Primary clutch electronic CVT

• US 8,682,550 B2
• Filed: 10/15/2012
• Issued: 03/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Polaris Industries Incorporated (Polaris Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Polaris Industries Incorporated (Polaris Inc.)
• Inventors: Nelson, Stephen L., Gillingham, Brian R., Wenger, Urs, Krosschell, Brian D., Grajkowski, Karl J., Meyer, Philipp, Frost, Donald E., Zurbruegg, Ronald, Erasmus, Peter J., Fredrickson, Donovan L., Kohler, Beat R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mawari, Redhwan K
• Application Number:
  US13/652,253
• Publication Number:
  US 20130096790A1
• Time in Patent Office: 526 Days
• Field of Search: 701/22, 701/23, 701/24, 701/25, 701/31.4, 701/123, 903/903, 903/930, 180/65.275, 180/65.2, 180/65.3
• US Class Current: 701/58
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/015 the regulating means comprising electric or electronic elements B60G17/002, B60G17/005 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/016 characterised by their responsiveness, when the vehicle is travelling, to specific motion, a specific condition, or driver input B60G17/017 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/62 Adjustable continuously, e.g. during driving
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2500/10 Damping action or damper
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2059/0226 for selecting particular shift speeds, e.g. a fast shift speed with aggressive gear change
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2059/082 with different modes
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 59/06 the ratio being infinitely variable
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/66259 using electrical or electronical sensing or control means
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 63/067 mechanical actuating means
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 63/50 Signals to an engine or motor

Abstract

A continuously variable transmission (CVT) is provided for use on a recreational or utility vehicle. The CVT is electronically controlled by at least one control unit of the vehicle. The CVT includes a primary clutch having a first sheave and a second sheave moveable relative to the first sheave. An actuator controls movement of the second sheave.

Claims

1. A recreational vehicle including:

a chassis;

a drive train including an engine supported by the chassis, a continuously variable transmission driven by the engine, and a ground engaging mechanism configured to support the chassis, the continuously variable transmission including a first clutch and a second clutch, the first clutch being adjustable to modulate a gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission;

a suspension system coupled between the chassis and the ground engaging mechanism;

at least one of a speed sensor and a suspension sensor, the speed sensor being configured to detect a speed of the drive train and the suspension sensor being configured to detect a height of the suspension system; and

a controller configured to control the first clutch of the continuously variable transmission, the controller being operative to detect an airborne state of the vehicle based on at least one of the detected speed of the drive train and the detected height of the suspension system, the controller being operative to adjust the first clutch upon a detection of the airborne state to reduce an acceleration of the drive train.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the controller adjusts the first clutch upon detection of the airborne state to reduce a speed of the drive train to a target speed, the target speed being based on a speed of the drive train when the vehicle is in the grounded state.

3. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein the target speed is based on the detected speed of the drive train immediately prior to the vehicle being in the airborne state.

4. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the controller adjusts the first clutch upon detection of the airborne state by reducing a rate of upshifting of the continuously variable transmission.

5. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the controller adjusts the first clutch upon detection of the airborne state by at least one of downshifting the continuously variable transmission to a lower gear ratio and holding the gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission substantially constant.

6. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the controller determines the acceleration of the drive train based on the detected speed of the drive train, and the controller detects the airborne state of the vehicle based on the acceleration of the drive train exceeding a threshold acceleration.

7. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the controller detects the airborne state of the vehicle based on the detected height of the suspension system exceeding a threshold height.

8. The vehicle of claim 1, further including a throttle valve configured to regulate fuel to the engine, the controller being operable to control a position of the throttle valve, wherein the controller is operative to adjust the first clutch and to reduce an opening of the throttle valve upon detection of the airborne state of the vehicle to reduce the acceleration of the drive train.

9. A method of controlling a continuously variable transmission of a vehicle, the method including:

providing a vehicle including a chassis, a suspension system, and a drive train, the drive train including an engine, a continuously variable transmission driven by the engine, and a ground engaging mechanism configured to support the chassis, the continuously variable transmission including a first clutch and a second clutch, the first clutch being adjustable to modulate a gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission;

detecting a speed of the drive train with a speed sensor;

detecting an airborne state of the vehicle based on at least one of an acceleration of the drive train and a height of the suspension system, the acceleration being determined based on the detected speed of the vehicle; and

adjusting the first clutch of the continuously variable transmission upon detection of the airborne state of the vehicle to reduce the acceleration of the drive train.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the adjusting the first clutch of the continuously variable transmission reduces the speed of the drive train to a target speed, and the target speed is based on a speed of the drive train when the vehicle is in the grounded state prior to being in the airborne state.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the adjusting the first clutch of the continuously variable transmission includes at least one of downshifting the continuously variable transmission to a lower gear ratio and reducing a rate of upshifting of the continuously variable transmission.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the vehicle further includes a throttle valve configured to regulate an amount of fuel provided to the engine, the method further including reducing an opening of the throttle valve upon detection of the airborne state of the vehicle to reduce the acceleration of the drive train.