Damper clutch control method for automatic transmission

• US 6,383,117 B1
• Filed: 07/07/2000
• Issued: 05/07/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Original Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Inventors: Lee, Hee-Yong
• Primary Examiner(s): Wright, Dirk
• Application Number:
  US09/612,376
• Time in Patent Office: 669 Days
• Field of Search: 477/168
• US Class Current: 477/168
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2059/663 Road slope
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 59/66 Road conditions, e.g. slope, slippery
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/143 using electric control means

Abstract

In a damper clutch control method of a hydraulic control system for automatic transmissions, a damper clutch operation condition is first calculated according to signals from a drive condition detecting part, then it is determined if the calculated value is within a damper clutch operation range on a level road. When the calculated value is within the damper clutch operation range, the pressure control solenoid valve is controlled such that the damper clutch can be operated by hydraulic fluid fed through the damper clutch control valve, then it is determined if a damper clutch release condition on a level road is satisfied or not. When the damper clutch release condition is satisfied, the pressure control solenoid valve is controlled such that the damper clutch can be released by releasing hydraulic fluid from the damper clutch.

Claims

1. A damper clutch control method of a hydraulic control system for automatic transmissions, the hydraulic control system comprising a drive condition detecting part for detecting a drive condition of a vehicle and outputting corresponding signals, a pressure control solenoid valve, a transmission control unit for duty-controlling the pressure control solenoid valve in accordance with the signals from the drive condition detecting part, and a damper clutch control valve for selectively supplying hydraulic pressure to a damper clutch in accordance with the operation of the pressure control solenoid valve, the damper clutch control method comprising the steps of:

calculating a damper clutch operation condition according to signals from the drive condition detecting part;

determining if the calculated value is within a damper clutch operation range on a level road;

controlling, when the calculated value is within the damper clutch operation range, the pressure control solenoid valve such that the damper clutch can be operated by hydraulic fluid fed through the damper clutch control valve;

determining if a damper clutch release condition on a level road is satisfied or not;

controlling, when the damper clutch release condition is satisfied, the pressure control solenoid valve such that the damper clutch can be released by releasing hydraulic fluid from the damper clutch;

determining if a damper clutch operation condition on a slope is satisfied or not;

calculating a gradient of the slope when the damper clutch operation condition on the slope is satisfied;

determining if a slope running time and the calculated gradient satisfy a predetermined condition;

duty-controlling when the slope running time and the calculated gradient satisfy the predetermined condition the pressure control solenoid valve such that the damper clutch control valve supplies hydraulic pressure to the damper clutch to operate the damper clutch;

determining if a damper clutch release condition is satisfied or not; and

controlling, when the damper clutch release condition is satisfied, the pressure control solenoid valve such that the hydraulic pressure fed to the damper clutch is released.

2. A damper clutch control method of claim 1 wherein the standard gradient is about 5%.

3. A damper clutch control method of claim 1 wherein the standard running time is about 5 seconds.

4. A damper clutch control method of claim 1, wherein:

the predetermined condition includes a first condition of the slope running time being no longer than a standard running time and a second condition of the calculated gradient of the slope being greater than a standard gradient,

said determining if a slope running time and the calculated gradient satisfy a predetermined condition determines that the slope running time and the calculated gradient satisfy the predetermined condition if the first and second conditions are satisfied, and

said determining if a damper clutch release condition is satisfied or not determines if the damper clutch release condition is satisfied or not on the basis of a gradient of the slope.