Method of and apparatus for regulating the transmission of torque
AssigneeLuK Getriebe-Systeme GmbH
InventorsRobert Fischer, Michael Salecker, Burkhard Kremmling
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Abstract
Torque which is being transmitted by a clutch in the power train of a motor vehicle is regulated in response to processed signals from a control unit which receives signals denoting the driver's desire concerning the acceleration of the vehicle as well as numerous other variables including the position of the gas pedal, the RPM of the engine, the input and/or the output RPM of the transmission and others. The regulation is planned in such a way that the vehicle undergoes a higher than standard acceleration at the desired rate and that the thermal stressing of the clutch is minimized.
Claims59
A method of regulating the operation of an adjustable torque transmission system in a motor vehicle which is accelerable from zero speed and has a power train including a prime mover and a variable-ratio transmission downstream of the prime mover, the vehicle further having a device for adjusting said system so as to vary the torque which is being transmitted by the system, a signal processing and control signal transmitting control unit for said device, an electronic unit arranged to transmit to said control unit signals to enable the control unit to ascertain at least one of (a) an operating condition of the vehicle and (b) a vehicle operator's desire concerning the operating condition, comprising the steps of
- accelerating the vehicle in at least two stages;
- and
- transmitting during said at least two stages from said control unit to said device control signals to effect an adjustment of said system which adjustment ensures a planned acceleration of the vehicle in dependency upon at least one of (i) at least one of a plurality of preselected values including an RPM of the prime mover, an RPM of the transmission and time and (ii) at least one function of at least one of said plurality of preselected values.
A method of regulating the operation of an engageable and disengageable torque transmission system in a motor vehicle which is accelerable from zero speed, comprising the steps of
- accelerating the vehicle in at least two stages;
- and
- adjusting the transmission of torque by said system within said at least two stages in dependency upon at least one of (a) at least one of a plurality of preselectable values including an RPM of a variable-RPM prime mover in a power train of the vehicle, a variable input RPM of a variable drive ratio transmission in the power train, and time, and (b) at least one function of at least one of said preselectable values to thus achieve a planned acceleration of the vehicle.
A method of regulating the operation of an adjustable torque transmission system in a power train of a motor vehicle which is accelerable from zero speed, the power train further including a prime mover upstream and a variable-ratio transmission downstream of said system and the vehicle further having a device for adjusting said system so as to vary the torque which is being transmitted by the system, a central signal processing and transmitting control unit for said device, and electronic units arranged to transmit to said control unit signals to enable the control unit to determine within at least one region of said system at least one of an energy input and a temperature, comprising the steps of
- accelerating the vehicle from said zero speed;
- and
- adjusting the transmission of torque by said system during acceleration of the vehicle from zero speed so that, at first, the transmissible torque at least approximates zero until a variable RPM of the prime mover at least reaches a threshold value, and that the vehicle undergoes a first acceleration at least when said prime mover RPM reaches said threshold value, with attendant variation of the transmissible torque to reduce the prime mover RPM, to achieve a more pronounced acceleration of the vehicle, and to reduce said energy input at least within a portion of said system.
Apparatus for regulating the operation of an adjustable torque transmission system in a power train of a motor vehicle which is accelerable from a zero speed and wherein the power train further includes a prime mover upstream and a variable-ratio transmission downstream of said system, comprising
- a device for adjusting said system so as to vary the torque which is being transmitted by said system;
- and
- a central signal processing and control signal transmitting control unit for adjusting said system by way of said device in a planned manner to achieve a higher than a standard acceleration of the vehicle.
Apparatus for regulating the operation of an adjustable torque transmission system in a power train of a motor vehicle which is accelerable from a zero speed, comprising an activatable adjusting device for said system;
- a signal receiving, processing and transmitting central control unit;
- and at least one electronic unit having means for supplying to said control unit signals denoting a plurality of input values pertaining to an operating condition of the vehicle so that said control unit actuates said adjusting device to effect a higher than a standard acceleration of the vehicle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.