Method for Managing Engine Torque During a Gear Shift in an Automatic Shift Manual Transmission

Abstract

A method and system for controlling output torque of an internal combustion engine during a gearshift in an automatic shift manual transmission coupled to the engine is disclosed. The transmission includes a multiplicity of gears and a clutch actuated by a transmission control unit (TCU), which controls clutch disengagement, gear change, and clutch re-engagement. The engine includes an engine control unit in communication with the TCU. The method includes determining engine operator demanded engine torque; sending a signal to the engine control unit in response to actuation of the clutch; and, computing in the engine control unit in response to the sent clutch actuation signal and the determined engine operator demanded engine torque, a control signal for the engine, such engine, in response to such control signal changing engine torque during the gear change to substantially match demanded engine torque when the clutch is re-engaged.

1 - 24 . (canceled)  
   
   
       25 . A method for controlling output torque of an internal combustion engine during a gearshift event such torque being controlled by fuel injectors coupled to engine cylinders and an electronically controlled throttle valve disposed in an engine intake, such method comprising: 
 reducing a fuel pulse width commanded to at least one fuel injector to substantially zero in response to a signal indicating initiation of a torque reduction phase of the gearshift event said gearshift occurring in an automatic shift manual transmission coupled to the engine.    
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25  wherein said operator demanded torque is based on a position of an accelerator pedal, said accelerator pedal and the engine being disposed in an automotive vehicle and being electronically coupled to an engine control unit.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 25  wherein said signal is transmitted by a transmission control unit electronically coupled to the transmission to an engine control unit electronically coupled to the engine and said transmission control unit, said transmission comprises a plurality of gears and a clutch.  
   
   
       28 . (canceled)  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising: closing the throttle valve during said torque reduction phase of the gearshift event when some injectors are being commanded a nonzero fuel pulse width.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 55 , further comprising: maintaining said throttle valve substantially at said new position during said torque restoration phase of the gearshift event when all injectors have a zero pulse width.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 55 , further comprising: increasing pulse width commanded to at least one fuel injector in response to a second signal.  
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 31  wherein said second signal is received from a transmission control unit electronically coupled to the transmission, said transmission comprises a plurality of gears and a clutch, and said second signal occurs when a gear selection and synchronization phase of the gearshift event is complete.  
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 31  wherein a desired torque trajectory during a torque restoration phase of the gearshift event is received from a transmission control unit coupled to the transmission and said portion of the fuel injectors in which the fuel pulse width is increased is based on roughly achieving said desired torque trajectory.  
   
   
       34 . (canceled)  
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 29  wherein the engine has spark plugs disposed in engine cylinders, the method further comprising: adjusting spark advance timing commanded to said spark plugs to substantially achieve said torque trajectory.  
   
   
       36 - 51 . (canceled)  
   
   
       52 . 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 gearshift event, such torque being controlled by fuel injectors coupled to engine cylinders and an electronically controlled throttle valve disposed in an engine intake, such storage media comprising: 
 instructions to reduce a fuel pulse width commanded to at least one fuel injector to substantially zero in response to a signal indicating initiation of a torque reduction phase of the gearshift event said gearshift occurring in a automatic shift manual transmission coupled to the engine.    
   
   
       53 - 54 . (canceled)  
   
   
       55 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising: 
 forecasting an operator demanded engine torque at the end of the shift event;    determining a new throttle position to provide said demanded engine torque; and    actuating the throttle valve to assume said new position in response to said signal.    
   
   
       56 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising: 
 closing the throttle valve during said torque reduction phase of the gearshift event when all injectors are being commanded a nonzero fuel pulse width;    forecasting an operator demanded engine torque at the end of the shift event;    determining a new throttle position to provide said demanded engine torque; and    actuating the throttle valve to assume said new throttle position in response to all injectors being commanded a zero fuel pulse width, said actuation following said closing.    
   
   
       57 . The computer media of  claim 52 , further comprising: 
 instructions to forecast an operator demanded engine torque at the end of the shift event;    instructions to determine a new throttle position to provide said demanded engine torque; and    instructions to adjust the throttle valve to said new throttle position in response to said signal wherein said adjustment of said throttle valve occurs in response to a condition in which all injectors are disabled.    
   
   
       58 . The computer media of  claim 52 , further comprising: 
 instructions to close said throttle valve when at least one injector is commanded a nonzero pulse width;    instructions to forecast an operator demanded engine torque at the end of the shift event;    instructions to determine a new throttle position to provide said demanded engine torque; and    instructions to adjust the throttle valve to said new throttle position in response to said signal wherein said adjustment of said throttle valve occurs in response to a condition in which all injectors are disabled.    
   
   
       59 . The computer media of  claim 52 , further comprising: 
 instructions to increase pulse width commanded to at least one fuel injector, said fuel injector having a zero pulse width prior to said command, during a torque restoration phase of the gearshift event.    
   
   
       60 . The computer media of  claim 59  wherein said torque restoration phase occurs after said torque reduction phase.  
   
   
       61 . The computer media of  claim 60  wherein a gear selection phase of the gearshift event occurs between said torque restoration phase and said torque reduction phase.  
   
   
       62 . A method for controlling output torque of an internal combustion engine during a gearshift event such torque being controlled by fuel injectors coupled to engine cylinders and an electronically controlled throttle valve disposed in an engine intake, such method comprising: 
 reducing a fuel pulse width commanded to at least one fuel injector to zero during a torque reduction phase of the gearshift event occurring in an automatic shift manual transmission coupled to the engine; and    repeating said reducing to turn off other fuel injectors.    
   
   
       63 . The method of  claim 62 , further comprising: 
 closing the throttle valve during said torque reduction phase when at least one fuel injector is commanded a nonzero pulse width.    
   
   
       64 . The method of  claim 62 , further comprising: 
 forecasting an operator demanded engine torque at the end of the shift event;    determining a new throttle position to provide said demanded engine torque; and    actuating the throttle valve to assume said new position in response to said signal when all of the injectors are being commanded a zero pulse width.    
   
   
       65 . The method of  claim 62 , further comprising: 
 commanding a positive pulse width to at least one fuel injector following a gear selection phase of the gearshift event; and    repeating said commanding until all fuel injectors are being commanded a positive fuel pulse width.