Interrelated power delivery controls – including engine control – Transmission control – Engine controlled by transmission
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-12
2001-10-30
Marmor, Charles A. (Department: 3681)
Interrelated power delivery controls, including engine control
Transmission control
Engine controlled by transmission
C477S107000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06309323
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a control for a vehicular powertrain comprising a fuel-controlled engine and a multiple-ratio drivetrain, including a multiple-speed mechanical transmission and a single- or multiple-speed drive axle assembly. In particular, the present invention relates to a powertrain control wherein the maximum output torque of the engine is limited as a function of the degree of engagement of monitored jaw clutches.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Vehicular drivetrains including multiple-speed mechanical transmissions, usually compound transmissions, or simple transmissions coupled with multiple-speed axles, having 7, 9, 10, 13, 16, 18 or more forward speed ratios, are well known in the prior art, especially for heavy-duty vehicles, as may be seen by reference to U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,370,013; 5,527,237 and 4,754,665, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. Both synchronized and non-synchronized jaw clutches are known in the prior art, as may be seen by reference to U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,546,823; 5,588,516 and 5,642,643, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Control systems and methods for calculating engine output torque (also called “flywheel torque”) are known in the prior art, as may be seen by reference to U.S. Pat. No. 5,509,867, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Automated and manual transmission systems wherein engine output torque is controlled and/or limited as a function of engaged gear ratio and/or vehicle speed are known in the prior art, as may be seen by reference to U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,477,827; 5,797,110; 5,457,633; 4,889,014; 5,738,606; 5,679,096 and 5,876,302, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. As is known, modern vehicular powertrains usually include electronically controlled engines, which may be controlled as to engine speed and/or engine torque. By way of example, according to the SAE J-1939 data link protocol, commands may be issued to the engine for fueling of the engine in accordance with (a) driver's fuel demand, (b) a requested engine speed, (c) a requested engine torque and/or (d) a requested maximum engine torque and/or engine speed.
While the prior art systems are effective in protecting the vehicle driveline from undue wear and/or damage resulting from greater-than-desirable torque being applied for a particular engaged ratio and/or driveline configuration, the systems do not prevent possible undue wear and/or damage resulting from partial jaw clutch engagement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, an improved control system/method for a vehicular powertrain is provided, which will tend to maximize vehicle performance while protecting the drivetrain from possible damage and/or undue wear caused by allowing excessive torque to be applied thereto under certain vehicle operating conditions, including partial jaw clutch engagement. The foregoing is accomplished by limiting possible engine output torque to a maximum value (torque limit) as a function of drivetrain ratio and/or vehicle speed. The actual output torque of the engine will be some percentage (from 0% to 100%) of the torque limit determined by the sensed degree of clutch engagement. By way of example, if full clutch engagement is sensed, the percentage will equal 100%, while at sensed minimal engagement, the percentage may equal 20% or less.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved engine output torque control for a vehicular drivetrain system, including a mechanical transmission wherein engine output torque is controlled as a function of sensed degree of jaw clutch engagement.
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Eaton Corporation
Gordon Howard D.
Marmor Charles A.
Parekh Ankur
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