Method for adaptive adjustment of a clutch for a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for the adaptive adjustment of a clutch (2) for a vehicle (4), comprising the following steps: outputting (S2) a parameter to the clutch (2) in order to operate the clutch (2) using the parameter; receiving (S3) operating parameters related to the operation of the clutch (2); determining (S4) the clutch temperature by means of a neural network, which is set up to determine the clutch temperature on the basis of the learned relationship between the clutch temperature and the received operating parameter; determining (S5) whether the determined clutch temperature conforms to a target temperature; and if it is determined that the determined clutch temperature matches the target temperature, outputting (S6) a parameter to the clutch (2) in order to adaptively adjust the clutch (2) with the parameter. The invention further relates to a computing unit (6) which is designed to carry out such a method. The invention further relates to a vehicle (4) having a clutch (2) which has been adaptively adjusted by means of a computing unit (6) implementing the method.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for adaptively adjusting a clutch for a vehicle. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a computing unit configured to perform steps of a method for adaptively adjusting a clutch. Additionally, the present invention relates to a vehicle having a clutch, wherein the clutch has a control unit configured to control the adaptively adjusted clutch. Background Art

[0002] It is known from the prior art that the adaptive adjustment of a clutch of a vehicle is carried out manually by a user. Herein, the adaptive adjustment is performed iteratively, wherein parameters for the clutch are predetermined by the user and improved iteratively. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a method for adaptively adjusting a clutch for a vehicle. The adaptive adjustment of the clutch may include the adjustment or parameter setting of the clutch. One or more adaptive adjustments may be performed, such as an adaptive adjustment for a stationary state, an adaptive adjustment for a switching process, an adaptive adjustment for a constant speed driving, and alternatively or additionally an adaptive adjustment for maintenance. After the adaptive adjustment, the clutch can be used to operate the clutch in the vehicle as described above. The clutch may be, for example, a multi-plate clutch. The clutch can be modularly applied to a test bench and can be applied to or installed in a vehicle. The vehicle may be a passenger vehicle, a heavy vehicle, or a work machine, such as a construction machine. The computing unit may be configured to perform the method steps as described below.

[0004] The method includes: outputting parameters to the clutch for operating the clutch using the parameters. Outputting the parameters for operating the clutch using the output parameters may include an operation output. The output may include transmitting a signal having data, and the data includes the parameters. One parameter or alternatively multiple parameters may be output to the clutch. These parameters may be, for example, regarding the contact point of the clutch, the hydraulic pressure, or the torque transmission of the clutch. Various different parameters may be output for different operating modes, such as a stationary state, a switching process, a constant speed driving, maintenance, or an end-of-line mode (i.e., an operating mode after the production process). The operation may be a test operation. The operation of the clutch may be performed on a test bench, alternatively, the operation of the clutch may be performed on-site and is installed in the vehicle herein. The output may be performed, for example, via a data interface of the computing unit.

[0005] The method further has: receiving operating parameters related to the clutch operation. Here, the operating parameters related to the clutch operation can be measured when the clutch operates using the output parameters. The operating parameters can be, for example, the clutch sump temperature that exists when the clutch has operated using one or more of the output parameters. Here, receiving can include reading data containing the operating parameters. Alternatively or additionally, receiving can include measuring the operating parameters. One operating parameter can be received or alternatively multiple operating parameters can be received.

[0006] Furthermore, the method includes: determining the clutch temperature by means of a neural network. The neural network is set up to determine the clutch temperature based on the learned relationship between the clutch temperature and the received operating parameters. Here, this relationship can be learned through training, and the training can be verified or examined or has already been examined by means of validation. For this purpose, training data containing the clutch temperature as output data and the operating parameters as input data can be used. One or alternatively multiple operating parameters can be included as input data in these training data.

[0007] The method further has: determining whether the determined clutch temperature matches a target temperature. The target temperature can be an absolute target temperature. The target temperature can be a relative target temperature. The absolute target temperature can be predetermined in degrees Celsius or Kelvin. In the case of a relative target temperature, the target temperature can be predetermined, for example, as a determined quantile of a set of temperatures (such as the clutch temperature). The quantile can be, for example, the median, tertile, quartile, or decile.

