Abstract:
Turbo lag is a known impediment of a turbocharged, small displacement engine providing the feel of a large displacement engine. A method of spinning up the exhaust turbine during an interval between the time that the operator moves his/her foot from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal to initiate a launch. A non-exhaustive list of actions that can be taken to increase exhaust enthalpy provided to the turbine include: opening the throttle, retarding the spark, and closing the wastegate. Additionally, a brake can be applied at one of the vehicle wheels to keep the engine from launching forward during this interval.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/917,592, filed Nov. 2, 2010 now U.S. Pat. No. 8,086,391, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to improving the launch performance of a vehicle. 
     2. Background Art 
     It is known that a vehicle with a smaller displacement engine exhibits greater fuel efficiency than the same vehicle with a larger displacement engine. However, the ability of the vehicle to accelerate is impaired by the smaller displacement inducting less air into the engine to thereby produce power. It is also known that by pressure charging the engine, performance of the smaller displacement engine, at many operating conditions, can be similar to that of the larger displacement engine. More commonly, pressure charging is provided by a turbocharger in which exhaust enthalpy, which would otherwise be exhausted, is recovered as work in an exhaust turbine. The exhaust turbine has a common shaft with a compressor in the intake. The work extracted in the exhaust turbine is used to compress the intake gases to improve power density of the engine. Turbo lag is a known disadvantage of a turbocharged engine. That is, at low engine speed, such as at vehicle launch, little mass is flowing through the engine so that the exhaust turbine spins at a low speed. The engine/turbo system spins up when demanded by the vehicle operator by depressing the accelerator pedal, however with an undesirable delay. If turbo lag could be addressed, fuel efficiency of vehicles could be significantly improved by downsizing and turbocharging without the performance disadvantage at certain low-speed operating conditions. Any improvement in launch performance may also be applied to naturally-aspirated engines. 
     SUMMARY 
     To address launch performance, a vehicle is disclosed which has a brake system, including: brakes coupled to vehicle wheels, hydraulic lines coupled to the brakes, an actuation force on the brakes is related to pressure in the hydraulic lines, and a pressure sensor coupled to the hydraulic lines. The vehicle also includes an internal combustion engine, a turbocharger coupled to the engine, a throttle valve disposed in an intake of the engine, a vehicle speed sensor, and an electronic control unit (ECU) electronically coupled to the engine, the throttle valve, the vehicle speed sensor, and the pressure sensor. An incipient launch of the vehicle is determined when a vehicle speed sensor indicates that the vehicle is stopped and a signature from the signal from the pressure sensor indicates that brake pedal release is imminent. In response, the ECU commands the throttle valve toward a more open position. In one embodiment, brake pedal release is indicated when the pressure sensor indicates that pressure in the hydraulic lines decreases below a threshold pressure. Alternatively, brake pedal release is indicated based on rate of decay of pressure in the hydraulic lines. 
     The vehicle may include a bypass duct coupled upstream and downstream of an exhaust turbine of the turbocharger and a wastegate valve disposed in the bypass duct. Upon determination of incipient launch of the vehicle, the ECU further commands the wastegate to a substantially completely closed position. In gasoline engine applications, spark plugs are disposed in engine cylinders and electronically coupled to the ECU. The ECU further commands a retarded spark timing to the spark plugs based upon determination of incipient launch of the vehicle. 
     In some alternatives, the ECU discontinues the commanding the throttle valve to the more open position upon elapse of a predetermined interval. That is, the launch anticipation is aborted when, for example, the operator of the vehicle fails to command a launch within a certain period of time, e.g., when the operator is slowing moving in a parking lot or other slow-speed maneuver. 
     In some embodiments, the ECU further commands hydraulic pressure to be applied to at least one brake coupled to a vehicle wheel upon determination of incipient launch of the vehicle to avoid an unintended launch feel. 
     Also disclosed is a method to control a vehicle in which an incipient launch is detected, the incipient launch being when both the vehicle is stopped and an indication that a brake pedal coupled to the vehicle is being released is detected. In response, an increase in engine torque in commanded. 
