US 12,135,081 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); William P. O'Brien, Eden, 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. 17/667,222.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/147,972, filed on Feb. 10, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0252152 A1, Aug. 11, 2022
Int. Cl. F16H 61/682 (2006.01); B63H 21/21 (2006.01); B63H 23/02 (2006.01); B63H 23/06 (2006.01); F16H 59/40 (2006.01); F16H 59/74 (2006.01); F16H 61/12 (2010.01); F16H 61/16 (2006.01); F16H 61/684 (2006.01)
CPC F16H 61/682 (2013.01) [B63H 21/213 (2013.01); B63H 23/02 (2013.01); B63H 23/06 (2013.01); F16H 59/40 (2013.01); F16H 59/74 (2013.01); F16H 61/12 (2013.01); F16H 61/16 (2013.01); F16H 61/684 (2013.01); B63H 2023/0258 (2013.01); F16H 2059/743 (2013.01); F16H 2306/40 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
20. A method for shifting a multi-speed transmission of a marine propulsion device between a first gear and a second gear each configured to transmit torque from a powerhead to a transmission output shaft, the method comprising:
determining an actual power level requested for operating the marine propulsion device;
determining which of the first gear and the second gear is engaged between the powerhead and the transmission output shaft;
measuring a transmission output shaft speed at which the transmission output shaft is rotating;
comparing, when the first gear is engaged between the powerhead and the transmission output shaft, the actual power level to one of a plurality of upshift thresholds each corresponding to expected power levels for operating the marine propulsion device as a function of the transmission output shaft speed of the transmission output shaft, the plurality of upshift thresholds being stored in an upshift schedule table;
comparing, when the second gear is engaged between the powerhead and the transmission output shaft, the actual power level to one of a plurality of downshift thresholds each corresponding to expected power levels for operating the marine propulsion device as a function of the transmission output shaft speed of the transmission output shaft, the plurality of downshift thresholds being stored in a downshift schedule table; and
controlling the multi-speed transmission to shift from the first gear to the second gear when the actual power level is less than the one of the plurality of upshift thresholds and controlling the multi-speed transmission to shift from the second gear to the first gear when the actual power level is greater than the one of the plurality of downshift thresholds.