Algorithm for electro-mechanical clutch actuator

• US 6,050,379 A
• Filed: 07/10/1998
• Issued: 04/18/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: FCA US LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Chrysler Corporation (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Lyon, Kim M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bonck, Rodney H.
• Application Number:
  US09/113,543
• Time in Patent Office: 648 Days
• Field of Search: 477/176, 477/180, 477/74, 701/68, 192/54.1, 192/54.4, 192/90
• US Class Current: 192/54.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0009 Proportional differential [PD] controller
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0011 Proportional Integral Differential [PID] controller
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/0275 Clutch torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/1025 Input torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/022 Clutch actuator position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/025 Clutch slip, i.e. difference between input and output speeds
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/027 Clutch torque
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2500/1025 with threaded transmission
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2500/30814 Torque of the input shaft
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2500/3166 Detection of an elapsed period of time
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2500/50287 Torque control
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2500/7041 Position
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2500/70605 Adaptive correction; Modifying control system parameters, e.g. gains, constants, look-up tables
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2500/7061 Feed-back
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2500/70626 PID control
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 28/00 Electrically-actuated clutches arrangements for synchronisation F16D23/02; clutches actuated directly by means of an electromagnet F16D27/00; automatic clutches F16D43/00 - F16D45/00; external control F16D48/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 48/06 Control by electric or electronic means, e.g. of fluid pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2302/04 Determining a modus for shifting selection of shift speed modus F16H2059/0226
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2342/042 Point of engagement

Abstract

In providing automated shifting of a manual transmission, the electro-mechanical clutch actuator of the present invention is provided for disengaging and engaging the clutch of a manual-type transmission. The control algorithm includes utilizing an adaptively learned touchpoint along with a series of calibrated offsets for positioning the clutch during different modes of operation. During engagement of the clutch, a closed-loop, PID, "rate of clutch slip" calculational scheme controls the rate of clutch engagement to a predetermined numeric rate of clutch slip.

Claims

1. A method for controlling engagement of a clutch using a clutch actuator, comprising the steps of:

applying a torque sensing element to a transmission input shaft;

providing a pre-determined rate of torque applied goal for engagement of said clutch;

initiating clutch engagement;

detecting a rate of torque applied during engagement of said clutch by measuring torque at timed intervals and determining a difference in torque divided by an amount of time corresponding to said timed intervals; and

adjusting a position of said clutch in order to bring said clutch into engagement according to said predetermined rate of torque applied goal.