     The indication that the brake pedal is being release is based on a signal from a sensor with the sensor being one of: a brake on-off switch coupled to the brake pedal, a brake pedal position sensor coupled to the brake pedal, and a pressure sensor coupled to hydraulic lines of the brake system of the vehicle. 
     In one embodiment, spark timing is retarded substantially simultaneously with the throttle valve command to the more open position. A method is disclosed in which an incipient launch is determined based on the vehicle being stopped and an indication that release of a brake pedal coupled to the vehicle is imminent. In response, an increase in exhaust enthalpy provided to an exhaust turbine of the turbocharger is commanded. The increase in enthalpy may be provided by: opening a throttle valve coupled to an intake of the engine, retarding spark timing commanded to spark plugs coupled to cylinders of the engine, adjusting timing of a variable camshaft timing (VCT) system coupled to the engine and closing completely a wastegate valve provided in a bypass duct coupled to the exhaust turbine. 
     In some embodiments, brakes coupled to wheels of the vehicle are actuated substantially simultaneously with the commanding an increase in exhaust enthalpy. The brakes may be actuated to cause the vehicle to remain stopped. Or, the brakes are actuated so as to allow the vehicle to creep. If the brake pedal is reapplied, actions to increase exhaust enthalpy are discontinued. If the accelerator pedal is depressed, then the normal engine operating strategy is employed. 
     In one embodiment, the actions are applied for forward launches only. The engine is coupled to a transmission having a plurality of forward gears and a reverse gear wherein the commanding an increase in exhaust enthalpy is further based on the transmission being in a forward gear. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic of a vehicle; 
         FIG. 2  is a flowchart of an algorithm for launching vehicles according to embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a graph of pressure in the hydraulic lines as a function of time during a brake release; 
         FIG. 4  is a graph of brake pedal position as a function of time during a brake release; 
         FIG. 5  is an adaptive routine according to an embodiment of the disclosure; and 
         FIGS. 6 and 7  are plots of example applications of anticipating vehicle launch according to multiple embodiments of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, various features of the embodiments illustrated and described with reference to any one of the Figures may be combined with features illustrated in one or more other Figures to produce alternative embodiments that are not explicitly illustrated or described. The combinations of features illustrated provide representative embodiments for typical applications. However, various combinations and modifications of the features consistent with the teachings of the present disclosure may be desired for particular applications or implementations. Those of ordinary skill in the art may recognize similar applications or implementations consistent with the present disclosure, e.g., ones in which components are arranged in a slightly different order than shown in the embodiments in the Figures. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the teachings of the present disclosure may be applied to other applications or implementations. 
     In  FIG. 1 , a vehicle  10  is illustrated that is used to describe several types of vehicle configurations. Not all components shown in  FIG. 1  are included in each variation. For example, as described below, the transmission may be an automatic transmission or a conventional manual transmission, the former of which normally includes no clutch pedal, the latter of which does include a clutch pedal. In even other configurations, the transmission is a manual transmission with automatic shifting capability. 
     Vehicle  10  includes an internal combustion engine  12  with a turbocharger  14 . Turbocharger  14  has an exhaust turbine  20  disposed in an exhaust duct  22  of engine  10 ; a compressor  16  disposed in an intake duct  18  of engine  10 ; and a shaft  24  coupling turbine  20  and compressor  16 . In intake duct  18  is a throttle valve  24  that is actuated under command of an electronic control unit (ECU)  30  to control flow of air into engine  10 . A bypass duct  26  to turbine  20  has a valve  28  disposed therein that is actuated under control of ECU  30 . Bypass duct  26  and valve  28  are commonly called a wastegate. 
     In the present disclosure, a single ECU  30  is shown in  FIG. 1 . However, this configuration is shown for convenience. It is understood that the functions described in reference to ECU  30  may be performed across multiple ECUs. 
