Automatic Transmission Shift Control During Inertia Phase

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Solution Overview

Problem

In automatic transmissions, downshift speed changes during upshift speed changes can be difficult to progress when torque input is low, leading to challenges in raising the input shaft rotational speed to the required synchronous speed.

Innovation Solution

A control apparatus and method that prohibits shifts from upshift to downshift for a predetermined period during an inertia phase of upshift speed change, allowing torque input to rise before initiating downshift speed change, ensuring smooth progression by starting the downshift when torque becomes sufficiently high.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If downshift speed change is started immediately when torque input is low, then responsiveness is improved, but the input shaft rotational speed cannot be swiftly raised to the required synchronous speed, causing difficulty in progressing the downshift

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinput shaft rotational speedVSAvoiddownshift progression reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control apparatus waits for torque input to reach a predetermined level before initiating the downshift speed change. This preliminary action ensures that sufficient torque is available to swiftly raise the input shaft rotational speed to the required synchronous speed, preventing progression difficulties while maintaining responsiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If downshift speed change is delayed until torque input is high, then downshift progression is improved, but the responsiveness to downshift requests is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedownshift progression smoothnessVSAvoiddownshift response time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control apparatus monitors the torque input parameter and uses it as a gating condition for initiating downshift. By changing the operational parameter from immediate response to torque-threshold response, the system achieves smooth progression without excessive delay, as the threshold is set to balance responsiveness and progression reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple shifts are allowed during upshift inertia phase, then shift flexibility is improved, but engine racing occurs due to insufficient feedback control time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshift transition flexibilityVSAvoidengine speed control stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control apparatus prohibits downshift speed change requests during the inertia phase of upshift as a preliminary protective measure. This prevents the harmful effect of engine racing before it can occur, while still allowing flexible shift transitions after the inertia phase completes by clearing the prohibition flag

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentEP3366952B1Control apparatus and control method for automatic transmission
Publication Date: 2019.11.27 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP3366952B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3366952B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3366952B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A control apparatus for a stepped automatic transmission (3) in which one of a plurality of shift speeds is established by selectively engaging a plurality of frictional engagement elements, the stepped automatic transmission (3) mounted on a vehicle, the control apparatus includes: an electronic control unit (5) configured to perform a control of prohibiting a plurality of shift that is transitioning from an upshift speed change to a downshift speed change, for a predetermined period, when a downshift speed change requirement is requested by an occurrence of an accelerator depression operation during an inertia phase of the upshift speed change in a driven state of a vehicle.