Engine output torque control for powertrain with engageable positive clutches

A system for controlling a vehicular powertrain system (10) comprising a fuel-controlled engine (12), an engine controller for controlling fueling of the engine (40), a multiple-speed transmission (14) having two or more ratios engaged and disengaged by positive jaw clutches (60), said jaw clutches including relatively axially movable first (62) and second (64) jaw clutch members carrying interengageable jaw clutch teeth (62A, 64A), said members relatively axially movable from a disengaged position to (a) a low degree of engagement position wherein said clutch teeth are in minimal engagement (FIG. 2A), and (b) a high degree of engagement position wherein said clutch teeth are at substantially maximum engagement (FIG. 2C), and a controller (26) communicating over an electronic data link (DL), for receiving input signals (24) and processing same according to logic rules to issue command output signals to system actuators including said engine controller, said logic rules including rules for:

• (i) sensing engaged transmission ratio;
• (ii) determining a reference degree of jaw clutch engagement;
• (iii) sensing the degree of engagement of a jaw clutch associated with the engaged transmission ratio;
• (iv) comparing said sensed degree of jaw clutch engagement to said reference value;
• and
• (v) until said sensed degree of engagement exceeds said reference degree of engagement, continuously limiting output torque of said engine.

A method for controlling a vehicular powertrain system (10) comprising a fuel-controlled engine (12), an engine controller for controlling fueling of the engine (40), a multiple-speed transmission (14) having two or more ratios engaged and disengaged by positive jaw clutches (60), said jaw clutches including relatively axially movable first (62) and second (64) jaw clutch members carrying interengageable jaw clutch teeth (62A, 64A), said members relatively axially movable from a disengaged position to (a) a low degree of engagement position wherein said clutch teeth are in minimal engagement (FIG. 2A), and (b) a high degree of engagement position wherein said clutch teeth are at substantially maximum engagement (FIG. 2C), and a controller (26) for receiving input signals (24) and processing same according to logic rules to issue command output signals to system actuators including said engine controller, said method comprising:

• (i) sensing engaged transmission ratio;
• (ii) sensing the degree of engagement of a jaw clutch associated with the engaged transmission ratio and determining whether the degree of engagement of the jaw clutch is less than substantially maximum engagement of the jaw clutch;
• (iii) upon determining that the degree of engagement of the jaw clutch is less than substantially maximum engagement of the jaw clutch, directly limiting output torque of said engine.

A method for controlling a vehicular powertrain system (10) comprising a fuel-controlled engine (12), an engine controller for controlling fueling of the engine (40), a multiple-speed transmission (14) having two or more ratios engaged and disengaged by positive jaw clutches (60), said jaw clutches including relatively axially movable first (62) and second (64) jaw clutch members carrying interengageable jaw clutch teeth (62A, 64A), said members relatively axially movable from a disengaged position to (a) a low degree of engagement position wherein said clutch teeth are in minimal engagement (FIG. 2A), and (b) a high degree of engagement position wherein said clutch teeth are at substantially maximum engagement (FIG. 2C), and a controller (26) for receiving input signals (24) and processing same according to logic rules to issue command output signals to system actuators including said engine controller, said method comprising:

• (i) sensing engaged transmission ratio;
• (ii) sensing the degree of engagement of a jaw clutch associated with the engaged transmission ratio and determining whether the degree of engagement of the jaw clutch is less than substantially maximum engagement of the jaw clutch;
• (iii) limiting the output torque of the engine during the entire period during which the degree of engagement of the jaw clutch is less than substantially maximum engagement of the jaw clutch.

A system for controlling a vehicular powertrain system (10) comprising a fuel-controlled engine (12), an engine controller for controlling fueling of the engine (40), a multiple-speed transmission (14) having two or more ratios engaged and disengaged by positive jaw clutches (60), said jaw clutches including relatively axially movable first (62) and second (64) jaw clutch members carrying interengageable jaw clutch teeth (62A, 64A), said members relatively axially movable from a disengaged position to (a) a low degree of engagement (FIG. 2A), and (b) a high degree of engagement position wherein said clutch teeth are at substantially maximum engagement (FIG. 2C), and a controller (26) for receiving input signals (24) and processing same according to logic rules to issue command output signals to system actuators including said engine controller, said logic rules including rules for:

• (i) sensing engaged transmission ratio;
• (ii) sensing less than substantially maximum engagement of a jaw clutch associated with the engaged transmission ratio;
• and
• (iii) upon sensing less than substantially maximum engagement of the jaw clutch, directly limiting output torque of said engine.

A system for controlling a vehicular powertrain system (10) comprising a fuel-controlled engine (12), an engine controller for controlling fueling of the engine (40), a multiple-speed transmission (14) having two or more ratios engaged and disengaged by positive jaw clutches (60), said jaw clutches including relatively axially movable first (62) and second (64) jaw clutch members carrying interengageable jaw clutch teeth (62A, 64A), said members relatively axially movable from a disengaged position to (a) a low degree of engagement (FIG. 2A), and (b) a high degree of engagement position wherein said clutch teeth are at substantially maximum engagement (FIG. 2C), and a controller (26) for receiving input signals (24) and processing same according to logic rules to issue command output signals to system actuators including said engine controller, said logic rules including rules for:

• (i) sensing engaged transmission ratio;
• (ii) sensing less than substantially maximum engagement of a jaw clutch associated with the engaged transmission ratio;
• and
• (iii) limiting output torque of said engine during the entire period of sensed less than substantially maximum engagement of the jaw clutch.