Degradation estimation device, degradation estimation method, non-transitory storage medium

Abstract

A degradation estimation device includes a storage device and an execution device. The storage device is configured to store mapping data that defines a mapping that outputs an output variable representing the degradation degree of a sealing member by inputting an input variable. The mapping includes a thermal history variable and a load history variable as the input variables. The thermal history variable is a variable representing the period during which the sealing member is exposed to temperatures within a predetermined temperature range. The load history variable is a variable representing the number of times a load acts on the sealing member. The execution device is configured to execute an acquisition process and a calculation process. The acquisition process is a process for acquiring the input variable, and the calculation process is a process for outputting the value of the output variable by inputting the input variable acquired by the acquisition process into the mapping.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a deterioration estimation device, a deterioration estimation method, and a non-transitory storage medium. Background Art

[0002] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2011-169810 discloses a deterioration degree estimation device that estimates the deterioration degree of a resin material. The deterioration degree estimation device acquires the temperature to which the resin material is exposed and the period during which the resin material is exposed at that temperature. Further, the deterioration degree estimation device predicts the deterioration degree of the resin material based on the acquired temperature and period. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Resin materials are sometimes used as sealing members in engaging members such as clutches of automotive transmissions. In such a sealing member, since the force acting on the sealing member changes according to the operating conditions of the automotive transmission, the deterioration degree of the sealing member changes. Therefore, there are cases where the deterioration degree estimation device of Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2011-169810 cannot ensure the accuracy of the estimated deterioration degree of the sealing member.

[0004] The deterioration estimation device according to the first aspect of the present invention is applicable to a vehicle equipped with an automotive transmission having at least one of a clutch and a brake as an engaging member, and the deterioration estimation device is configured to estimate the deterioration degree of a sealing member of the engaging member mounted on the automotive transmission. The deterioration estimation device includes an execution device and a storage device. The storage device is configured to store map data that defines a map that outputs an output variable representing the deterioration degree of the sealing member by inputting an input variable. The map includes a thermal history variable and a load history variable as the input variables. The thermal history variable is a variable representing the period during which the sealing member is exposed to a temperature within a predetermined temperature range. The load history variable is a variable representing the number of times a load is applied to the sealing member. The execution device is configured to execute an acquisition process and a calculation process. The acquisition process is a process for acquiring the input variable, and the calculation process is for outputting the value of the output variable by inputting the input variable acquired by the acquisition process into the map.

[0005] The degradation estimation device according to the first aspect of the present invention outputs the degradation degree of the sealing member as an output variable by mapping while considering not only the period during which the sealing member is exposed to the temperature within a specified temperature range but also the number of times of the load acting on the sealing member. Thus, for example, even when the degradation of the sealing member is aggravated due to a large number of operations of the engaging member, an output variable reflecting the number of operations of the engaging member can be output. As a result, compared with the estimation of the degradation degree without considering the number of operations of the engaging member, an output variable that accurately reflects the degradation of the sealing member is obtained.

[0006] In the degradation estimation device according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the temperature range is a first temperature range and the thermal history variable is a first thermal history variable, the mapping may also include a second thermal history variable as the input variable. The second thermal history variable may also be a variable representing the period during which the sealing member is exposed to the temperature within a predetermined second temperature range, and the second temperature range is a range different from the first temperature range.

[0007] The degradation estimation device according to the first aspect of the present invention inputs at least two variables as thermal history variables to the mapping. Thus, even when the manner of aggravation of the degradation of the sealing member due to temperature changes greatly, the probability of obtaining a value that accurately reflects the degradation of the sealing member as the output variable is high.

[0008] In the degradation estimation device according to the first aspect of the present invention, it may also be configured that when the temperature range is a first temperature range, the implementation device calculates a correction period in the acquisition process and acquires a variable representing the period obtained by adding the period during which the sealing member is exposed to the temperature within the first temperature range and the correction period as the thermal history variable. The correction period may also be calculated by correcting the period during which the sealing member is exposed to the temperature within a predetermined second temperature range with a predetermined value, and the second temperature range is a range different from the first temperature range.

[0009] The degradation estimation device according to the first aspect of the present invention considers both the period during which the sealing member is exposed to the temperature within a second temperature range different from the first temperature range and prevents an increase in the input variables input to the mapping. Thus, the complication of the mapping data can be suppressed.

[0010] In the degradation estimation device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the load history variable may also be the number of engagements of the engaging member after the sealing member is installed on the engaging member. According to the degradation estimation device according to the first aspect of the present invention, a value highly correlated with the degradation degree of the sealing member, such as the number of engagements of the engaging member, is input as an input variable into the map. Thus, as an output variable, a value accurately reflecting the degradation of the sealing member can be obtained.

[0011] In the degradation estimation device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the engaging member may also include a first element and a second element. The first element and the second element may be configured to move relative to each other when the engaging member performs a switching action between engagement and release. The sealing member may be disposed in the gap between the first element and the second element. The sealing member may be configured to slide along the second element when the first element moves relative to the second element. The load history variable may also be a corrected number of engagements obtained by correcting the number of engagements with a value representing the sliding resistance of the sealing member relative to the second element, where the number of engagements is the number of engagements of the engaging member after the sealing member is installed on the engaging member.

[0012] According to the degradation estimation device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the sliding resistance of the sealing member, which may affect the degradation degree of the sealing member, can be reflected in the load history variable. Thus, based on the sliding resistance, an output variable accurately reflecting the degradation of the sealing member can be obtained.

[0013] In the degradation estimation device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the load history variable may also be the driving distance of the vehicle after the sealing member is installed on the engaging member. According to the degradation estimation device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the driving distance, which is highly correlated with the degradation degree of the sealing member and is easily detectable in the vehicle, is input as an input variable. Thus, in order to implement the above technology, an output variable accurately reflecting the degradation of the sealing member can be obtained without adding a new sensor or the like.

[0014] In the degradation estimation device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the map may also include a vehicle speed variable as the input variable, where the vehicle speed variable represents the average vehicle speed after the sealing member is installed on the engaging member. In the above structure, there is a certain correlation between the average vehicle speed of the vehicle and the frequency of the gear shift stages of the automatic transmission used in the vehicle. And if the frequency of the gear shift stage is known, it is also possible to estimate which engaging member has performed the engagement and release actions at what frequency in order to achieve the gear shift stage.

[0015] The degradation estimation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention can reflect the frequency of the engagement / release operation of the engagement member equipped with the sealing member to be estimated for degradation to what extent by inputting the average vehicle speed as an input variable.

[0016] In the degradation estimation device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the engagement member may also have a first element and a second element arranged separately from each other, and the sealing member may be arranged in the gap between the first element and the second element. The mapping may also include a gap variable representing the size of the gap as the input variable.

[0017] The degradation estimation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention can obtain an output variable that reflects the difference in the gap between the first element and the second element due to manufacturing errors or the like. Thus, the degradation degree of the sealing member can be accurately grasped for each vehicle.

[0018] In the degradation estimation device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the engagement member may also have a first element and a second element arranged separately from each other. The sealing member may also be arranged in a compressed state in the gap between the first element and the second element. The mapping may also include a compression variable as the input variable, and the compression variable represents the difference between the size before compression of the portion of the sealing member arranged in the gap and the size of the gap.

[0019] The degradation estimation device according to the first aspect of the present invention can obtain an output variable that reflects how much the sealing member has been compressed. Thus, even if there are dimensional errors for each sealing member, the degradation degree of the sealing member can be accurately grasped.

[0020] In the degradation estimation device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the output variable may also be a variable representing the hardness of the sealing member. By comparing the output variable, or the value obtained by converting the output variable into hardness, with a standard value or the like, the degradation estimation device according to the first aspect of the present invention not only makes it easy to grasp the presence or absence of degradation, but also makes it easy to objectively grasp the degree of degradation.

[0021] The degradation estimation method according to the second aspect of the present invention is directed to a vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission, the automatic transmission having at least one of a clutch and a brake as an engaging component, and the degradation estimation method is used to estimate the degradation degree of a sealing member of the engaging component installed in the automatic transmission. The degradation estimation method includes: by inputting a heat history variable and a load history as input variables to a degradation estimation device, the degradation estimation device calculates the value of an output variable. The heat history variable is a variable representing the period during which the sealing member is exposed to a temperature within a predetermined temperature range. The load history variable is a variable representing the number of times a load is applied to the sealing member. The degradation estimation device stores mapping data. The mapping data defines a mapping that outputs the output variable representing the degradation degree of the sealing member by being input with the input variables.

