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To realize better fuel economy benefits from transmissions, car makers have started the application of torque converter clutch control in second gear and beyond, resulting in greater demand on the torque converter clutch (TCC) and its control system. This paper focuses on one aspect of the control of the torque converter clutch to improve fuel economy and faster response of the transmission. A TCC is implemented to control the slip between the pump and turbine of the torque converter, thereby increasing its energy transfer efficiency and increasing vehicle fuel economy. However, due to the non-linear nature of the torque converter fluid coupling, the slip feedback control has to be very active to handle different driver inputs and road-load conditions, such as different desired slip levels, changes in engine input torques, etc. This non-linearity requires intense calibration efforts to precisely control the clutch slip in all the scenarios.

Automobile drivers/passengers perceive automatic transmission (AT) shift quality through the torque transferred by the transmission. Clearly, torque regulation is important for transmission control. Unfortunately, a physical torque sensor has been too costly for production applications. With no torque measurement for feedback, controls in AT is mainly implemented in an open-loop fashion. Therefore, complicated adaptation algorithms are necessary while undesired shifts may still occur. To further simplify the controls and enhance its consistency and robustness, a direct torque feedback has long been desired in transmission control synthesis and development. A “virtual” torque sensor (VTS) algorithm has recently been developed to show a good potential in estimating relative torque along transmission output shaft using transmission output speed sensor and wheel speed sensors.

This paper described implementation of a selectable one-way clutch in the GM's RWD 6-speed automatic transmission [1] content to replace the current one-way clutch and low/reverse plate clutch. A selectable one-way clutch can hold torque or freewheel in one or both directions depending on the desired operating mode. In this project, it is used as the reaction element to hold torque selectively in 1st gear and reverse. This paper describes hardware design, vehicle implementation, and control of the selectable one-way clutch. In additions, lower parasitic losses due to low/reverse clutch removal is measured and compared with production 6-speed RWD automatic transmissions. Other issues such as durability, cost, packaging, and mass are also addressed. This idea is demonstrated in a 6-speed RWD SUV. Vehicle results show very good static and rolling garage shifts as well as 1-2 upshifts, and 2-1 powered and coast downshifts.