Wheel spin control using electronically controlled clutches and engine controls
AssigneeFord Motor Company
InventorsDavorin D. Hrovat, Jeremy J. Main
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method for reducing wheel spin of a vehicle on slippery surfaces wherein the wheel spin is reduced by regulating the engagement of the clutches in a multiple clutch transmission of the vehicle. Upon detection by a controller of an abrupt acceleration by a driven wheel, the controller partially engages the transmission clutch which is currently disengaged, thus increasing the load on the engine and reducing the wheel spin while maintaining the drive train torque path through the previously engaged transmission clutch. Additionally, engine output is decreased upon detection of wheel spin to reduce the wear on the partially engaged clutch.
Claims25
A wheel spin control system for a vehicle having an engine including an intake manifold, a transmission including first and second gear means and first and second clutch means, and at least one wheel driven through one of said first and second gear means and one of said first and second clutch means, said first gear means being operational when said first clutch means is engaged and said second gear means being operational when said second clutch means is engaged, the system comprising:
- first sensor means for monitoring said at least one driven wheel and for generating a spin signal indicative of wheel spin;
- means for monitoring said first and second gear means and for generating gear signals indicative of operation of one of said first and second gear means and thereby the engagement of one of said first and second clutch means;
- and
- controller means responsive to said gear signals and said spin signal for partially engaging the other one of said first and second clutch means which is not engaged when said spin signal indicates wheel spin while maintaining the full engagement of said one of said first and second clutch means which is engaged to increase load torque on said engine and thereby reduce wheel spin.
A wheel spin control system for a vehicle having an engine, a multiple clutch transmission including at least first and second clutch means, at least one wheel driven through said transmission, the system comprising:
- first sensor means for monitoring said at least one driven wheel and for generating a spin signal indicative of wheel spin;
- gear indicator means for monitoring said transmission and for generating gear signals indicative of the currently operational gear of said transmission driving said at least one driven wheel;
- and
- controller means responsive to said gear signals and said spin signal for partially engaging said first and second clutch means when said spin signal indicates wheel spin to increase load torque on said engine and thereby reduce wheel spin.
A method for controlling wheel spin of a vehicle having an engine, a transmission including first and second gear means and first and second clutch means, and wheels driven through one of said first and second gear means and one of said first and second clutch means, said first gear means being operational when said first clutch means is engaged and said second gear means being operational when said second clutch means is engaged, the method comprising the steps of:
- generating spin signals indicative of wheel spin;
- generating gear signals indicative of operation of one of said first and second gear means and thereby the engagement of one of said first and second clutch means;
- maintaining the full engagement of said one of said first and second clutch means which is engaged;
- and
- partially engaging the other one of said first and second clutch means which is not engaged in response to said spin signals and said gear signals to increase load torque on said engine and thereby reduce wheel spin.
A method for controlling wheel spin of a vehicle having an engine, a transmission including first and second gear means and first and second clutch means, and wheels driven through one of said first and second gear means and one of said first and second clutch means, said first gear means being operational when said first clutch means is engaged and said second gear means being operational when said second clutch means is engaged, the method comprising the steps of:
- generating spin signals indicative of wheel spin;
- generating gear signals indicative of the currently operational gear of said transmission driving said wheels and thereby the engagement of one of said first and second clutch means;
- and
- partially engaging said first and second clutch means in response to said spin signals and said gear signals to increase load torque on said engine and thereby reduce wheel spin.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.