IP Library Granted Patent US 8,137,241
Granted Patent B2
US 8,137,241 · App. 12/534,442 · Granted Mar 20, 2012

System and method for automatic transmission shift control

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,137,241
App. No.
12/534,442
Granted
Mar 20, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A engine control system for an automatic transmission includes an engine torque control module that increases engine torque from a first torque level to a second torque level during a period before a shift from a first gear ratio to a second gear ratio, wherein the first gear ratio is greater than the second gear ratio, wherein the first torque level is based on driver input and vehicle speed, and wherein the second torque level is based on the first torque level and the first and second gear ratios. A transmission control module decreases a torque capacity of a first clutch to a third torque level during the period and increases a torque capacity of a second clutch to a fourth torque level during the period, wherein the fourth torque level is based on the second torque level and a torque gain of the second clutch.

Claims (30)

1. A engine control system for an automatic transmission, comprising:

an engine torque control module that increases engine torque from a first torque level to a second torque level during a period before a shift from a first gear ratio to a second gear ratio, wherein the first gear ratio is greater than the second gear ratio, wherein the first torque level is based on driver input and vehicle speed, and wherein the second torque level is based on the first torque level and the first and second gear ratios; and

a transmission control module that decreases a torque capacity of a first clutch to a third torque level during the period and that increases a torque capacity of a second clutch to a fourth torque level during the period, wherein the fourth torque level is based on the second torque level and a torque gain of the second clutch.

2. The engine control system of claim 1 , wherein the engine torque control module increases engine torque during the period based on a sum of the first torque level and an additional torque amount.

3. The engine control system of claim 2 , wherein the additional torque amount is based on a product of the torque capacity of the second clutch and a difference between the first and second gear ratios, divided by a product of the first gear ratio and the torque gain of the second clutch.

4. The engine control system of claim 3 , wherein the torque gain of the second clutch is based on a ratio of the torque capacity of the second clutch and the engine torque.

5. The engine control system of claim 3 , wherein the fourth torque level is based on a product of the first torque level, the first gear ratio, and the torque gain of the second clutch, divided by the second gear ratio.

6. The engine control system of claim 1 , wherein the second torque level is based on a product of the first torque level and the first gear ratio, divided by the second gear ratio.

7. The engine control system of claim 1 , wherein the third torque level is zero.

8. The engine control system of claim 1 , wherein the torque capacity of the first clutch reaches the third torque level before the torque capacity of the second clutch reaches the fourth torque level.

9. The engine control system of claim 1 , wherein the engine torque control module controls engine torque by controlling at least one of a throttle, a plurality of fuel injectors, and a plurality of spark plugs.

10. The engine control system of claim 1 , wherein output torque of the automatic transmission is maintained at a constant level before, during, and after the shift operation.

11. The engine control system of claim 1 , wherein the driver input corresponds to a position of an accelerator pedal, and wherein the position of the accelerator pedal is at least partially depressed during the shift operation.

12. A method for controlling an automatic transmission, comprising:

increasing engine torque from a first torque level to a second torque level during a period before a shift from a first gear ratio to a second gear ratio, wherein the first gear ratio is greater than the second gear ratio, wherein the first torque level is based on driver input and vehicle speed, and wherein the second torque level is based on the first torque level and the first and second gear ratios;

decreasing a torque capacity of a first clutch to a third torque level during the period; and

increasing a torque capacity of a second clutch to a fourth torque level during the period, wherein the fourth torque level is based on the second torque level and a torque gain of the second clutch.

13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:

increasing engine torque during the period based on a sum of the first torque level and an additional torque amount.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the additional torque amount is based on a product of the torque capacity of the second clutch and a difference between the first and second gear ratios, divided by a product of the first gear ratio and the torque gain of the second clutch.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the torque gain of the second clutch is based on a ratio of the torque capacity of the second clutch and the engine torque.

16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the fourth torque level is based on a product of the first torque level, the first gear ratio, and the torque gain of the second clutch, divided by the second gear ratio.

17. The method of claim 12 , wherein the second torque level is based on a product of the first torque level and the first gear ratio, divided by the second gear ratio.

18. The method of claim 12 , wherein the third torque level is zero.

19. The method of claim 12 , wherein the torque capacity of the first clutch reaches the third torque level before the torque capacity of the second clutch reaches the fourth torque level.

20. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:

controlling engine torque by controlling at least one of a throttle, a plurality of fuel injectors, and a plurality of spark plugs.

21. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:

maintaining output torque of the automatic transmission at a constant level before, during, and after the shift operation.

22. The method of claim 12 , wherein the driver input corresponds to a position of an accelerator pedal, and wherein the position of the accelerator pedal is at least partially depressed during the shift operation.

Assignments (8)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2014
From: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 034185/0789 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 10, 2011
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 025781/0299 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 8, 2010
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 025324/0555 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 5, 2010
From: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025315/0091 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 4, 2010
From: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025246/0056 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 25, 2010
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 023989/0155 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 25, 2010
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
Reel/Frame 023990/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 4, 2009
From: BAI, SHUSHAN
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 023046/0825 →