Method for operating a coupling

Abstract

Method for operating a clutch assembly (5) of a drive train (2) of a vehicle (3), wherein the clutch assembly (5) has at least one clutch (1) with at least one clutch component (4), wherein the clutch (1) is a multi-plate clutch and the clutch component (4) is at least one of the following components: - Clutch plate (8), - Lamellar carrier (9), wherein the coupling component (4) is at least indirectly in a heat exchange with a medium (6) guided at least partially in the coupling (1), wherein the method comprises at least the following iterative steps: a) Determine at least one operating point parameter that is representative of a currently existing operating state of the coupling (1), b) Determining at least one thermal property parameter associated with the medium (6) as a function of the determined operating point parameter, wherein the determined thermal property parameter of the medium (6) is at least one of the following parameters: - Filling volume of the medium (6) in the coupling (1), - Volume flow of the medium (6) through the coupling (1) c) Determine at least one thermal property parameter that is assigned to the at least one coupling component (4), d) Calculate at least one component temperature of the at least one coupling component (4) as a function of at least the following three values: - at least one further component temperature of another coupling component (4), - the thermal property parameter of the medium determined in step b) (6), - of the thermal property parameter of the at least one coupling component (4) determined in step c), e) Adapting the actuation of the clutch (1) depending on the calculated component temperature.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for operating a clutch assembly of a motor vehicle. The method can be used in particular in a clutch assembly that includes a clutch for variably distributing torque to different drive components of a motor vehicle.

[0002] The clutch assembly typically comprises at least one clutch and at least one actuating unit for actuating the clutch. The clutch typically comprises a housing, at least one sump, at least one plate carrier, and a plurality of clutch plates running in a (cooling) medium, in particular oil, within the housing. The clutch plates are in at least indirect heat exchange with the medium. Heating of the clutch is primarily caused by the frictional power introduced into the clutch, which is generated by speed differences between plates rotating relative to one another and rubbing against one another. This heat must be dissipated from the clutch, with the medium being at least partially stored in the sump, fed to the clutch plates, and then fed back to the sump (cooling circuit).

[0003] The torque transmitted by such a multi-plate clutch is highly dependent on the temperature or heating of the plates. Due to the high demands placed on the positioning accuracy of a multi-plate clutch, this temperature influence must be taken into account during operation. For example, an electronic control unit assigned to the clutch can be configured and designed to detect this temperature influence and compensate for it almost completely. In order to compensate for this influence accordingly, however, the prevailing plate temperature in the clutch must be known as accurately as possible.

[0004] Since the direct integration of temperature sensors into the fin stack is too complex and prone to failure, the fin temperature could be estimated using appropriate temperature models running in the electronic control unit. This requires static temperature models based on sensor detection or direct measurement of the medium temperature.

[0005] However, such static temperature models are too imprecise to account for the dynamic influences of operating-point-dependent cooling. Since the flow of the medium through the clutch typically depends on the clutch's operating point, the cooling behavior of the clutch plates is operating-point-specific, which cannot be described using conventional static temperature models. Furthermore, sensory measurement of the temperature of the medium is very complex and error-prone, and measuring the temperature directly in the area of ​​the clutch plates, as would be necessary for sensory detection of operating-point-dependent cooling, is also not feasible with a reasonable amount of sensory effort.

[0006] DE 10 2008 026 554 A1 discloses a method for controlling a clutch unit, wherein the clutch is controlled depending on a determined temperature in the clutch. A characteristic curve for controlling a clutch actuator is dynamically adjusted depending on the temperature in the clutch. The temperature in the clutch is calculated by measuring the oil temperature, e.g., in the clutch sump, and the oil temperature in the clutch is then determined using a heat flow model. However, it is not disclosed that the changing properties of the medium with a change in the operating point can also influence the temperatures of specific clutch components.

[0007] KR 1020130034338 A1 discloses a method for determining a clutch temperature. The clutch temperature is determined based on the oil temperature in the clutch sump and taking into account an operating point-dependent power loss. This document does not specify how to determine the temperature of a specific clutch component.

[0008] DE 10 2008 026 553 A1 discloses a method for mathematically determining the oil temperature in a clutch unit. This method takes into account the clutch's heat balance, determining heat input as a function of an operating point. Heat output is determined indirectly via an actuator connected to the clutch in a heat-conducting manner. The oil temperature is determined from the difference between heat input and heat output.

