Torque responsive clutch control

Details Torque responsive clutch control Torque responsive clutch control

1990-04-06

1991-03-26

Bonck, Rodney H.

192 clutches and power-stop control

Vortex-flow drive and clutch

With brake

192 0052, F16P 2104

Patent

active

050021702

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention concerns controlling operation of clutch means in a motor vehicle.
The motor vehicle is of a type (hereinafter called "the type referred to") comprising
an internal combustion engine to generate engine torque,
fuel supply means to supply fuel to the engine, said fuel supply means having a torque demand condition having a torque demand value which is selectively variable over a range of values extending from a minimum to a maximum demand for torque, the fuel supply means being controllable whereby the amount of fuel supplied is variable with variation in said torque demand value, and wherein the engine power output is increasable in response to increasing the fuel supply to said engine,
drive line means to transmit rotary motion from the engine to at least one ground running wheel, said drive line means comprising changeable ratio gear means and clutch means between said engine and said gear means whereby the power output from the engine is input to the clutch means to be transmitted by the clutch means to give a power output providing a power input to the gear means, and said clutch means having a torque transmitting capacity which is variable between a predetermined maximum and zero whereby when the torque input to the clutch means exceeds the transmitting capacity clutch slip occurs and the power output is less than the power input to said clutch means, and
control means for automatically causing a reduction of said torque transmitting capacity upon a demand for a change of ratio in said gear means being observed by said control means and for automatically increasing said torque transmitting capacity subsequent to the ratio change being effected.
In a first known form of motor vehicle of the type referred to the gear means, clutch means and control means all form a fully automatic gear box system in which gear ratio changes are automatically performed in response to signal inputs to the control means. The signal inputs represent, for example, engine speed and the torque demand value, and are provided from sensors. A gear ratio change takes place when the input signals have certain predetermined values.
In an automatic gearbox having a torque converter and a lock-up clutch, the torque transmitting capacity of the lock-up clutch may be merely reduced when a gear ratio change is required and performed, and subsequent to the ratio change the torque transmitting capacity of the lock-up clutch is increased again.
In a second known form of vehicle of the type referred to the clutch means and control means form a semi-automatic transmission system in which the vehicle has no clutch pedal but has a gearbox in which the gear ratio changes are performed or at least initiated by manual action by the driver. Gear ratio changes may be effected by the manual effort exerted by the driver moving a gear lever when the driver desires the gear ratio change to be made or the changes may be powered by motor means, for example electric or fluid powered motors or actuators in response the driver operating manual means, for example a lever, switch or push-button. The initiating and completing of such a gear ratio change are detected by sensor means and corresponding signals sent to the control means which automatically causes the torque transmitting capacity of the clutch means to be reduced to zero just before the ratio change and automatically restores torque transmitting capacity immediately after the ratio change. Whether or not a gear change is made is at the driver's discretion and irrespective of a fuel supply magnitude demand signal being sent, for example via a mechanical linkage from an accelerator pedal, to a control of the torque demand condition of the fuel supply means. To prevent the engine racing during a change of gear ratio the control means may also provide an override fuel supply magnitude demand signal (capable of overriding the signal from the accelerator pedal) to automatically ensure that the supply of fuel is of a low amount whilst the torque transmitting capacity of the clutch means is ze

REFERENCES:
patent: 4518064 (1985-05-01), Windsor
patent: 4565267 (1986-01-01), Nishikawa et al.
patent: 4591038 (1986-05-01), Asagi et al.
patent: 4618043 (1986-10-01), Hattori et al.
patent: 4660697 (1987-04-01), Yoneda et al.
patent: 4677880 (1987-07-01), Hattori et al.
patent: 4874070 (1989-10-01), Nellums et al.

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