[0008] In the case where it is determined that the determined clutch temperature matches the target temperature, parameters are output to the clutch for adaptively adjusting the clutch using this parameter. Outputting parameters to the clutch for adaptively adjusting the clutch can include adaptive adjustment output. One parameter or alternatively multiple parameters can be output to the clutch for adaptive adjustment. The output for adaptive adjustment can include data setting of the clutch using one or more parameters. One or more parameters that make the clutch temperature match the target temperature can be output. Alternatively, in the case where it is determined that the determined clutch temperature does not match the target temperature, other parameters can be output to the clutch for operating the clutch using this other parameter, where the other parameter is different from the parameters first output for operating the clutch. Here, the other steps of the method until it is determined whether the determined clutch temperature matches the target temperature can be executed cyclically until the determined clutch temperature matches the target temperature.

[0009] Thus, in order to adaptively adjust the clutch for a vehicle or to adaptively adjust the clutch of a vehicle, a rule-based model for temperature prediction can be dispensed with. Here, determining the clutch temperature using a neural network results in lower complexity compared to a rule-based model for temperature prediction. Temperature prediction is necessary and crucial for the parameters used to operate and adaptively adjust the clutch, because the wear of the clutch in a vehicle may depend on the temperature behavior. Here, the temperature behavior may depend on the parameters used for adaptive adjustment.

[0010] Another embodiment of the method may be characterized in that the output for operating the clutch may include a plurality of parameter combinations. Here, the output for operating the clutch may include outputting a plurality of parameters and may output a plurality or all of these parameter combinations for operating the clutch. Thus, various different parameter sets can be output to the clutch, where the parameter sets can each be set for operating the clutch. Here, a parameter set can consist of a specific combination of specific parameters. In addition, for a plurality of the combinations, the operating parameters of each combination can be received. For all of the combinations that have been output for operating the clutch, one or more operating parameters of each combination can be received. For a plurality or all of the received operating parameters, the respective clutch temperature can be determined depending on the respective received one or more operating parameters. For a plurality or for all of the determined clutch temperatures, it can be determined whether the determined clutch temperature matches a target temperature. The parameter combination or combinations among the plurality of parameter combinations for which the respective determined clutch temperature matches the target temperature can be output for adaptively adjusting the clutch.

[0011] By outputting multiple parameter combinations for operating the clutch, an exhaustive method can be implemented by a method. Thus, various different parameters and various different combinations of various different parameters can be used to respectively utilize a specific combination of parameters to prompt the operation of the clutch and thereby prompt the subsequent receipt of one or more operating parameters related to the operation of the clutch. Thus, a more complex and perhaps time-consuming iterative process can be dispensed with. In a single step, the clutch temperature can be determined for each parameter combination received for operating the clutch, and the clutch temperature can be jointly determined. In addition, when then determining whether the respectively determined clutch temperature matches the target temperature, the comparison of these clutch temperatures with the target temperature can also be carried out in a time-saving manner. Here, the output for adaptively adjusting the clutch can be achieved with one of the following parameter combinations, the respectively determined clutch temperatures of which match the target temperature and can thus provide operation with an adaptively adjusted clutch, and these parameter combinations can ensure optimal temperature generation. By this method, one or more parameters can be determined in a time-saving manner so as to enable such an adaptive adjustment of the clutch.

[0012] Another embodiment relates to a method, characterized in that the target temperature can be the minimum relative temperature, and it can be determined which of the determined clutch temperatures is the minimum compared to a plurality or all of the determined clutch temperatures. The parameter combination whose determined clutch temperature is determined to be the minimum can be output for adaptively adjusting the clutch. Here, one or more parameter combinations whose determined clutch temperatures are determined to be the minimum can be output for adaptively adjusting the clutch.

[0013] Thus, this method is used to ensure that the adaptive adjustment of the clutch is temperature-optimized, that is, to ensure the minimization of the temperature of the clutch during operation or in use after the adaptive adjustment of the clutch. This can provide a particularly time-saving method for adaptively adjusting the clutch in combination with the exhaustive method.

