Simulated Clutch Pedal Patent Pending

[John]

Thanks and credit to “-vet” that we have learned of the following: “METHOD OF CONTROLLING A TRANSMISSION TO SIMULATE CLUTCH PEDAL FUNCTIONALITY

Dec 1, 2016 - General Motors

Publication number: 20180156330
Abstract: A method of controlling a transmission includes initiating a temporary neutral mode of the transmission, in which at least one clutch of the transmission is disengaged to prevent power flow through the transmission, when an upshift paddle selector and a downshift paddle selector are both engaged within a pre-defined engagement time window. At least one of the upshift paddle selector and the downshift paddle selector is held in their respective engaged positions to maintain the temporary neutral mode of the transmission. The temporary neutral mode of the transmission is ended when both of the upshift paddle selector and the downshift paddle selector are disengaged, by re-engaging the at least one transmission clutch that was disengaged to initiate the temporary neutral mode.
Type: Application
Filed: December 1, 2016
Publication date: June 7, 2018
Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Inventors: Orson S. Wang, Tadge J. Juechter, Michael G. Petrucci, Mark A. Vernacchia”

Here is the link to it.

https://patents.justia.com/patent/20180156330

What does this mean? Might is apply to a temporary interruption of power during the C7’s rev match process (as asked by Pigface1)?

Might it only apply to the C7? Any applicability to the C8?

Anyone?

[Meldoon]

This would only make sense in a vehicle without a clutch peddle, but with a clutch, or 2 clutches, as described. So, C8 with DCT. Kool function, especially if the other DCT users have no such feature. Could be used for launching, coasting......what else?

[John]

Thanks Meldoon. I had seen some articles talking about the coasting feature in the DCT that model was using.

[Mobius]

...a temporary neutral mode of the transmission...

That's a nice feature. So, as I read it, I'll be able to engage both paddles and double tap the throttle as a salute to C7 Vettes that I blow by.

Or when driving below an overpass, and I get the urge to hear the reverberation of the Track Mode exhaust, I can pull in both paddles for a nice throttle double-tap, to enjoy the mighty C8 exhaust in Track Mode.

I hope they implement this.

I have to double tap in my C7 using that old-fashioned clutch pedal...

FYI - some Ferraris and Lambos achieve neutral the same way, by pulling back both paddles - don't know if this is a "temporary" neutral though.

[John]

Thanks Mobius. Another informative post!

[Mobius]

You'll never have as much authority over power delivery with the two paddles as you will with a standard clutch (where you can modify clutch engagement level through pedal pressure), but you may be able to use the temporary neutral for burnouts as well...

Scenario: C8 stopped in 1st gear, TC OFF, engage both paddles, rev to ~4,000 RPM, release one or both paddles, maintain ~4,000 RPM until you can no longer see though the engulfing white smoke...

[John]

Launch control is another place where such a system would be useful in a DCT transmission. Our member “NewYuriCity” said it best and shares the following video with us.

Yes, this is very very interesting indeed. This basically would function as an imitation/homage to the "double paddle" clutches in Formula 1 cars from roughly 2010-2015 I think:

This system wouldn't function the same way, but it'd be pretty cool to pull up to a stoplight, pull both paddles, floor the accelerator, and then let the last paddle out as the light turns green!

Thank you very much “NYC!”