METHODS FOR CONTROL OF TRANSMISSION AND PRIME MOVER

• US 20110184614A1
• Filed: 08/04/2009
• Published: 07/28/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fallbrook Intellectual Property Company LLC (Fallbrook Technologies Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Fallbrook Intellectual Property Company LLC (Fallbrook Technologies Incorporated)
• Inventors: Diehl, Eric, Orand, Austin, Carter, Jeremy, Mcdaniel, Loren T., Keilers, Cyril, Bartholomew, Mark Edward, Vasiliotis, Christopher M., Rogers, David
• Granted Patent: US 8,818,661 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/54
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/421 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/423 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/08 including control of electric propulsion units, e.g. motors or generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/105 of electric type
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/108 Friction gearings
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/081 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/28 Wheel speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/10 Accelerator pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/106 Rate of change
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/083 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/1005 Transmission ratio engaged
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/248 Current for loading or unloading
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/188 Controlling power parameters of the driveline, e.g. determining the required power
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/6648 controlling of shifting being influenced by a signal derived from the engine and the main coupling
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 Electric machine technologies in electromobility

Abstract

Embodiments relate to methods of controlling a prime mover and a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The CVT has a group of spherical power adjusters. Each power adjuster has a tiltable axis of rotation. Embodiments also relate to methods of optimizing a vehicle having a drive motor and a continuously variable transmission.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a prime mover and a continuously variable transmission (CVT), the CVT having a plurality of spherical power adjusters, each power adjuster having a tiltable axis of rotation, the method comprising the steps of:

disabling operation of the prime mover;

performing an auto-zero routine on the CVT;

evaluating a throttle signal indicative of a command to the prime mover; and

activating the prime mover to enable operation of the prime mover.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein performing an auto-zero routine on the CVT comprises the step of adjusting each of the spherical power adjusters to an underdrive position.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein performing an auto-zero routine on the CVT comprises the step of reading a position of a shift actuator, the shift actuator operable coupled to the CVT.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein performing an auto-zero routine on the CVT comprises the step of rotating a shift actuator of the CVT.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein performing an auto-zero routine on the CVT comprises the step of tilting each axis of rotation to an extreme position.

6. A method of optimizing a vehicle having a drive motor and a continuously variable transmission (CVT), the CVT having a plurality of spherical power adjusters, each power adjuster having a tiltable axis of rotation, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a desired vehicle speed;

receiving a desired motor current draw;

determining a motor speed based at least in part on the desired motor current draw;

receiving a sprocket ratio of the vehicle, the sprocket ratio corresponding to a coupling between the CVT and the drive motor; and

determining an input speed to the CVT based at least in part on the motor speed and the sprocket ratio to achieve the desired vehicle speed.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein determining the input speed to the CVT comprises the step of creating a table indicative of the relationship between the motor current draw and the vehicle speed.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein creating a table comprises the step of operating the vehicle.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein receiving a desired vehicle speed comprises the step of reading a throttle position.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of evaluating the completeness of the table.

23. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of receiving a desired CVT efficiency.

11. A method of optimizing a drive system having a drive motor and a continuously variable transmission (CVT), the CVT having a plurality of spherical power adjusters, each power adjuster having a tiltable axis of rotation, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a first variable indicative of a desired speed of the drive system;

receiving a second variable indicative of a desired current draw of the drive motor;

determining a drive motor speed based at least in part on the desired current draw;

receiving a third variable indicative of a gear ratio of the drive system;

determining an input speed of the CVT based at least in part on the drive motor speed;

determining a desired CVT ratio based at least in part on the input speed of the CVT and the desired vehicle speed; and

determining a shift actuator position based at least in part on the desired CVT ratio.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein determining a drive motor speed further comprises the step of receiving a forth variable indicative of an efficiency of the drive motor.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein determining the input speed to the CVT comprises the step of creating a table indicative of the relationship between the current draw and the desired speed of the drive system.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein creating a table comprises the step of operating the drive system.

24. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of receiving a forth variable indicative of an efficiency of the CVT.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the efficiency of the CVT is based at least in part on the CVT ratio.

15. A method of optimizing a drive system having a prime mover and a continuously variable transmission (CVT), the CVT having a plurality of spherical power adjusters, each power adjuster having a tiltable axis of rotation, the method comprising the steps of:

selecting a desired range of current of the prime mover;

selecting a predetermined speed of a vehicle equipped with the drive system;

applying a load to the CVT and the prime mover and operating the CVT and the prime mover at the predetermined speed;

monitoring the current draw of the prime mover;

comparing the current draw to the desired range of current; and

adjusting a ratio of the CVT based at least in part on the comparison.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein setting a desired range of current comprises receiving a variable indicative of an efficiency of the prime mover.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of recording the ratio of the CVT to thereby form a table.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein applying a load to the CVT comprises the step of providing a vehicle equipped with the drive system.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of evaluating the completeness of the table.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein adjusting a ratio of the CVT comprises the step of tilting the axes of rotation.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein tilting the axes of rotation comprises the step of rotating an actuator operably coupled to the CVT.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein tilting the axes of rotation comprises the step of axially translating an idler of the CVT.

26. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of selecting a desired range of efficiency of the CVT.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising the step of monitoring the efficiency of the CVT based at least in part on speed ratio.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising the step of comparing the efficiency of the CVT to the desired range of efficiency of the CVT.