Method and control system for updating of control parameter value indicative of master clutch point of incipient engagement
AssigneeEaton Corporation
InventorsWilliam F. Cote, Donald Speranza
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An improved automatic clutch control system for controlling a vehicle master clutch (16) drivingly interposed a throttle controlled engine (14) and a change gear transmission (12) in an automatic/semi-automatic mechanical transmission system (AMT) is provided. A monitored clutch parameter (CPV) is compared to a reference value (IEPCPV) to determine the expected point of incipient engagement of the clutch. The reference value is periodically updated, to compensate for wear and the like.
Claims10
A method for controlling a master clutch (16) in an at least partially automated mechanical transmission system (10) for devices having a throttle controlled engine (14), a transmission having a plurality of gear ratio combinations selectively engageable between a transmission input shaft (58) and a transmission output shaft (20), said transmission input shaft being operatively connected to said engine by means of a selectably engageable and disengageable coupling (16) providing driving connection between said engine and said input shaft, an input shaft brake (18) for selectively retarding the rotational movement of said input shaft, said transmission system comprising an information processing unit (42) having means for receiving and storing a plurality of input signals including (1) an input signal (CPV) indicative of the position of the clutch;
- (2) an input signal indicative of the rotational speed of the transmission input shaft;
- and, (3) an input signal indicative of the rotational speed of the engine, said input signal indicative of the position of the clutch having a stored value (IEPCPV.sub.Last) indicative of the incipient engagement point of the clutch, said processing unit including means for processing said input signals in accordance with predetermined logic rules and for generating output signals whereby said transmission system is operated in accordance with said program, and means (30,34) associated with said transmission system effective to actuate said transmission system in response to said output signals from said processing unit, the method characterized by:
- updating the value of the control parameter value indicative of the incipient engagement of the clutch (IEPCPV.sub.Last) by,
- at vehicle start-up, if the engine is at idle speed and the transmission is in neutral, maintaining the engine at substantially idle speed, fully disengaging the clutch and applying the input shaft brake to stop rotational speed of the input shaft,
- then, while maintaining the input shaft brake applied, gradually reapplying the clutch until initial rotation of the input shaft is sensed, and
- sensing the value of the signal indicative of the position of the clutch (CPV) at the time initial rotation of the input shaft is sensed.
A control system for controlling a master clutch (16) in an at least partially automated mechanical transmission system (10) for devices having a throttle-controlled engine (14), a transmission having a plurality of gear ratio combinations selectively engageable between a transmission input shaft (58) and a transmission output shaft (20), said transmission input shaft being operatively connected to said engine by means of a selectably engageable and disengageable coupling (16) providing driving connection between said engine and said input shaft, an input shaft brake (18) for selectively retarding the rotational movement of said input shaft, said transmission system comprising an information processing unit (42) having means for receiving and storing a plurality of input signals including (1) an input signal (CPV) indicative of the position of the clutch;
- (2) an input signal indicative of the rotational speed of the transmission input shaft;
- and (3) an input signal indicative of the rotational speed of the engine, said input signal indicative of the position of the clutch having a stored value (IEPCPV.sub.last) indicative of the incipient engagement point of the clutch, said process unit including means for processing said input signals in accordance with predetermined logic rules and for generating output signals whereby said transmission system is operated in accordance with said program, and means (30,34) associated with said transmission system effective to actuate said transmission system to effect engagement of said gear ratio combinations in response to said output signals from said processing unit, the control system characterized by:
- means effective for updating the value of the control parameter value indicative of the incipient engagement of the clutch (IEPCPV.sub.last) by,
- at vehicle start-up, if the engine is at idle speed and the transmission is in neutral, maintaining the engine at substantially idle speed, fully disengaging the clutch and applying the input shaft brake to stop rotational speed of the input shaft,
- then, while maintaining the input shaft brake applied, gradually reapplying the clutch until initial rotation of the input shaft is sensed, and
- sensing the value of the signal indicative of the position of the clutch (CPV) at the time initial rotation of the input shaft is sensed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.