[0009] WO 2005 / 057151 A1 describes how a clutch plate temperature is calculated based on the initial plate temperature and friction power. However, this document does not specify how the temperature can be determined taking into account the changing conditions in the clutch at different operating points.

[0010] DE 10 2004 041 160 A1 describes a heat simulation control system for cooling a clutch. The cooling requirement is determined based on the calculated temperature of the clutch.

[0011] Based on this, the object of the present invention is to at least partially solve the problems described with reference to the prior art. In particular, a method for operating a clutch assembly is to be provided that allows consideration of the operating point-specific cooling behavior of the clutch plates. Furthermore, the method is intended, in particular, to enable the current temperature of the (cooling) medium in the area of ​​the clutch plates to be determined without relying on a temperature sensor to measure the temperature of the (cooling) medium.

[0012] These objects are achieved by a method according to the features of patent claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments of the method are specified in the dependent patent claims. It should be noted that the features listed individually in the dependent patent claims can be combined with one another in any technologically expedient manner and define further embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, the features listed in the patent claims are further specified and explained in the description, with further preferred embodiments of the invention being presented.

[0013] A method for operating a clutch assembly of a drive train of a vehicle contributes to this, wherein the clutch assembly has at least one clutch with at least one clutch component which is at least indirectly in heat exchange with a medium which is at least partially guided in the clutch, wherein the method comprises at least the following iterative steps: a) Determining at least one operating point parameter that is representative of a current operating state of the clutch, b) Determining at least one thermal property parameter associated with the medium, depending on the determined operating point parameter, c) determining at least one thermal property parameter associated with the at least one coupling component, d) Calculating at least one component temperature of the at least one coupling component as a function of at least the following three values: - at least one further component temperature of another coupling component, - the thermal property parameter of the medium determined in step b), - the thermal property parameter of the at least one coupling component determined in step c), e) Adjusting clutch actuation depending on the calculated component temperature.

[0014] This paper presents a novel temperature model for the (operating point-dependent) determination of the temperature of a clutch component (component temperature). The sequence of process steps a) to e) results from a regular process flow. However, since the process is iterative, the exact order of the process steps is not important. Individual process steps can also be performed simultaneously or in parallel. Reference data of the corresponding values ​​can be used to initialize the process. Temperature reference data can be initialized, for example, using a measured ambient temperature and / or a measured sump temperature (for initialization purposes only) and / or control unit temperature.

[0015] The clutch is particularly preferably a multi-plate clutch.

[0016] The medium serves for heat exchange with at least one component of the clutch assembly, in particular (i.e., primarily) for heat dissipation. The medium is, in particular, a liquid, most preferably oil. Where the following explanations refer to oil, this can equally be applied to other suitable heat exchange media, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

[0017] The clutch component whose component temperature is calculated in step d) is particularly preferably a clutch plate or a clutch plate pack. The clutch component can alternatively or cumulatively be a plate carrier, an (oil) sump, and / or a clutch housing of the clutch. The method can also be applied to several of these clutch components to determine their respective component temperatures. In this case, step d) is performed several times, once for each clutch component under consideration (per iteration step). Step d) can, for example, be performed as step d.1) for a first clutch component, as step d.2) for a second clutch component, and so on for several clutch components.Particularly preferably, several (two, three or even more) of the calculated component temperatures are then used in step e) in order to carry out the actuation of the clutch as a function of the several component temperatures.

[0018] The method proposed here is based on the idea that the continuous calculation and consideration of operating point-dependent thermal property parameters, in particular of the medium, can lead to the precise calculation of the component temperature currently present in a clutch component of a clutch unit without having to rely on a temperature sensor for the actual measurement of the component temperature and the medium temperature.

[0019] In addition to the "static" (component-specified) thermal property parameters, such as the thermal capacities of the clutch component (e.g., the clutch plates, the plate carrier, the sump, and / or the clutch housing) and the heat exchange between these clutch components and the environment, the method also considers a "variable" or "dynamic" component, which, for example, takes into account the operating point-specific wetting of the clutch component(s) with the medium. In the context of the proposed method, this can be described by a variable thermal capacity and / or a variable volume flow of the medium.

[0020] Preferably, within the scope of the method, at least one lamella temperature and / or at least one lamella carrier temperature (e.g. inner lamella carrier and outer lamella carrier separately) are calculated as component temperatures.

