Patent ID: 6173226
Filing Date: 2001-01-09
Classification: B60W,F16H,Y02T,Y10T

Abstract:
A control apparatus for a powertrain of a vehicle including a drive unit having a motor, an automatic transmission with a torque converter, and a drive shaft, comprising:a first torque estimating means for estimating a first drive shaft torque by means of a first drive shaft torque determining method which uses characteristics of the torque converter, and for outputting a signal representing an estimated first drive shaft torque so as to use the same for the control of the powertrain;a second torque estimating means for estimating a second drive shaft torque based on a second drive shaft torque determining method which is different from the first drive shaft torque determining method, estimated second drive shaft torque being used as a reference for the estimated first driving shaft torque; anda learning and correcting means for learning and comparing the estimated first drive shaft torque with the estimated second driving shaft torque, and for correcting the characteristics of the torque converter used in said first torque estimating means based on the learning and comparison, whereby signals representing corrected estimated first driving shaft torques are output thereafter;wherein said learning and correcting meansdetermines a first deviation between the estimated first drive shaft torque and the estimated second drive shaft torque each obtained at a first time point;determines a second deviation between the estimated first drive shaft torque and the estimated second drive shaft torque each obtained at a second time point when a value of the estimated second drive shaft torque becomes equal to the value estimated at the first time point;determines a start of correction when the difference between the first deviation and the second deviation becomes larger than a predetermined value; andperforms a correction of the characteristics of the torque converter.