Hydraulic Pressure Control for Reducing Engagement Shock of Automatic Transmission

The present invention relates to a hydraulic pressure control system for controlling shocks occurring upon engagement of a torque transmitting frictional element that is engaged to effect shifting between gear positions in an automatic transmission.

Vehicular automatic transmissions are known wherein in response to the vehicle operating conditions shifting between gear positions is effected automatically by supplying hydraulic fluid pressure to one or more selected frictional elements. U.S. Pat. No. 4,502,354 (corresponding to JP A-No. 57 47056) discloses a hydraulic pressure control system wherein in order to reduce shift shock during a change in gear position, the hydraulic pressure (a line pressure) for actuating a frictional element is maintained equal to the magnitude of a target hydraulic pressure for a predetermined holding time.

According to this known control system, there is no fine control of the hydraulic fluid pressure during a period when the hydraulic fluid pressure returns to the level of the line pressure so that there occurs a change in transmission output torque during this period and this change is felt as a shift shock.

An object of the present invention is to provide a hydraulic pressure control system which can alleviate a change in transmission output torque when the hydraulic fluid pressure returns to the line pressure.

The present invention is a hydraulic pressure control system for reducing engagement shock of a frictional element in an automatic transmission. The control system comprises a hydraulic pressure generating means in the form of an electromagnetically operated valve for generating a hydraulic pressure supplied to the frictional element, and a control unit for controlling the hydraulic pressure generating means such that the level of the hydraulic pressure generated is adjusted to a target value. In the control unit, a torque difference on the transmission output shaft owing to a shifting operation is determined, the length of time from the beginning of an inertia phase to the end of the inertia phase is determined, the mean rate of change in the torque difference with-respect to the length of time is determined, and the target value is determined such that the torque on the transmission output shaft varies at the mean rate of change during the inertia phase.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an embodiment of a hydraulic pressure control system according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a power train of an automatic transmission associated with the control system;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic sectional view illustrating a proportional type solenoid operated actuator;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the operation of the control system;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the operation of the control system to determine the magnitude of an initial hydraulic pressure and the length of time required for a change between gear positions;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the operation of the control system to determine a target hydraulic fluid pressure;

FIG. 7 shows the relationship between output pressure and input solenoid current which is stored in a ROM of a microcomputer;

FIG. 8 shows performance characteristic curves against a variation in a speed ratio of an input member of the torque converter to an output member thereto, illustrating data stored in the ROM;

FIG. 9 shows the relationship between an inertia compensating hydraulic pressure P.sub.I against a variation of a vehicle speed, illustrating data stored in the ROM; and

FIG. 10 is a timing diagram showing various signals as a function of time.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a hydraulic pressure control system according to the present invention. Reference numeral 2 designates an engine, 3 a hydrodynamic torque transmitting device in the form of a torque converter, and 4 a gear train for an automatic transmission. The torque converter 3 includes a pump impeller 3a drivingly connected to a crankshaft 2a of the engine 2 and a turbine runner 3b drivingly connected via a turbine shaft to a transmission input shaft 4a.

FIG. 2 shows one example of the structure of the gear train 4. As shown in FIG. 2, the automatic transmission is connected to the torque converter 3 via the input shaft 4a, and it comprises a transmission output shaft 4b, a first planetary gear set PG.sub.1, and a second planetary gear set PG.sub.2. The first planetary gear set PG.sub.1 includes a sun gear S.sub.1 connectable via a clutch F.sub.4 to the transmission input shaft 4a, a ring gear R.sub.1, planetary pinions P.sub.1 meshing both with the sun and ring gears S.sub.1 and R.sub.1, and a carrier C.sub.1 rotatably supporting the planetary pinions P.sub.1 The carrier C.sub.1 is connectable via a clutch F.sub.3 to the transmission input shaft 4a. The second planetary gear set 4b includes a sun gear S.sub.2 connected to the transmission input shaft 4a, a ring gear R.sub.2, planetary pinions P.sub.2 meshing both with the sun and ring gears S.sub.2 and R.sub.2, and a carrier C.sub.2 rotatably supporting the planetary pinions P.sub. 2. The carrier C.sub.2 is connected to the ring gear R.sub.1 and also to the transmission output shaft 4b. The carrier C.sub.1 is connectable via a clutch F.sub.2 to the ring gear R.sub.2, it is also connectable via an overrunning clutch F.sub.6 when a clutch F.sub.1 is engaged. A brake F.sub.5 is provided to hold the sun gear S.sub.1 stationary. One-way clutch F.sub.7 is operatively disposed between the carrier C.sub.1 and a stationary portion of the transmission.

