Active torque management clutch system
AssigneeTEAM Industries, Inc.
InventorsAlexander C. Yudell, Carlos Romo Ramírez, Jordan E. Fisk
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An active torque management clutch system that includes an ATM clutch, a clutch actuator, and a controller is provided. The ATM clutch is positioned between a driven sheave of a CVT and an axle. The clutch actuator is used to control the ATM clutch. The controller is in communication with at least one vehicle sensor and the clutch actuator. The controller is configured to open the ATM clutch when sensor information indicates a shift is about to occur and close the ATM clutch when the sensor information indicates engine torque is required in a driveline.
Claims19
An active torque management clutch system comprising:
- an active torque management (ATM) clutch positioned between a driven sheave of a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and an axle;
- a clutch actuator to control the ATM clutch;
- and
- a controller in communication with at least one vehicle sensor and the clutch actuator, the controller configured to open the ATM clutch when sensor information indicates a shift is about to occur downstream of the ATM clutch and close the ATM clutch when the sensor information indicates engine torque is required in a driveline, the controller further configured to dynamically maintain a slip torque of the ATM clutch at above an engine torque times a gear ratio to the ATM clutch.
An active torque management clutch system comprising:
- an active torque management (ATM) clutch positioned between a driven sheave of a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and an axle;
- a clutch actuator to control the ATM clutch;
- and
- a controller in communication with at least one vehicle sensor and the clutch actuator, the controller configured to open the ATM clutch when sensor information indicates a shift is about to occur downstream of the ATM clutch and close the ATM clutch when the sensor information indicates engine torque is required in a driveline, the controller further configured to set a slip torque of the ATM clutch lower than a slip torque of the CVT to prevent torque spikes from being transmitted to the CVT that cause belt slip.
An active torque management clutch system comprising:
- an active torque management (ATM) clutch positioned between a driven sheave of a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and an axle;
- a clutch actuator to control the ATM clutch;
- and
- a controller in communication with at least one vehicle sensor and the clutch actuator, the controller configured to open the ATM clutch when sensor information indicates a shift is about to occur downstream of the ATM clutch and close the ATM clutch when the sensor information indicates engine torque is required in a driveline, the controller further configured to open the ATM clutch to provide at least one of a disconnect for towing, and a disconnect following a wheel lock up event to allow the CVT to spin independently of the wheels to enable a down shift.
A method of operating a vehicle with an active torque management clutch system, the method comprising:
- generating sensor information with at least one sensor;
- determining if a shift is about to occur downstream of an active torque management (ATM) clutch based on the sensor information;
- opening the ATM clutch that is positioned between a driven sheave of a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and a driveline when it is determined that the shift is about to occur;
- dynamically maintaining a slip torque of the ATM clutch at above an engine torque times a gear ratio to the ATM clutch;
- and
- closing the ATM clutch when is determined that engine torque is required by the driveline.
A vehicle comprising:
- a motor to provide engine torque;
- a continuously variable transmission (CVT) including a drive sheave and a driven sheave, the motor in operational communication with the drive sheave of the CVT;
- a launch clutch positioned between the motor and the drive sheave of the CVT;
- a driveline including a gearbox that is shifted with shift dogs;
- an active torque management (ATM) clutch positioned between the gearbox of the driveline and the driven sheave;
- a clutch actuator to control the ATM clutch;
- at least one sensor;
- and
- a controller in communication with the at least one vehicle sensor and the clutch actuator, the controller configured to open the ATM clutch when sensor information indicates a shift is about to occur to prevent drag torque from the CVT from crossing over to shift dogs during a shift and close the ATM clutch when the sensor information indicates that engine torque is required in the driveline.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.