[0022] According to the degradation estimation method of the second aspect of the present invention, the mapping outputs the degradation degree of the sealing member as an output variable by considering not only the period during which the sealing member is exposed to a temperature within a specified temperature range but also the number of times the load is applied to the sealing member. Thus, for example, even when the degradation of the sealing member is aggravated due to a large number of operations of the engaging component, an output variable reflecting the number of operations of the engaging component can be output. As a result, compared with the estimation of the degradation degree that does not consider the number of operations of the engaging component, an output variable that accurately reflects the degradation of the sealing member is obtained.

[0023] A non-transitory storage medium according to the third aspect of the present invention, the non-transitory storage medium serving as a degradation estimation device, the degradation estimation device being applicable to a vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission, the automatic transmission having at least one of a clutch and a brake as an engaging component, the degradation estimation device estimating the degradation degree of a sealing member of the engaging component installed in the automatic transmission, the non-transitory storage medium including mapping data that defines a mapping that outputs an output variable representing the degradation degree of the sealing member by being input with input variables. The non-transitory storage medium stores instructions that can be implemented by one or more processors and implement the following functions in the one or more processors: obtaining the input variables, the input variables including at least either a heat history variable or a load history variable. The heat history variable is a variable representing the period during which the sealing member is exposed to a temperature within a predetermined temperature range, and the load history variable is a variable representing the number of times a load is applied to the sealing member; and by inputting the obtained input variables to the mapping, calculating the value of the output variable.

[0024] A non-transitory storage medium according to the third aspect of the present invention outputs the degradation degree of the sealing member as an output variable by considering not only the period during which the sealing member is exposed to temperatures within a specified temperature range but also the number of times of the load acting on the sealing member. Thus, for example, even when the degradation of the sealing member is aggravated due to a large number of operations of the engaging member, an output variable reflecting the number of operations of the engaging member can be output. As a result, compared with the estimation of the degradation degree that does not consider the number of operations of the engaging member, an output variable that accurately reflects the degradation of the sealing member is obtained. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Hereinafter, the features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, in which like reference numerals denote like components, wherein:

[0026] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a vehicle.

[0027] Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the gear shift stages and the engaging members in an automatic transmission.

[0028] Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the first clutch.

[0029] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the estimation control. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0030] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described based on Figures 1 to 4 First, the schematic structure of the vehicle 100 will be described. As Figure 1 shown, the vehicle 100 is equipped with an internal combustion engine 10, a power split mechanism 20, an automatic transmission 30, drive wheels 69, a hydraulic device 65, a first electric generator 61, and a second electric generator 62.

[0031] The power split mechanism 20 is connected to the crankshaft 11 that is the output shaft of the internal combustion engine 10. The power split mechanism 20 is a planetary gear mechanism having a sun gear S, a ring gear R, and a planetary carrier C. The crankshaft 11 is connected to the planetary carrier C of the power split mechanism 20. The rotating shaft 61A of the first electric generator 61 is connected to the sun gear S. The rotating shaft 62A of the second electric generator 62 is connected to the ring gear shaft RA that is the output shaft of the ring gear R. In addition, the input shaft 41 of the automatic transmission 30 is connected to the ring gear shaft RA. The left and right drive wheels 69 are connected to the output shaft 42 of the automatic transmission 30 via a differential gear (not shown in the figure).

[0032] When the internal combustion engine 10 drives and inputs torque from the crankshaft 11 to the planetary gear carrier C of the power split mechanism 20, the torque is distributed to the sun gear S side and the ring gear R side. When the first electric generator 61 operates as a motor and inputs torque to the sun gear S of the power split mechanism 20, the torque is distributed to the planetary gear carrier C side and the ring gear R side.

[0033] When the second electric generator 62 operates as a motor and inputs torque to the ring gear shaft RA, the torque is transmitted to the automatic transmission 30. Further, when torque from the drive wheel 69 side is input to the second electric generator 62 via the ring gear shaft RA, the second electric generator 62 functions as a generator and can generate a regenerative braking force in the vehicle 100.

[0034] The automatic transmission 30 is equipped with a first planetary gear mechanism 30A, a second planetary gear mechanism 30B, a first clutch C1, a second clutch C2, a first braking mechanism B1, a second braking mechanism B2, and a one-way clutch F1.

[0035] Furthermore, the first planetary gear mechanism 30A is equipped with a sun gear 31, a ring gear 32, pinions 33, and a planetary gear carrier 34. The ring gear 32 is connected to the sun gear 31 via the pinions 33. The pinions 33 are supported by the planetary gear carrier 34.

[0036] The sun gear 31 is connected to the first braking mechanism B1. The first braking mechanism B1 can switch between an engaged state and a released state by the pressure of the oil supplied to the first braking mechanism B1. Specifically, when the pressure of the oil supplied to the first braking mechanism B1 increases, the first braking mechanism B1 is switched from the released state to the engaged state. And when the first braking mechanism B1 is in the engaged state, the rotation of the sun gear 31 is braked.

[0037] The one-way clutch F1 is connected to the planetary gear carrier 34. The one-way clutch F1 restricts the rotation of the planetary gear carrier 34 to one side and allows the rotation to the other side. That is, the one-way clutch F1 switches to a restricted state that restricts the rotation of the planetary gear carrier 34 or an allowed state that allows the rotation of the planetary gear carrier 34. In addition, the planetary gear carrier 34 is connected to the second braking mechanism B2. The second braking mechanism B2, like the first braking mechanism B1, can switch between an engaged state and a released state by the pressure of the oil supplied to the second braking mechanism B2. And when the second braking mechanism B2 is in the engaged state, the rotation of the planetary gear carrier 34 is braked.

[0038] The second planetary gear mechanism 30B is provided with a sun gear 36, a ring gear 37, pinions 38, and a planetary carrier 39. The ring gear 37 is connected to the sun gear 36 via the pinions 38. The pinions 38 are supported by the planetary carrier 39. Also, an output shaft 42 is connected to the planetary carrier 39.

[0039] In each of the planetary gear mechanisms configured in the above-described manner, the planetary carrier of the first planetary gear mechanism 30A is connected to the ring gear 37 of the second planetary gear mechanism 30B. Further, the ring gear 32 of the first planetary gear mechanism 30A is connected to the planetary carrier 39 of the second planetary gear mechanism 30B.

[0040] The sun gear 36 of the second planetary gear mechanism 30B is connected to the input shaft 41 via a first clutch C1. The first clutch C1 can switch between an engaged state and a released state by means of the pressure of oil supplied to the first clutch C1. Specifically, when the pressure of the oil supplied to the first clutch C1 increases, the first clutch C1 is switched from the released state to the engaged state. And when the first clutch C1 is in the engaged state, the sun gear 36 of the second planetary gear mechanism 30B rotates together with the input shaft 41.

[0041] Further, the planetary carrier 34 of the first planetary gear mechanism 30A is connected to the input shaft 41 via a second clutch C2. Similar to the first clutch C1, the second clutch C2 can switch between an engaged state and a released state by means of the pressure of oil supplied to the second clutch C2. And when the second clutch C2 is in the engaged state, the planetary carrier 34 of the first planetary gear mechanism 30A rotates together with the input shaft 41. In the present embodiment, the first clutch C1, the second clutch C2, the first brake mechanism B1, and the second brake mechanism B2 are respectively engagement members.

[0042] As Figure 2 shown, in the automatic transmission 30, the gear shift stages are switched by combinations of the engaged state, released state of the first clutch C1, the second clutch C2, the first brake mechanism B1, and the second brake mechanism B2, and the restricted state, permitted state of the one-way clutch F1. In this automatic transmission 30, four gear shift stages for forward driving, namely "1st speed" to "4th speed", and one gear shift stage for reverse driving, namely "R" speed, can be formed, for a total of five gear shift stages.

[0043] Further, in Figure 2In this, "○" indicates that engaging components such as the first clutch C are in an engaged state, and the one-way clutch F1 is in a restricted state. Additionally, "(○)" indicates that the second braking mechanism B2 is in an engaged state or a released state. Furthermore, a blank column indicates that engaging components such as the first clutch C1 are in a released state, and the one-way clutch F1 is in a permitted state. For example, when the gear stage of the automatic transmission 30 is at the second speed, the first clutch C1 and the first braking mechanism B1 are in an engaged state. On the other hand, the second clutch C2 and the second braking mechanism B2 are in a released state, and the one-way clutch F1 is in a permitted state.

