Clutch control for automated manual transmission (AMT)
AssigneeGeneral Motors Corporation
InventorDouglas J. Babcock
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims12
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.
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.
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.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.