Methods and apparatus for operating a motor vehicle

• US 20040132580A1
• Filed: 10/09/2003
• Published: 07/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG (INA-Holding Schaeffler GmbH & Co. KG)
• Original Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG (INA-Holding Schaeffler GmbH & Co. KG)
• Inventors: Rieger, Christian, Schweizer, Alexander, Metzger, Jorg, Bast, Frank, Moosheimer, Johannes, Gallion, Michael, Strack, Florian
• Granted Patent: US 7,062,986 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 477/101
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/02 including control of driveline clutches
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/06 including control of combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/10 including control of change-speed gearings
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/11 Stepped gearings
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/10 Accelerator pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18 Propelling the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2061/0492 for high engine torque, e.g. during acceleration or uphill driving
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 59/18 dependent on the position of the accelerator pedal
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/18 Preventing unintentional or unsafe shift , e.g. preventing manual shift from highest gear to reverse gear
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/19251 Control mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20085 Restriction of shift, gear selection, or gear engagement

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are taught for controlling the operation of a power train in a motor vehicle (1), which may include controlling a clutch actuating mechanism (20) so as to open a clutch (3) in a vehicle pull mode. Then, a transmission (4) may be changed from a first gear position to a second gear position via a neutral position by moving a transmission actuator. At or about the same time, the ignition angle of a spark-ignited combustion engine (2) is preferably shifted during the gear change step to cause the combustion engine to generate a negative engine torque. As a result, engine speed is decreased when the transmission is disposed in the neutral position and a desired engine torque can be rapidly realized as soon as the transmission actuator is disposed in the second gear position. Thereafter, the clutch is closed again.

Claims

1. A method for controlling the operation of a power train in a motor vehicle, wherein the power train comprises a spark-ignited combustion engine, a transmission operable by a transmission actuator and an automated clutch operable by a clutch actuating mechanism, the automated clutch being disposed in a torque transmitting path between the combustion engine and the transmission, the method comprising:

controlling the clutch actuating mechanism so as to open the clutch with the power train being in a pull mode of operation,

changing the transmission from a first gear position to a second gear position via a neutral position by moving the transmission actuator, wherein the transmission in the second gear position has a lower ratio than in the first gear position,

shifting an ignition angle of the combustion engine during the gear change step to cause the combustion engine to generate a negative engine torque, thereby decreasing engine speed when the transmission is disposed in the neutral position and enabling a desired engine torque to be rapidly realized as soon as the transmission actuator is disposed in the second gear position, and

controlling the clutch actuating mechanism so as to close the clutch.

2. A method as in claim 1, wherein the ignition angle is shifted such that a predetermined negative torque is supplied while the transmission is disposed in the neutral position and further comprising:

adjusting a torque control means of the combustion engine such that the predetermined torque is supplied by shifting the ignition angle.

3. A method as in claim 2, wherein the power train further comprises a control unit and further comprising:

moving the transmission actuator based upon signals generated by the control unit.

4. A method as in claim 1, wherein the power train further comprises a control unit and further comprising:

moving the transmission actuator based upon signals generated by the control unit.

5. An apparatus for controlling the operation of a power train in a motor vehicle, comprising:

a spark-ignited combustion engine,

a transmission operable by a transmission actuator,

an automated clutch operable by a clutch actuating mechanism, the automated clutch being disposed in a torque transmitting path between the combustion engine and the transmission,

means for controlling the clutch actuating mechanism so as to open and close the clutch with the power train being in a pull mode of operation,

means for changing the transmission from a first gear position to a second gear position via a neutral position by moving the transmission actuator, wherein the transmission in the second gear position has a lower ratio than in the first gear position, and

means for shifting an ignition angle of the combustion engine during the gear change step to cause the combustion engine to generate a negative engine torque, thereby decreasing engine speed when the transmission is disposed in the neutral position and enabling a desired engine torque to be rapidly realized as soon as the transmission actuator is disposed in the second gear position.

6. An apparatus as in claim 5, wherein shifting means causes the ignition angle to be shifted such that a predetermined negative torque is supplied while the transmission is disposed in the neutral position and further comprising:

an adjustable torque control means for supplying the predetermined torque from the combustion engine by shifting the ignition angle.

7. An apparatus as in claim 6, wherein the power train further comprises a control unit in communication with the transmission actuator and being arranged and constructed to generate signals for causing the transmission actuator to move.

8. An apparatus as in claim 5, wherein the power train further comprises a control unit in communication with the transmission actuator and being arranged and constructed to generate signals for causing the transmission actuator to move.