The above mentioned frictional elements are engaged and disengaged in a predetermined schedule to provide four forward ratios and one reverse ratio as shown in the following table.

In the above table, the sign "O" indicates that a particular frictional element is engaged, and thus no sign means that the particular frictional element is released. The sign "(O)" means that a particular frictional element is engaged during engine brake operation.

In the hydraulic pressure control system according to the present invention, any of the torque transmitting frictional elements F.sub.1 to F.sub.7 may be hydraulically controlled. In the illustrated embodiment in FIG. 1, clutch F.sub.3 is hydraulically controlled so as to reduce shocks occurring when clutch F.sub.3 is engaged to effect shifting between different gear positions in the automatic transmission. Although not specifically shown in FIG. 1, clutch F.sub.3 is a multi-plate clutch which is designed to be engaged through firm engagement of drive plates 5c and driven plates, only one being shown at 5d, under a bias force by a piston 5b as a result of a stroke of the piston 5b in response to pressure build-up within a cylinder 5a. The clutch F.sub.3 is released as a result of discharge of hydraulic fluid from the cylinder 5a.

A hydraulic fluid supply line 6 is connected to the cylinder 5a. A line fluid pressure designated by arrow L is supplied to the hydraulic fluid supply line 6. An actuator in the form of an electromagnetically operated proportional type valve 7 is installed in the hydraulic fluid supply line 6 to control the flow rate of hydraulic fluid supplied to the cylinder 5a of the clutch F.sub.3. This valve 7 is activated in response to an output signal from a microcomputer-based control unit 8.

The structure of the above mentioned electromagnetically operated valve 7 is diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 3. The electromagnetically operated valve 7 includes a valve body 7a, a spool 7b, and a plunger 7d that is electromagnetically activated by a solenoid 7c. When the plunger 7d is activated, the plunger 7d is moved to the left as viewed in FIG. 3, urging the spool 7b against a biasing action of a spring 7e. The valve body 7a is provided with an inlet port 7f, an outlet port 7g, and a drain port 7h. The inlet port 7f is communicable with a source of line pressure so that hydraulic fluid flows via the inlet port 7f and the outlet port 7g to the cylinder 5a. In the illustrated position of the spool 7b, fluid communication between the outlet port 7g and the inlet port 7f and fluid communication between the outlet port 7g and the drain port 7h are blocked. If the spool 7b is moved from the illustrated position to the left as viewed in FIG. 3, the outlet port 7g is allowed to communicate with the inlet port 7f, allowing the supply of hydraulic fluid to the cylinder 5a of the clutch F.sub.3. If the spool 7b is moved from the illustrated position to the right as viewed in FIG. 3, the outlet port 7g is allowed to communicate with the drain port 7h, allowing the discharge of hydraulic fluid from the cylinder 5a of clutch F.sub.3. As will be noted from the FIG. 3, the hydraulic pressure within the outlet port 7g is applied via an axial bore formed through the spool 7b to a spring chamber where the spring 7e is arranged, thus assisting the spring 7e in biasing the spool 7b to the right in FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 shows the relationship between the output hydraulic pressure P.sub.C generated within the outlet port 7g and the electric current i flowing through the solenoid 7c. As will be noted from this relationship, there is a one-to-one correspondence between the output hydraulic pressure and the electric current flowing through the solenoid 7c.

Referring back to FIG. 1, three rotational speed sensors 10, 12 and 14 are provided. One sensor is an engine crankshaft rotational sensor 10 arranged to measure the rotational speed of the crankshaft 2a, another sensor is a transmission input shaft rotational speed sensor 12 arranged to measure the rotational speed of the transmission input shaft 4a (or the rotational speed of the turbine 3b of the torque converter 3). The other, sensor is a transmission output shaft rotational speed sensor 14 arranged to measure the rotational speed of the transmission output shaft 4b. A hydraulic pressure sensor 15 is arranged to measure the output hydraulic pressure of the electromagnetically operated valve 7. Output signals of sensors 10, 12, 14, and 15 are supplied to the control unit 8. An output signal of the control unit 8 is supplied to the electromagnetically operated valve 7. The control unit 8 includes a microcomputer having a central processor unit 40 (CPU) which operates based on the control program and control data stored in a read only memory 42 (ROM). The output signals of the sensors 10, 12, 14, and 15 are converted by corresponding unillustrated converters (for example A/D converters), respectively, into binary coded values. These binary coded values are stored by a random access memory 44 (RAM) via an input/output interface 46 (abbreviated as I/O). The CPU 40 operates based on the stored data and the stored program within the RAM 44 and ROM 42 so as to control the hydraulic fluid pressure for actuating the frictional elements and generates through the I/O 46 the solenoid drive signal supplied to the solenoid 7c of the electromagnetically operated valve 7.