[0044] As Figure 1 shown, the vehicle 100 is equipped with a hydraulic device 65. The hydraulic device 65 is provided with an oil pump 66 and a hydraulic circuit 67, and the oil from the oil pump 66 flows through the hydraulic circuit 67. The oil pump 66 is a so-called mechanical oil pump that operates by receiving the torque of the crankshaft 11. The hydraulic circuit 67 is provided with a plurality of solenoid valves not shown in the figure. The hydraulic circuit 67 adjusts the pressure of the oil supplied to the first clutch C1, the second clutch C2, the first braking mechanism B1, and the second braking mechanism B2 by controlling the solenoid valves. That is, in the present embodiment, by controlling the solenoid valves of the hydraulic circuit 67, the engaged state and the released state of the engaging components such as the first clutch C1 are controlled by the pressure of the oil.

[0045] Next, the specific structure of the engaging component will be described taking the first clutch C1 as an example. As Figure 3 shown, the first clutch C1 is provided with a hub 51, a plurality of first friction plates 52, a drum 53, a cover portion 54, a plurality of second friction plates 55, an end plate 56, a piston mechanism 57, an inner peripheral side sealing member 58, and an outer peripheral side sealing member 59.

[0046] The input shaft 41 of the automatic transmission 30 is connected to the sun gear 36 via a connecting shaft 36A. The connecting shaft 36A is fixed to the sun gear 36 and rotates integrally with the sun gear 36. Additionally, the connecting shaft 36A is disposed on the same axis as the input shaft 41.

[0047] The hub 51 is fixed to the end portion of the input shaft 41 on the connecting shaft 36A side. The hub 51 is integrally formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape. The opening of the hub 51 faces the connecting shaft 36A side. On the outer peripheral surface of the hub 51, a plurality of substantially annular plate-shaped first friction plates 52 are mounted. The first friction plates 52 extend radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the hub 51. The first friction plates 52 can move in the axial direction with respect to the hub 51. Each of the first friction plates 52 is arranged at intervals in the axial direction with respect to the other first friction plates 52. Additionally, in Figure 3 this, only one of the plurality of first friction plates 52 is labeled with a reference numeral.

[0048] The bottomed cylindrical drum 53 is integrally fixed to the connecting shaft 36A. The connecting shaft 36A penetrates through the bottom surface of the drum 53. The opening of the drum 53 faces the input shaft 41 side. Inside the drum 53, the above-mentioned hub 51 and the first friction plate 52 are accommodated. A cover portion 54 is attached to the opening edge of the drum 53 so as to cover the hub 51 and the first friction plate 52 accommodated in the drum 53.

[0049] On the inner peripheral surface of the drum 53, a plurality of substantially annular plate-shaped second friction plates 55 are attached. The second friction plates 55 extend from the inner peripheral surface of the drum 53 toward the radially inner side. The second friction plates 55 can move in the axial direction relative to the drum 53. Each of the second friction plates 55 is arranged at intervals in the axial direction with respect to the other second friction plates 55, and is alternately arranged with the first friction plate 52. In addition, among Figure 3 only one of the plurality of second friction plates 55 is labeled with a reference numeral.

[0050] A substantially annular plate-shaped end plate 56 is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the drum 53. The end plate 56 is arranged at a position closer to the cover portion 54 than the first friction plate 52 and the second friction plates 55. In addition, the end plate 56 is fixed to the drum 53 so as not to be movable.

[0051] Inside the drum 53, a piston mechanism 57 driven by the pressure of the supplied oil is accommodated. The piston mechanism 57 is arranged between the bottom surface of the drum 53 and the hub 51. The piston mechanism 57 includes a fixing portion 57A, a spring 57B, and a piston 57C. The fixing portion 57A is fixed to a portion of the connecting shaft 36A that is separated from the bottom surface of the drum 53 between the bottom surface of the drum 53 and the hub 51. The fixing portion 57A is substantially annular plate-shaped and extends from the outer peripheral surface of the connecting shaft 36A toward the radially outer side.

[0052] The piston 57C is installed between the fixing portion 57A and the bottom surface of the drum 53. The piston 57C can move in the axial direction relative to the connecting shaft 36A. The piston 57C includes a substantially annular plate-shaped base portion 57Ca and an abutting portion 57Cb that protrudes from the base portion 57Ca. The inner diameter of the base portion 57Ca is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the connecting shaft 36A. The base plate 57Ca is supported on the outer peripheral surface of the connecting shaft 36A via an inner peripheral side seal member 58 to be described later. That is, the base portion 57Ca of the piston 57C and the connecting shaft 36A are separated from each other. The outer diameter of the base portion 57Ca is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the drum 53. The base portion 57Ca is supported on the inner peripheral surface of the drum 53 via an outer peripheral side seal member 59 to be described later. That is, the base portion 57Ca of the piston 57C and the inner peripheral surface of the drum 53 are separated from each other. The abutting portion 57Cb protrudes from the radially outer end of the base portion 57Ca toward the opening side of the drum 53. The abutting portion 57Cb faces the first friction plate 52 and the second friction plates 55 in the axial direction.

[0053] Between the piston 57C and the fixed portion 57A, a spring 57B is interposed. The spring 57B biases the piston 57C toward the bottom surface side of the drum 53 from the fixed portion 57A. A plurality of springs 57B are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0054] On the inner circumferential surface of the base portion 57Ca, an inner circumferential groove 57Cc is recessed outward in the radial direction. The inner circumferential groove 57Cc extends over the entire inner circumferential region of the base portion 57Ca and is annular as a whole. A substantially annular inner circumferential side seal member 58 is fitted into the inner circumferential groove 57Cc. The inner circumferential side seal member 58 is disposed in a compressed state in the gap between the bottom surface of the inner circumferential groove 57Cc and the outer circumferential surface of the connecting shaft 36A.

[0055] Here, before the inner circumferential side seal member 58 is compressed, the dimension of the portion of the inner circumferential side seal member 58 disposed in the gap between the bottom surface of the inner circumferential groove 57Cc and the outer circumferential surface of the connecting shaft 36A is the pre-compression dimension ZA. That is, in the present embodiment, the pre-compression dimension ZA is the difference between the inner diameter and the outer diameter of the substantially annular inner circumferential side seal member 58. At this time, the pre-compression dimension ZA is larger than the gap dimension ZB, where the gap dimension ZB is the dimension of the gap between the bottom surface of the inner circumferential groove 57Cc and the outer circumferential surface of the connecting shaft 36A. In addition, the inner circumferential side seal member 58 is an example of a seal member. Further, when focusing on the inner circumferential side seal member 58, the piston 57C is the first element and the connecting shaft 36A is the second element.

[0056] On the outer circumferential surface of the base portion 57Ca, an outer circumferential groove 57Cd is recessed inward in the radial direction. The outer circumferential groove 57Cd extends over the entire outer circumferential region of the base portion 57Ca and is annular as a whole. A substantially annular outer circumferential side seal member 59 is fitted into the outer circumferential groove 57Cd. The outer circumferential side seal member 59 is disposed in a compressed state in the gap between the bottom surface of the outer circumferential groove 57Cd and the inner circumferential surface of the drum 53.

[0057] In the first clutch C1, when oil from the hydraulic device 65 is supplied between the piston 57C and the bottom surface of the drum 53, the piston 57C moves toward the opening side of the drum 53, that is, Figure 3 the left side in [the figure], against the biasing force of the spring 57B. Then, the first friction plate 52 and the second friction plate 55 are sandwiched between the abutting portion 57Cb of the piston 57C and the end plate 56, and the first clutch C1 is switched from the released state to the engaged state by frictionally engaging with each other.

[0058] On the other hand, in the first clutch C1, when oil from the hydraulic device 65 is supplied between the piston 57C and the bottom surface of the drum 53, the piston 57C moves toward the bottom surface side of the drum 53, that is, Figure 3The rightward movement in []. And, by the release of the frictional engagement between the first friction plate 52 and the second friction plate 55, the first clutch C1 is switched from the engaged state to the released state.

[0059] As described above, when the released state and the engaged state of the first clutch C1 are switched, the inner peripheral side seal member 58 moves together with the piston 57C. Thus, when the piston 57C moves relative to the connecting shaft 36A, the inner peripheral side seal member 58 slides relative to the outer peripheral surface of the connecting shaft 36A. In addition, when the released state and the engaged state of the first clutch C1 are switched, the outer peripheral side seal member 59 moves together with the piston 57C. Thus, when the piston 57C moves relative to the drum 53, the outer peripheral side seal member 59 slides relative to the inner peripheral surface of the drum 53. In addition, since the second clutch C2 has the same structure as the first clutch C1, the description of the specific structure of the second clutch C2 is omitted.

[0060] As Figure 1 shown, in the vehicle 100, a crank angle sensor 71, an accelerator position sensor 72, a vehicle speed sensor 73, a temperature sensor 74, a display 76, and an accelerator pedal 77 are mounted. The crank angle sensor 71 detects a crank angle SC, which is the rotational angle of the crankshaft 11. The accelerator position sensor 72 detects an accelerator operation amount ACC, which is the operation amount of the accelerator pedal 77 operated by the driver. The vehicle speed sensor 73 detects a vehicle speed SP, which is the speed of the vehicle 100. The temperature sensor 74 detects an oil temperature TH, which is the temperature of the oil flowing from the oil pump 66 to the hydraulic circuit 67. In addition, in the present embodiment, the temperature sensor 74 is installed in the oil passage between the oil pump 66 and the hydraulic circuit 67. The display 76 displays visual information to the driver of the vehicle 100 and the like. An example of the display 76 is an indicator light.

[0061] The vehicle 100 is equipped with a control device 90. A signal indicating the crank angle SC is input from the crank angle sensor 71 to the control device 90. A signal indicating the accelerator operation amount ACC is input from the accelerator position sensor 72 to the control device 90. A signal indicating the vehicle speed SP is input from the vehicle speed sensor 73 to the control device 90. A signal indicating the oil temperature TH is input from the temperature sensor 74 to the control device 90. The control device 90 calculates an engine speed NE based on the crank angle SC, where the engine speed NE is the rotational speed of the crankshaft 11 per unit time.

[0062] In addition, the control device 90 calculates the period during which the oil temperature TH is within a predetermined temperature range. Here, the temperature range is set as a range that classifies regions into multiple types from the lower limit value to the upper limit value of the value obtained from the oil temperature TH, and multiple types of temperature ranges are predetermined for a specified temperature amplitude. For example, when the value obtained from the oil temperature TH is from 0°C to 200°C and the specified temperature amplitude is 10°C per amplitude, as the multiple temperature ranges, there are a total of 20 temperature ranges from the first temperature range to the twentieth temperature range. As a specific example, during a total of 100 hours, the control device 90 obtains the oil temperature TH. When the period during which the oil temperature TH is within the first temperature range is 1 hour, the first temperature period T1 of the period during which the oil temperature TH is within the first temperature range is 1 hour. Similarly, for example, when the period during which the oil temperature TH is within the second temperature range is 3 hours, the second temperature period T2 of the period during which the oil temperature TH is within the second temperature range is 3 hours. In addition, for example, when the period during which the oil temperature TH is within the twentieth temperature range is 1 hour, the twentieth temperature period T20 of the period during which the oil temperature TH is within the twentieth temperature range is 1 hour.

[0063] As described above, since the oil temperature TH is the temperature of the oil flowing from the oil pump 66 to the hydraulic circuit 67, the oil at the oil temperature TH is supplied to the engaging member, and the inner peripheral side seal member 58 or the outer peripheral side seal member 59 is exposed to the oil at the oil temperature TH. Thus, the first temperature period T1 is the period during which the inner peripheral side seal member 58 is exposed to the oil at the temperature within the first temperature range. Similarly, the second temperature period T2 is the period during which the inner peripheral side seal member 58 is exposed to the oil at the temperature within the second temperature range.

[0064] The control device 90 is equipped with a CPU 91, a peripheral circuit 92, a ROM 93, and a storage device 94. The CPU 91, the peripheral circuit 92, the ROM 93, and the storage device 94 are communicably connected by a bus 95. In the ROM 93, various programs for the CPU 91 to implement various controls are stored in advance. In the storage device 94, mapping data 94A is stored in advance. The mapping M defined by the mapping data 94A outputs an output variable indicating the degree of deterioration of the inner peripheral side seal member 58 by inputting an input variable. In addition, a specific description of the mapping M will be given later. The storage device 94 stores data including the accelerator operation amount ACC, the vehicle speed SP, and the engine speed NE input to the control device 90 throughout a certain period. In addition, the storage device 94 stores a total of 20 periods from the first temperature period T1 to the twentieth temperature period T20. The peripheral circuit 92 includes a circuit that generates a clock signal for regulating the internal operation, a power supply circuit, a reset circuit, and the like. In the present embodiment, the CPU 91 and the ROM 93 are implementation devices. In addition, the storage device 94 is a storage device. The control device 90 functions as a deterioration estimation device for estimating the degree of deterioration of the inner peripheral side seal member 58.

[0065] The CPU 91 controls the internal combustion engine 10, the first electric generator 61, the second electric generator 62, the automatic transmission 30, etc. by implementing various programs stored in the ROM 93. Specifically, the CPU 91 calculates a vehicle required output based on the accelerator operation amount ACC and the vehicle speed SP, and the vehicle required output is a required value of the output required for the vehicle 100 to travel. The CPU 91 determines the torque distribution of the internal combustion engine 10, the first electric generator 61, and the second electric generator 62 based on the vehicle required output. The CPU 91 controls the output of the internal combustion engine 10, and the power running and regeneration of the first electric generator 61 and the second electric generator 62 based on the torque distribution of the internal combustion engine 10, the first electric generator 61, and the second electric generator 62.

[0066] In addition, the CPU 91 calculates a target gear stage based on the vehicle speed SP and the vehicle required output, and the target gear stage is the gear stage that is the target in the automatic transmission 30. The CPU 91 calculates a target pressure based on the target gear stage, and the target pressure is the target value of the pressure of the oil supplied to the first clutch C1, the second clutch C2, the first brake mechanism B1, and the second brake mechanism B2. And, the CPU 91 outputs a control signal S1 to the hydraulic device 65 based on the target pressure. The hydraulic device 65 changes the pressure of the oil supplied to the first clutch C1, the second clutch C2, the first brake mechanism B1, and the second brake mechanism B2 based on the control signal S1. For example, as Figure 2As shown, when the gear stage of the automatic transmission 30 before the change is 2-speed, the first clutch C1 and the first brake mechanism B1 are in the engaged state. On the other hand, the second clutch C2 and the second brake mechanism B2 are in the released state, and the one-way clutch F1 is in the permitted state. Here, when the target gear stage of the automatic transmission 30 is set to 3-speed, in response to the control signal S1 based on the target pressure of the second clutch C2, the pressure of the oil supplied from the hydraulic device 65 to the second clutch C2 gradually increases. As a result, the second clutch C2 changes from the released state to the engaged state. On the other hand, in response to the control signal S1 based on the target pressure of the first brake mechanism B1, the pressure of the oil supplied from the hydraulic device 65 to the first brake mechanism B1 gradually decreases. As a result, the first brake mechanism B1 changes from the engaged state to the released state. As a result, the gear stage of the automatic transmission 30 changes from 2-speed to 3-speed.

[0067] Next, the estimation control for the CPU91 to estimate the degradation degree of the inner peripheral side seal member 58 will be described. During the gear shift of the automatic transmission 30, every time the first clutch C1 is operated from the released state to the engaged state, the CPU91 performs the estimation control for the inner peripheral side seal member 58 in the first clutch C1 once. In addition, during the gear shift of the automatic transmission 30, every time the second clutch C2 is operated from the released state to the engaged state, the CPU91 performs the estimation control for the inner peripheral side seal member 58 in the second clutch C2 once. A estimation program as a program for performing the estimation control is pre-stored in the ROM93. The CPU91 performs the estimation control by executing the estimation program stored in the ROM93.

[0068] As Figure 4 shown, when the estimation control starts, in step S11, the CPU91 obtains various values by accessing the storage device 94. Specifically, the CPU91 obtains a total of 20 periods from the first temperature period T1 to the twentieth temperature period T20.

[0069] During the gear shift of the automatic transmission 30 that ended immediately before the estimation control, the CPU91 obtains the engagement count EN, which is the number of times the engaging component that has been operated from the released state to the engaged state has engaged. Here, the engagement count EN is the number of times from when the automatic transmission 30 is mounted on the vehicle 100 until the processing time of step S11 during the manufacture of the vehicle 100. In addition, in the storage device 94, the engagement count EN of each engaging component is stored. In addition, for example, when the inner peripheral side seal member 58 of the engaging component as the object is replaced during the repair of the automatic transmission 30 or the like, the engagement count EN of the engaging component is reset.

