Interrelated power delivery controls – including engine control – Clutch control – Condition responsive control
Patent
1997-10-17
1999-11-30
Marmor, Charles A.
Interrelated power delivery controls, including engine control
Clutch control
Condition responsive control
477175, 74335, B60K 4102
Patent
active
059933550
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The invention relates to a control system for an automatically actuated clutch in accordance with the preamble to claim 1. By means of the clutch, the engine torque of a motor vehicle is transmitted to the gearbox or the force path between the engine and the gearbox is interrupted. When driving away, the torque causes a continuous increase of the speed. In this case, the torque transmission takes place with the clutch slipping, i.e. with a speed difference between the output shaft of the engine and the input shaft of the gearbox. Torque is also transmitted with clutch slip in other driving conditions--to avoid oscillations in the drive train of the motor vehicle, for example.
In conventional motor vehicles, the clutch is actuated by the driver via the clutch pedal, i.e. it is disengaged and engaged. Automatically actuated clutches have been developed, in order to facilitate the operation of a motor vehicle, to ease the load on the driver and to make it possible for him to pay more attention to the road traffic.
A known device controls an automatic friction clutch during an operating condition such as driving away, gear-changing, etc. or during transitions between the operating conditions (DE-A 40 11 850, U.S. Pat. No. 5,176,234). A clutch control intervention point for driving away is determined as a function of a torque measurement or angle measurement in the drive train. With a gear engaged and the vehicle at rest, the clutch is closed from its disengaged position at a defined speed as far as a position in which engine torque is transmitted, but in which its torque is not sufficient to move the motor vehicle. A value on reaching a specified torque or angle, for example the location of the clutch actuation, is determined and stored and the clutch is subsequently reopened partially and brought into a so-called waiting position.
Automatically actuated clutches provide a level of driving comfort which is comparable with that of an automatic gearbox, but require substantially less outlay and result in a lower weight. In some driving situations, they have additional advantages relative to automatic gearboxes.
In order to be able to engage a clutch gently and without jolts, on the one hand, but to avoid slip for an excessively long period, which would lead to unnecessary wear of the clutch lining, the engagement point of the clutch must be accurately maintained. In fact, however, it changes as a function of various influences and depends, in particular, on temperature and wear.
The object of the invention is to create a control system for an automatic clutch by means of which compensation can be provided for the various factors influencing the engagement behaviour of the clutch.
This object is achieved in the invention by means of the control system in accordance with claim 1.
Useful further developments of the invention are given in the dependent claims.
The advantages of the invention lie particularly in the fact that the driver only has to use the accelerator pedal to control the drive torque. This, in particular, facilitates driving on a smooth surface and parking manoeuvres in restricted space conditions. The life of the clutch is increased. The clutch actuation adapts itself to the driving style of the driver, whether this is more in the direction of economy or more in the direction of performance. Clutch grab or jolt or, indeed, engine stall due to inaccurate clutch actuation are completely avoided. On the other hand, gear-changing is left to the driver. The need for this is also the result of the driver recently again being allowed a free selection of gear by additional measures taken in the case of upper-range high-performance vehicles with an automatic gearbox. When a faulty clutch, for instance from a very high to a very low speed, causes a known extremely high clutch speed (from above ca 12000 rpm), the control system according to the invention prevents racing of the engine, jolting and oscillations in the drive train can also, therefore, be effectively prevented and the associated development of no
REFERENCES:
patent: 4825993 (1989-05-01), Kurihara et al.
patent: 5275267 (1994-01-01), Slicker
patent: 5293316 (1994-03-01), Slicker
patent: 5314050 (1994-05-01), Slicker et al.
patent: 5316116 (1994-05-01), Slicker et al.
patent: 5337868 (1994-08-01), Slicker et al.
patent: 5378211 (1995-01-01), Slicker et al.
patent: 5393274 (1995-02-01), Smedley
patent: 5439428 (1995-08-01), Slicker
patent: 5681242 (1997-10-01), Bates
Ho Ha
Kongsberg Techmatic UK Limited
Marmor Charles A.
LandOfFree
Control system for an automatically actuated clutch does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Control system for an automatically actuated clutch, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Control system for an automatically actuated clutch will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1665444