The mode of operation of the hydraulic pressure control system as mentioned above using the microcomputer will be explained with reference to the flowcharts of control programs shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a program showing an interrupt routine used in cooperation with an unillustrated main program, for controlling the line pressure. The program shown in FIG. 4 operates in response to an interrupt signal which is generated at regular, predetermined intervals, such as 5 msec, by a timer 48.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a program showing a subroutine for determining values of an initial hydraulic pressure P.sub.I and a time T.sub.T required for shifting between gear positions.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a program showing a subroutine for determining a target hydraulic pressure P.sub.T.

The following table sets forth the basic meaning of characteristic address names used in the flowcharts of FIGS. 4, 5, and 6.

Hereinafter, the programs shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 will be explained.

Referring to FIG. 4, in step 30, a decision is made whether the content of address SFLG 1 is set equal to 1. Before proceeding further with explanation of the control programs, a brief explanation will be given how address SFLG 1 is set equal to 1. The microcomputer determines the proper gear position based on output signals of various position sensors provided to detect positions assumed by various shift valves, such as a 1-2 shift valve, a 2-3 shift valve and a 3-4 shift valve. SFLG 1 is set equal to 1 in response to a predetermined change in gear position from one gear to another gear, such as, from the second gear to the third gear. If the above-mentioned shift valves are not used, a gear shift table stored in the ROM 42 is used. The table is utilized to store digital values corresponding to data of gear ratios. The computer utilizes the table to perform a table look-up operation to determine the proper gear as a function of vehicle speed value and throttle opening degree.

In step 30, if the content of the address SFLG I is not equal to 1, the control returns to the main program. If address SFLG I is set equal to 1, the program goes to step 31 where a decision is made whether the content of address G is set equal to the content of the address G.sub.NEW. Although not shown in FIG. 4 for simplicity there are steps to transfer a proper predetermined gear ratio value to address G.sub.NEW corresponding to the gear position determined by the computer, to read output signals of the rotational speed sensors 12 and 14 via the I/O 46 and store the data as digital values in addresses N.sub.T and N.sub.O, respectively, and to calculate N.sub.T /N.sub.O and store the result in address G. A variation in the content of address G is illustrated in FIG. 10. In step 31, if the content of address G is not equal to the content of G.sub.NEW, the program goes to step 32, while if the content of address G is equal to the content of G.sub.NEW, the program goes to step 45. It is readily seen that the content of the address G becomes equal to the content of address G.sub.NEW upon completion of the particular gear shifting operation. In step 32, a decision is made whether address SFLG II is set equal to 1. If the content of address SFLG II is not equal to 1, the program proceeds to step 33 where the subroutine shown in FIG. 5 is executed to determine an initial hydraulic pressure value to be stored at address P.sub.I. Then, the program goes to step 34 where the content of address SFLG II is set equal to 1, and then to step 35 where a decision is made whether the content of SFLG III is set equal to 1. If, in step 32, a decision is made that the content of address SFLG II is set equal to 1, the program jumps to step 35 bypassing the steps 33 and 34.