[0021] According to step a), at least one operating point parameter is first determined that is representative of the current operating state of the clutch. "Representative" in this context means that the operating point parameter is suitable or intended to allow a conclusion to be drawn about the current operating state of the clutch.

[0022] Such an operating point parameter can be the temperature of the medium or the temperature of the sump, because the medium (e.g. oil) has a correspondingly different viscosity at different temperatures. The viscosity of the medium directly affects the degree of wetting of the coupling components with the medium. For example, the medium temperature or the sump temperature of a previous iteration step can be used as the operating point parameter for the subsequent iteration step. Since at least the medium temperature, and depending on the embodiment, the sump temperature as well, are always calculated using the method and not measured, the operating point parameter can be initialized at the beginning, for example using an ambient temperature, a sump temperature measured (only for initialization), a start temperature stored in a memory, or the like.

[0023] In steps b) and c), the property parameters of the medium and at least one coupling component can then be determined, particularly taking the operating point parameter into account. At this point, the method is dynamic and can react flexibly to changing conditions or cross-influences. The property parameters can change depending on the operating point parameter.

[0024] In step d), the two property parameters obtained in steps b) and c) can be taken into account to determine a component temperature. This component temperature is preferably a temperature of the component whose property parameter was previously determined in step c). The calculation is performed in step d) based on a component temperature of another coupling component. This other coupling component is, in particular, a different coupling component than the coupling component whose component temperature is to be calculated in step d) and whose property parameter was determined in step c).The calculation is carried out, in particular, by calculating a temperature difference based on the property parameter of the coupling component and the property parameter of the medium, based on the component temperature of the other coupling component. The temperature difference between the coupling component to be calculated and the temperature of the other coupling component is calculated. The corresponding formula is schematically: TK=TWK+ΔT(EK,EM,TWK)

[0025] Where T K the component temperature to be calculated. T WK is the temperature of the other coupling component. E K is the property parameter of the coupling component and E M is the property parameter of the medium. The differential temperature ΔT can therefore also depend on the temperature of the other coupling components.

[0026] According to step e), clutch actuation is adjusted depending on the calculated component temperature. "Actuation" here refers to the specification of a clutch pressure, a contact force of the clutch plates, a frictional power, or the like. To actuate or specify these values, the clutch assembly can comprise at least one (externally) controllable actuation unit, which can be configured and intended to activate and / or deactivate or increase or reduce the torque transmission. The actuation unit can have at least one hydraulic actuator, in particular a hydraulic actuator, and / or at least one electronic actuator, in particular an electronic servomotor. In this case, the actuation travel and / or the actuation force can be adjusted, namely reduced or increased, depending on the calculated component temperature.

[0027] The transmitted torque of a (multi-plate) clutch depends on the temperature or heating of the clutch component(s), especially the clutch plates, which is why this temperature influence is taken into account during clutch operation. Adjusting the clutch actuation depending on the calculated component temperature, especially the plate temperature, makes it possible to meet the high demands on the clutch's positioning accuracy. Preferably, the adjustment is made in such a way that the temperature influence is almost completely compensated.The temperature influence can be compensated, for example, by changing, in particular reducing or increasing, a clutch pressure, a contact force of the clutch plates (normal force), a frictional power, or the like, if a temperature-dependent friction coefficient of the clutch component changes, in particular increases or decreases, depending on the calculated component temperature. The temperature-dependent friction coefficient can be stored and retrievable in corresponding tables.

[0028] Alternatively or cumulatively, the frictional power of the clutch is reduced if the calculated component temperature, in particular the plate temperature, exceeds a specified threshold. In a prior step, the calculated plate temperature can be compared with a permissible threshold. The threshold is usually predefined below a limit for the maximum permissible plate temperature. However, the difference between the threshold and the limit can be adjusted to the current operating state of the clutch. Frictional power can be reduced by reducing the speed difference and / or the transmitted torque, e.g., by reducing the clutch pressure or the contact force acting on the plate pack.

[0029] According to an advantageous embodiment, it is proposed that the following additional step D) takes place before step e): D) Calculating at least one temperature of the medium depending on at least the following two values: - at least one component temperature of a coupling component, and - the thermal property parameter of the medium determined in step b).

[0030] The (operating point-specific) calculated medium temperature is the temperature of the medium that is located in the clutch at the current operating point, particularly in the area of ​​the clutch plates or in the plate pack.

