Vehicle with memory for storing paired values, consisting of first data and the run distance

• US 6,470,253 B1
• Filed: 10/09/2001
• Issued: 10/22/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Luk Lamellen Und Kupplungsbau GmbH
• Original Assignee: Luk Lamellen Und Kupplungsbau GmbH
• Inventors: Reichel, Thilo, Salecker, Michael, Castro, Claudio
• Primary Examiner(s): ARTHUR JEANGLAUDE, GERTRUDE
• Application Number:
  US09/831,249
• Time in Patent Office: 378 Days
• Field of Search: 701/25, 701/29, 701/30, 701/51, 701/52, 701/67, 701/35, 180/293, 192/3.32, 192/30.R, 192/31, 192/32
• US Class Current: 701/67
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2500/30406 Clutch slip
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2500/30421 Torque of the output shaft
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2500/3067 Speed of the engine
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2500/30816 Speed of the input shaft
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2500/3104 Travelled distance
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 48/06 Control by electric or electronic means, e.g. of fluid pressure

Abstract

A vehicle including a device for determining vehicle operational data and for determining distance traveled by the vehicle. A memory is provided for storing the operational data together with the distance traveled as paired values for subsequent diagnostic and maintenance purposes. Signals representative of engine rotational speed, transmission input rotational speed, and torque transmitted by the clutch are sensed for determining clutch performance loss values, and the performance loss values are stored in the memory as paired values along with the vehicle distance traveled.

Claims

1. A motor vehicle including a control unit for determining the energy loss resulting from clutch slippage, said vehicle comprising:

a memory associated with the control unit for storing vehicle operating data, means for determining the distance traveled by the vehicle, whereby the vehicle operating data are associated with the distance traveled by the vehicle and are stored as paired values in the memory, means for determining clutch slippage energy loss based upon engine rotational speed, transmission input rotational speed, and torque transmitted by the clutch, and means for determining a set point value for actuation of one of a clutch, a brake, and a transmission based upon the stored paired values.

2. A motor vehicle in accordance with claim 1, wherein the vehicle includes at least one drive means and a clutch operatively connected with the drive means.

3. A motor vehicle in accordance with claim 2, wherein the clutch is actuated automatically.

4. A motor vehicle in accordance with claim 2, including a transmission that is actuated automatically.

5. A motor vehicle in accordance with claim 2, wherein the clutch is actuated manually.

6. A motor vehicle in accordance with claim 2, including a transmission that is actuated manually.

7. A motor vehicle in accordance with claim 1, wherein performance loss of the clutch is determined by integration of the product of transmittable clutch torque and a value representative of clutch slippage.

8. A motor vehicle in accordance with claim 7, including a device for determining engine rotational speed.

9. A motor vehicle in accordance with claim 7, including a device for determining transmission input speed.

10. A motor vehicle in accordance with claim 7, including a device for determining the torque transmittable by the clutch.

11. A motor vehicle having a drive train for delivering power to at least one drive wheel from an engine through a clutch, said vehicle comprising:

a. a signal receiving unit for receiving signals representative of engine rotational speed, transmission input rotational speed, and torque transmitted by the clutch for determining clutch performance loss values;

b. a distance determining device for providing a signal representative of distance traveled by the vehicle;

c. means for determining clutch slippage energy loss based upon engine rotational speed, transmission input rotational speed, and torque transmitted by the clutch; and

d. a memory for storing respective energy loss values and vehicle distance traveled values as data pairs for subsequent diagnostic and maintenance purposes.

12. A motor vehicle in accordance with claim 11, including a signaling device for providing a signal when the performance loss value exceeds a predetermined value.

13. A motor vehicle in accordance with claim 12, wherein the signaling device provides a visual signal.

14. A motor vehicle in accordance with claim 12, wherein the signaling device provides an acoustic signal.