Clutch control for automated manual transmission (AMT)

• US 7,070,538 B2
• Filed: 02/05/2004
• Issued: 07/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: General Motors Corporation (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Babcock, Douglas J.
• Primary Examiner(s): LEWIS, TISHA D
• Application Number:
  US10/772,849
• Publication Number:
  US 20050176556A1
• Time in Patent Office: 880 Days
• Field of Search: 477/179, 477/181, 477/174, 477/101, 477/102
• US Class Current: 477/179
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/02 including control of driveline clutches
• 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 10/10 including control of change-speed gearings
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/0638 Engine speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/0652 Speed change rate
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/0671 Engine manifold pressure
• 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

Abstract

A vehicle having an engine and an automated manual transmission (AMT) includes an electronically controlled clutch (ECC) that selectively couples the engine and the AMT to transfer drive torque to the AMT. A controller communicates with the ECC and the engine and generates a load signal based on an anticipated engine load. The controller adjusts spark timing of the engine based on the load signal prior to engagement of the ECC. The controller adjusts spark timing of the engine based on a rate of change of engine speed after engagement of the ECC.

Claims

1. A vehicle having an engine and an automated manual transmission (AMT), comprising:

an electronically controlled clutch (ECC) that selectively couples said engine and said AMT to transfer drive torque to said AMT; and

a controller that communicates with said ECC and said engine and that generates a load signal based on an anticipated driver torque demand, that adjusts one of spark timing of said engine and an ECC pressure based on said load signal prior to engagement of said ECC to minimize an anticipated engine RPM droop and that adjusts spark timing of said engine based on a rate of change of engine speed after engagement of said ECC, wherein engagement of said ECC is determined based on an engagement signal.

2. The vehicle of claim 1 further comprising a clutch engagement sensor that generates said engagement signal based upon a degree of engagement of said ECC, wherein said controller generates said load signal when the engagement signal is received.

3. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein said clutch engagement sensor generates said engagement signal immediately prior to full engagement of said clutch.

4. The vehicle of claim 1 further comprising:

an engine speed sensor that generates an engine speed signal; and

a manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor that generates a pressure signal, wherein said load signal is based on said engine speed signal and said pressure signal.

5. The vehicle of claim 4 further comprising a gear ratio sensor that generates a gear signal indicating a current operating gear of said AMT, wherein said load signal is further based on said gear signal.

6. A method of operating an automated manual transmission (AMT) having an electronically controlled clutch (ECC) that is selectively engaged to couple said AMT and said engine, comprising:

generating a load signal based on an anticipated driver torque demand;

adjusting one of spark timing of said engine and an ECC pressure based on said load signal prior to engagement of said ECC to minimize an anticipated engine RPM droop; and

adjusting spark timing of said engine based on a rate of change of engine speed after engagement of said ECC, wherein engagement of said ECC is determined based on an engagement signal.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising:

generating a shift signal;

disengaging said ECC based on said shift signal;

shifting gears of said AMT; and

initiating engagement of said ECC.

8. The method of claim 6 further comprising:

initiating engagement of said ECC; and

detecting a degree of engagement of said ECC, wherein said load signal is generated when detecting near full engagement of said ECC.

9. The method of claim 6 further comprising:

generating an engine speed signal; and

generating a manifold absolute pressure (MAP) signal, wherein said load signal is based on said engine speed signal and said MAP signal.

10. A method of shifting gears of an automated manual transmission (AMT) having an electronically controlled clutch (ECC), comprising:

initiating engagement of said ECC;

detecting imminent engagement of said ECC;

generating a load signal based on an anticipated driver torque demand upon detecting imminent engagement of said ECC;

adjusting spark timing of said engine based on said load signal prior to said imminent engagement of said ECC; and

adjusting spark timing of said engine based on a rate of change of engine speed after engagement of said ECC.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

generating a shift signal;

disengaging said ECC based on said shift signal; and

shifting gears of said AMT.

12. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

generating an engine speed signal; and

generating a manifold absolute pressure (MAP) signal, wherein said load signal is based on said engine speed signal and said MAP signal.