[0014] According to another embodiment, a method is disclosed, characterized in that one or more parameters with a set of possible associated parameter values can be received. This reception can include reading and alternatively or additionally obtaining data with one or more parameters and alternatively or additionally with multiple parameter values. The associated parameter values can include various different numerical values of a parameter. For example, various different associated parameter values of a hydraulic pressure as a parameter can include discrete or alternatively or additionally continuous values of the pressure in pascals. Furthermore, a subset can be selected from the received parameter values, and the output of the parameters for operating the clutch can also depend on the selection of the subset from the parameter values. The selection operation can be done by a computing unit here, alternatively by the user. The selection operation can be done manually, rule-based, and alternatively or additionally by a neural network. Here, the subset can be a proper subset of the received parameter values, and not all of the received parameters with associated parameter values are output to the clutch for operating the clutch.

[0015] Thus, the number of parameters and parameter values output to the clutch for operating the clutch can be restricted. Thereby, the operation, as well as the reception of operating parameters and the determination of the clutch temperature, and if necessary the output of parameters for adaptive adjustment, can be carried out in a more resource-saving manner, because not all of the received parameters and associated parameter values have to be processed in the method steps. The selection can be carried out, for example, based on the functionality of the clutch. The functionality can reflect, for example, driving characteristics. The driving characteristics can be, for example, sporty, economical, or comfortable. Thus, depending on the corresponding desired functionality, various different parameter values can be used, such as a specific clutch pressure or hydraulic pressure that results in a sporty or alternatively comfortable driving style, in order to output these parameter values to the clutch for operation.

[0016] According to another embodiment, a method is disclosed, characterized in that a subset can be selected from the received parameter combinations. Here, the subset can be a proper subset, where certain combinations that are possible according to combinatorics and the number of received parameters and associated parameter values can be discarded. The output of the parameters for operating the clutch depends on the selection of the subset from the parameter combinations. Here, when outputting the parameters for operating the clutch, a certain first subset of the received parameter combinations can be discarded from being output to the clutch for operation. A second subset that is disjoint from the first subset can be output to the clutch for operation. Thus, the combination of parameters and parameter values can be further restricted and thereby a more resource-saving method possibility similar to the previous embodiment can be achieved.

[0017] According to another embodiment, a method is disclosed, characterized in that at least one of selecting a subset from parameter values and selecting a subset from parameter combinations can be performed by a user. The user can be a person who performs an adaptation of a clutch, such as a developer. Here, selecting a subset from parameter values and alternatively or additionally selecting a subset from parameter combinations can be done with user support, that is, partly manually, alternatively completely manually by the user.

[0018] Thus, a user (such as a developer of a driving function) can introduce their experience to perform an adaptation of the clutch. Thus, an exhaustive method can be combined and combined with the empirical values of the developer (user). Thereby, a resource-saving and efficient method can be provided to perform the adaptation of the clutch.

[0019] According to another embodiment, a method is disclosed, characterized in that parameters can be output for adaptation for an initial adaptation of a clutch. Here, the initial adaptation of the clutch can be done after the vehicle production process with such a clutch and before delivery. The initial adaptation of the clutch can also be done on a test bench, for example. The initial adaptation can be the first clutch adaptation in the clutch life cycle.

[0020] With this method, production fluctuations of the clutch and production fluctuations of clutch components can be addressed. For example, the hydraulic valves that may be installed in the clutch may have production fluctuations. Through this initial adaptation, production fluctuations of these hydraulic valves and other possible components of the clutch can be addressed. Thus, for a large number of clutches, this method can be used to achieve similar adaptations and thus similar parameter settings regarding clutch behavior.

[0021] According to another embodiment, a method is disclosed, characterized in that parameters can be output for adaptation for a continuous adaptation of a clutch. The continuous adaptation of the clutch can be, for example, an adaptation of a clutch on a test bench that has previously been initially adapted. Alternatively, the continuous adaptation of the clutch can be an adaptation of the clutch on-site, that is, for example, a clutch installed in a test vehicle or an end-user vehicle.

