TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH CONTROL

• US 20090093339A1
• Filed: 10/03/2007
• Published: 04/09/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: FCA US LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Chen, Gang
• Granted Patent: US 7,846,065 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 477/61
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 59/18 dependent on the position of the accelerator pedal
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 59/24 dependent on the throttle opening
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/143 using electric control means

Abstract

A powertrain for a vehicle includes an engine having an output and a transmission selectively driven by the output of the engine. A torque converter is disposed between the engine and the transmission for selectively coupling the output of the engine to the transmission. A controller is in communication with the engine and the torque converter and controls a pressure: within the torque converter based on an input parameter supplied to the engine.

Claims

1. A powertrain for a vehicle, the powertrain comprising:

an engine having an output;

a transmission selectively driven by said output of said engine;

a torque converter disposed between said engine and said transmission for selectively coupling said output of said engine to said transmission; and

a controller in communication with said engine and said torque converter and operable to control a pressure within said torque converter based on an input parameter supplied to said engine.

2. The powertrain system of claim 1, wherein said input parameter is a position of an accelerator.

3. The powertrain system of claim 1, wherein said input parameter is a position of a throttle associated with said engine.

4. The powertrain system of claim 1, wherein said controller includes a feedback control module that continuously modulates a pressure within said torque converter.

5. The powertrain system of claim 4, wherein said feedback control module outputs a PID feedback control signal to a valve to supply said torque converter with fluid at a predetermined duty ratio.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said supplying said fluid to said torque converter increases a pressure within said torque converter to selectively engage a clutch.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising generating a feedback control signal based on a measure of slip.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising generating an error signal based on a comparison of said slip and a desired slip, which is a function of said torque demand on said engine.

6. A method of controlling a vehicle, the method comprising:

detecting a torque demand on an engine of the vehicle;

generating a signal based on said torque demand;

supplying said signal to a control valve;

operating said control valve based on said signal;

supplying fluid to a torque converter associated with said engine based on said opening of said valve; and

driving a transmission based on an output of said torque converter to propel the vehicle.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said determining said torque demand on said engine includes determining a position of an accelerator.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein said determining said torque demand on said engine includes determining a position of an engine throttle.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein said supplying said signal to said valve includes providing a PID signal to said valve to cycle said valve between an open position and a closed position at a predetermined duty rate.