US 12,215,781 B2
Systems and methods for shifting multi-speed transmissions
Justin R. Poirier, Fond du Lac, WI (US); Matthew W. Snyder, Fond du Lac, WI (US); and Mitchell J. Baer, Fond du Lac, WI (US)
Assigned to Brunswick Corporation, Mettawa, IL (US)
Filed by Brunswick Corporation, Mettawa, IL (US)
Filed on Feb. 8, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/667,134.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/147,972, filed on Feb. 10, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0252148 A1, Aug. 11, 2022
Int. Cl. F16H 61/16 (2006.01); B63H 20/00 (2006.01); B63H 20/14 (2006.01); B63H 23/06 (2006.01); F16H 59/74 (2006.01); F16H 61/684 (2006.01)
CPC F16H 61/16 (2013.01) [B63H 20/14 (2013.01); B63H 23/06 (2013.01); F16H 59/74 (2013.01); F16H 61/684 (2013.01); B63H 2020/003 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for shifting multi-speed transmissions of marine propulsion devices, each of the marine propulsion devices having a power head and a shift schedule for shifting between a first gear and a second gear of the multi-speed transmission corresponding thereto to transmit torque from the powerhead, the method comprising:
configuring the multi-speed transmission of a leader among the marine propulsion devices to shift when a shift schedule of the leader indicates a shift recommendation;
configuring the multi-speed transmission of a follower among the marine propulsion devices to shift when a shift schedule of the follower indicates a shift recommendation;
receiving a request to shift the multi-speed transmission of the leader when the shift schedule of the leader indicates the shift recommendation;
determining whether conditions are met for the follower to follow the leader in shifting; and
automatically requesting, when conditions are determined to be met for the follower to follow the leader, to shift the multi-speed transmission of the follower so as to be coordinated with shifting the multi-speed transmission of the leader.