[0022] This adaptation and these output parameters for adaptation by means of continuous adaptation of the clutch can react to clutch-specific wear. Thus, for example, a first driver with a first vehicle and a first clutch installed therein may drive in a particularly sporty manner, resulting in wear of the friction elements in the clutch that differs from the wear caused by a second driver driving a second vehicle with a second clutch installed therein, which has a more conservative driving style. By outputting one or more parameters or parameter values for adaptation, different wear processes of different clutches in different vehicles can be reacted to as follows, namely, each clutch can be adapted so that the driving behavior of all clutches remains as similar as possible even after being affected by different wear.

[0023] A second aspect of the invention relates to a computing unit. The computing unit can, for example, be set up and installed in a vehicle, such as in a test vehicle or a vehicle of an end user. The computing unit can be arranged in a test bench. The computing unit can alternatively or additionally be arranged locally or in the cloud. The computing unit can have an interface for receiving and reading data, such as parameters and operating parameters, and for outputting data for operating and alternatively or additionally adapting the clutch. The computing unit can be set up to carry out method steps for adapting a clutch for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the first aspect of the invention. The computing unit can be configured to carry out at least one, several, or all steps of the method. If the computing unit does not carry out all method steps for adapting the clutch, the user can carry out the remaining steps. The clutch for the vehicle can be a clutch of a specific vehicle, for example, the clutch can be installed in a specific vehicle.

[0024] The invention in a third aspect relates to a vehicle having a clutch. The vehicle can be a passenger vehicle, a heavy goods vehicle, or a work machine, such as an agricultural machine or a construction machine. The clutch can be a multi-plate clutch. The clutch can have a control unit and a storage medium. The control unit can be a controller of the vehicle, and the storage medium can be a non-volatile memory. The control unit can be set up to control the clutch. Here, the control unit and the clutch can be electrically connected to each other and alternatively or additionally electronically connected. The adaptation of the clutch can be carried out or has been carried out by means of a computing unit implementing a method according to an embodiment of the first aspect of the invention. Output parameters for adapting the clutch can be sent to or have been output to the storage medium. A plurality of parameters for adapting the clutch can also be output to the storage medium. The storage medium can store the one or more parameters that have been output, and the control unit can use the parameters stored on the storage medium to control the clutch. Thereby, the control of the adapted clutch can be achieved. Description of the Drawings

[0025] Figure 1 Schematically shows a computing unit and a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 Schematically shows the method steps for adaptively adjusting a clutch for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Embodiment

[0027] Figure 1 Schematically shows a computing unit 6 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The computing unit 6 is configured to execute the steps of the method for adaptively adjusting the clutch 2 of the vehicle 4 shown in Figure 2 . The computing unit 6 and the vehicle 4 are data-connected to each other via a data transmission device 8 (here a wireless connection).

[0028] As shown in Figure 2 , the method has: receiving S1 a parameter having a set of possibly relevant parameter values. Here, a plurality of parameters each having a plurality of relevant parameter values are received. They are received by the computing unit via the interface of the computing unit 6. The user selects S1.1 a subset from the received parameter values. In addition, the user selects S1.2 a subset from the received parameter combinations. Here, the parameters include, for example, the engagement point, the slip point, the torque or the torque transmission of the clutch 2. By selecting S1.1, S1.2, it is achieved that the user focuses on the parameters and parameter values that the user is interested in, and thus on the possible combinations of these parameters and parameter values.

[0029] Outputting S2 the received parameter and thus the plurality of parameters and parameter values to the clutch 2, wherein this is achieved by the computing unit 6 via the data transmission device 8 and the interfaces (not shown) of the clutch 2 and the computing unit 6. Outputting S2 includes sending data having the parameter to the clutch 2. Then, during the operation of the clutch 2, the operating parameters related to the parameter combination are measured. These measured operating parameters are sent from the clutch 2 to the computing unit 6 via the data transmission device 8, and the corresponding operating parameters for the corresponding parameter combination for operating the clutch are received S3. Then, there is a data set, wherein one or more determined operating parameters are respectively assigned to the combination of the determined parameters and parameter values.

