Multi-function centrifugal clutch

• US 20060180425A1
• Filed: 02/16/2005
• Published: 08/17/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Meritor Transmission Corporation (Meritor, Inc. (Nevada))
• Original Assignee: Meritor Transmission Corporation (Meritor, Inc. (Nevada))
• Inventors: Dreier, Loren Christopher, Heinzelmann, Karl-Fritz, AbuSamra, Muneer, Sayman, Robert Anthony, Muetzel, Ronald Peter, Ronge, Ludger, Allen, Charles E. Jr., DeVore, James Henry, Sturmer, Winfried
• Granted Patent: US 7,318,513 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 192/105.B
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 43/10 the centrifugal masses acting directly on the pressure ring, no other actuating mechanism for the pressure ring being provided

Abstract

A clutch assembly includes a reaction surface that provides several disengagement surfaces that cause axial movement of a front plate to reduce torque transmission at rotational speeds above an engagement speed. The disengagement surfaces reduce torque to break torque lock at rotational speeds corresponding to desired gear changes. The clutch assembly is controlled to tailor the relationship between clutch torque and engine speed to current vehicle operating conditions to provide consistent vehicle performance over different operating conditions.

Claims

1. An automatic clutch assembly comprising:

a plurality of centrifugal weights movable radially in response to rotation; and

a reaction surface cooperating with said plurality of centrifugal weights causing clutch actuation according to a non-linear relationship between torque transfer and rotational speed.

2. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said reaction surface comprises a plate movable axially responsive to radial movement of said plurality of centrifugal weights.

3. The assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein said reaction surface moves axially toward an engaged position at a first rotational speed, and axially toward a release position at a second rotational speed greater than said first rotational speed.

4. The assembly as recited in claim 3, wherein said plate includes at least one engagement surface causing axial movement toward said engaged position, and at lease one disengagement surface causing axial movement away from said engaged position.

5. The assembly as recited in claim 4, wherein said at least one disengagement surface comprises a plurality of disengagement surfaces wherein said at least one engagement surface comprises a plurality of said engagement surfaces.

6. The assembly as recited in claim 4, wherein said plurality of centrifugal weights moves onto said disengagement surface at a rotational speed corresponding with a desired gear change.

7. The assembly as recited in claim 4, wherein said reaction surface provides for adjustment of torque transfer between a plurality of friction plates and a corresponding plurality of pressure plates.

8. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said reaction surface is fixed to prevent axial movement.

9. A method of controlling a clutch assembly comprising the steps of:

a) determining current vehicle conditions;

b) measuring accelerator pedal position; and

c) adjusting clutch torque based on the current vehicle conditions and the accelerator pedal position to provide a desired vehicle performance.

10. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein the desired vehicle performance is vehicle acceleration.

11. The method as recited in claim 9, comprising the step of tailoring engine speed and clutch torque based on the current vehicle conditions and the accelerator pedal position.

12. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the current vehicle conditions includes at least a vehicle load, such that clutch torque is tailored to provide a desired vehicle acceleration regardless of vehicle load.

13. The method as recited in claim 12, comprising the step of relating engine speed and clutch torque to accelerator pedal position for different vehicle conditions to provide a desired vehicle acceleration.

14. The method as recited in claim 11, comprising the step of adjusting engine speed and clutch torque to provide a consistent vehicle start off acceleration for different vehicle operating conditions.

15. The method as recited in claim 9, comprising the step of tailoring a rate of increase in engine speed to accelerator pedal travel responsive to vehicle operating conditions.

16. The method as recited in claim 9, comprising the step of synchronizing clutch torque to accelerator pedal position based on the current vehicle conditions determined in said step (a).

17. The method as recited in claim 9, comprising the step of measuring vehicle load and adjusting clutch torque responsive to the vehicle load.

18. The method as recited in claim 9, comprising the step of measuring a resistance to vehicle movement and adjusting clutch torque responsive to the resistance to vehicle movement.

19. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein the resistance to vehicle movement comprises a road grade on which a vehicle is traveling.

20. The method as recited in claim 9, including the step of adjusting a clutch front plate position in response to the current vehicle conditions.