FIG. 5 illustrates subroutine to determine the initial hydraulic pressure. In step 50, the output signals of the rotational speed sensors 10 and 12 are read via the I/O 46 and the results are stored in addresses N.sub.E and N.sub.T, respectively, and the CPU 40 performs calculation of the equation N.sub.T /N.sub.E and stores the result in address e. After step 50, the program goes to step 51 where the computer performs a table look-up operation using the content of the address e. Two tables are stored in the ROM 42 for this operation. One is a torque ratio table as illustrated by dashed line 300 in FIG. 8, and the other is an input torque capacity coefficient table as illustrated by solid line 302 in FIG. 8. The result of the table look-up operation of the torque ratio table 300 is stored in address t, and the result of the table look-up operation of the input torque capacity coefficient table 302 is stored in address (.tau. tau). In the subsequent step 52, the, computer performs calculation of the equation t.times..tau..times.N.sub.E.sup.2 and stores the result in address T.sub.T. The content of address T.sub.T indicates the turbine torque applied to the transmission input shaft 4a. Then, the program goes to step 53 where the amount of energy (E) inherent in a change in inertia for the change in gear position is determined by calculating the equation E=k.times.N.sub.O, where k represents a constant predetermined for the given change in gear position. In the subsequent step 54, the CPU 40 calculates the equation T.sub.D =T.sub.T .times.(.lambda..sub.1.sup.- .lambda..sub.2) to determine the torque difference before and after the gear shifting (see FIG. 10 also). In step 55, the ROM 40 calculates the equation .DELTA.Ts=2.times.E/T.sub.D to determine the length of time required for the inertia phase. This equation is derived from an assumption that the amount of energy E is equal to half the product of T.sub.D and .DELTA.Ts (delta Ts). This assumption is visualized by a right triangle as shown in FIG. 9. The area of the right triangle represents the amount of energy E, the height thereof represents the torque difference T.sub.D, and the length thereof represents the time required for inertia phase operation .DELTA.Ts. In the subsequent step 56, the CPU 40 determines the mean rate of change of torque .alpha. (alpha) during the inertia phase operation by calculating the equation .alpha.=T.sub.D /.DELTA.Ts which is based on the assumption illustrated in FIG. 9. Finally, the program finally goes to step 57 where the initial hydraulic pressure is determined and stored in address P.sub.I. The initial hydraulic pressure is the sum of a clutch actuating hydraulic pressure value required to cause the clutch to generate a minimum required gripping force for the turbine torque value stored in the address T.sub.T and a clutch actuating hydraulic pressure value required to cause the clutch to generate a further gripping force for the torque difference stored in address T.sub.D. In order to obtain the first mentioned clutch actuating hydraulic fluid pressure value, the computer performs a table look-up operation of a Table, stored in the ROM 42, which contains the first actuating pressure as a function of turbine torque. In order to obtain the second mentioned hydraulic pressure value, the computer performs a table look-up operation of a table, stored in the ROM 42, which contains the second actuating pressure as a function of torque difference. After step 57, the control returns to step 34 shown in FIG. 4.

In step 34, address SFLG II is set equal to 1. In the subsequent step 35, a decision is made whether address SFLG III is set equal to 1. As mentioned in the TABLE 2, address SFLG III is set equal to 1 upon commencement of the inertia phase operation so that address SFLG III is not equal to 1 before the shifting operation enters the inertia phase operation. Thus, the program goes from step 35 to step 36 where a decision is made whether the content of address G has changed. Since the content of address G represents a gear ratio, i.e., the ratio of turbine rotational speed N.sub.T to output shaft rotational speed N.sub.O, the fact that the content of address G has changed indicates the start of the inertia phase. As will be understood from FIG. 10, the content of address G stays unchanged until the inertia phase starts so that the decision made in step 36 is negative initially until the inertia phase begins. Thus, the program goes to step 37 where the content of the address is set to the content of the address P.sub.T. In other words, the initial hydraulic pressure value determined in step 33 is kept set as a target hydraulic pressure value in step 37 until the inertia phase begins.

When the shifting operation enters the inertia phase, the program goes from step 36 to step 38 where address SFLG III is set equal to 1. After the address SFLG III has been set equal to 1, the program keeps going from the step 35 to step 39 in the subsequent run. In step 39, a shift timer Ts is increased by 1. The purpose of this step is to measure the time elapsed after entry into the inertia phase. In the subsequent step 40, a decision is made whether the content of the shift timer Ts is greater than or equal to a predetermined length of time T.sub.A that is longer than the shift time represented by the content of address .DELTA.Ts (delta Ts) for the fail-safe purposes. If, in step 40, it is determined that the content of the shift timer Ts is still less than content of the address .DELTA.Ts (delta Ts), the program goes to step 41 where the subroutine shown in FIG. 6 is executed to determine a target hydraulic pressure value to be stored in address P.sub.T.

The subroutine of FIG. 6 will now be explained. In step 60, the output signals of the revolution speed sensors 10 and 12 are read via the I/O 46 and results are stored in the addresses N.sub.E and N.sub.T, respectively, and the CPU 40 performs calculation of the equation N.sub.T /N.sub.E and stores the result in address e. After step 60, the program goes to step 61 where the computer performs a table look-up operation using the content of address e. The two tables, i.e., the torque ratio table illustrated by the dashed line 300 in FIG. 8 and the input torque capacity coefficient table illustrated by the solid line 302 in FIG. 8 are used for the operation. The result of the table look-up operation of the torque ratio table 300 is stored in address t, and the result of the table look-up operation of the input torque capacity coefficient table 302 is stored in address .tau. (tau). In the subsequent step 62, the computer performs calculation of the equation t.times..tau..times.N.sub.E.sup.2 and stores the result in address T.sub.T. The content of address T.sub.T indicates the turbine torque applied to the transmission input shaft, 4a. In the subsequent step 63, the computer calculates the equation T.sub.P =T.sub.D -.alpha..T.sub.S to determine the torque projected portion during the inertia phase and stores the result in address T.sub.P. In the subsequent step 64, the target hydraulic pressure is determined and the content of address P.sub.T is updated with the result. The target hydraulic pressure is the sum of the clutch actuating hydraulic pressure value required to cause the clutch to generate a minimum required gripping force for the turbine torque value stored in address T.sub.T and a clutch actuating hydraulic pressure value required to cause the clutch to generate a further gripping force for the torque projected portion stored in address T.sub.P. The first mentioned and second hydraulic pressure values are represented by P.sub.T (T.sub.T) and P.sub.T (T.sub.P) in step 64. The result is stored in address P.sub.T(NEW) and the content of address P.sub.T(NEW) is transferred to the content of address P.sub.T. Then, the control returns to step 42 shown in FIG. 4.

