Primary clutch electronic CVT
First Claim
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1. A method of controlling a continuously variable transmission of a vehicle carried out by at least one control unit, the vehicle including an engine operative to drive the continuously variable transmission, the method including:
- determining a speed of the engine of the vehicle;
detecting a throttle parameter;
determining a clutch control variable based on an operator input device, the continuously variable transmission of the vehicle including a first clutch and a second clutch, the first clutch being moveable by an actuator to modulate a gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission;
wherein the actuator is operated to move the first clutch from an initial position to the target positioncalculating a target engine speed based on the clutch control variable;
detecting an acceleration rate of the vehicle; and
calculating a target position of the first clutch of the continuously variable transmission based on the calculated target engine speed, the detected acceleration rate of the vehicle, and the determined speed of the engine;
determining a target velocity of the first clutch based on the vehicle acceleration rate for a movement of the first clutch from the initial position to the target position, wherein the calculating the target position of the first clutch of the continuous variable transmission is further based on the target velocity.
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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.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of controlling a continuously variable transmission of a vehicle carried out by at least one control unit, the vehicle including an engine operative to drive the continuously variable transmission, the method including:
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determining a speed of the engine of the vehicle; detecting a throttle parameter; determining a clutch control variable based on an operator input device, the continuously variable transmission of the vehicle including a first clutch and a second clutch, the first clutch being moveable by an actuator to modulate a gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission;
wherein the actuator is operated to move the first clutch from an initial position to the target positioncalculating a target engine speed based on the clutch control variable;
detecting an acceleration rate of the vehicle; and
calculating a target position of the first clutch of the continuously variable transmission based on the calculated target engine speed, the detected acceleration rate of the vehicle, and the determined speed of the engine;determining a target velocity of the first clutch based on the vehicle acceleration rate for a movement of the first clutch from the initial position to the target position, wherein the calculating the target position of the first clutch of the continuous variable transmission is further based on the target velocity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A vehicle including:
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a chassis; a ground engaging mechanism configured to support the chassis; an engine supported by the chassis; a continuously variable transmission driven by the engine, the continuously variable transmission including a first clutch, a second clutch, and a belt coupled to the first and second clutches, the first clutch being adjustable with an actuator to modulate a gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission; a throttle valve configured to regulate a speed of the engine; at least one controller including engine control logic operative to control a position of the throttle valve and transmission control logic operative to control a position of the first clutch of the continuously variable transmission, the at least one controller being operative to detect an acceleration rate of the vehicle; an engine speed sensor in communication with the at least one controller for detecting a speed of the engine; a throttle operator device moveable by an operator and including a position sensor in communication with the at least one controller, the position sensor being configured to detect a position of the throttle operator; and an operator input device in communication with the at least one controller configured to adjust a clutch control variable provided to the at least one controller, the transmission control logic being operative to calculate a target engine speed based on the clutch control variable, the transmission control logic being operative to calculate a target position of the first clutch of the continuously variable transmission based on the target engine speed, the detected acceleration rate of the vehicle, and the detected engine speed; and the transmission control logic being operative to control the actuator to move the first clutch from an initial position to the target position, the transmission control logic further determining a target velocity of the first clutch based on the vehicle acceleration rate for a movement of the first clutch from the initial position to the target position, wherein the transmission control logic calculates the target position of the first clutch of the continuous variable transmission further based on the target velocity. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification