Dynamic clutch control
AssigneeSiemens VDO Automotive Corporation
InventorsTomohiro Fukumura, Brian J. Marlett, Sanjaya Kumar Dash
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A clutch control system for moving an object, such as a vehicle door, lift gate or trunk, compares the motor speed with the object speed and engages the clutch when the motor and object speeds are almost equal. Controlling engagement based on the object and motor speeds ensures smooth transitions into a power assist mode and between the power assist mode and a power release mode without causing clutch shock.
Claims14
A clutch control system for assisting movement of an openable vehicle body member, comprising:
- a motor;
- a first speed sensor that detects a motor speed;
- a second speed sensor that detects an openable member;
- and
- a clutch operatively coupled to the first and second speed sensors, wherein the clutch selectively engages to couple the openable member with the motor by engaging if a difference between the motor speed and the openable member speed falls below a difference threshold.
A clutch control system for assisting movement of an openable vehicle body member, comprising:
- a motor;
- a first speed sensor that detects a motor speed;
- a second speed sensor that detects a openable member speed;
- and
- a clutch coupled to the first and second speed sensors, wherein the clutch selectively engages to couple the openable member with the motor based on a relationship between the motor speed, the openable member speed, a desired speed, and a power release threshold speed,
- wherein the clutch engages if a difference between the motor speed and the openable member speed falls below a difference threshold,
- wherein the clutch does not engage if the openable member speed moves above the power release threshold before the motor speed reaches the desired speed, and
- wherein the clutch engages if the openable member speed moves from the power release threshold to the desired speed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.