Method and apparatus for controlling torque capacity in torque transmitting devices

Claim 2

In a control for an engageable torque transmitting device including a rotary member subject to acceleration during engagement of the device, the combination comprising pressure responsive means for engaging the torque transmitting device, and control means regulating the pressure responsive means during engagement of the torque transmitting device for establishing a desired acceleration of the rotary member according to a predetermined program, the control means including acceleration sensing means for sensing the acceleration of the rotary member, pressure requesting means for requesting a pressure in excess of that required to achieve the desired acceleration, so that partial engagement of the device is rapidly effected and an acceleration of the rotary member occurs, acceleration responsive means operatively connected with the acceleration sensing means actuated by a predetermined acceleration of the rotary member for rapidly decreasing the requested pressure as a function of the acceleration to approximate that pressure required to achieve the desired acceleration, and means for varying the pressure according to the difference between the desired acceleration and the actual acceleration to accurately regulate the acceleration of the rotary member to the programmed acceleration.

Claim 3

In a control for an engageable torque transmitting device for smoothly establishing drive between driving and driven members, the combination comprising pressure responsive means for engaging the torque transmitting device, and control means regulating the pressure responsive means during engagement of the torque transmitting device for establishing a desired acceleration of the driving member according to a predetermined program, the control means including acceleration sensing means for sensing the acceleration of the driving member, pressure requesting means for requesting a pressure in excess of that required to achieve the desired acceleration so that partial engagement of the device is rapidly effected and an acceleration of the driving member occurs, acceleration responsive means operatively connected with the acceleration sensing means actuated by a predetermined acceleration of the driving member for rapidly decreasing the requested pressure as a function of the acceleration to establish the approximate pressure required to achieve the desired acceleration, and means for varying the pressure according to the difference between the desired acceleration and the actual acceleration to accurately regulate the acceleration of the driving member to the programmed acceleration.

Claim 4

In a control for an engageable torque transmitting device for smoothly establishing drive between driving and driven members, the combination comprising pressure responsive means for engaging the torque transmitting device, and control means regulating the pressure responsive means during engagement of the torque transmitting device for establishing a desired acceleration of the driving member according to a predetermined program, the control means including acceleration sensing means for sensing the acceleration of the driving member, pressure requesting means for requesting a pressure in excess of that required to achieve the desired acceleration so that partial engagement of the device is rapidly effected and an acceleration of the driving member occurs, acceleration responsive means operatively connected with the acceleration sensing means actuated by a predetermined acceleration of the driving member for rapidly decreasing the requested pressure as a function of the acceleration to establish the approximate pressure required to achieve the desired acceleration, and means for varying the pressure according to the difference between the desired acceleration and the actual acceleration to accurately regulate the acceleration of the driving member to the programmed acceleration.

Claim 5

In a control for an engageable torque transmitting device for smoothly establishing drive between driving and driven members, the combination comprising pressure responsive means for engaging the torque transmitting device, and electronic control means regulating the pressure responsive means during engagement of the torque transmitting device for establishing a desired acceleration of the driving member according to a predetermined program, the control means including sensor means for electrically sensing acceleration of the driving member, command means for producing a command signal requesting engagement of the device, electronic programming means responsive to the command signal for producing a programmed desired acceleration signal, means for requesting a pressure in excess of that required to achieve the desired acceleration so that partial engagement of the device is rapidly effected and an acceleration of the driving member occurs, means responsive to the sensor means actuated by a predetermined acceleration of the driving member to rapidly decrease the requested pressure as a function of the acceleration to establish the approximate pressure required to achieve the desired acceleration, and means responsive to the sensor means and the programming means for varying the pressure according to the time integral of the difference between the programmed desired acceleration and the actual acceleration to accurately regulate the acceleration of the driving member to the programmed desired acceleration.

Claim 6

In a control for an engageable torque transmitting device for smoothly establishing drive between driving and driven members, the combination comprising pressure responsive means for engaging the torque transmitting device, and electronic control means regulating the pressure responsive means during engagement of the torque transmitting device for establishing a desired acceleration of the driving member according to a predetermined program, the control means including sensor means for electrically sensing acceleration of the driving member, command means for producing a command signal requesting engagement of the device, electronic programming means responsive to the command signal for producing a programmed desired acceleration signal, means for requesting a pressure in excess of that required to achieve the desired acceleration so that partial engagement of the device is rapidly effected and an acceleration of the driving member occurs, means responsive to the sensor means actuated by a predetermined acceleration of the driving member to rapidly decrease the requested pressure as a function of the acceleration to establish the approximate pressure required to achieve the desired acceleration, and means responsive to the sensor means and the programming means for varying the pressure according to the time integral of the difference between the programmed desired acceleration and the actual acceleration to accurately regulate the acceleration of the driving member to the programmed desired acceleration.