[0070] In addition, the CPU 91 calculates a corrected engagement count CVN by multiplying the engagement count EN by a sliding correction value CVA. Further, a predetermined sliding correction value CVA is stored in the storage device 94. The sliding correction value CVA is determined as follows. Here, the sliding resistance of the inner peripheral side seal member 58 with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the connecting shaft 36A may change with respect to the design value of the sliding resistance due to manufacturing errors of the connecting shaft 36A or the inner peripheral side seal member 58. And, since the force acting on the inner peripheral side seal member 58 when the engaging member operates changes due to the difference in the magnitude of the sliding resistance, the degree of deterioration of the inner peripheral side seal member 58 varies even for the same engagement count EN. Therefore, the sliding correction value CVA is determined as a value for correcting the deviation between the actual sliding resistance and the design value of the sliding resistance. When the actual sliding resistance is smaller than the design value of the sliding resistance, the sliding correction CVA becomes smaller than "1". On the other hand, when the actual sliding resistance is larger than the design value of the sliding resistance, the sliding correction value CVA becomes larger than "1". Further, as an example of the operation of setting the sliding correction value CVA, the actual sliding resistance is measured for the engaging members targeted in a plurality of automatic transmissions 30 manufactured in the same batch, and the sliding correction value CVA is set by comparing the average value of the plurality of sliding resistances with the design value of the sliding resistance.

[0071] The CPU 91 obtains the compression dimension Z of the inner peripheral side seal member 58. Specifically, when obtaining the compression dimension Z, considering the deviation between the actual pre-compression dimension ZA and its design value due to manufacturing errors and the like, the actual pre-compression dimension ZA is measured in advance. Further, considering the deviation between the actual clearance dimension ZB and its design value due to manufacturing errors and the like, the actual clearance dimension ZB is measured in advance. Further, in the storage device 94, a value obtained by subtracting the actual clearance dimension ZB from the actual pre-compression dimension ZA, that is, the compression dimension Z of the inner peripheral side seal member 58 as the difference between the pre-compression dimension ZA and the clearance dimension ZB, is stored in advance. And the CPU 91 obtains the compression dimension Z of the inner peripheral side seal member 58 by accessing the storage device 94. Further, as an example of the operation of storing the pre-compression dimension ZA, for the engaging members targeted in a plurality of automatic transmissions 30 manufactured in the same batch, before the inner peripheral side seal member 58 is compressed, the dimension of the portion disposed in the clearance between the bottom surface of the inner peripheral groove 57Cc and the outer peripheral surface of the connecting shaft 36A in the inner peripheral side seal member 58 is measured. And the average value of the plurality of dimensions is stored in the storage device 94 as the pre-compression dimension ZA. Further, the clearance dimension ZB is stored in the storage device 94 in the same manner as the pre-compression dimension ZA.

[0072] The CPU 91 obtains the average vehicle speed SPA, which is the average value of the vehicle speed SP. Specifically, the CPU 91 obtains the vehicle speed SP from the time when the automatic transmission 30 is mounted on the vehicle 100 during the manufacture of the vehicle 100 until the processing time of step S11. And the CPU 91 calculates the average vehicle speed SPA based on the obtained vehicle speed SP. In addition, in the present embodiment, the processing of step S11 is an acquisition process. After that, the CPU 91 advances the processing to step S12.

[0073] In step S12, the CPU 91 generates various values obtained in the processing of step S11 as the input variables x(1) to x(23) of the map M for estimating the degradation degree of the inner peripheral side seal member 58.

[0074] The CPU 91 substitutes the first temperature period T1 to the twentieth temperature period T20 into the input variables x(1) to input variable x(20). Specifically, the CPU 91 substitutes the first temperature period T1 into the input variable x(1). The CPU 91 substitutes the second temperature period T2 into the input variable x(2). And the twentieth temperature period T20 is substituted into the input variable x(20).

[0075] The CPU 91 substitutes the corrected engagement number CVN into the input variable x(21). The CPU 91 substitutes the compression dimension Z into the input variable x(22). The CPU 91 substitutes the average vehicle speed SPA into the input variable x(23). After that, the CPU 91 advances the processing to step S13.

[0076] In the present embodiment, the input variable x(1) is the first heat history variable, and the first heat history variable is a variable representing the period during which the seal member is exposed to a predetermined first temperature range. The input variable x(2) is the second heat history variable, and the second heat history variable is a variable representing the period during which the seal member is exposed to a predetermined second temperature range. The input variable x(21) is a load history variable, and the load history variable is a variable representing the number of times the load acts on the seal member. The input variable x(22) is a compression variable, and the compression variable is a variable representing the difference between the dimension of the portion of the seal member disposed in the gap before being compressed and the dimension of the gap.

[0077] In step S13, the CPU 91 calculates the value of the output variable y(i) by inputting the input variables x(1) to x(23) generated in the processing of step S12 and the input variable x(0) as a bias parameter into the map M defined by the map data 94A pre-stored in the storage device 94. After that, the CPU 91 advances the processing to step S14.

[0078] An example of the mapping M defined by the mapping data 94A is a function approximator, which is a fully connected feedforward neural network with one hidden layer. Specifically, in the mapping M defined by the mapping data 94A, for each of the "m" values obtained by linearly mapping the input variables x(1) to x(23) and the input variable x(0) as a bias parameter by the coefficients wFjk (j = 1 to m, k = 0 to 23), they are substituted into the activation functions f to determine the values of the nodes in the hidden layer. Additionally, for each of the values obtained by linearly mapping the values of the nodes in the hidden layer by the coefficients wSij (i = 1), they are substituted into the activation function g to determine the output variable y(1). The output variable y(1) is a variable representing the hardness of the inner peripheral seal member 58. Also, the greater the output variable y(1), the higher the hardness of the inner peripheral seal member 58. In the present embodiment, the processes of steps S12 and S13 are computational processes. In the present embodiment, an example of the activation function f is the ReLU function (Rectified Linear Unit). Additionally, an example of the activation function g is the Sigmoid function (S-shaped function).

[0079] Further, the mapping M defined by the mapping data 94A is, for example, a mapping generated in the following manner. First, before the vehicle 100 is shipped from the factory, a prototype vehicle equipped with the automatic transmission 30 is driven in various states, etc., to deteriorate the inner peripheral seal member 58, and various values regarding the inner peripheral seal member 58 and the value of the hardness of the inner peripheral seal member 58 are obtained. Then, by using the various values regarding the inner peripheral seal member 58 and the value of the hardness of the inner peripheral seal member 58 as training data for learning, the learned mapping M is generated.

[0080] In step S14, the CPU 91 determines whether the output variable y(1) is greater than a predetermined threshold A. Here, the hardness of the inner peripheral seal member 58 has a tendency to increase as the inner peripheral seal member 58 deteriorates more. Therefore, the threshold A is determined as a value for determining whether the hardness of the inner peripheral seal member 58 is within a predetermined specified range. In step S14, when the CPU 91 determines that the output variable y(1) is greater than the threshold A (S14: Yes), the process proceeds to step S21.

[0081] In step S21, the CPU 91 determines whether it is necessary to replace the inner peripheral seal member 58 with a new one. Then, the CPU 91 proceeds the process to step S22. In step S22, the CPU 91 outputs a signal for causing the display 76 to display that it is necessary to replace the inner peripheral seal member 58 with a new one to the display 76. Then, the CPU 91 ends the present estimation control.

[0082] On the other hand, in step S14, when the CPU 91 determines that the output variable y(1) is below the threshold A (S14: No), the process proceeds to step S31. In step S31, the CPU 91 determines that there is no need to replace the inner peripheral side seal member 58 with a new one. After that, the CPU 91 ends the current thrust control.

[0083] Next, the operation and effect of the present embodiment will be described.

[0084] (1) When the automatic transmission 30 shifts gears, for example, when the first clutch C1 changes from the released state to the engaged state, or from the engaged state to the released state, a load acts on the inner peripheral side seal member 58 at the first clutch C1 due to the operation of the first clutch C1. As a specific example, when the piston 57C moves relative to the connecting shaft 36A, since the inner peripheral side seal member 58 slides relative to the outer peripheral surface of the connecting shaft 36A, a load caused by this sliding acts on the inner peripheral side seal member 58. In addition, since the pressure of the oil supplied between the piston 57C and the bottom surface of the drum 53 changes, the pressure of the oil acting on the inner peripheral side seal member 58 changes, and thus a load caused by this change in the oil pressure acts on the inner peripheral side seal member 58. As a result, in the inner peripheral side seal member 58, each time a load acts on the inner peripheral side seal member 58, the deterioration is aggravated.