     Vehicle  10  includes operator controls, such as an accelerator pedal  32  and a brake pedal  34 , which the operator of the vehicle uses to indicate a desire for forward acceleration. Accelerator pedal  32  is coupled to a sensor  36  that communicates accelerator pedal  32  position to ECU  30 . In conventional braking systems, brake pedal  34  is coupled to a brake booster  35  that connects to hydraulic lines and actuates calipers to clamp down on discs at the wheels  38 . The operator actuates brake pedal  34  and such actuation is assisted by brake booster  35  to thereby actuate brakes  40  coupled to wheels  38  are actuated. In conventional braking systems, brakes  40  may be actuated independently of operator activity such as for roll stability control or electronic stability control. ECU  30  may command actuation of one or more brakes  40  to improve vehicle stability in response to destabilizing maneuvers or to prevent roll over of the vehicle. The ECU  30  can command a brake to act upon one of the vehicle wheels independent of the operator depressing a brake pedal. Some vehicles are equipped with electric brakes in which brake pedal  34  has a brake sensor  46  to detect operator input to brake pedal  34 . The output of brake sensor  46  is provided to ECU  30 ; and ECU  30  commands a pressure to apply to calipers of brakes  40  based on a signal from sensor  46 . A pressure sensor  48  in brake booster  35  indicates the pressure acting upon brakes  40 . Pressure sensor  48  is coupled to ECU  30 . In such a brake-by-wire configuration, ECU  30  can also command the brakes to be applied to one or more wheels independent of an operator commanding braking by depressing the brake pedal. 
     Engine  10  is coupled to a transmission  52 . In one embodiment, transmission  52  is an automatic transmission with a torque converter. The torque converter causes the vehicle to creep when transmission  52  is in gear and neither accelerator pedal  32  or brake pedal are depressed. In another embodiment, transmission  52  is a conventional manual transmission with a clutch (not individually shown in  FIG. 1 ) coupled between engine  12  and transmission  52 . The clutch is controlled by the operator of vehicle  10  by clutch pedal  54 . In some embodiments, a clutch pedal sensor  56  may be coupled to clutch pedal  54 . A signal from clutch pedal sensor  56  is coupled to ECU  30 . In another alternative, transmission  52  is a dual clutch transmission (DCT) that is essentially two manual transmissions in one unit. Odd gears are coupled to one clutch and even gears are coupled to a second clutch. The transmission can be fully automatic with ECU  30  or gear selection is controlled by the vehicle operator. The clutches remain under control of ECU  30 . In yet another alternative, transmission  52  is an automatic shifting manual (ASM) that is very much like a conventional manual transmission except that the clutch is under robotic control. The gears may be controlled by ECU  30  or by the vehicle operator. Transmission  52  is coupled to wheels  38  via a drive train including a shaft  53  coupled to vehicle wheels  38 . The embodiment in  FIG. 1  shows a two-wheel drive configuration. However, the present embodiment applies to any suitable configuration, such as, but not limited to, four-wheel drive vehicles. 
     Engine  10  has fuel injectors  60  which are coupled to engine cylinders, such as is the case with direct-injection gasoline or diesel engines. In port-injected, gasoline engine, fuel injectors are located in intake manifold  18 . Pulse width and timing of the fuel injection is controlled via ECU  30 . Fuel injectors  60  are supplied pressurized fuel from a fuel tank via at least one pump, the fuel system not shown in  FIG. 1 . In a gasoline engine, engine cylinders are also provided with spark plugs  62 , the timing of which is controlled by ECU  30 . Engine  12  is provided with a variable cam timing (VCT) device  64  to adjust the timing of the intake valves with respect to the piston position. Cam timing is controlled via ECU  30 . In other embodiments, an exhaust VCT is provided, also. 