Claim 7

In a multi-ratio transmission having a pair of selectively engageable torque transmitting devices, pressure responsive means for engaging one of the devices and disengaging the other of the devices for effecting a ratio change and a rotary member subject to acceleration during a ratio change, control means regulating the pressure responsive means during engagement and disengagement of the torque transmitting devices, the control means including command means for producing a command signal requesting a ratio change, programming means responsive to the command signal for producing a programmed desired acceleration of the rotary member, means effective during an initial shift phase for requesting a pressure on the engaging device in excess of that required to achieve the programmed acceleration, the pressure required to achieve the programmed acceleration being achieved after a time delay period due to slow initial response of the pressure responsive means, means effective at least during the time delay period for modulating the pressure on the disengaging device as a function of rotation of the rotary member, means effective after the initial shift phase actuated by a predetermined acceleration of the rotary member to rapidly decrease the requested pressure on the engaging device as a function of acceleration of the rotary member to establish the approximate pressure required to achieve the programmed acceleration, means for varying the pressure on one of the devices according to the difference between the programmed acceleration and the actual acceleration to accurately regulate the acceleration of the rotary member to the programmed acceleration, and means for removing the pressure on the disengaging device when the engaging device assumes control of the rotary member acceleration.

Claim 8

In a multi-ratio transmission having a pair of selectively engageable torque transmitting devices, pressure responsive means for engaging one of the devices and disengaging the other of the devices for effecting a ratio change and a rotary member subject to acceleration during a ratio change, control means regulating the pressure responsive means during engagement and disengagement of the torque transmitting devices, the control means including command means for producing a command signal requesting a ratio change, programming means responsive to the command signal for producing a programmed desired acceleration of the rotary member, means effective during an initial shift phase for requesting a pressure on the engaging device in excess of that required to achieve the programmed acceleration, the pressure required to achieve the programmed acceleration being achieved after a time delay period due to slow initial response of the pressure responsive means, means effective at least during the time delay period for modulating the pressure on the disengaging device as a function of rotation of the rotary member, means effective after the initial shift phase actuated by a predetermined acceleration of the rotary member to rapidly decrease the requested pressure on the engaging device as a function of acceleration of the rotary member to establish the approximate pressure required to achieve the programmed acceleration, means for varying the pressure on one of the devices according to the difference between the programmed acceleration and the actual acceleration to accurately regulate the acceleration of the rotary member to the programmed acceleration, and means for removing the pressure on the disengaging device when the engaging device assumes control of the rotary member acceleration.

Claim 9

In a multi-ratio transmission having a driving input member, a driven output member, a pair of selectively engageable torque transmitting devices, and pressure responsive means for engaging one of the devices and disengaging the other of the devices for effecting a ratio change, control means regulating the pressure responsive means during engagement and disengagement of the torque transmitting devices for establishing an acceleration of one of the members according to a programmed acceleration, the control means including means effective during an initial shift phase for requesting a pressure on the engaging device in exCess of that required to achieve the programmed acceleration, the pressure required to achieve the programmed acceleration being achieved after a time delay period due to slow initial response of the pressure responsive means, means effective at least during the time delay period for modulating the pressure on the disengaging device as a function of acceleration of the one member to permit limited acceleration of the one member, means effective after the initial shift phase actuated by a predetermined acceleration of the one member to rapidly decrease the requested pressure on the engaging device as a function of acceleration of the one member to establish the approximate pressure required to achieve the programmed acceleration, means for varying the pressure on one of the devices according to the difference between the programmed acceleration and the actual acceleration to accurately regulate the acceleration of the one member to the programmed acceleration, and means for gradually removing the pressure on the disengaging device when the engaging device assumes control of the one member acceleration.

