Retarding system and lock-up clutch engagement control
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorsChristopher Lewis Wynkoop, Matthew Michael Tinker, Abhishek Awana
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for controlling an engagement of a lock-up clutch (LUC) of a torque converter of a machine is disclosed. The method includes detecting a pedal tap of a pedal, wherein the pedal tap is detected when the pedal is depressed from a position corresponding to a pedal displacement less than a first threshold displacement to a position corresponding to a pedal displacement greater than a second threshold displacement, and then released to a position corresponding to a pedal displacement less than the first threshold displacement within a threshold time duration. The method further includes causing the LUC to move to the LUC unlocked position if the pedal tap is detected.
Claims20
A method for controlling an engagement of a lock-up clutch (LUC) of a torque converter to assist with a motion of a machine, where the torque converter is operatively connected to a power source output shaft of a power source and a transmission input shaft of a transmission, and the LUC is operatively connected to the power source output shaft and the transmission input shaft, and has a LUC unlocked position where the power source output shaft and the transmission input shaft are free to rotate relative to each other and a LUC locked position where the power source output shaft and the transmission input shaft are locked for rotation together, the method comprising:
- detecting a pedal tap of a pedal, wherein the pedal tap is detected when the pedal is depressed from a position corresponding to a pedal displacement less than a first threshold displacement to a position corresponding to a pedal displacement greater than a second threshold displacement, and then released to a position corresponding to a pedal displacement less than the first threshold displacement within a threshold time duration;
- and
- causing the LUC to move to the LUC unlocked position if the pedal tap is detected.
A machine comprising:
- a power source having a power source output shaft;
- a transmission having a transmission input shaft and a transmission output shaft;
- a torque converter operatively connected to the power source output shaft and the transmission input shaft;
- a lock-up clutch (LUC) operatively connected to the torque converter, the LUC having a LUC unlocked position where the power source output shaft and the transmission input shaft are free to rotate relative to each other and a LUC locked position where the power source output shaft and the transmission input shaft are locked for rotation together;
- a pedal;
- a pedal position sensor operatively connected to the pedal to detect displacement of the pedal;
- and
- a controller operatively connected to the LUC and the pedal position sensor, the controller configured to:
- detect a pedal tap of the pedal, wherein the pedal tap is detected when the pedal is depressed from a position corresponding to a pedal displacement less than a first threshold displacement to a position corresponding to a pedal displacement greater than a second threshold displacement, and then released to a position corresponding to a pedal displacement less than the first threshold displacement within a threshold time duration, and
- cause the LUC to move to the LUC unlocked position if the pedal tap is detected.
A retarding system for a machine having a power source with a power source output shaft, a transmission having a transmission input shaft, a torque converter operatively connected to the power source output shaft and the transmission input shaft, and a lock-up clutch (LUC) operatively connected to the power source output shaft and the transmission input shaft and having a LUC unlocked position where the power source output shaft and the transmission input shaft are free to rotate relative to each other and a LUC locked position where the power source output shaft and the transmission input shaft are locked for rotation together, the retarding system comprising:
- a pedal;
- a pedal position sensor operatively connected to the pedal to detect displacement of the pedal;
- and
- a controller operatively connected to the LUC and the pedal position sensor, the controller is configured to
- detect a pedal tap of the pedal, wherein the pedal tap is detected when the pedal is depressed from a position corresponding to a pedal displacement less than a first threshold displacement to a position corresponding to a pedal displacement greater than a second threshold displacement, and then released to a position corresponding to a pedal displacement less than the first threshold displacement within a threshold time duration, and
- cause the LUC to move to the LUC unlocked position if the pedal tap is detected.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.