     A flowchart illustrating an embodiment of the disclosure is shown in  FIG. 2 . The algorithm begins in  70  with entry conditions that vehicle speed is zero, i.e., the vehicle is stopped, that the vehicle operator is depressing brake pedal  34 , and transmission  52  is not in a reverse gear. That is, launch performance enhancement is not used for backing up the vehicle. Control passes to decision block  72  in which it is determined whether brake pedal release is imminent. Such determination will be discussed in more detail below. If brake pedal release is not imminent, control remains in decision block  72  until the brake pedal is released or release is imminent, in which case control passes to  74  in which a counter, i, (or alternatively a timer) is reset. Control now passes to block  76  in which actions are taken to cause a greater exhaust enthalpy to be delivered to cause the exhaust turbine to spin up. Such actions may include one or more of: opening throttle valve  24 , retarding spark timing, completely closing the wastegate valve  28  in the event that it is not already closed, adjusting the variable cam timing (VCT) system coupled to the engine. When the spark timing is retarded, the amount of torque produced by the engine decreases and the exhaust temperature rises. To counteract the drop in engine rpm that would accompany the torque drop, throttle valve  24  is opened further. In one embodiment, engine rpm is maintained at normal idle rpm. In one alternative, engine rpm is allowed to increase slightly, although not so much to alert an operator of the vehicle. In the embodiment, in which engine rpm is allowed to increase, a vehicle with an automatic transmission would creep forward at a greater rate than would otherwise be the case. To avoid an unexpected forward movement, a brake is applied in block  74  under control of ECU  30 . In one embodiment, a brake is applied to at least one wheel to cause the vehicle speed to remain stationary. In another embodiment, the brake is applied to cause the vehicle to creep per a conventional strategy as with a vehicle with a torque converter. In embodiments with ASM or DCT transmissions, when the operator releases the brake pedal, a brake is applied under control of ECU  30  at least in situations where vehicle  10  is on an incline to thereby prevent roll back or roll forward. Typically, in embodiments with a conventional manual transmission, the vehicle operator controls the brakes by actuating the brake pedal. In some situations with a conventional manual transmission, the brake is not applied by ECU  30 . In block  78 , i is incremented. Control passes to decision block  80 , in which it is determined whether the operator has depressed the brake pedal, the accelerator pedal, or neither. If the operator has depressed the accelerator pedal, the brake is released and normal operation ensues in block  82 . If the operator has depressed the brake pedal, control passes to block  84  in which brake application by ECU  30  is released and is replaced by brake application due to brake pedal depression by the vehicle operator. Furthermore, actions in block  74  are aborted and normal strategy takes over. If neither are depressed, control passes to block  86  in which counter, i, is compared to a threshold. The actions taken in block  76  are intended to be temporary, e.g., for the 0.5 to 1 sec between the operator removing their foot from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal to launch the vehicle, i.e., to anticipate the operator&#39;s intent to launch. However, for variety of reasons, the operator may not choose to launch, e.g., a car stalls or stumbles in front of them at a traffic light or in parking lot maneuvers. Thus, a counter, or alternatively a timer, is used to limit the predetermined time that the actions in  76  are allowed to run. The predetermined time may be in the range of 0.25 to 3 seconds, although such example is non-limiting. Thus, in decision block  86  if it is found that the counter has exceeded the threshold, control is passed to block  88  in which the normal idle strategy is employed is commanded, i.e., a strategy outside the scope of the present disclosure. If in decision block  86  it is found that the counter has not exceeded the threshold; actions in block  76  are allowed to continue. 
     In decision block  72 , a determination is made as to whether the brake pedal is being released. In one embodiment, the brake pedal is coupled to an on-off switch and coupled to brake lights on the exterior of the vehicle. When the brakes are determined to be off, the measure(s) to spin up the turbocharger are invoked. In vehicle embodiments that include a pressure sensor in the brake hydraulic lines, the actual release of the brakes may be anticipated by evaluating the signature of the pressure curve when the operator releases the brakes. An example of such a pressure curve as a function of time is shown as curve  100  in  FIG. 3 . In one embodiment, imminent release of the brake is based on the pressure dropping below a threshold pressure, in which case  102  indicates the time at which imminent brake release is determined and the measure(s) to spin up the turbocharger are invoked. In another embodiment, the measure(s) are based on the rate of decay, dP/dt, being below a threshold dP/dt. (Recall that dP/dt threshold in  FIG. 2  is a negative number. Thus, the decay rate is exceeded when the decay rate is below, or more negative, than the threshold rate.) Imminent brake release is  104  for the example rate of decay determination in  FIG. 2 . To obtain a sufficiently robust derivative of pressure, suitable averaging, filtering, or other techniques may be employed to avoid false detection of imminent brake release. 
