Method for managing engine torque during a gear shift in an automatic shift manual transmission

A method for controlling output torque of an internal combustion engine during a gearshift event such torque being controlled by an electronically controlled throttle valve disposed in an engine intake, such method comprising:

• forecasting a throttle valve position to achieve a desired torque reduction;
• actuating the throttle valve to position the throttle valve to said forecasted throttle valve position in response to a signal indicating initiation of a torque reduction phase of the gearshift event;
• determining a desired torque in a transmission control unit coupled to said transmission;
• and
• retarding spark timing of spark plugs disposed in engine cylinders during a first part of the torque reduction phase and advancing spark timing during a second part of the torque reduction phase to reduce to substantially zero, a difference between the desired torque and the output torque during most of the torque reduction phase.

A method for controlling output torque of an internal combustion engine during a torque restoration phase of a gearshift event, such output torque being controlled by an electronically controlled throttle valve disposed in an engine intake, such method comprising:

• forecasting a throttle position desired at the end of said torque restoration phase of the gearshift event, said forecasting occurring prior to initiation of said torque restoration phase;
• adjusting the throttle valve to said forecasted throttle position in response to a signal indicating initiation of said torque restoration phase of the gearshift event wherein said gearshift occurs in an automatic shift manual transmission coupled to the engine;
• determining a desired torque increase in a transmission control unit coupled to said transmission wherein said throttle valve adjustment adjusts the output torque;
• and
• employing fast actuators to reduce to substantially zero a difference between the desired torque and the output torque before the end of the torque restoration phase.

A method for controlling output torque of an internal combustion engine during a gearshift event, such torque being controlled by an electronically controlled throttle valve disposed in an engine intake and spark timing of spark plugs disposed in engine cylinders, such method comprising;

• forecasting a throttle valve position capable of achieving a desired torque reduction during a torque reduction phase of the gearshift event in response to initiation of the gearshift event in an automatic shift manual transmission coupled to the engine;
• actuating the throttle valve to assume said throttle position;
• determining a desired torque in a transmission control unit coupled to said transmission;
• and
• retarding spark timing of spark plugs during a first part of the torque reduction phase and advancing spark timing during a second part of the torque reduction phase to reduce to substantially zero, a difference between the desired torque and the output torque during most of the torque reduction phase in response to a signal indicating initiation of the gearshift event.

A computer readable storage medium having stored data representing instructions executable by a computer to control output torque of an internal combustion engine during a torque reduction phase of a gearshift event, such torque being controlled by an electronically controlled throttle valve disposed in an engine intake, such storage media comprising:

• instructions to maintain engine torque substantially constant just prior to the gearshift event;
• instructions to forecast a throttle valve position capable of achieving a desired torque reduction in response to a signal indicating initiation of the gearshift event, said desired torque reduction being based on a desired torque during a gear changing phase of the gearshift event, said gearshift event occurring in an automatic shift manual transmission coupled to the engine;
• instructions to determine a desired torque in a transmission control unit coupled to said transmission;
• instructions to actuate the throttle valve to assume said throttle position;
• and
• instructions to retard a spark timing of spark plugs disposed in engine cylinders in response to said signal during a first part of the torque reduction phase and to advance spark timing during a second part of the torque reduction phase to reduce to substantially zero, a difference between the desired torque and the output torque during most of the torque reduction phase.

A computer readable storage medium having stored data representing instructions executable by a computer to control output torque of an internal combustion engine during a torque restoration phase of a gearshift event, such torque being controlled by an electronically controlled throttle valve disposed in an engine intake, such storage media comprising:

• instructions to determine a throttle valve position to achieve a desired torque increase in response to a signal indicating initiation of the torque restoration phase of the gearshift event, such gearshift event occurring in an automatic shift manual transmission coupled to the engine;
• instructions to adjust the throttle valve to said throttle position;
• and
• instructions to control fast actuators to reduce a difference between a desired torque and the output torque to substantially zero before the end of the torque restoration phase.