Method for controlling damper clutch of an automatic trasmission to increase engine power
First Claim
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1. A damper clutch control system for controlling a damper clutch of a vehicle, comprising:
- a damper clutch for connecting a pump directly with a turbine in a torque converter; and
control means for determining a nonoperative portion of an operative range based on engine signals indicative of RPM of an engine and openness of an accelerator throttle, the control means developing a control signal based on whether the engine signals indicate vehicle operation is in at least one of a first range corresponding to a damper clutch nonoperative range, a second range corresponding to the damper clutch operative range, and a third range corresponding to the damper clutch nonoperative portion of the operative range, wherein when the engine signals indicate the vehicle operation is in the third range, the control signal controls release of the damper clutch to increase available torque converting action of the torque converter.
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Abstract
A method for controlling a damper clutch when a vehicle having an automatic transmission requires increased power. For example, when accelerating while driving uphill, the present invention disengages a damper clutch. This advantage is obtained by identifying a power increase region on the damper clutch engaged region of operation such that the damper clutch is disengaged. The method for controlling the damper clutch includes a step of generating engine signal indicative of engine rpms and throttle position. A control signal is developing such that control of the damper clutch is based upon the generated engine signals.
11 Citations
7 Claims
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1. A damper clutch control system for controlling a damper clutch of a vehicle, comprising:
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a damper clutch for connecting a pump directly with a turbine in a torque converter; and control means for determining a nonoperative portion of an operative range based on engine signals indicative of RPM of an engine and openness of an accelerator throttle, the control means developing a control signal based on whether the engine signals indicate vehicle operation is in at least one of a first range corresponding to a damper clutch nonoperative range, a second range corresponding to the damper clutch operative range, and a third range corresponding to the damper clutch nonoperative portion of the operative range, wherein when the engine signals indicate the vehicle operation is in the third range, the control signal controls release of the damper clutch to increase available torque converting action of the torque converter. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A method of controlling a damper clutch of a vehicle, comprising the steps of:
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generating engine signals indicative of RPM of an engine and openness of an accelerator throttle; and developing a control signal based on whether the engine signals indicate vehicle operation is in at least one of a first range corresponding to a damper clutch nonoperative range, a second range corresponding to the damper clutch operative range, and a third range corresponding to the damper clutch nonoperative portion of the operative range, wherein when the engine signals indicate the vehicle operation is in the third range, the control signal controls release of the damper clutch to increase available torque converting action of the torque converter. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification