Methods and systems for assisted direct start control

• US 7,935,025 B1
• Filed: 02/25/2010
• Issued: 05/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Fujii, Yuji, Lee, Seung-Hoon, Kraska, Marvin Paul, Gibson, Alex O'Connor, Pietron, Gregory Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): HO, HA DINH
• Application Number:
  US12/713,012
• Time in Patent Office: 432 Days
• Field of Search: 477/115, 477/121, 477/127, 477/130, 477/156
• US Class Current: 477/115
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/06 including control of combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/115 with planetary gears
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18018 Start-stop drive, e.g. in a traffic jam
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2059/683 Sensing pressure in control systems or in fluid controlled devices, e.g. by pressure sensors for hydrostatic transmissions F16H2059/6861
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2061/0034 Accumulators for fluid pressure supply; Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2312/14 Going to, or coming from standby operation, e.g. for engine start-stop operation at traffic lights
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 59/72 dependent on oil characteristics, e.g. temperature, viscosity
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/0021 Generation or control of line pressure

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for pressurizing a hydraulic circuit comprising a hydraulically actuated transmission component and an accumulator. One example method comprises, during an engine idle-stop, adjusting actuation of the hydraulically actuated transmission component over a duration. The method further comprises, during the duration, isolating the accumulator from the hydraulically actuated transmission component when a pressure in the hydraulic circuit is above a threshold, and coupling the accumulator into the hydraulic circuit when the pressure is below the threshold.

Claims

1. A method of pressurizing a hydraulic circuit comprising a hydraulically actuated transmission component and an accumulator, comprising, during an engine idle-stop,

adjusting actuation of the hydraulically actuated transmission component over a duration;

during the duration, isolating the accumulator from the hydraulically actuated transmission component when a pressure in the hydraulic circuit is above a threshold; and

during the duration, coupling the accumulator into the hydraulic circuit when the pressure is below the threshold.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein during the engine idle-stop includes until a subsequent engine restart is completed.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising, following the engine restart, coupling the accumulator into the hydraulic circuit and recharging the accumulator.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein adjusting actuation of the hydraulically actuated transmission component includes closing a clutch isolation valve and engaging the transmission component.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the accumulator is coupled to the transmission component via an accumulator isolation valve, and wherein isolating the accumulator includes closing the accumulator isolation valve, and coupling the accumulator includes opening the accumulator isolation valve.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the hydraulic circuit includes a pressure sensor configured to estimate a pressure of the hydraulic circuit, and wherein the duration includes until a subsequent engine restart is completed and a starter motor is disengaged from the engine.

7. A method of pressurizing a clutch hydraulic circuit comprising a hydraulically actuated transmission component, and an accumulator, the clutch hydraulic circuit coupled to a transmission mechanical pump, the method comprising,

during an engine idle-stop,

isolating the clutch hydraulic circuit from the pump;

maintaining the transmission component in gear by maintaining a transmission clutch applied;

isolating the accumulator from the transmission component when a pressure in the clutch hydraulic circuit is above a threshold; and

coupling the accumulator to the transmission component when the pressure is below the threshold.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein isolating the clutch hydraulic circuit from the pump includes closing a clutch isolation valve.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein isolating the accumulator includes closing an accumulator isolation valve, and coupling the accumulator includes opening the accumulator isolation valve.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising,

during an engine restart from the idle-stop,

coupling the clutch hydraulic circuit to the pump;

coupling the accumulator to the transmission component; and

recharging the accumulator.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the clutch isolation valve and the accumulator isolation valve are one of a check valve, a ball valve, and a solenoid valve.

12. A vehicle system, comprising:

an engine that is selectively deactivated during idle-stop conditions;

an automatic transmission comprising a hydraulically actuated transmission component and a mechanical transmission pump;

an accumulator;

a clutch hydraulic circuit including the transmission component and the accumulator;

a pressure sensor configured to estimate a pressure in the clutch hydraulic circuit;

a control system configured to;

during an engine idle-stop,

isolate the clutch hydraulic circuit from the transmission pump;

adjust an actuation of the transmission component over a duration; and

during the duration,

couple the accumulator to the transmission component when a pressure in the isolated clutch hydraulic circuit is below a threshold; and

isolate the accumulator from the transmission component when the pressure is above the threshold.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the clutch hydraulic circuit is coupled to the transmission pump via a first isolation valve, and isolating the clutch hydraulic circuit from the pump includes closing the first isolation valve.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the accumulator is coupled to the transmission component via a second isolation valve, and isolating the accumulator includes closing the second isolation valve.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the control system is further configured to,

during an engine restart from idle-stop,

couple the clutch hydraulic circuit to the transmission pump by opening the first isolation valve;

and recharge the accumulator by opening the second isolation valve.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein the transmission is a multiple fixed ratio transmission.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the transmission component is a transmission forward clutch.