Claim 10

In a multi-ratio transmission having a driving input member, a driven output member, a pair of selectively engageable torque transmitting devices, and pressure responsive means for engaging one of the devices and disengaging the other of the devices for effecting a ratio change, control means regulating the pressure responsive means during engagement and disengagement of the torque transmitting devices for establishing an acceleration of one of the members according to a programmed acceleration, the control means including means effective during an initial shift phase for requesting a pressure on the engaging device in exCess of that required to achieve the programmed acceleration, the pressure required to achieve the programmed acceleration being achieved after a time delay period due to slow initial response of the pressure responsive means, means effective at least during the time delay period for modulating the pressure on the disengaging device as a function of acceleration of the one member to permit limited acceleration of the one member, means effective after the initial shift phase actuated by a predetermined acceleration of the one member to rapidly decrease the requested pressure on the engaging device as a function of acceleration of the one member to establish the approximate pressure required to achieve the programmed acceleration, means for varying the pressure on one of the devices according to the difference between the programmed acceleration and the actual acceleration to accurately regulate the acceleration of the one member to the programmed acceleration, and means for gradually removing the pressure on the disengaging device when the engaging device assumes control of the one member acceleration.

Claim 11

In a multi-ratio transmission having a driving input member, a pair of selectively engageable torque transmitting devices, and pressure responsive means for engaging one of the devices and disengaging the other of the devices for effecting a ratio change, control means regulating the pressure responsive means during engagement and disengagement of the torque transmitting devices for establishing a deceleration of the driving member according to an upshift programmed deceleration, the control means including programming means operative within a prescribed range of speed of the driving member for varying the desired deceleration according to the speed of the driving member for decreasing the desired deceleration as speed decreases, means effective during an initial upshift phase for requesting a pressure on the engaging device in excess of that required to achieve the programmed deceleration, the pressure required to achieve the programmed acceleration being achieved after a time delay period due to slow initial response of the pressure responsive means, means effective at least during the time delay period for decreasing the pressure on the disengaging device and then modulating the pressure as a function of acceleration of the driving member to permit limited positive acceleration of the driving member, and including means actuated upon a predetermined deceleration of the driving member for gradually removing pressure in the disengaging device, means effective after the initial upshift phase actuated by a predetermined deceleration of the driving member to rapidly decrease the requested pressure on the engaging device as a function of the driving member deceleration to establish the approximate pressure required to achieve the programmed deceleration, and means for varying the pressure on the engaging device as a function of the difference between the programmed deceleration and the actual deceleration to accurately regulate the deceleration of the driving member to the programmed deceleration.

Claim 12

In a multi-ratio transmission having a driving input member, a pair of selectively engageable torque transmitting devices, and pressure responsive means for engaging one of the devices and disengaging the other of the devices for effecting a ratio change, control means regulating the pressure responsive means during engagement and disengagement of the torque transmitting devices for establishing a deceleration of the driving member according to an upshift programmed deceleration, the control means including programming means operative within a prescribed range of speed of the driving member for varying the desired deceleration according to the speed of the driving member for decreasing the desired deceleration as speed decreases, means effective during an initial upshift phase for requesting a pressure on the engaging device in excess of that required to achieve the programmed deceleration, the pressure required to achieve the programmed acceleration being achieved after a time delay period due to slow initial response of the pressure responsive means, means effective at least during the time delay period for decreasing the pressure on the disengaging device and then modulating the pressure as a function of acceleration of the driving member to permit limited positive acceleration of the driving member, and including means actuated upon a predetermined deceleration of the driving member for gradually removing pressure in the disengaging device, means effective after the initial upshift phase actuated by a predetermined deceleration of the driving member to rapidly decrease the requested pressure on the engaging device as a function of the driving member deceleration to establish the approximate pressure required to achieve the programmed deceleration, and means for varying the pressure on the engaging device as a function of the difference between the programmed deceleration and the actual deceleration to accurately regulate the deceleration of the driving member to the programmed deceleration.

Claim 13

In a multi-ratio transmission having a driving input member, a pair of selectively engageable torque transmitting devices, and pressure responsive means for engaging one of the devices and disengaging the other of the devices for effecting a ratio change, control means regulating the pressure responsive means during engagement and disengagement of the torque transmitting devices for establishing a desired positive acceleration of the driving member according to a programmed downshift positive acceleration, the control means including means effective during an initial downshift phase for requesting a pressure on the engaging device in excess of that required to achieve the programmed positive acceleration, the pressure required to achieve the programmed acceleration being achieved after a time delay period due to slow initial rEsponse of the pressure responsive means, means effective at least during the time delay period for decreasing the pressure on the disengaging device and then modulating the pressure as a function of acceleration of the driving member to permit limited positive acceleration of the driving member, and including means for gradually removing the pressure on the disengaging device when the engaging device assumes control of the driving member acceleration, means effective after the initial shift phase actuated by a predetermined positive acceleration of the driving member to rapidly decrease the requested pressure on the engaging device as a function of the driving member acceleration to establish the approximate pressure required to achieve the programmed positive acceleration, and means for varying the pressure on one of the devices as a function of the difference between the programmed acceleration and the actual acceleration to accurately regulate the acceleration of the driving member to the programmed acceleration.