[0031] Preferably, step D) takes place between steps c) and d) or between steps d) and e). Since the method is iterative, the exact order of the method steps is not important. Particularly preferably, the calculation in step D) is additionally carried out as a function of the thermal property parameter of the at least one coupling component determined in step c) and / or as a function of at least one further component temperature of another coupling component.

[0032] If step D) is carried out in the method, the calculation of the at least one component temperature in step d) can additionally be carried out as a function of the medium temperature calculated in step D). The schematic formula can then be as follows, where T M represents the medium temperature: TK=TWK+ΔT(EK,EM,TWK,TM)

[0033] Of course, T K and T Mcan also be swapped. Then step D) follows step d), and the formula could be as follows: TM=TWK+ΔT(EK,EM,TWK,TK)

[0034] Preferably, the medium temperature is calculated as a function of the component temperatures of the fin temperature and the fin carrier temperature. Furthermore, the medium temperature can also be calculated as a function of the sump temperature.

[0035] In particular, the calculation of the fluid temperature of the fluid currently in the clutch in step D) makes it possible to dispense with a temperature sensor in the clutch to determine the fluid temperature, while still enabling a very precise calculation of the component temperature of a clutch component. This applies in particular to the plate temperature of a clutch plate as a clutch component.

[0036] Furthermore, the method not only takes into account the cooling of the clutch plates by the (along-flowing) medium. The method also considers the heat transfer from the clutch plates to other components, in particular the sump and / or the plate carrier(s). Furthermore, the method also allows heating of the clutch plates by the medium and / or the other components to be taken into account, for example in critical or exceptional operating conditions of the clutch. Such heating can occur if the conveying device for conveying the medium becomes hot and / or several clutches, in particular those connected in series, are supplied via a common clutch sump. If the sump is located fluidically between two of these multiple clutches, the medium heated by the first clutch can heat the second clutch instead of cooling it.These operating conditions could not be represented or taken into account with previous temperature models.

[0037] According to a further advantageous embodiment, it is proposed that the operating point parameter determined in step a) is at least one of the following parameters: - peripheral speed of a clutch plate, - relative peripheral speed of one clutch plate in relation to another clutch plate, - change in circumferential speed of a clutch plate, - speed of an input shaft or an output shaft of the clutch, - Speed ​​difference between the input shaft and the output shaft of the clutch, - clutch pressure or contact force acting between clutch plates, - clutch torque, - sump temperature, - Volume flow of the medium through the coupling, especially in the case of active lubrication or wetting.

[0038] Particularly preferably, a plurality of the above-mentioned parameters are used in step a), in particular 3, 4, 5, or even all of them. Most preferably, the at least one operating point parameter determined in step a) is a sump temperature and / or a rotational speed of an input shaft and / or an output shaft of the clutch and / or a contact force.

[0039] An operating point parameter can, in particular, be a speed at which the inner clutch plates or the outer clutch plates rotate. The wetting of the clutch plates with the medium is (directly) dependent on the speed or rotational speed of the clutch plates. This is the case, for example, when the medium is conveyed via a ring gear or differential through a channel and / or a cascade to an inner plate carrier and, due to centrifugal forces, the medium is distributed over the clutch plates or conveyed (radially) outwards through the clutch plates. In this context, it should be explained that the clutch can, for example, comprise inner clutch plates held on an inner plate carrier and outer clutch plates held on an outer plate carrier, which together form at least one plate pack.The outer clutch plates and the inner clutch plates can each rotate at a speed (circumferential speed), whereby the circumferential speeds of these clutch plates can be different, resulting in speed differences. This speed difference between the inner and outer clutch plates can be considered as an operating parameter. Acceleration and braking processes can result in changes in the circumferential speed of the clutch plates, which can be considered as operating parameters. The rotational speeds of input and output shafts are operating parameters that are usually proportional to the circumferential speeds of the clutch plates and can be used (alternatively).

[0040] The peripheral speed of the at least one clutch plate is preferred as an operating point parameter, especially if the peripheral speed (directly) affects the wetting of the clutch plate with the medium. This can be achieved by a conveying device that conveys the medium, in particular via or through a channel and / or a cascade, to an (inner or outer) plate carrier, wherein the conveying rate of the conveying device depends on the peripheral speed or the rotational speed of the clutch plate. A conveying device can comprise at least one pump, a line system, at least one channel, at least one ring gear, at least one valve, or the like.

