Vehicle output control limiter

• US 6,543,414 B2
• Filed: 05/09/2002
• Issued: 04/08/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Riedle, Bradley Dean, Cullen, Michael John, Light, Dennis Allen, OʼNeil, Brian Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Yuen, Henry C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HUYNH, HAI H
• Application Number:
  US10/142,903
• Publication Number:
  US 20020129788A1
• Time in Patent Office: 334 Days
• Field of Search: 123/350, 123/361, 701/54, 701/84, 701/85, 701/87, 701/95, 701/102, 701/110, 477/34, 477/50, 477/107, 477/110, 477/115
• US Class Current: 123/350
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/04 including control of propulsion units
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/06 including control of combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/11 Stepped gearings
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/0638 Engine speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/1025 Input torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/105 Output torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18 Propelling the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/1819 Propulsion control with control means using analogue circuits, relays or mechanical links
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/1004 Estimation of the output torque
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/1006 Engine torque losses, e.g. friction or pumping losses or losses caused by external loads of accessories
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2250/18 Control of the engine output torque
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2250/21 during a transition between engine operation modes or states
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2400/12 Engine control specially adapted for a transmission comprising a torque converter or for continuously variable transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0215 in relation with elements of the transmission
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/107 and deceleration
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2057/0012 for reducing drive line oscillations
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2059/144 characterised by change between positive and negative drive line torque, e.g. torque changes when switching between coasting and acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2059/385 Turbine speed
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/143 using electric control means
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 63/50 Signals to an engine or motor

Abstract

A method is described for limiting a change in torque transmitted through a vehicle powertrain when in a predetermined range. Such a method minimizes transmission gear separation, or “clunk”. In one approach, the rate cf change of powertrain output is limited when powertrain output is near zero transmitted torque. The limitation is not used under other circumstances so as not to hinder driver performance.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a powertrain of a vehicle, the powertrain having a transmission, the method comprising:

determining whether torque transmitted through the transmission is within a predetermined torque range based on an estimate of torque transmitted through the transmission, said estimate based on operating conditions, wherein said operating conditions comprise engine speed and engine airflow; and

adjusting an engine control signal to limit a change in powertrain output when it is determined that torque transmitted through the transmission is within said predetermined torque range.

2. The method recited in claim 1 wherein said operating conditions comprise engine speed and torque converter output speed.

3. The method recited in claim 1 wherein said predetermined range includes zero.

4. The method recited in claim 1 wherein said predetermined range is a range from a negative torque to a positive torque.

5. A method for controlling a powertrain of a vehicle, the powertrain having a transmission, the method comprising:

determining whether torque transmitted through the transmission is within a first predetermined torque range, or in a second predetermined torque range;

adjusting an engine control signal to limit a change in powertrain output to a first predetermined limit when it is determined that torque transmitted through the transmission is within said first predetermined torque range; and

adjusting an engine control signal to limit said change in powertrain output to a second predetermined limit when it is determined that torque transmitted through the transmission is within said second predetermined torque range.

6. The method recited in claim 5 wherein it is determined that torque transmitted through the transmission is within said first predetermined torque range based on an estimate of torque transmitted through the transmission.

7. The method recited in claim 6 wherein said estimate is based on operating conditions.

8. The method recited in claim 7 wherein said operating conditions comprise engine speed and engine airflow.

9. The method recited in claim 7 wherein said operating conditions comprise engine speed and torque converter output speed.

10. A method for controlling a powertrain of a vehicle, the powertrain having a transmission, the method comprising:

determining whether torque transmitted through the transmission is within a first predetermined torque range, in a second predetermined torque range, or in a third predetermined torque range;

adjusting an engine control signal to limit a change in powertrain output to a first predetermined limit when it is determined that torque transmitted through the transmission is within said first predetermined torque range;

adjusting an engine control signal to limit said change in powertrain output to a second predetermined limit when it is determined that torque transmitted through the transmission is within said second predetermined torque range; and

adjusting an engine control signal to limit said change in powertrain output to a third predetermined limit when it is determined that torque transmitted through the transmission is within said third predetermined torque range.

11. The method recited in claim 10 wherein an absolute value of said second predetermined limit is smaller than an absolute value of said first predetermined limit.

12. The method recited in claim 10 wherein an absolute value of said second predetermined limit is smaller than an absolute value of said first predetermined limit and is smaller than an absolute value of said third predetermined limit.

13. The method recited in claim 12 wherein said first predetermined range is from a first negative value to a second negative value, said second predetermined range is from said second negative value to a first positive value, and said second predetermined range is from said first positive value to a second positive value.

14. The method recited in claim 10 wherein said adjusting steps are executed when desired powertrain output is increasing.