SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROL OF TRANSMISSION AND/OR PRIME MOVER

• US 20160362108A1
• Filed: 06/13/2016
• Published: 12/15/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Enviolo BV
• Original Assignee: Fallbrook Intellectual Property Company LLC (Fallbrook Technologies Incorporated)
• Inventors: Keilers, Cyril, Rogers, David Lynn, Diehl, Eric, Orand, Austin, Bartholomew, Mark Edward, Vasiliotis, Christopher M, McDaniel, Loren T., Carter, Jeremy
• Granted Patent: US 9,878,717 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/421 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/423 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/08 including control of electric propulsion units, e.g. motors or generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/105 of electric type
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/108 Friction gearings
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/081 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/28 Wheel speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/10 Accelerator pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/106 Rate of change
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/083 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/1005 Transmission ratio engaged
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/248 Current for loading or unloading
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/188 Controlling power parameters of the driveline, e.g. determining the required power
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/6648 controlling of shifting being influenced by a signal derived from the engine and the main coupling
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 Electric machine technologies in electromobility

Abstract

Methods of controlling a prime mover and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) are described. The CVT has a group of spherical power adjusters. Each power adjuster has a tiltable axis of rotation. The methods may include optimizing a vehicle having a drive motor and a continuously variable transmission. The CVT has a plurality of spherical power adjusters, each power adjuster having a tiltable axis of rotation. The methods may include optimizing a drive system having a prime mover and a continuously variable transmission.

Claims

1-13. -13. (canceled)

14. A vehicle comprising:

a motor;

a continuously variable transmission (CVT) coupled to the motor, the CVT having a plurality of spherical power adjusters, each power adjuster having a tiltable axis of rotation; and

a processor coupled to a memory storing a data structure and a set of instructions executable by the processor to perform

receiving an input associated with an operating mode,

receiving an input associated with a motor speed,

receiving information associated with the CVT, and

adjusting a speed ratio of the CVT based on the operating mode and the motor speed.

15. The vehicle of claim 14, wherein adjusting a speed ratio of the CVT comprises:

monitoring a sensor to determine a current draw of the motor when operating the CVT and the motor;

comparing the current draw of the motor to a desired range of current draw associated with the operating mode; and

if the current draw of the motor is outside the desired range of current draw, adjusting the current draw of the motor.

16. The vehicle of claim 15, wherein the set of instructions are executable to receive an input associated with a desired vehicle speed.

20. The vehicle of claim 15, wherein monitoring a sensor to determine a current draw of the motor comprises determining a wheel speed.

21. The vehicle of claim 20, wherein the set of instructions are executable to create a table indicative of the relationship between the current draw of the motor and wheel speed.

17-1. The vehicle of claim 17, wherein receiving an input associated with a desired vehicle speed comprises determining a current draw based on the throttle position.

22. A method of operating a vehicle having a motor coupled to a continuously variable transmission (CVT), the CVT having a plurality of spherical power adjusters, each power adjuster having a tiltable axis of rotation, the CVT comprising a controller coupled to a memory storing a set of instructions, the method comprising:

receiving an input associated with an operating mode;

receiving an input associated with a motor speed;

receiving information associated with the CVT; and

adjusting a speed ratio of the CVT based on the operating mode and the motor speed.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein adjusting a speed ratio of the CVT comprises:

monitoring a sensor to determine a current draw of the motor when operating the CVT and the motor;

comparing the current draw of the motor to a desired range of current draw associated with the operating mode; and

if the current draw of the motor is outside the desired range of current draw, adjusting the current draw of the motor.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising receiving an input associated with a desired vehicle speed.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein receiving an input associated with a desired vehicle speed comprises reading a throttle position.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein receiving an input associated with a desired vehicle speed comprises determining a throttle position rate of change.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein receiving an input associated with a desired vehicle speed comprises determining a current draw based on the throttle position.

28. The method of claim 23, wherein monitoring a sensor to determine a current draw of the motor comprises determining a wheel speed.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising creating a table indicative of the relationship between the current draw of the motor and wheel speed.