[0030] Using the received operating parameters, the corresponding clutch temperatures of each combination of S4 are determined through a neural network. In addition, it is determined whether the clutch temperature of S5 conforms to the target temperature. Here, the minimum clutch temperature of S5.1 is determined, that is, it is determined which of the determined clutch temperatures is the minimum compared to all the determined clutch temperatures. The lowest clutch temperature is determined. For this purpose, the operating parameters and parameter values related thereto, which are output for operating the clutch 2 to have this minimum clutch temperature, are determined. Then, the respective parameters with the minimum clutch temperature or the parameters of the parameter combination with the minimum clutch temperature are output as S6 to the clutch 2 for final adaptive adjustment of the clutch 2. The output S6 includes sending data to the clutch 2 via the data transmission device 8, where the output parameters are stored on a storage medium (not shown) of the vehicle 2. Thus, the adaptive adjustment of the clutch 2 and thus the method are completed. The control unit (not shown) is arranged to control the adaptively adjusted clutch 2 using the parameters stored on the storage medium.

[0031] List of reference numerals

[0032] 2 Clutch

[0033] 4 Vehicle

[0034] 6 Computing unit

[0035] 8 Data transmission device

[0036] S1 (Step) Receive parameters with a set of parameter values

[0037] S1.1 (Step) Select a subset from the parameter values

[0038] S1.2 (Step) Select a subset from the combinations of the received parameters

[0039] S2 (Step) Output the parameters to the clutch for operation

[0040] S3 (Step) Receive operating parameters

[0041] S4 (Step) Determine the clutch temperature

[0042] S5 (Step) Determine whether the clutch temperature conforms to the target temperature

[0043] S5.1 (Step) Determine the minimum clutch temperature

[0044] S6 (Step) Output the parameters to the clutch for adaptive adjustment.

Claims

1. A method for adaptively adjusting a clutch (2) for a vehicle (4), the method having the following steps: outputting (S2) parameters to the clutch (2) for operating the clutch (2) using the parameters; receiving (S3) operating parameters related to the operation of the clutch (2); determining (S4) the clutch temperature by a neural network, the neural network being configured to determine the clutch temperature based on a learned relationship between the clutch temperature and the received operating parameters; determining (S5) whether the determined clutch temperature matches a target temperature; and, in the case where it is determined that the determined clutch temperature matches the target temperature, outputting (S6) the parameters to the clutch (2) for adaptively adjusting the clutch (2) using the parameters.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Outputting (S2) the parameters for operating the clutch (2) includes a plurality of parameter combinations, and wherein, for a plurality of the combinations, the operating parameters of each combination are received (S3), and wherein, for a plurality of the received operating parameters, the respective clutch temperature is determined (S4) depending on the respective received operating parameters, and wherein, for a plurality of the determined clutch temperatures, it is respectively determined (S5) whether the determined clutch temperature matches the target temperature, and wherein the parameter combination among the plurality of parameter combinations whose respective determined clutch temperature matches the target temperature is output (S6) for adaptively adjusting the clutch (2).

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein The target temperature is the minimum relative temperature, and wherein it is determined (S5.1) which of the plurality of determined clutch temperatures is the minimum compared to the plurality of determined clutch temperatures, and wherein the parameter combination whose determined clutch temperature is determined to be the minimum is output (S6) for adaptively adjusting the clutch (2).

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, Receiving (S1) parameters having a set of possible relevant parameter values, and wherein a subset is selected (S1.1) from the received parameter values, and wherein the parameters for operating the clutch (2) are output (S2) depending on the subset selected (S1.1) from the parameter values.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, A subset is selected (S1.2) from the received parameter combinations, and wherein the parameters for operating the clutch (2) are output (S2) depending on the subset selected (S1.2) from the parameter combinations.

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, At least one of selecting (S1.1) a subset from the parameter values and selecting (S1.2) a subset from the parameter combinations is performed by a user.

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, Parameters are output (S6) for adaptive adjustment for an initial adaptive adjustment of the clutch (2).

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, Parameters are output (S6) for adaptive adjustment for a continuous adaptive adjustment of the clutch (2).

9. A computing unit (6) configured to perform the steps of the method for adaptively adjusting a clutch (2) for a vehicle (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A vehicle (4) having a clutch (2), wherein, The clutch (2) has a control unit and a storage medium, wherein the control unit is configured to control the clutch (2), and wherein the adaptation of the clutch (2) is carried out by means of a computing unit (6) that implements the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, and parameters for adapting the clutch (2) are output (S6) to the storage medium.

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