[0085] In the present embodiment, the map M specified by the map data 94A outputs an output variable representing the deterioration degree of the inner peripheral side seal member 58, considering not only the first temperature period T1, etc., but also the load history variable, where the load history variable is a variable representing the number of times the load acting on the inner peripheral side seal member 58. Thus, for example, even when the number of times the load acting on the inner peripheral side seal member 58 increases corresponding to the number of operations of the first clutch C1, and thus the deterioration of the inner peripheral side seal member 58 is aggravated, an output variable reflecting the number of times the load acting on the inner peripheral side seal member 58 can be output. As a result, compared with a structure that does not consider the value representing the number of times the load acting on the inner peripheral side seal member 58, an output variable that accurately reflects the deterioration of the inner peripheral side seal member 58 can be obtained.

[0086] (2) Due to the difference in the temperature of the oil to which the inner peripheral side seal member 58 is exposed, the manner in which the deterioration of the inner peripheral side seal member 58 is aggravated also changes significantly. Therefore, if the period is not classified for each temperature range of the oil to which the inner peripheral side seal member 58 is exposed, and the deterioration degree of the inner peripheral side seal member 58 is estimated only based on the period during which the inner peripheral side seal member 58 is exposed to oil within one type of temperature range, there is a limit to the improvement of the estimation accuracy.

[0087] In the present embodiment, a total of 20 temperature ranges from the first temperature range to the 20th temperature range are classified, and a plurality of types of periods, i.e., the first temperature period T1 to the 20th temperature period T20, during which the inner peripheral side seal member 58 is exposed to oil within each of these temperature ranges, are calculated. Then, variables representing the plurality of types of periods from the first temperature period T1 to the 20th temperature period T20 are used as thermal history variables and input to the mapping M defined by the mapping data 94A. Thus, even if the degradation mode of the inner peripheral side seal member 58 changes due to a change in the temperature of the oil to which the inner peripheral side seal member 58 is exposed, the probability of obtaining a value that accurately reflects the degradation of the inner peripheral side seal member 58 as an output variable is high.

[0088] (3) There is a tendency that the degradation of the inner peripheral side seal member 58 at the first clutch C1 becomes more pronounced as the engagement number EN of the first clutch C1 increases. However, even if the engagement number EN is the same, the degree of degradation of the inner peripheral side seal member 58 varies due to differences in the sliding resistance of the inner peripheral side seal member 58 with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the connecting shaft 36A.

[0089] A variable representing the corrected engagement number CVN obtained by considering the sliding resistance of the inner peripheral side seal member 58 with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the connecting shaft 36A in the engagement number EN is used as a load history variable and input to the mapping M defined by the mapping data 94A of the present embodiment. That is, a load history variable reflecting the sliding resistance that may affect the degree of degradation of the inner peripheral side seal member 58 can be input to the mapping M. Thus, even if the sliding resistance of the inner peripheral side seal member 58 with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the connecting shaft 36A changes, a value that accurately reflects the degradation of the inner peripheral side seal member 58 can be obtained as an output variable.

[0090] (4) In the vehicle 100, there is a tendency that as the vehicle speed SP becomes higher, the gear stage of the automatic transmission 30 shifts more towards the high-speed stage side. And if the state of high vehicle speed SP continues, in the automatic transmission 30, the frequency of shifting to the high-speed stage side is more likely to be higher than that of the low-speed stage side. Thus, there is a certain correlation between the average vehicle speed SPA and the frequency of the gear stage of the automatic transmission 30 shifted in this vehicle 100. And if the frequency of the gear stage of the automatic transmission 30 is known, it is possible to estimate which engaging components become engaged or released at what frequency in order to achieve this gear stage.

[0091] The variable representing the average vehicle speed SPA is input as an input variable to the mapping M defined by the mapping data 94A of the present embodiment. Thus, for example, when estimating the degree of deterioration of the inner peripheral side seal member 58 in a specific engaging member, it is possible to reflect the frequency at which the inner peripheral side seal member 58 is in the engaged state or the released state to estimate the degree of deterioration of the inner peripheral side seal member 58.

[0092] (5) When manufacturing errors occur in the inner peripheral side seal member 58 or the piston 57C, etc., the actual pre-compression size ZA may deviate from its design value, or the actual clearance size ZB may deviate from its design value. Since the inner peripheral side seal member 58 is disposed in the clearance between the bottom surface of the inner peripheral groove 57Cc and the outer peripheral surface of the connecting shaft 36A in a compressed state, the load acting on the inner peripheral side seal member 58 may vary depending on its compression state. For example, since the smaller the clearance size ZB is relative to the pre-compression size ZA, the greater the force by which the inner peripheral side seal member 58 is compressed between the bottom surface of the inner peripheral groove 57Cc and the outer peripheral surface of the connecting shaft 36A, there is a tendency for the load acting on the inner peripheral side seal member 58 to become greater.

[0093] The variable representing the compression size Z of the inner peripheral side seal member 58, which is the difference between the pre-compression size ZA and the clearance size ZB, is input as an input variable to the mapping M defined by the mapping data 94A of the present embodiment. Thus, it is possible to obtain an output variable in consideration of the compression size Z indicating the degree to which the inner peripheral side seal member 58 is compressed. As a result, for example, even if the pre-compression size ZA or the clearance size ZB changes due to manufacturing errors or the like, it is possible to accurately grasp the degree of deterioration of the inner peripheral side seal member 58.

[0094] (6) A variable representing the hardness of the inner peripheral side seal member 58 is output from the mapping M defined by the mapping data 94A as an output variable. Thus, by referring to the output variable of the mapping M, it is possible to objectively grasp the degree of deterioration of the inner peripheral side seal member 58.

[0095] <Other Embodiments>

[0096] The present embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. The present embodiment and the following modification examples can be implemented in combination with each other within the range where there is no technical contradiction.

[0097] "Regarding the thermal history variable"

[0098] In the above-described embodiments, the thermal history variable input to the mapping M is not limited to the examples of the above-described embodiments. For example, as the temperature range, it is not necessary to set a total of 20 temperature ranges from the first temperature range to the 20th temperature range, and the number of set temperature ranges can be changed. In addition, the number of temperature ranges does not have to be plural. For example, it is also possible to set only one temperature range that affects the deterioration of the sealing member. In this case, the thermal history variable input to the mapping M also becomes one.

[0099] Although a plurality of temperature ranges are set and the period during which the inner peripheral sealing member 58 is exposed to the temperatures within each temperature range is reflected, the thermal history variable input to the mapping M can also be one. For example, assume that the first temperature range and the second temperature range are set. In addition, compared with the first temperature range, the deterioration of the inner peripheral sealing member 58 accelerates at twice the rate within the second temperature range. In this case, the correction period is calculated by multiplying the period during which the inner peripheral sealing member 58 is exposed to the second temperature range by a predetermined value, for example, "2". And the following value is input to the mapping M as the thermal history variable, which is the value obtained by adding the period during which the inner peripheral sealing member 58 is exposed to the temperature within the first temperature range and the correction period calculated as described above.

[0100] According to this modification example, although the case where the inner peripheral sealing member 58 is exposed to the temperature within the second temperature range where deterioration is likely to accelerate is considered, an increase in the number of input variables input to the mapping M is still prevented. Therefore, complication of the mapping data can be suppressed. In addition, for the value used to correct the period, it can also be pre-calculated by conducting experiments or simulations on how the deterioration of the sealing member accelerates within each temperature range, or can be estimated and determined based on empirical rules such as the "10°C half-life rule" for chemical reaction rates and the like.

[0101] "Regarding the load history variable"

[0102] In the above-described embodiments, the load history variable input to the mapping M is not limited to the examples of the above-described embodiments. For example, as the load history variable input to the mapping M, the number of engagement times EN can also be used instead of the corrected number of engagement times CVN.

[0103] There is a tendency that the number of engagements EN increases as the driving distance of the vehicle 100 from the time when the automatic transmission 30 is mounted on the vehicle 100 at the time of manufacture of the vehicle 100 until that moment becomes longer. Therefore, as the load history variable input to the map M, the driving distance of the vehicle 100 from the time when the inner peripheral seal member 58 is installed in the automatic transmission 30 can also be used. According to this structure, the driving distance, which is highly correlated with the degree of deterioration of the inner peripheral seal member 58 and is easily detectable in the vehicle 100, is input as an input variable. Thus, when implementing the above technology, an output variable that accurately reflects the deterioration of the inner peripheral seal member 58 can be obtained without adding a new sensor or the like.

