Sliding Mode Control of Automotive Engines

There is considerable interest in coordinated automotive engine/transmission control for smooth shifts, or for traction control of front wheel drive vehicles. Closed-loop control of the engine has been shown to be useful in improving shift quality. Because of the nonlinear dynamic behavior of the engine, the control method of sliding modes is well suited for engine control algorithms. The authors outline a dynamic engine model, and develop the sliding control laws to follow desired torque converter pump and turbine speed trajectories. The relationships between these desired trajectories and shift quality are also outlined.