Referring back to FIG. 4, in step 42, the target hydraulic pressure value stored in address P.sub.T which has been obtained in the previously mentioned step 37 or 41 and an actual hydraulic pressure value stored in address P.sub.C are used to determine the error or deviation therebetween. Based on the deviation, the computer performs a PID (P: proportional, I: integral, D: differential) calculation and stores the result. An electric current value corresponding to this result is stored in address i(NEW). In the subsequent step 43, the content of address i(NEW) is set to the content of address i. In step 44, the content of address i is output and supplied via the I/O 46 to the solenoid 7c. As a result of the feedback control, the actuating hydraulic pressure P.sub.C is brought into agreement with the target hydraulic pressure value determined in step 37 or 41.

If, in step 31, the decision indicates that the particular shifting operation has been completed, i.e., that G is not equal to G.sub.NEW, the program goes through steps 45, 46, and 47. In step 45, all of addresses SFLG I, SFLG II, and SFLG III are cleared and thus their contents are set equal to 0. In step 46, the target hydraulic pressure represented by the content of address P.sub.T is set equal to the maximum value. This means that the line pressure P.sub.L is set as the target hydraulic pressure. In step 46, the solenoid current value corresponding to the maximum value as represented by the content of address P.sub.T is determined and stored in address i(NEW). In the subsequent step 47, the content of the shift timer Ts is cleared and set equal to 0. Thereafter, the program goes through steps 43 and 44 and the content of the address i is supplied via the I/O 46 to the solenoid 7c. As a result of this process, the , actuating hydraulic pressure P.sub.C is set equal to the level of the line pressure P.sub.L. Thus, this prevents the clutch F.sub.3 from slipping after the shifting operation has been completed. Hence, the transmission loss by the clutch is minimized.

Should the CPU 40 fail to recognize the completion of the particular shifting operation in step 31, the program would go from step 40 to the above-described steps 45, 46, and 47 when the content of the shift timer Ts became greater than or equal to the predetermined time T.sub.A. Thus, this provides a safeguard against brazing of the clutch due to excessive heat generated by friction.

The upshift mode of operation of the system will be explained with reference to FIG. 10. Since during a period from time t.sub.1 when a shift command occurs to time t.sub.2 when the inertia phase begins, the engine rotational speed N.sub.E and the turbine rotational speed N.sub.T are kept constant, the initial hydraulic pressure value represented by the content of P.sub.I is constant, so the solenoid current i supplied to the solenoid 7c during this period is constant as illustrated. During this period, the clutch actuating hydraulic pressure P.sub.C is initially held at a value corresponding to the bias force of a clutch return spring during a lost-stroke motion of the clutch piston until the clutch starts engaging. Upon termination of the lost-stroke motion of the clutch piston, the clutch actuating hydraulic pressure P.sub.C starts increasing toward the initial hydraulic pressure value represented by the content of the address P.sub.I, causing the clutch F.sub.3 to proceed to engage. As a result, a drop in the output shaft torque takes place.

During the inertia phase period .DELTA.Ts (delta Ts) beginning at time t.sub.2 and ending at time t.sub.3 when the shifting operation is completed, the electric current i corresponding to the target hydraulic pressure represented by the content of address P.sub.T that is determined by the subroutine shown in FIG. 6 is supplied to the solenoid 7c, so the clutch actuating hydraulic pressure P.sub.C is controlled in such a manner as to cause the output shaft torque to vary smoothly without causing any torque difference. Thus, energy E can be dissipated gradually. As a result, the occurrence of shift shock is effectively suppressed.

Furthermore, there is no torque difference before and after time t.sub.3 when the shifting operation is completed, and the output shaft torque T.sub.D is brought into agreement with the value of torque determined by T.sub.T .times..lambda..sub.2. Thus, the amount of shock caused by the torque variation upon the completion of the shifting operation is effectively suppressed.