     In yet another embodiment, a brake pedal position sensor is provided on the brake pedal. An example curve  110  is shown in  FIG. 4  in which the brake is depressed at the left hand side of the graph. At some time later, the operator lifts their foot from the brake pedal and the signal from the position sensor indicates that the pedal rises. At a threshold position, imminent brake release is detected, and shown as occurring at time  112  in  FIG. 4 . 
     According to some embodiments of the disclosure, one or more measures are undertaken to spin up the turbocharger that are employed in the time between the operator providing an indication that they are releasing the brake and the time that their foot is on the accelerator pedal. Such interval of time is highly dependent on the driving style of the operator of the vehicle. Some drivers are very casual, releasing the brake and slowly moving their foot over to the accelerator pedal to begin acceleration. Other drivers are aggressive and perform the movement rapidly. The aggressiveness with which the measures to overcome turbocharger lag are employed may be based on the operator&#39;s driving style. For example, if the driver is aggressive, the time for spinning up the turbocharger is more limited than for a casual driver. In one embodiment, the measures taken to spin up the turbocharger are applied more aggressively. In some embodiments, the time for applying the measures, i.e., before aborting the measures is based on the expected time until the driver calls for a launch by depressing the accelerator pedal. For example, if the driver takes two seconds between providing an indication of releasing the brake pedal and actually depressing the accelerator pedal, it may be possible to merely open the throttle slightly, possibly with spark retard, to obtain the desired turbocharger speed increase. Also, the time threshold during which the measures are allowed to proceed without aborting the measures to spin up the turbocharger may be increased. That is, for a slower acting operator, the actions to bring the turbocharger to a higher speed may be applied longer in waiting for the operator to depress the accelerator pedal. Consequently, in one embodiment, the driving style of the driver, in regards to time to move from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal, is determined and the thresholds and the measures associated with spinning up the turbocharger are altered accordingly. 
     In vehicles without a turbocharger, it is also helpful to prepare for a launch. For example, one of the delays in a naturally-aspirated, spark-ignition engine in providing a fast launch is manifold filling. That is, at idle, the pressure in the manifold may be in the range of negative one-third atmosphere. Bringing the pressure nearer atmospheric to obtain torque quickly at the wheels can take about 0.25 seconds. Launch response can be improved by at least that much by anticipating the operator&#39;s intention for a launch. That is, if the throttle valve in the intake is opened slightly prior to the operator depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle launch is faster. Retarding spark is not so important in a naturally aspirated engine to improve launch performance. However, it can be employed to bring exhaust aftertreatment devices, such as a three-way catalyst, to temperature in anticipation of an increased NOx engine out emission upon launch. Of course, upon the actual launch when the operator depresses the accelerator pedal, spark timing is advanced to provide the desired torque. 
     In the example adaptive routine shown in  FIG. 5 , many of the blocks are similar to those in  FIG. 2 . The identifying numerals of  FIG. 2  are employed here for efficiency&#39;s sake. In block  80 , in which actuation of brake pedal, accelerator pedal, or neither is queried. If the brake pedal is actuated, the routine of  FIG. 5  is aborted in block  120 . If the accelerator pedal is depressed, control passes to block  122  in which the value of the counter is stored. The value of the counter indicates the time that it takes for this vehicle operator to move their foot from the brake to the accelerator pedal. If neither pedal is depressed, control passes to block  86  in which it is determined whether the counter has exceeded the threshold. If not, the actions in  78  continue. If the threshold is exceeded by the counter in decision block  86 , control passes to block  124  to store the value of the counter. If block  124  is accessed, the vehicle operator has not depressed a pedal in the time allotted for preparation for a launch. This could be due to the operator being a more casual driver and taking more time to call for a launch. Control passes from  124  to block  128  in which the value of the threshold may be adapted (increased) and the aggressiveness of the actions taken in block  76  reduced. From block  122 , control passes to block  126  in which the value of the threshold may be adapted (decreased) and the aggressiveness of the actions taken in block  76  increased. 
