DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR A TORQUE SENSOR

• US 20100222961A1
• Filed: 08/26/2009
• Published: 09/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Dlugoss, Randall B.
• Granted Patent: US 8,108,096 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/34
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 25/003 for measuring torque
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 477/906 Means detecting or ameliorating the effects of malfunction or potential malfunction

Abstract

A system for a vehicle includes an engine torque module, a torque detection module, a torque estimation module, a torque monitoring module, and a diagnostic module. The engine torque module generates a first estimated torque signal based on engine signals and/or GPS signals. The torque detection module generates an actual torque signal of a transmission. The torque estimation module generates a second estimated torque signal based on the first estimated torque signal and/or vehicle/engine values. The diagnostic module detects a fault of a torque sensor based on a torque difference between the actual torque signal and the second estimated torque signal. The torque monitoring module generates a first and a second torque signals based on actual torque signals that represent a lowest and a highest torque values respectively over a predetermined period. The diagnostic module detects the fault based on a torque difference the first and the second torque signals.

Claims

1. A diagnostic system comprising:

an engine torque module that generates a first estimated torque signal based on a mass airflow signal, a fuel amount delivered to cylinders of an engine, and an engine speed;

a torque detection module that generates an actual torque signal based on a torque signal received from a torque sensor that indicates an actual output torque of a transmission;

a torque estimation module that generates a second estimated torque signal independent of the actual torque signal, wherein the second estimated torque signal is generated based on the first estimated torque signal, a transmission gain value, a transmission loss value, and a transmission offset value; and

a diagnostic module that detects a fault of the torque sensor based on a torque difference between the actual torque signal and the second estimated torque signal.

2. The diagnostic system of claim 1 wherein the torque estimation module determines the transmission gain value based on at least one of a torque converter multiplication value and a gear ratio of the transmission,

wherein the torque estimation module determines the transmission loss value based on at least one of a clutch loss value and a pump loss value of the transmission, and

wherein the torque estimation module determines the transmission offset value based on at least one of a voltage and current variation, an amount of magnetic leakage of the torque sensor, and an electrical noise value of the torque sensor.

3. The diagnostic system of claim 2 wherein the torque converter multiplication value is determined based on at least one of a torque converter constant and a speed ratio between the engine speed and an input speed of the transmission,

wherein the clutch loss value is determined based on at least one of a spinning speed of a clutch, a type of the clutch, and a pressure of the clutch,

wherein the pump loss value is determined based on at least one of an engine speed, an engine load, and a gear position signal,

wherein the torque converter constant is determined based on the engine speed and at least one of engine torque and transmission torque.

4. The diagnostic system of claim 1 further comprising an error timer that measures a time difference between a current timestamp and an initial timestamp when the torque difference between the actual torque signal and the second estimated torque signal is greater than a first predetermined value,

wherein the diagnostic module increments an error timer value based on the fault and the time difference.

5. The diagnostic system of claim 4 wherein the diagnostic module increments an error counter when the error timer value is greater than a first predetermined period,

wherein the diagnostic module sets an error code when the error counter is greater than a second predetermined value, and

wherein the diagnostic module at least one of resets the error counter and decrements the error counter when the torque difference is less than or equal to the first predetermined value.

6. The diagnostic system of claim 1 further comprising an operation mode module that determines that the engine is operating in one of a transient mode and a non-transient mode based on engine parameters, wherein the operation mode module enables the engine torque module based on engine operation in the one of the transient mode and the non-transient mode.

7. The diagnostic system of claim 6 wherein the engine parameters include at least one of a gear position signal, a brake signal, an engine speed signal, and an engine torque change during a second predetermined period.

8. A diagnostic system comprising:

an engine torque module that generates a first estimated torque signal based on a global positioning system (GPS) vehicle speed signal, a throttle signal, and a gear ratio of a transmission;

a torque detection module that generates an actual torque signal based on a torque signal received from a torque sensor that indicates an actual output torque of the transmission;

a torque estimation module that generates a second estimated torque signal independent of the actual torque signal, wherein the second estimated torque signal is generated based on the first estimated torque signal and an estimated vehicle mass value; and

a diagnostic module that detects a fault of the torque sensor based on a torque difference between the actual torque signal and the second estimated torque signal.

9. The diagnostic system of claim 8 wherein the GPS vehicle speed signal is generated based on at least one of a GPS grade signal, a GPS location signal, a GPS time signal, and a GPS direction signal.

10. The diagnostic system of claim 8 wherein the estimated vehicle mass value is determined based on at least one of a seat sensor signal, a trunk sensor signal, a towing sensor signal, and a calibrated vehicle mass value.

11. The diagnostic system of claim 8 further comprising an error timer that measures a time difference between a current timestamp and an initial timestamp when the torque difference between the actual torque signal and the second estimated torque signal is greater than a first predetermined value,

wherein the diagnostic module increments an error timer value based on the fault and the time difference.

12. The diagnostic system of claim 11 wherein the diagnostic module increments an error counter when the error timer value is greater than a first predetermined period,

wherein the diagnostic module sets an error code when the error counter is greater than a second predetermined value, and

wherein the diagnostic module at least one of resets the error counter and decrements the error counter when the torque difference is less than or equal to the first predetermined value.

13. The diagnostic system of claim 8 further comprising an operation mode module that determines that the engine is operating in one of a transient mode and a non-transient mode based on engine parameters, wherein the operation mode module enables the engine torque module based on engine operation in the one of the transient mode and the non-transient mode.

14. The diagnostic system of claim 13 wherein the engine parameters include at least one of a gear position signal, a brake signal, an engine speed signal, and an engine torque change during a second predetermined period.

15. A diagnostic system comprising:

a torque detection module that generates an actual torque signal based on a torque signal received from a torque sensor that indicates an actual output torque of a transmission;

a torque monitoring module that generates a first torque signal based on the actual torque signal that represents a lowest torque value over a first predetermined period, wherein the torque monitoring module generates a second torque signal based on the actual torque signal that represents a highest torque value over the first predetermined period; and

a diagnostic module that detects a fault of the torque sensor based on a minimum expected noise value and a torque difference between the first torque signal and the second torque signal.

16. The diagnostic system of claim 15 further comprising memory that stores the minimum expected noise value,

wherein the minimum expected noise value is determined based on at least one of a vibration signal of an engine vibration sensor and an electrical noise value of the torque sensor.

17. The diagnostic system of claim 15 further comprising an error timer that measures a time difference between a current timestamp and an initial timestamp when the torque difference between the first torque signal and the second torque signal is less than or equal to the minimum expected noise value,

wherein the diagnostic module increments an error timer value based on the fault and the time difference.

18. The diagnostic system of claim 17 wherein the diagnostic module increments an error counter when the error timer value is greater than a second predetermined period,

wherein the diagnostic module sets an error code when the error counter is greater than a first predetermined value, and

wherein the diagnostic module at least one of resets the error counter and decrements the error counter when the torque difference is greater than the minimum expected noise value.

19. The diagnostic system of claim 18 wherein the diagnostic module provides a lag period during which the diagnostic module delays at least one of incrementing the error timer value and adjusting the error counter based on a predetermined threshold.

20. The diagnostic system of claim 15 further comprising an operation mode module that determines that an engine is operating in an error mode based on a diagnostic trouble code associated with at least one of a vehicle speed sensor, an engine speed sensor, a vehicle electrical power sensor, and an engine vibration sensor,

wherein the operation mode module enables the torque monitoring module based on engine operation in the error mode.