Dual-clutch transmission predictive thermal protection

• US 9,090,240 B2
• Filed: 03/05/2012
• Issued: 07/28/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Burtch, Joseph B., Litkouhi, Sahm, Marano, John E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, John Q
• Assistant Examiner(s): NG, MICHAEL L
• Application Number:
  US13/411,989
• Publication Number:
  US 20130231833A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,240 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/02 including control of driveline clutches
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/113 with two input flow paths, e.g. double clutch transmission selection of one of the torque flow paths by the corresponding input clutch
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/0291 Clutch temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/1843 Overheating of driveline components B60W30/186 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2300/186 Excessive wear or burn out of friction elements, e.g. clutches
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2057/014 of friction elements in transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2057/016 Monitoring of overload conditions
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2059/725 Sensing or calculating temperature of friction devices, e.g. clutches to prevent overheating of friction linings
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2061/1216 Display or indication of detected failures
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2061/124 Limiting the input power, torque or speed
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 59/72 dependent on oil characteristics, e.g. temperature, viscosity
• 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 61/688 with two inputs, e.g. selection of one of two torque-flow paths by clutches

Abstract

A method of managing clutch thermal loads in a multi-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) that is paired with an internal combustion engine in a vehicle is provided. The method includes assessing operation of the DCT and ascertaining a mode of operation of a clutch in the DCT. The method also includes predicting, in response to the ascertained mode of operation of the clutch, an amount of time remaining until the clutch reaches a threshold temperature. The method additionally includes ascertaining whether the predicted amount of time remaining until the clutch reaches the threshold temperature is within a predetermined range of time. Furthermore, the method includes activating an indicator configured to signal that the predicted amount of time remaining is within the predetermined range of time. A vehicle having a DCT, an internal combustion engine, and a controller configured to predict thermal loading on a clutch in the DCT is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A method for managing clutch thermal loads in a multi-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) that is paired with an internal combustion engine in a vehicle, the method comprising:

assessing operation of the DCT;

ascertaining a mode of operation of a clutch in the DCT;

predicting, in response to the ascertained mode of operation of the clutch, an amount of time remaining until the clutch reaches a threshold temperature, wherein said predicting the amount of time remaining until the clutch reaches the threshold temperature includes employing the Newton-Raphson method to approximate the amount of time remaining;

ascertaining whether the predicted amount of time remaining until the clutch reaches the threshold temperature is within a predetermined range of time; and

activating an indicator configured to signal that the predicted amount of time remaining until the clutch reaches the threshold temperature is within the predetermined range of time,

wherein the threshold temperature is a first value indicative of the clutch being overheated, the method further comprising regulating the operation of the DCT such that energy input to the clutch is reduced when the predicted amount of time remaining until the clutch reaches the first value is within the predetermined range of time.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the indicator is at least one of an audible signal and a visual display.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the visual display includes a request for an operator of the vehicle to at least one of i) increase vehicle speed or apply the vehicle brake, and ii) apply and hold vehicle brake.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the visual display includes a request for an operator of the vehicle to release the vehicle brake.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said regulating operation of the DCT such that energy input to the clutch is reduced includes disengaging the clutch.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the threshold temperature is a second value indicative of the clutch being substantially cool, further comprising regulating operation of the DCT to permit additional energy input to the clutch when the temperature of the clutch is reduced below the second value.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein each of said assessing operation of the DCT, ascertaining the mode of operation of the clutch in the DCT, predicting the amount of time remaining until the clutch reaches the threshold temperature, ascertaining whether the predicted amount of time remaining until the clutch reaches the threshold temperature is within the predetermined range of time, and activating the indicator is accomplished via a controller.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the clutch is one of an odd-ratio clutch and an even-ratio clutch.

9. A vehicle comprising:

an internal combustion engine configured to generate engine torque;

a drive wheel configured to interface with a road surface;

a multi-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) operatively connected to the engine and configured to transmit engine torque to the drive wheel; and

a controller configured to;

assess operation of the DCT;

ascertain a mode of operation of a clutch in the DCT;

predict, in response to the ascertained mode of operation of the clutch, an amount of time remaining until the clutch reaches a threshold temperature via employing the Newton-Raphson method to approximate the amount of time remaining;

ascertain whether the predicted amount of time remaining until the clutch reaches the threshold temperature is within a predetermined range of time; and

activate an indicator configured to signal that the predicted amount of time remaining until the clutch reaches the threshold temperature is within the predetermined range of time,

wherein the threshold temperature is a first value indicative of the clutch being overheated, and the controller is additionally configured to regulate operation of the DCT such that the energy input to the clutch is reduced when the predicted amount of time remaining until the clutch reaches the first value is within the predetermined range of time.

10. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the indicator is at least one of an audible signal and a visual display.

11. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the visual display includes a request for an operator of the vehicle to at least one of i) increase vehicle speed or apply the vehicle brake, and ii) apply and hold vehicle brake.

12. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the visual display includes a request for an operator of the vehicle to release the vehicle brake.

13. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the controller regulates operation of the DCT such that energy input to the clutch is reduced by disengaging the clutch.

14. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the threshold temperature is a second value indicative of the clutch being substantially cool, and the controller is additionally configured to regulate operation of the DCT to permit additional energy input to the clutch when the temperature of the clutch is reduced below the second value.

15. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the clutch is one of an odd-ratio clutch and an even-ratio clutch.

16. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the indicator additionally includes a coded message stored in the controller and configured to be retrieved on demand.