     In  FIG. 5 , the algorithm shows a dashed link between blocks  122  and  126  and between blocks  124  and  128 . According to one embodiment, the adaptations in blocks  126  and  128  are not performed for each time that a counter value is stored. Instead, multiple values of the counter are determined before adapting the routine. For example, a more aggressive driver may be in a parking lot and does not perform a launch. Thus, the counter exceeding the threshold does not indicate a change in the driver&#39;s general style, but a different driving scenario. Thus, adaptations in block  126  and  128  are performed after collecting data from multiple launches. Furthermore, the adaptation may be slowly invoked. E.g., if the last 10 launches have occurred with counter, i, well below the threshold, the threshold may be reduced in block  122 . However, rather the reduction would be limited and only after several adaptations would the value of the threshold approach the value appropriate for the current driver. Of course, vehicle may have multiple drivers with varying driving styles. In such a case, the adaptations would adjust slowly for the current driver. Or, if the driver changes rapidly, little or no adaptation takes place as the values of the counter vary so widely so that no new direction is clearly indicated. 
     Different operators of the vehicle are likely to have varying driving styles. The launch interval, i.e., time from brake pedal release until accelerator pedal depression, may vary greatly from driver to driver. Thus, in some embodiments, a launch interval is determined for each operator, i.e., a launch interval is associated with each operator. The operator may be detected by the key fob  150  (as shown in  FIG. 2 ) that is used. In one embodiment, adjustment of the driver&#39;s seat  152  as determined by a sensor  154  is used to distinguish among operators of the vehicle. Or, in another embodiment, sensor  154  is a weight sensor that can be used to distinguish among operators of the vehicle. Alternatively, position sensor  158  is coupled to a mirror  156  is used to detect a particular operator. In yet another embodiment, driving style, such as rate of depressing the accelerator pedal, aggressiveness of braking maneuvers, etc. are used to detect the driver of the vehicle. 
     If the launch interval is relatively short, the action or actions taken to prepare for the launch are undertaken more aggressively. In one embodiment, engine speed is increased during the launch interval. One action to increase engine speed is to open the throttle valve to a greater angle when the launch interval is shorter. In an alternative embodiment, the rate at opening the throttle valve can be greater when the launch interval is shorter. 
     In embodiments with a turbocharger coupled to the engine, it may be useful to retard the spark timing or injection timing to increase exhaust enthalpy to the turbocharger. The rate at which these actions are taken or the magnitude of the action are increased when the launch interval is decreased. 
     The term timer counter is used in reference to  FIG. 2 . In one embodiment, the algorithm is performed on a clocked basis, e.g., every 100 msec. In such a case, the counter is proportional to time and can be used directly. Alternatively, the counter should be related to real time so that the algorithm is not skewed by the time it takes to perform portions of the algorithm. In another alternative, a timer based on a clock is used in place of the counter. 
     Referring to Figures and  7 , two example launch intervals are shown, fast and slow, respectively. Before incipient launch, the throttle angle is at a first throttle angle, i.e., for normal engine idle. When incipient launch is detected, in one embodiment, the throttle valve is commanded more open to a second throttle angle, as shown by a dotted line. The second throttle angle is maintained until the end of the launch interval or until the operator of the vehicle intervenes by depressing on the accelerator pedal. Alternatively, the throttle valve is opened progressively over a period of time, shown as dθ/dt, fast and dθ/dt, slow in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , respectively. When it is known that the operator has a more rapid driving style, the throttle is opened more rapidly to sufficiently prepare for the launch, per  FIG. 6 . Conversely, the throttle is opened more slowly in  FIG. 7 . In some applications, it may be desirable to open the throttle more slowly to be less distracting to the operator of the vehicle. In other applications, it may be desirable to open the throttle directly to the desired position to ensure an aggressive launch feel. Or, in other applications, a combination may be employed. 
     While the best mode has been described in detail, those familiar with the art will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments within the scope of the following claims. Where one or more embodiments have been described as providing advantages or being preferred over other embodiments and/or over prior art in regard to one or more desired characteristics, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that compromises may be made among various features to achieve desired system attributes, which may depend on the specific application or implementation. These attributes include, but are not limited to: cost, strength, durability, life cycle cost, marketability, appearance, packaging, size, serviceability, weight, manufacturability, ease of assembly, etc. The embodiments described as being less desirable relative to other embodiments with respect to one or more characteristics are not outside the scope of the disclosure as claimed.