[0104] There is a tendency that the number of engagements EN increases as the number of gear shifts of the automatic transmission 30 from the time when the automatic transmission 30 is mounted on the vehicle 100 at the time of manufacture of the vehicle 100 until that moment becomes larger. Therefore, as the load history variable input to the map M, the number of gear shifts of the automatic transmission 30 from the time when the inner peripheral seal member 58 is installed in the automatic transmission 30 can also be used.

[0105] Not only when the engaging member changes from the released state to the engaged state, but also when the engaging member changes from the engaged state to the released state, a load acts on the inner peripheral seal member 58, and thus there is a tendency that the deterioration of the inner peripheral seal member 58 is aggravated. Therefore, as the load history variable input to the map M, on the basis of the number of engagements EN, which is the number of times the engaging member changes from the released state to the engaged state, or instead of the number of engagements EN, the number of releases, which is the number of times the engaging member changes from the engaged state to the released state, can be used.

[0106] As the load history variable input to the map M, it is not necessary to use all of the corrected number of engagements CVN, the number of engagements EN, the driving distance of the vehicle 100, the number of variable times of the automatic transmission 30, and the above-mentioned number of releases, and at least one of them can also be used.

[0107] "Regarding other input variables"

[0108] In the above-described embodiment, as an input variable indicating the degree to which the inner peripheral side sealing member 58 is compressed, a variable other than the compression dimension Z may be used. For example, since the smaller the clearance dimension ZB becomes with respect to the dimension ZA before compression, the greater the force with which the inner peripheral side sealing member 58 is compressed between the bottom surface of the inner peripheral groove 57Cc and the outer peripheral surface of the connecting shaft 36A, there is a tendency for the load acting on the inner peripheral side sealing member 58 to increase. Therefore, even if the dimension ZA before compression is the same, there is a tendency for the load acting on the inner peripheral side sealing member 58 to become greater as the clearance dimension ZB becomes smaller. Thus, as an input variable to the map M, the clearance dimension ZB may be used in addition to or instead of the compression dimension Z. According to this structure, even if the clearance dimension ZB, which is the dimension of the clearance between the bottom surface of the inner peripheral groove 57Cc and the outer peripheral surface of the connecting shaft 36A, changes due to manufacturing errors or the like, an output variable that reflects the difference in the clearance dimension ZB can be obtained. Thus, the degree of deterioration of the inner peripheral side sealing member 58 can be accurately grasped in consideration of the clearance dimension ZB.

[0109] Further, for example, even if the clearance dimension ZB is the same, there is a tendency for the load acting on the inner peripheral side sealing member 58 to become greater as the dimension ZA before compression becomes greater. Thus, as an input variable to the map M, the clearance dimension ZB may be used in addition to or instead of the compression dimension Z.

[0110] Even when the compression dimension Z, which is the difference between the dimension ZA before compression and the clearance dimension ZB, is the same, there are cases where the loads acting on the inner peripheral side sealing member 58 are different. For example, there is a possibility that the greater the ratio of the dimensions of the inner peripheral side sealing member 58 before and after compression deviates from "1", the greater the load acting on the inner peripheral side sealing member 58 and the faster the deterioration progresses. Therefore, as an input variable to the map M, in addition to or instead of the compression dimension Z, the dimension ZA before compression and the clearance dimension ZB corresponding to the dimension of the inner peripheral side sealing member 58 after compression, or their ratio, may be used.

[0111] Among the input variables to the map M, the compression dimension Z or the average vehicle speed SPA or the like is not essential and may be appropriately omitted. That is, as an input variable to the map M, it is sufficient to include at least a heat history variable and a load history variable.

[0112] "Regarding the output variable"

[0113] In the above-described embodiment, the output variables of the mapping M are not limited to the examples of the above-described embodiment. For example, as the deterioration of the inner circumferential side seal member 58 becomes more severe, not only does the hardness of the inner circumferential side seal member 58 become higher, but also the tensile strength of the inner circumferential side seal member 58 tends to become lower. Therefore, as the output variable of the mapping M, based on the hardness of the inner circumferential side seal member 58 or instead of the hardness, the tensile strength of the inner circumferential side seal member 58 may be adopted. In this structure, as long as the tensile strength of the inner circumferential side seal member 58 is less than a predetermined threshold value for the tensile strength, it is determined that it is necessary to replace the inner circumferential side seal member 58 with a new inner circumferential side seal member 58.

[0114] As the deterioration of the inner circumferential side seal member 58 becomes more severe, the inner circumferential side seal member 58 tends to be less likely to elongate. Therefore, as the output variable of the mapping M, based on the hardness of the inner circumferential side seal member 58 or instead of the hardness, a value indicating the ease of elongation of the inner circumferential side seal member 58 may be adopted.

[0115] Since the inner circumferential side seal member 58 slides relative to the outer peripheral surface of the connecting shaft 36A, the inner circumferential side seal member 58 tends to gradually wear. Therefore, as the output variable of the mapping M, based on the hardness of the inner circumferential side seal member 58 or instead of the hardness, the amount of wear of the inner circumferential side seal member 58 may be adopted.

[0116] As the output variable of the mapping M, instead of outputting a variable representing a numerical value such as hardness, a deterioration degree comprehensively evaluating the deterioration of the inner circumferential side seal member 58 may be output. In this case, for example, it may be considered that the state just after manufacturing when the deterioration has not progressed at all is set to "0", the state where the deterioration has progressed and replacement is necessary is set to "1", and a value that varies between "0" and "1" is output as the output variable representing the deterioration degree.

[0117] As the output variable of the mapping M, a value representing the period until it is necessary to replace the inner circumferential side seal member 58, that is, the remaining life of the inner circumferential side seal member 58, may be adopted. In this case, as long as the CPU 91 determines that the value representing the remaining life of the inner circumferential side seal member 58 is below a predetermined threshold value for the remaining life, it is determined that it is necessary to replace the inner circumferential side seal member 58 with a new inner circumferential side seal member 58. In addition, as the deterioration of the inner circumferential side seal member 58 becomes more severe, the remaining life of the inner circumferential side seal member 58 becomes shorter. Therefore, it can be said that the remaining life of the inner circumferential side seal member 58 is one of the output variables representing the deterioration degree of the inner circumferential side seal member 58.

[0118] "Regarding the estimation control"

[0119] In the above-described embodiment, the timing for performing the estimation control is not limited to the examples of the above-described embodiment. For example, the estimation control may also be performed at every predetermined period.

[0120] "Regarding the mapping"

[0121] In the above-described embodiment, the activation function of the mapping M is exemplary and is not limited to the examples of the above-described embodiment. For example, as the activation function of the mapping M, a Softmax function or the like may also be employed.

[0122] In the above-described embodiment, as the neural network, a neural network having one intermediate layer was exemplified, however, the number of intermediate layers may also be two or more.

[0123] In the above-described embodiment, as the neural network, a fully-connected feedforward type neural network was exemplified, however, it is not limited thereto. For example, as the neural network, a recurrent neural network may also be employed.

[0124] In the above-described embodiment, the function approximator of the mapping M is not limited to a neural network. For example, it may also be a regression equation having no intermediate layer.

[0125] "Regarding the sealing member"

[0126] In the above-described embodiment, the sealing member whose degree of deterioration is to be estimated is not limited to the examples of the above-described embodiment. For example, the sealing member whose degree of deterioration is to be estimated may also be an outer peripheral side sealing member 59 in addition to or instead of the inner peripheral side sealing member 58.

[0127] In addition, for the sealing member whose degree of deterioration is to be estimated, it may also include various sealing members at the first brake mechanism B1 or the second brake mechanism B2 in addition to or instead of the inner peripheral side sealing member 58 or the outer peripheral side sealing member 59 at the first clutch C1 or the second clutch C2. Further, if the degree of deterioration of other sealing members is also estimated in addition to the inner peripheral side sealing member 58, it is only necessary to previously define a mapping for the sealing member different from the inner peripheral side sealing member 58 in the mapping data 94A.

