (2), ■ and / or a criterion relating to the auxiliary sensor (7) which consists of checking whether the voltage supplied by the auxiliary sensor (7) varies beyond a predefined voltage variation threshold.

5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a detection confirmation counter is defined for each criterion / combination of criteria relating to the main sensor (2) and for each criterion / combination of criteria relating to the auxiliary sensor (7), the method includes a step of confirming the determination of the motor torque reduction in which: o the counter relating to a criterion selected to determine a torque reduction condition is incremented when each criterion is met / validated, o the torque reduction determination is confirmed when the value of each counter reaches a predefined threshold N which is specific to said counter.

6. Computer configured to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. Product computer program, preferably stored on a non-transient memory medium, comprising instructions which, when executed by at least one processor of the computer, carry out the process according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

8. Control system for managing an upshift in a gearbox of a mobile machine having an engine, the shift being intended to change from a starting gear to an ending gear, the gearbox comprising a selector shaft (1) movable between a first stable position (01) corresponding to the starting gear and a second stable position (02) corresponding to the ending gear, the gearbox comprising a main sensor (2) delivering a voltage value corresponding to a current angular position of the selector shaft, the gearbox comprising a gear change control mechanism (9) comprising an external control lever (3) and a linkage mechanism (4) connecting the external control lever (3) to the selector shaft (1), characterized in that the gearbox comprises an auxiliary sensor (7,7') capable of detecting a force or movement of at least one part of the control mechanism,the control system comprising a computer (5) configured to acquire information from the main sensor (2) and the auxiliary sensor (7,7'), so as to be able to detect a force exerted by a driver's foot on the external control lever, in order to proceed, if a torque reduction condition occurs, in an anticipatory manner to a reduction of engine torque.

9. Control system according to claim 8, characterized in that the auxiliary sensor (7,7') is mounted at the axis (AXO) of the external control lever (3) and the auxiliary sensor is of the potentiometric analog type and delivers angular information.

10. Control system according to claim 8, characterized in that the auxiliary sensor (7,7') is mounted opposite a connecting rod (41,42) of the linkage mechanism (4).

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