[0041] Preferably, the medium stored in the sump is conveyed by means of a (mechanical) conveying device, in particular via a crown wheel (operating point-dependent or speed-dependent). The conveying rate and thus the wetting generally depend significantly on the conveying speed of the conveying device for the medium, in particular on the speed of the crown wheel. For example, the conveying device (crown wheel) can be at least indirectly operatively connected to a shaft, e.g., the drive shaft or input shaft or the output shaft or output shaft of the coupling, whereby the speed or conveying speed of the conveying device then depends directly on the speed of this shaft.

[0042] The sump temperature as an operating point parameter can be measured, for example, using a temperature sensor and / or calculated in a previous iteration step. The volume flow of the medium through the clutch can serve as an operating point parameter, particularly if so-called active lubrication or wetting of the clutch plates is provided. Active lubrication or wetting is usually achieved with a feed pump that (actively) introduces the medium into the clutch. In particular, the feed pump pumps the medium from the sump and into the clutch. The medium can be distributed within the clutch (via the clutch plates) by centrifugal forces.

[0043] Particularly preferably, at least one of the clutch plates is formed with at least one groove on at least one friction surface, so that the medium can still be distributed between the clutch plates even when the clutch is fully engaged. In particular, all mutually facing friction surfaces of adjacent clutch plates are designed with a plurality of substantially radially extending grooves.

[0044] Another group of operating point parameters are the clutch pressure and the clutch torque, which, individually or in combination, are representative of the forces transmitted by the clutch and which can, for example, influence which shear forces act on the medium so that a film of the medium is interrupted at the wetted surfaces.

[0045] According to step b), at least one thermal property parameter is determined, which is assigned to the medium as a function of the determined operating point parameter. Preferably, at least one thermal property parameter of the medium is determined or calculated (as a function of the determined operating point parameter). The at least one thermal property parameter of the medium can be determined from at least one characteristic map as a function of the determined operating point parameter. Preferably, the at least one thermal property parameter of the medium is calculated as a function of the determined operating point parameter.

[0046] According to an advantageous embodiment, it is proposed that the thermal property parameter of the medium calculated in step b) is at least one of the following parameters: - Filling volume of the medium in the coupling, - Volume flow of the medium through the coupling, - Wetting of the clutch plate with the medium, - Viscosity of the medium in the coupling, - heat capacity of the medium in the coupling, and - Heat transfer coefficient of the medium to a coupling component.

[0047] The medium temperature itself is therefore not understood here as a thermal property parameter of the medium.

[0048] The wetting or degree of wetting of the clutch plate with the medium can increase due to increased speed or peripheral speed of the clutch plate. This is the case, for example, if the feed rate at which the medium is fed into the clutch depends on the speed. The wetting of the clutch is therefore a possible thermal property parameter. Furthermore, the volume flow through the clutch also depends on the speed or peripheral speed of the clutch plate. Therefore, the volume flow is such a thermal property parameter. The volume flow also changes the filling volume of the medium in the clutch. The filling volume is therefore a further property parameter. For example, the filling volume in the clutch can be integrated depending on the inflow and / or outflow of the medium into the clutch and / or from the sump and / or into the sump. The volume of the medium in the sump must orshould not be considered here as part of the filling volume of the medium in the coupling. It should be noted that the volume flow of the medium through the coupling should not be recalculated in step b) if it was already used as an operating point parameter in step a). It should be noted that the volume flow of the medium through the coupling should only be used as an operating point parameter when the medium is actively conveyed. However, if this is not used as an operating point parameter, it can be calculated in step b) as a thermal property parameter of the medium.

[0049] The viscosity of the medium is a thermal property parameter because it can depend on the shear forces acting on the medium, whereby the shear forces acting also regularly depend on the peripheral speeds and rotational speeds from step a) as operating point parameters from step a). Furthermore, the heat capacity of the medium and / or one or more heat transfer coefficients of the medium to other coupling components can be considered as thermal property parameters. The heat capacity depends, for example, on the fill volume of the medium and thus also on the operating point parameters. The heat transfer coefficients, in turn, have a dependency that is established, for example, via the degree of wetting of a surface of the coupling component with the medium and / or via the flow velocity of the medium (along the surface of the coupling component) and / or via the viscosity of the medium.

[0050] In accordance with the proposed method, several thermal property parameters of the medium can also be determined, in particular calculated.

[0051] The thermal property parameters can be dependent on one another or build on one another.

