Device for controlling a clutch for motor vehicles

• US 20020016232A1
• Filed: 07/23/2001
• Published: 02/07/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magneti Marelli Powertrain S.p.A. (Magneti Marelli S.p.A.)
• Original Assignee: Magneti Marelli Powertrain S.p.A. (Magneti Marelli S.p.A.)
• Inventors: Amisano, Fabrizio, Tornatore, Giovanni
• Granted Patent: US 6,589,132 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 477/77
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2500/3026 Stroke
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2500/30415 Speed of the input shaft
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2500/30426 Speed of the output shaft
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2500/5108 Failure diagnosis
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2500/7041 Position
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2500/7042 Voltage
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2500/70448 for regulating the amount of fluid flow
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2500/70454 Engine speed
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2500/70626 PID control
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 48/06 Control by electric or electronic means, e.g. of fluid pressure

Abstract

Device for controlling a clutch, which is connected to an actuator, which can activate the clutch itself; the control device comprises a position sensor, which can detect the position of the clutch, in order to supply a measuring position signal to a main control device, which receives as input information signals, and generates as output a control signal to control the actuator, a monitoring circuit, which can detect a state of malfunctioning of the position sensor, in order to supply a malfunctioning signal, and an auxiliary control device, which can be activated in the presence of a malfunctioning signal, in order to transfer control of the actuator from the main control device to the auxiliary control device.

Claims

1. Control device (1) for a clutch (6), wherein an actuator (8) is connected to a clutch (6), and can activate the clutch (6), the said control device (1) being characterised in that it comprises:

sensor means (33), which can detect the position of the said clutch (6), in order to supply a position signal (P_MIS);

main control means (34,59), which receive the said position signal (P_MIS) and information signals (S_INF), and generate as output a control signal (I, V) for the said actuator (8);

means (32) for diagnosis, which can detect a state of malfunctioning of the said sensor means (33), in order to supply a malfunctioning signal (COM); and

auxiliary control means (35), which can be activated in the presence of the said malfunctioning signal (COM), in order to transfer control of the said actuator (8) from the said main control means (34) to the said auxiliary control means (35).

2. Control device (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the said auxiliary control means (35) comprise:

means for reading (40, 65), which generate as output a speed signal (S_V), which is correlated to the speed of opening/closure of the said clutch (6); and

means (48,66) for conversion (48,66), which receive as input the said speed signal (S_V), and generate as output the said control signal (I,V).

3. Control device (1) according to claim 2, characterised in that the said means (40,65) for reading receive as input the said information signals (S_INF);

the said speed signal S_V being generated by the said means for reading, according to the said information signals (S_INF).

4. Control device (1) according to claim 2, characterised in that the said means (40,65) for reading receive as input a signal for the state of the clutch (S_F), which is indicative of the state of opening/closure of the said clutch (6);

the said means (40,65) for reading selecting respective tables (43,44) for generation of the said speed signal (S_V), on the basis of the said signal for the state of the clutch (S_F).

5. Control device (1) according to claim 4, characterised in that the said means (40,65) for reading receive as input a signal for the operative condition (S_T), which is indicative of the state of functioning of the said clutch (6);

the said means (40,65) for reading selecting respective sub-tables (43a, 43b, 44a, 44b, 44c, 44d) for generation of the said speed signal (S_V), on the basis of the said signal for the operative condition (S_T).

6. Control device (1) according to claim 5, characterised in that the said signal for the operative condition (S_T) can assume a plurality of levels, each of which corresponds to a respective operative condition;

the said operative conditions comprising the;

Operative condition of opening of the clutch (6) during a pick-up of the vehicle (when acceleration occurs);

Operative condition of opening of the clutch (6) during a change of gear;

Operative condition of maintenance of opening of the clutch (6) during a pick-up;

Operative condition of maintenance of opening of the clutch during a change of gear;

Operative condition of closure of the clutch (6) during a pick-up (when braking occurs);

Operative condition of closure of the clutch (6) during a change of gear.

7. Control device according to claim 2, characterised in that the said means (48,66) for conversion convert the said speed signal (S_V) into a signal (I) which is representative of a supply current for control of the said actuator (8).

8. Control device (1) according to claim 7, characterised in that the said means (48,66) for conversion comprise:

a flow-rate calculation circuit (49), which receives as input the said speed signal (S_V), and supplies as output a flow-rate signal (S_Q), which indicates the required flow rate (Q_R) of fluid, which a solenoid valve (22), which is associated with the said actuator (8), must supply to the actuator (8) itself, in order to obtain displacement of the clutch (6) according to the speed indicated by the speed signal (S_V); and

a current calculation circuit (50), which receives as input the flow-rate signal (S_Q), and generates as output the said control signal (I), which is representative of a supply current.

9. Control device (1) according to claim 2, characterised in that the said means (48,66) for conversion convert the said speed signal (S_V) into a signal (V) which is representative of a supply voltage for control of the said actuator (8).

10. Control device (1) according to claim 9, characterised in that the said means (48,66) for conversion comprise:

an angular speed calculation circuit (67), which receives as input the said speed signal (S_V), and supplies as output an angular speed signal (S_W), which indicates the angular speed (W) required from an electric motor (55), which activates the said actuator (54), in order to obtain displacement of the clutch (6) according to the required speed indicated by the speed signal (S_V); and

a voltage calculation circuit (69), which receives as input the said angular speed signal (S_W), and generates as output the said voltage control signal (V).