Interrelated power delivery controls – including engine control – Clutch control – Condition responsive control
Reexamination Certificate
1997-03-20
2002-03-19
Marmor, Charles A (Department: 3681)
Interrelated power delivery controls, including engine control
Clutch control
Condition responsive control
C477S079000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06358186
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to an apparatus for controlling a torque transmitting system in a power train of a motor vehicle with a transmission and an engine, with an actuator controlled by a control unit for operating the torque transmitting system.
Apparatuses of this type are known in the art. Automobiles equipped with controlling devices of the aforementioned kind are controlled by the control unit during starting or acceleration phases using a method such that a starting phase takes place with a presentable engine torque and a presentable engine rotation (speed), whereby the torque transmitting system at a preset engine torque and a preset engine speed is intentionally engaged (closed) for accelerating the motor vehicle. Since it is not advantageous in all situations for the motor vehicle to start with the maximum acceleration, the engine torque is in general controlled to a value which is smaller than the maximum engine torque. If a partially loaded motor vehicle is accelerated, for example, from rest in, for example, level terrain using this apparatus and method, then this acceleration is usually sufficient. If, however, a significantly loaded motor vehicle is accelerated from rest on an incline, then this acceleration may be too small.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the object of the present invention to provide an apparatus of the aforedescribed type and a method which permit acceleration of a motor vehicle to be easily started up and accelerated from rest even if the motor vehicle is fully loaded and is positioned on an incline. It is another object of the invention to provide an apparatus and/or a method permitting an intentional controlled shifting of the accelerating or driving torque.
Further, the present invention provides an apparatus which constitutes an improvement over the conventional apparatus and which can be manufactured inexpensively and which is easy to use.
Even further, the present invention provides a control unit in at least one operating condition or state, such as starting or acceleration condition, which shifts between at least two operating states of the torque transmitting system with different transmittable torque, with the possibility to control a different, such as a higher or a lower, transmittable torque in the respective operating states, so that a different, such as a higher or a lower, torque is provided to power the motor vehicle. Thus, the invention provides an apparatus for controlling an actuatable torque transmitting system and a torque being transmitted at different rates by the torque transmitting system in a power train provided in a motor vehicle and further including an engine and a transmission arranged to drive the vehicle and to receive torque from the torque transmitting system. This apparatus includes a control unit and an actuator which is controllable by the control unit and which is arranged to actuate the torque transmitting system, such as a clutch, and wherein the control unit has at least one operating condition in which the actuator is arranged to effect a planned transmission of torque by the system at least at two different rates at each of which the transmission receives a different torque.
The engine electronics controls an engine torque and an engine rotation (speed) when the driver operates a load lever. Simultaneously, the torque transmitting system is controlled by the control unit in such a way that an intended torque can be transmitted. As a result of this control of the control unit and the engine, an equilibrium is established with respect to engine torque and engine RPM. Through the intentional shifting operation by way of a intentional control of the torque transmitting system, a different equilibrium state can be controlled at a higher engine RPM and a higher engine torque. This intentional shifting of the transmittable torque of the torque transmitting system consequently results in controlling the equilibrium state at different engine parameters leading to an intended increase/decrease of the accelerating engine torque.
According to the feature of the invention, it may be advantageous for the control unit to control intentional shifting between at least two operating states, such as starting and acceleration states. The two different operating states are characterized by different equilibrium conditions with respect to the engine torque and the engine RPM.
It is advantageous for the control unit to control shifting between at least two states depending on data sets, such as signals, quantities or other operating parameters, which are accumulated, determined and/or processed.
It is particularly advantageous in an apparatus of the invention if the control unit compares at least one data set with at least one presentable threshold value and controls shifting between two operating states, when at least one data set has at least reached, exceeded or lagged behind a threshold value. The at least one threshold value may be generated by the control unit depending on the operating point. The at least one threshold value may furthermore be determined from mapping, characteristic curves or by way of functional dependencies. The threshold values can be retrieved from or may be stored in memory.
It is also advantageous for the control unit to initiate a shifting operation between operating states when at least one data set which is detected or determined as a function of time, reaches, exceeds or fails to reach a presentable threshold value after a preset time.
In addition, it is advantageous if the control unit initiates a shifting operation between operating states when a sensor indicates that a load lever, such as a gas pedal, is operated in such a way that a preset threshold value for the load lever position has or has not been reached or exceeded.
Also, if the control unit initiates a shifting operation between operating states when during a first acceleration phase or starting phase of the motor vehicle a quantity representing the transmission input RPM, has not increased above a presentable threshold value after a preset time interval.
Further, it is advantageous if the control unit initiates a shifting operation from an operating state with a lower transmittable torque into a state with a higher transmittable torque in such a way that, during a first phase, there is effected an at least small decrease of the transmittable torque of the torque transmitting system, and that, during a second phase, the transmittable torque is increased to a higher target value.
Even further, it is advantageous if the control unit activates a shifting operation from an operating state with a higher transmittable torque into a state with a lower transmittable torque in such a way that, during a first phase, there is effected an at least small increase of the transmittable torque of the torque transmitting system, and that, during a second phase, the transmittable torque is decreased to a lower target value.
It is a particularly advantageous if the transmittable torque M
kset
of the torque transmitting system which is controlled by the control unit, is a function of the engine RPM n
mot
: M
kset
=k*f(n
mot
) wherein k is a proportionality factor which can also be varied. In this case, it is advantageous if the control unit determines the transmittable torque of the torque transmitting system, when there is a shift from one operating state into another operating state, according to the formula M
kset
=k*f(n
mot
), wherein the control unit selects the value for k from within a range of values between 0 and a maximum value k
max
and changes, for example increases or decreases, this value for k for a shifting operation.
In addition, it is advantageous according to the invention if during a intentional controlled switching operation from a first operating state into a second operating state with a higher transmittable torque, the control unit controls the torque at the driving end in such a way that the torque at the output end resulting from the transmittable engine torque is increased.
M
Grass Thomas
Henneberger Klaus
Kosik Franz
Reuschel Michael
Darby & Darby
LuK Getriebe Systeme GmbH
Marmor Charles A
Pang Roger
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