[0052] According to an advantageous embodiment, it is proposed that the thermal property parameter of the coupling component determined in step c) is at least one of the following parameters: - thermal mass of the clutch component, - heat capacity of the coupling component, - Heat transfer coefficient between the coupling component and the medium, whereby the heat transfer coefficient is calculated as a function of the operating point parameter, and - Heat transfer coefficient to another coupling component.

[0053] The component temperature of the respective coupling component itself is therefore not understood here as a thermal property parameter of the coupling component.

[0054] The heat capacity or thermal mass of the coupling component and / or the heat transfer coefficient to another coupling component can, for example, be measured (in advance) in test devices or calculated based on the material data or material selection and the geometric dimensions of the coupling component(s), which are made available to the method in a memory or characteristic map. In step c), the thermal mass or heat capacity of the coupling component and / or the heat transfer coefficient to another coupling component can be determined or read from the memory or characteristic map. For the purposes of the present method, the heat transfer coefficient between the coupling component and the medium can also be viewed as a thermal property parameter associated with the coupling component.However, this heat transfer coefficient should not (need to) be recalculated in step c) if it has already been calculated in step b) and is still current or valid for this iteration step.

[0055] According to an advantageous embodiment, it is proposed that the clutch component is at least one of the following components: clutch plate, plate carrier, sump, clutch housing.

[0056] According to an advantageous embodiment, it is proposed that in step d), the calculation of at least one component temperature is also carried out depending on at least one component temperature of the same component and / or another component determined in a previous iteration step. An iterative procedure makes it possible, in particular, to effectively take into account changes in the thermal energy in the clutch unit. The corresponding procedure can be explained, for example, using the following formula, which represents a further development or modification of the schematic formulas explained above: TK=TK−1+ΔT(EK,EM,TWK,TM) TK=TWK−1+ΔT(EK,EM,TWK,TM)

[0057] Where T K-1 a temperature of the component from a previous process iteration step. T WK-1is the temperature of another component from a previous process iteration step. An initialization with the values ​​T K or T WK For example, the first process iteration can be carried out using ambient temperature values.

[0058] According to an advantageous embodiment, it is proposed that before steps d) and D) (if step D) is to be carried out) a sump temperature of a sump of the clutch is determined and this sump temperature is additionally taken into account in steps d) and D) for calculating the component temperature and the medium temperature (if the medium temperature is calculated according to step D).

[0059] The sump temperature is an additional influencing factor that can be taken into account to determine the component temperature or the medium temperature to be determined. This could be taken into account, for example, by adding the following formula to the formula already known from above, where T S the sump temperature is. TK=TWK+ΔT(EK,EM,TWK,TM,TS)

[0060] If a vehicle is equipped with multiple clutches, the method described here can be implemented separately for each or only some of these clutches. For example, if two clutches are arranged side by side or one behind the other in a drivetrain, two temperature models, each in accordance with the method proposed here, can be implemented on a common or separate control unit to calculate the operating-point-specific plate temperatures of the clutches.

[0061] According to a further aspect, a vehicle with a clutch assembly for the variable distribution of torque to different axles of the vehicle is also proposed, wherein the clutch assembly is assigned an electronic control unit that is suitable and configured to carry out a method according to one of the preceding patent claims. For this purpose, the electronic control unit can comprise a program-controlled microprocessor and an electronic memory in which a corresponding control program or computer program is stored. The electronic control unit, in particular the control program or computer program, is configured and intended to carry out all steps of the method proposed here when it is executed on the microprocessor.

[0062] Typically, the clutch assembly comprises a clutch, in particular a multi-plate clutch with at least one plate pack as a clutch component, and at least one externally controllable actuating unit for activating or deactivating the torque transmission. The actuating unit may comprise an electronic actuator, in particular an electric servomotor or a hydraulic actuator. The plate pack is typically compressible by means of the electric actuator or hydraulic actuator to initiate torque transmission. The actuating unit is regularly controlled by the electronic control unit, which delivers corresponding electrical control currents to the actuating unit via corresponding actuating lines.

[0063] The clutch assembly proposed here preferably serves for the demand-oriented distribution of torque to different axles of the vehicle. A (variable) differential speed can be present in the clutch throughout operation, causing the clutch to heat up during (the entire) operation. Accordingly, the clutch is cooled by the medium (oil) throughout operation, and the heat exchange between the at least one clutch component and the medium is continuously calculated. Continuous temperature monitoring using the iterative method proposed here is therefore particularly advantageous.

