Abstract: An improved control for an automatic transmission upshift, wherein the engine output torque and on-coming clutch pressure are coordinated during the shift based on an inverse dynamic model of the transmission to achieve a desired output torque trajectory. The desired output torque trajectory is influenced by operator demand, and an initial value of the desired output torque trajectory is used along with the engine output torque to develop an input acceleration trajectory. The inverse dynamic model of the transmission is used (1) to determine an engine torque command that will achieve both the input acceleration trajectory and the desired output torque trajectory, and (2) to determine a feed-forward pressure command for the on-coming clutch that will produce the input acceleration trajectory, given the engine torque command.

Abstract: An improved control for an automatic transmission closed-throttle downshift, wherein closed-throttle engine torque is used to raise the transmission input speed to the synchronous speed of the target speed ratio, and wherein the on-coming clutch is controlled in a manner to complete the shift with minimum driveline torque disturbance in spite of clutch control variability. The invention includes a primary on-coming clutch control for completing the downshift when the input speed reaches the synchronous speed, and a contingent on-coming clutch control that is initiated if shift completion is not achieved by the primary control, the contingent control being effective to re-establish input speed synchronization and thereupon engage the on-coming clutch to complete the shift.

Abstract: An improved control for an automatic transmission garage shift, wherein a dynamic model of the transmission is used to estimate the transmission input torque during the shift and to schedule the on-coming clutch pressure in accordance with the estimated input torque to achieve a desired input shaft trajectory. The transmission input torque is estimated based on two different methodologies —one suited to steady-state engine idle conditions, and the other suited to engine output torque transient conditions. A fuzzy summation of the input torques provided by the two methodologies is utilized in transitions between the two conditions. Shift quality variations due to variations in mechanical and/or hydraulic stiffness are minimized by a pause or hold interval inserted between the end of the fill period and the initiation of on-coming clutch pressure control, which results in a reasonably consistent degree of perceived transmission-to-transmission hydraulic and mechanical compliance.

Abstract: An improved control for an automatic transmission upshift, wherein the on-coming clutch pressure (Ponc) is scheduled during the torque and inertia phases of the shift in accordance with the summation of feed-forward and feed-back control terms, the feed-forward control term being developed using an inverse dynamic model of the transmission. The feed-forward control term is determined by developing a desired acceleration trajectory of the input shaft, and periodically applying the acceleration trajectory to the inverse dynamic model to obtain an estimate of the required on-coming clutch pressure, given the transmission input torque. The feed-back control term is based on a comparison of the expected input speed response with the actual input speed response, and corrects for modeling errors in the feed-forward control, providing disturbance rejection and improved command following.

Abstract: An improved transmission upshift control in which the off-going clutch is controlled to emulate the behavior of an ideal free-wheel device to thereby achieve nearly ideal timing of the off-going clutch disengagement relative to the on-coming clutch engagement. During the preparation phase of the shift, the off-going pressure is reduced in proportion to the estimated volume of fluid supplied to the on-coming clutch such that the off-going pressure is at a calibrated value when the on-coming clutch is filled. However, the calibrated value is adjusted upward in direct relation to the transmission input torque above a given level so as to emulate the reaction torque that would be exerted by an ideal free-wheel device for maintaining the current speed ratio. The torque phase of the control commences when the estimated volume indicates that the on-coming clutch is completely filled.

Abstract: An improved engine torque control for an automatic transmission power-on downshift, wherein a dynamic model of the transmission is used to schedule both shift progression and engine torque reduction based on a desired trajectory of the transmission input shaft during the shift and the driver torque demand. The shift is initiated with the off-going clutch by using the dynamic model to conform the input speed to the desired trajectory, and the torque reduction is initiated based on an estimate of the time to synchronization relative to an expected control delay so that the torque reduction occurs when the input speed reaches synchronization. An appropriate torque reduction amount is calibrated for a specified driver torque demand, and in operation, the amount of torque reduction for a given shift is determined based on the current driver torque demand and a detected deviation of the desired trajectory from a nominal trajectory corresponding to the specified driver torque demand.

Abstract: An improved speed indication method for a sensor that develops one or more electrical pulses per unit movement of a movable part, wherein the indicated speed is based on the number of speed pulses generated per unit time, but is constrained by a limit function based on the time elapsed without the generation of a speed pulse. When the pulse generation rate falls below the update rate of the speed indication, a maximum possible speed based on the duration of the “no pulse interval” is computed, and the indicated speed is reduced based on the computed maximum. When the next pulse occurs, the speed indication is updated based on the lower of a new speed calculation and the computed maximum speed. If speed pulses continue to be received, the computed maximum is no longer used as a limit, and the speed indication is updated in accordance with the pulse based speed calculation.

Abstract: An improved shift control for a hydraulic automatic transmission in which the apply chamber of an on-coming clutch is filled in the preparation phase of the shift using a hydraulic flow rate model to estimate the volume of hydraulic fluid supplied to the apply chamber. In an initial portion of the fill interval, fluid is supplied to the apply chamber at a first elevated pressure, while continuously updating the fluid volume estimate. When the remaining un-filled volume of the apply chamber reaches a reference volume, the supply pressure is reduced to a second pressure at which the next phase of the shift is to be carried out. When the chamber volume is filled, the torque capacity of the clutch rises to a level corresponding to the second pressure, and the next phase of the shift automatically ensues.

Abstract: An improved force motor current control including feed-forward and feed-back control terms summed to determine a force motor activation for achieving a current command. The feed-forward control term estimates the force motor activation required to achieve the current command, based on the force motor temperature, the system voltage and a model of the force motor circuit. The feed-back control term compares an expected response to the actual response and develops a control term that corrects for modeling errors, providing disturbance rejection and improved command following. The closed-loop feedback error is used to enable adaptive correction of the feed-forward control so that the estimated force motor activation more nearly produces the commanded current.