Automatic clutch control

• US 5,782,710 A
• Filed: 08/19/1996
• Issued: 07/21/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Daimler Chrysler Company LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Mercedes-Benz AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Kosik, Franz, Worner, Gunter
• Primary Examiner(s): Ta, Khoi Q.
• Application Number:
  US08/699,664
• Time in Patent Office: 701 Days
• Field of Search: 477/86, 477/87, 477/88, 477/61, 477/62, 477/174, 477/175, 477/179, 477/180, 364/424.096, 364/424.097
• US Class Current: 477/86
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2500/10481 Automatic clutch, e.g. centrifugal masses
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2500/3065 Torque of the engine
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2500/3108 Vehicle speed
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2500/31466 Gear lever
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2500/50287 Torque control
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2500/7044 Output shaft torque
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 48/06 Control by electric or electronic means, e.g. of fluid pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 48/066 Control of fluid pressure, e.g. using an accumulator F16D48/062, F16D48/068 take precedence

Abstract

In a method of controlling an automatic clutch disposed between a motor, especially an internal combustion engine, and the drive train of a vehicle which includes an arbitrarily operable transmission, the clutch is engaged in dependence on the torque generated by the motor in such a manner that the torque which can be transmitted by the clutch is only slightly above the motor-generated torque and, immediately after a transmission ratio change, the clutch is first fully engaged for the transmission of maximum torque if the motor torque exceeds a certain threshold value.

Claims

1. A method of controlling an automatic clutch disposed between a motor and a drive train of a vehicle which includes a transmission, said method comprising the steps of:

engaging said clutch during operation of said vehicle in dependence on the torque generated by said motor such that a torque which can be transmitted by said clutch is higher, by a predetermined amount, than the torque generated by said motor, and, immediately after a gear change of said transmission, first fully engaging said clutch for the transmission of maximum torque if the motor torque as represented by a torque value exceeds a certain threshold value.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said clutch is engaged to a degree dependent on the torque generated by said motor if, after a gear change, the torque generated by said motor remains below a predetermined value.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein, with increasing vehicle speed, said clutch is engaged so as to be able to transmit an increasing torque.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein said clutch is engaged to a degree dependent on the torque generated by said motor if, after a gear change, the torque generated by said motor is increased only at a rate less than a predetermined value.