[0128] In the above-described embodiment, the sealing member is not limited to the examples of the above-described embodiment. For example, as the sealing member, it is not necessarily required to be installed on the piston 57C. As long as it is a sealing member on which a load acts when the engaging member changes from the released state to the engaged state, or when the engaging member changes from the engaged state to the released state. As a specific example, if it is a sealing member that suppresses the leakage of oil from the inside of the engaging member to the outside, then when the engaging member changes from the released state to the engaged state, or when the engaging member changes from the engaged state to the released state, along with the pressure change of the oil supplied to the engaging member, the pressure of the oil acting on the sealing member changes. As a result, a load is applied to the sealing member corresponding to the operation of the engaging member. Thus, the more the number of operations of the engaging member, the more the deterioration of the sealing member is aggravated. Therefore, as described above, when a load is applied to the sealing member corresponding to the operation of the engaging member, this sealing member can be used as an object for estimating the degree of deterioration and this technology can be adopted.

[0129] "Regarding the sensor"

[0130] In the above-described embodiment, the installation positions of various sensors are not limited to the examples of the above-described embodiment. For example, since there are cases where the temperatures of the oil supplied from the hydraulic device 65 to each engaging member are different, it is not necessarily the case that the temperatures of the oil to which the inner peripheral side sealing member 58 of each engaging member is exposed are the same. Thus, in this case, the temperature sensor 74 can also be installed on each engaging member.

[0131] "Regarding the deterioration estimation device"

[0132] In the above-described embodiment, as the deterioration estimation device, a structure mounted on the vehicle 100 is described, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the deterioration estimation device can also be provided at a dealership or the like for vehicle maintenance. In this case, the vehicle stores various values including at least the thermal history variable and the load history variable in the storage device 94 in advance. On the other hand, the deterioration estimation device provided at a dealership or the like acquires various values stored in the storage device 94 of the vehicle during vehicle maintenance or the like. And as long as the deterioration estimation device estimates the degree of deterioration of the inner peripheral side sealing member 58 by inputting the acquired various values into the map M and calculating the output variable. In addition, the deterioration estimation device can also be regarded as a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program.

[0133] "Regarding the implementation device"

[0134] In the above-described embodiment, as the implementation device, it is not limited to a device equipped with a CPU 91 and a ROM 93 and implementing software processing. As a specific example, it may also be equipped with a dedicated hardware circuit such as an ASIC that performs hardware processing on at least a part of the processing content that is software-processed in the above-described embodiment. That is, the implementation device may also have any one of the following structures (a) to (c).

[0135] (a) A processing device that implements all of the above processing according to a program, and a program storage device such as a ROM that stores the program.

[0136] (b) A processing device that implements a part of the above processing according to a program, a program storage device, and a dedicated hardware circuit that implements the remaining processing.

[0137] (c) A dedicated hardware circuit that implements all of the above processing. Here, the software implementation device equipped with a processing device and a program storage device, or the dedicated hardware circuit may be plural.

[0138] "Regarding vehicles"

[0139] In the above-described embodiment, as the vehicle, a so-called series-parallel hybrid vehicle is exemplified, but it is not limited thereto. For example, as the vehicle, it may also be a series hybrid vehicle or a parallel hybrid vehicle.

[0140] In the above-described embodiment, as the vehicle, it is not limited to a vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine and an electric generator. For example, as the vehicle, it may also be a vehicle that has an internal combustion engine but does not have an electric generator. Further, for example, as the vehicle, it may also be a vehicle that has an electric generator but does not have an internal combustion engine.

Claims

1. A deterioration estimation device, which is applicable to a vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission having at least one of a clutch and a brake as an engaging component, and is configured to estimate the degree of deterioration of a sealing member of the engaging component mounted on the automatic transmission, characterized in that The deterioration estimation device includes: a storage device configured to store mapping data that defines a mapping for outputting an output variable representing the degree of deterioration of the sealing member by inputting an input variable. The mapping includes a heat history variable and a load history variable as the input variables. The heat history variable is a variable representing the period during which the sealing member is exposed to temperatures within a predetermined temperature range, and the load history variable is a variable representing the number of times a load is applied to the sealing member; and an execution device configured to execute an acquisition process and a calculation process. The acquisition process is a process for acquiring the input variable, and the calculation process is for outputting the value of the output variable by inputting the input variable acquired by the acquisition process into the mapping. When the temperature range is a first temperature range and the heat history variable is a first heat history variable, the mapping includes a second heat history variable as the input variable. The second heat history variable is a variable representing the period during which the sealing member is exposed to temperatures within a predetermined second temperature range, and the second temperature range is a range different from the first temperature range.

2. The deterioration estimation device according to claim 1, wherein: when the temperature range is a first temperature range, the execution device is configured to calculate a correction period in the acquisition process, acquire a variable representing the period obtained by adding the period during which the sealing member is exposed to temperatures within the first temperature range and the correction period as the heat history variable, and calculate the correction period by correcting the period during which the sealing member is exposed to temperatures within a predetermined second temperature range with a predetermined value. The second temperature range is a range different from the first temperature range.

3. The deterioration estimation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: the load history variable is the number of times of engagement of the engagement member after the sealing member is installed on the engagement member.

4. The deterioration estimation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: the engagement member includes a first element and a second element configured to move relative to each other when the engagement member switches between engagement and release. The sealing member is disposed in the gap between the first element and the second element and is configured to slide along the second element when the first element moves relative to the second element. The load history variable is a corrected number of engagement times obtained by correcting the number of engagement times with a value representing the sliding resistance of the sealing member relative to the second element. The number of engagement times is the number of times the engagement member engages after the sealing member is installed on the engagement member.

5. The deterioration estimation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: the load history variable is the driving distance of the vehicle after the sealing member is installed on the engagement member.

6. The deterioration estimation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The mapping includes a vehicle speed variable as the input variable, and the vehicle speed variable represents the average vehicle speed after the sealing member is installed on the engaging member.

7. The deterioration estimation device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the engaging member has a first element and a second element that are arranged separately from each other, the sealing member is disposed in the gap between the first element and the second element, the mapping includes a gap variable representing the size of the gap as the input variable.

8. The deterioration estimation device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the engaging member has a first element and a second element that are arranged separately from each other, the sealing member is disposed in the gap between the first element and the second element in a compressed state, the mapping includes a compression variable as the input variable, and the compression variable represents the difference between the size before compression of the portion of the sealing member disposed in the gap and the size of the gap.

9. The deterioration estimation device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the output variable is a variable representing the hardness of the sealing member.

10. A deterioration estimation method for a vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission, the automatic transmission having at least one of a clutch and a brake as an engaging component, the deterioration estimation method being used to estimate the degree of deterioration of a sealing member of the engaging component installed in the automatic transmission, characterized in that, The deterioration estimation method includes: By inputting a heat history variable and a load history variable as input variables to a deterioration estimation device, the deterioration estimation device calculates the value of the output variable. The heat history variable is a variable representing the period during which the sealing member is exposed to a temperature within a predetermined temperature range, and the load history variable is a variable representing the number of times a load is applied to the sealing member. The deterioration estimation device stores mapping data, and the mapping data defines a mapping that outputs an output variable representing the degree of deterioration of the sealing member by being input with the input variables. When the temperature range is a first temperature range and the heat history variable is a first heat history variable, the mapping includes a second heat history variable as the input variable, and the second heat history variable is a variable representing the period during which the sealing member is exposed to a temperature within a predetermined second temperature range, and the second temperature range is a range different from the first temperature range.

11. A non-transitory storage medium serving as a deterioration estimation device, the deterioration estimation device being applicable to a vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission, the automatic transmission having at least one of a clutch and a brake as an engaging member, the deterioration estimation device being configured to estimate the degree of deterioration of a sealing member installed on the engaging member of the automatic transmission. The non-transitory storage medium includes mapping data, and the mapping data defines a mapping that outputs an output variable representing the degree of deterioration of the sealing member by being input with input variables. The non-transitory storage medium stores instructions that can be implemented by one or more processors and implement the following functions in the one or more processors: Obtain the input variable, where the input variable includes at least one of a thermal history variable and a load history variable. The thermal history variable is a variable representing the period during which the sealing member is exposed to temperatures within a predetermined temperature range, and the load history variable is a variable representing the number of times a load is applied to the sealing member; and Calculate the value of the output variable by inputting the obtained input variable into the mapping, When the temperature range is a first temperature range and the thermal history variable is a first thermal history variable, the mapping includes a second thermal history variable as the input variable. The second thermal history variable is a variable representing the period during which the sealing member is exposed to temperatures within a predetermined second temperature range, and the second temperature range is a range different from the first temperature range.

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