Claim 14

In a multi-ratio transmission having a driving input member, a pair of selectively engageable torque transmitting devices, and pressure responsive means for engaging one of the devices and disengaging the other of the devices for effecting a ratio change, control means regulating the pressure responsive means during engagement and disengagement of the torque transmitting devices for establishing a desired positive acceleration of the driving member according to a programmed downshift positive acceleration, the control means including means effective during an initial downshift phase for requesting a pressure on the engaging device in excess of that required to achieve the programmed positive acceleration, the pressure required to achieve the programmed acceleration being achieved after a time delay period due to slow initial rEsponse of the pressure responsive means, means effective at least during the time delay period for decreasing the pressure on the disengaging device and then modulating the pressure as a function of acceleration of the driving member to permit limited positive acceleration of the driving member, and including means for gradually removing the pressure on the disengaging device when the engaging device assumes control of the driving member acceleration, means effective after the initial shift phase actuated by a predetermined positive acceleration of the driving member to rapidly decrease the requested pressure on the engaging device as a function of the driving member acceleration to establish the approximate pressure required to achieve the programmed positive acceleration, and means for varying the pressure on one of the devices as a function of the difference between the programmed acceleration and the actual acceleration to accurately regulate the acceleration of the driving member to the programmed acceleration.

Claim 15

In a multi-ratio transmission having a driving input member, a pair of selectively engageable torque transmitting friction devices, and hydraulic pressure responsive means for engaging one of the devices and disengaging the other of the devices for effecting a ratio change, electronic control means regulating the pressure responsive means during engagement and disengagement of the torque transmitting devices for establishing an acceleration of the driving member according to a programmed acceleration, the control means including sensor means for electrically determining the acceleration of the driving input member, command means for producing a command signal requesting a ratio change, electronic programming means responsive to the command signal for producing a programmed desired acceleration signal, means effective during an initial shift phase for requesting a pressure on the engaging device in excess of that required to achieve the programmed desired acceleration, the pressure required to achieve the programmed acceleration being achieved after a time delay period due to slow initial response of the pressure responsive means, means responsive to the sensor means and effective at least during the time delay period for decreasing the pressure on the disengaging device to effect partial disengagement and modulating the pressure as a function of acceleration of the driving member to limit the acceleration of the driving member, means responsive to the sensor means and effective after the initial shift phase actuated by a predetermined acceleration of the driving member to rapidly decrease the requested pressure on the engaging device as a function of the driving member acceleration to establish the approximate pressure required to achieve the programmed acceleration, means responsive to the sensor means and the programming means for comparing the programmed acceleration and the actual acceleration of one of the members and for integrating the difference and varying the pressure on the engaging device according to the integrated difference to accurately regulate the acceleration of the one member to the programmed acceleration, and means for gradually removing the pressure on the disengaging device when the engaging device assumes control of the driving member acceleration.

Claim 16

In a multi-ratio transmission having a driving input member, a pair of selectively engageable torque transmitting friction devices, and hydraulic pressure responsive means for engaging one of the devices and disengaging the other of the devices for effecting a ratio change, electronic control means regulating the pressure responsive means during engagement and disengagement of the torque transmitting devices for establishing an acceleration of the driving member according to a programmed acceleration, the control means including sensor means for electrically determining the acceleration of the driving input member, command means for producing a command signal requesting a ratio change, electronic programming means responsive to the command signal for producing a programmed desired acceleration signal, means effective during an initial shift phase for requesting a pressure on the engaging device in excess of that required to achieve the programmed desired acceleration, the pressure required to achieve the programmed acceleration being achieved after a time delay period due to slow initial response of the pressure responsive means, means responsive to the sensor means and effective at least during the time delay period for decreasing the pressure on the disengaging device to effect partial disengagement and modulating the pressure as a function of acceleration of the driving member to limit the acceleration of the driving member, means responsive to the sensor means and effective after the initial shift phase actuated by a predetermined acceleration of the driving member to rapidly decrease the requested pressure on the engaging device as a function of the driving member acceleration to establish the approximate pressure required to achieve the programmed acceleration, means responsive to the sensor means and the programming means for comparing the programmed acceleration and the actual acceleration of one of the members and for integrating the difference and varying the pressure on the engaging device according to the integrated difference to accurately regulate the acceleration of the one member to the programmed acceleration, and means for gradually removing the pressure on the disengaging device when the engaging device assumes control of the driving member acceleration.