Method and apparatus for regulating the transmission of torque in power trains

• US 6,105,743 A
• Filed: 01/07/1999
• Issued: 08/22/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Luk Getriebe-Systeme GmbH (INA-Holding Schaeffler GmbH & Co. KG)
• Original Assignee: Luk Getriebe-Systeme GmbH (INA-Holding Schaeffler GmbH & Co. KG)
• Inventors: Wagner, Uwe, Reuschel, Michael, Muller, Bruno, Wagner, Alfons, Salecker, Michael, Rauser, Martin
• Primary Examiner(s): Bonck, Rodney H.
• Application Number:
  US09/227,003
• Time in Patent Office: 593 Days
• Field of Search: 192/90, 192/91 R, 192/91 A, 192/84.6, 192/85 C, 192/85 CA
• US Class Current: 192/84.6
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/165 acting on elements of the vehicle drive train other than the propulsion unit and brakes, e.g. transmission, clutch, differential acting on brakes B60T8/17
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/04 including control of propulsion units
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/101 Infinitely variable gearings
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0011 Proportional Integral Differential [PID] controller
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0031 Mathematical model of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0042 Transfer function lag; delays
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0052 Filtering, filters
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/021 Means for detecting failure or malfunction
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/0241 Clutch slip, i.e. difference between input and output speeds
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/0623 Fuel flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/0638 Engine speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/0657 Engine torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/0671 Engine manifold pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/12 Brake pedal 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: B60W 2710/105 Output torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18 Propelling the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/20 Reducing vibrations in the driveline
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2500/1024 combined with hydraulic actuation
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2500/1085 : Automatic transmission
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2500/3056 : Cooling oil temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2500/306 : from the engine
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2500/308 : from the transmission
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2500/3144 : Accelerator pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2500/3161 : Signal providing information about the state of engine accessories
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2500/70217 : Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2500/7041 : Position
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2500/70426 : Clutch slip
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2500/70434 : Input shaft torque
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2500/7044 : Output shaft torque
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2500/70615 : PI control
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2500/70626 : PID control
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 48/06 : Control by electric or electronic means, e.g. of fluid pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 48/064 : Control of electrically or electromagnetically actuated clutches F16D48/062, F16D48/068 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 48/066 : Control of fluid pressure, e.g. using an accumulator F16D48/062, F16D48/068 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 48/068 : using signals from a manually actuated gearshift linkage
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2059/385 : Turbine speed
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2061/0015 : Transmission control for optimising fuel consumptions
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2061/0087 : Adaptive control, e.g. the control parameters adapted by learning
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2061/145 : for controlling slip, e.g. approaching target slip value
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 45/02 : with mechanical clutches for bridging a fluid gearing of the hydrokinetic type control of torque converter lock-up clutches F16H61/14
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 59/0217 : with electric switches or sensors not for gear or range selection, e.g. for controlling auxiliary devices for gear selection F16H59/044; for range selection F16H59/105
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 59/044 : consisting of electrical switches or sensors range selectors with electric switches or sensors F16H59/105
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 59/14 : Inputs being a function of torque or torque demand
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 59/36 : Inputs being a function of speed
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/12 : Detecting malfunction or potential malfunction, e.g. fail safe in control of hydrostatic gearing F16H61/4192; Circumventing or fixing failures
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/143 : using electric control means
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/66 : specially adapted for continuously variable gearings control of exclusively fluid gearing F16H61/38
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/662 : with endless flexible members
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/664 : Friction gearings
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 63/46 : Signals to a clutch outside the gearbox
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 : Engine management systems

Abstract

A method of monitoring a torque transmission system with a manually switchable gearbox in the power train of a motor vehicle involves the utilization of at least one sensor unit at the input side of the torque transmission system to ascertain relevant positions of the shift lever of the gearbox and the driving torque of the engine of the motor vehicle. The thus obtained shift lever signals are memorized, together with comparison signals which are obtained as a result of filtering of the shift lever signals, and various characteristics of such signals are recognized and identified to indicate the intention of the operator of the vehicle regarding the switching of the gearbox. The thus obtained switching intention signals are transmitted to a controlled clutch operating system.

Claims

1. A torque transmitting system for transmitting torque from an input side to an output side of a drive train of a motor vehicle having an engine and a transmission, said system comprising:

a clutch; and

an actuator element, comprising;

an actuator housing;

an electric motor having an electric motor shaft; and

a control device having an electronic control and power circuit both within said actuator housing.

2. The torque transmission system of claim 1, wherein the clutch is self adjusting.

3. The torque transmission system of claim 1, wherein the clutch automatically compensates for friction-lining wear.

4. The torque transmission system of claim 1, wherein the clutch is operatively coupled to the actuator element via a hydraulic circuit having a clutch slave, and the control device controls the actuator element.

5. The torque transmission system of claim 4, further comprising:

a clutch displacement member arranged within the actuator housing;

wherein the electric motor is clouded to a hydraulic conduit and operates via an eccentric disposed on a hydraulic master cylinder having a master cylinder shaft and a master cylinder housing.

6. The torque transmission system of claim 5, wherein the electric motor, the eccentric, the hydraulic master cylinder and the clutch displacement sensor are arranged inside the actuator housing.

7. The torque transmission system of claim 6, wherein the electric motor shaft and the master cylinder shaft are arranged parallel to each other.

8. The torque transmission system of claim 7, wherein the electric motor shaft and the master cylinder shaft are arranged in different planes and are operatively coupled to each other via the eccentric.

9. The torque transmission system of claim 8, wherein the electronic control and power circuit is arranged on a circuit board, and the electric motor shaft extends parallel to a plane defined by the circuit board.

10. The torque transmission system of claim 8, wherein a spring is arranged inside the actuator housing concentrically to the master cylinder shaft.

11. The torque transmission system of claim 8, wherein a spring is arranged inside the actuator housing concentrically to the master cylinder shaft.

12. The torque transmission system of claim 11, wherein the force vs. displacement characteristic is selected such that a resultant force supplied by the electric motor is substantially a linear displacement function.

13. The torque transmission system of claim 12, wherein the electric motor shaft supports a worm gear which drives a segment gear, a crank is connected to the segment gear, and the crank is operatively coupled via a piston rod to a piston of the master cylinder such that both push and pull forces are applied to the piston.

14. The torque transmission system of claim 13, wherein the worm gear and the segment gear comprise a self-locking gearbox.

15. The torque transmission system of claim 8, wherein a force vs. displacement characteristic of the spring is selected such that a maximum force supplied by the electric motor is substantially equal in a push and a pull direction.

16. The torque transmission system of claim 1, wherein the actuator element further includes a gear unit arranged in sequence after the electric motor.