Apparatus and method for determining remaining transmission oil life
First Claim
1. A method for determining the remaining useful life of oil in a transmission having a torque converter with a lockup clutch, the method comprising:
- detecting if the transmission has completed a new shift;
determining a total shift count if said new shift has been completed;
determining an accumulated time parameter;
determining an accumulated distance parameter;
determining a transmission temperature degradation factor based at least in part upon the accumulated time parameter;
determining a total degradation factor based at least in part upon said transmission temperature degradation factor;
determining an oil life time limit based at least in part upon said total degradation factor;
the total shift count, and the accumulated time parameterdetermining if said accumulated time parameter is greater than said oil life time limit;
determining an oil life distance limit based at least in part upon said total degradation factor;
the total shift count, and the accumulated distance parameterdetermining if said accumulated distance parameter is greater than said oil life distance limit; and
activating a service indicator configured to signal that transmission oil service is required in response to at least one of said accumulated time parameter being greater than said oil life time limit and said accumulated distance parameter being greater than said oil life distance limit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An improved method for predicting the remaining useful life of transmission oil and an apparatus for practicing the same are provided. The method includes: detecting if the transmission has completed a new shift; if yes, determining a total shift count; determining accumulated distance and accumulated time parameters; determining a transmission temperature degradation factor; detecting if the lockup clutch is open and if the transmission is in range; if yes, determining a converter degradation factor; determining a total degradation factor based at least in part upon the transmission temperature degradation factor and converter degradation factor; determining an oil life time limit and oil life distance limit; determining if either the accumulated time parameter is greater than the oil life time limit or the accumulated distance parameter is greater than the oil life distance limit; if yes, activating a service indicator to notify vehicle occupants that transmission oil service is required.
54 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for determining the remaining useful life of oil in a transmission having a torque converter with a lockup clutch, the method comprising:
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detecting if the transmission has completed a new shift; determining a total shift count if said new shift has been completed; determining an accumulated time parameter; determining an accumulated distance parameter; determining a transmission temperature degradation factor based at least in part upon the accumulated time parameter; determining a total degradation factor based at least in part upon said transmission temperature degradation factor; determining an oil life time limit based at least in part upon said total degradation factor;
the total shift count, and the accumulated time parameterdetermining if said accumulated time parameter is greater than said oil life time limit; determining an oil life distance limit based at least in part upon said total degradation factor;
the total shift count, and the accumulated distance parameterdetermining if said accumulated distance parameter is greater than said oil life distance limit; and activating a service indicator configured to signal that transmission oil service is required in response to at least one of said accumulated time parameter being greater than said oil life time limit and said accumulated distance parameter being greater than said oil life distance limit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for determining the remaining useful life of transmission oil in a motorized vehicle including a power transmission having a torque converter with a lockup clutch, the method including:
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detecting if the transmission has completed a new shift; determining a total shift count when said new shift has been completed; determining an accumulated distance parameter; determining an accumulated time parameter; monitoring a transmission temperature; determining a transmission temperature degradation factor based at least in part upon the transmission temperature, and the accumulated time parameter; detecting if the lockup clutch is open and if the transmission is in range; determining a converter degradation factor if the lockup clutch is open and the transmission is in range; determining a total degradation factor based at least in part upon said transmission temperature degradation factor and said converter degradation factor; determining an oil life time limit and an oil life distance limit each based at least in part upon said total degradation factor and said total shift count; determining if at least one of said accumulated time parameter is greater than said oil life time limit and said accumulated distance parameter is greater than said oil life distance limit; and activating a service indicator configured to notify vehicle occupants that transmission oil service is required in response to at least one of said accumulated time parameter being greater than said oil life time limit and said accumulated distance parameter being greater than said oil life distance limit. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A control apparatus for a motorized vehicle with a transmission having a torque converter with a lockup clutch and a reservoir fluidly coupled to and configured for supplying transmission oil to the power transmission, the control apparatus comprising:
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a controller in operative communication with the power transmission; at least one sensing device operatively connected to said controller and configured to monitor a plurality of transmission degradation factors; and a service indicator operatively connected to said controller and configured to signal that transmission oil service is required; wherein said controller is programmed and configured to determine an accumulated time parameter and accumulated distance parameter, detect if the transmission has completed a new shift, and determine a total shift count if said new shift has been completed; wherein said plurality of transmission degradation factors are based at least in part upon at least one of the accumulated time parameter, and the accumulated distance parameter; wherein said controller is programmed and configured to determine a total degradation factor based at least in part upon said plurality of transmission degradation factors; wherein said controller is programmed and configured to determine an oil life time limit and an oil life distance limit based at least in part upon said total degradation factor and said total shift count; wherein said controller is programmed and configured to determine if at least one of said accumulated time parameter is greater than said oil life time limit and said accumulated distance parameter is greater than said oil life distance limit; and wherein said controller activates said service indicator in response to at least one of said accumulated time parameter being greater than said oil life time limit and said accumulated distance parameter being greater than said oil life distance limit. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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Specification