[0064] The details, features, and advantageous embodiments discussed above in connection with the method can also be applied to the vehicle presented here, and vice versa. In this respect, reference is made in full to the explanations therein for a more detailed characterization of the features.

[0065] The invention and the technical environment are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. It should be noted that the invention is not intended to be limited by the exemplary embodiments shown. In particular, unless explicitly stated otherwise, it is also possible to extract partial aspects of the facts explained in the figures and combine them with other components and findings from the present description. They show schematically: Fig. 1: a vehicle with a clutch unit for the variable distribution of torque to different axles of the vehicle, which is suitable and equipped to carry out the method explained here, and Fig. 2: a model image to illustrate an embodiment of the method.

[0066] Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows the structure of a vehicle 3, with respect to the components relevant to the operation of the drive train 2. The vehicle 3 has a (fuel- and / or electrically powered) engine 16, to which a gear transmission 17 is directly assigned. Downstream of the gear transmission 17 is a transfer case 19, which distributes the drive torque from the gear transmission 17 in a predetermined symmetrical or asymmetrical ratio to a front primary axle 20 and a rear secondary axle 21 of the vehicle 3. The drive torque is thus transmitted via the side shafts 14 and the propeller shaft 15 to the wheels 23 of the vehicle 3.

[0067] Furthermore, a clutch assembly 5 with a clutch 1, here in the form of a multi-plate clutch, is provided, which is arranged, for example, upstream of a rear differential gear 24. The clutch 1 is connected to an externally controllable actuation unit 13 for activation or deactivation, thereby forming a clutch assembly 5. It is understood that the clutch assembly 5 can also be arranged at a different location within the drive train, for example, at the front at the connection, or integrated into the transfer case 19. The actuation unit 13 is controlled by an electronic control unit 12 (ECU), which here, for example, is mounted directly on the clutch housing 11. The electronic control unit 12 delivers corresponding electrical control currents to the actuation unit 13 via corresponding actuation lines.In the case of hydraulic actuation of the clutch 1, the actuation unit 13 can comprise a pump and / or valve arrangement. In the case of an electronically actuated clutch 1, the actuation unit 13 can comprise an electronic actuator, such as an electric motor. In both cases, the actuation leads to increased or decreased torque transmission due to greater or lesser compression of the disk pack in the (multi-disk) clutch 1.

[0068] For electrical signal transmission to and from the control unit 12, a serial BUS arrangement 18 is provided, which can be designed, for example, as a CAN (controller area network) bus. Interfaces, protocols, and electrical circuitry for signal transmission on a CAN bus are known and need not be explained in detail here. The electronic control unit 12 comprises a program-controlled microprocessor and an electronic memory in which a control program is stored. The microprocessor generates corresponding control signals for the actuating unit 13 in accordance with a control program. To generate corresponding control signals, the control unit 12 relies on information about various operating parameters of the vehicle 3. For this purpose, the control unit 12 can access various signals representative of these operating parameters via the BUS arrangement 18.In particular, wheel sensors 28 for each wheel 23, as well as steering sensors for determining a steering angle of the vehicle, are provided and connected (via signal conductor 22) to the control unit 12 via the BUS arrangement 18. For example, a friction value (coefficient of friction) between wheel 23 and ground 25 can be determined by means of the wheel sensors 28 and forwarded to a higher-level vehicle dynamics system and / or the control unit 12.

[0069] In Fig. 1, clutch 1 is shown as a multi-plate clutch for the demand-oriented distribution of torque to a front axle 20 and / or rear axle 21. Clutch 1 is therefore particularly used in all-wheel-drive vehicles in which either the rear axle or the front axle can be engaged (as needed) by means of an electronically controlled clutch assembly 5. Clutch 1 of clutch assembly 5 thus forms an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch of a demand-oriented all-wheel-drive system.

[0070] The clutch 1 comprises a plurality of clutch components 4, namely clutch plates 8, plate carriers 9, at least one sump 10, and a clutch housing 11. It is understood that the clutch 1 is constructed with inner plates 8 and outer plates 8, wherein the inner plates 8 are held or fastened to an inner plate carrier (here without reference numeral) and the outer plates 8 are held or fastened to an outer plate carrier 9. The clutch plates 8 run in a medium 6 for cooling. Oil is used here as the medium 6. The medium 6 is stored here, for example, in a sump 10 within the clutch housing 11.

[0071] The clutch plates 8 are formed as pairs of friction plates assigned to one another. Due to speed differences between the input shaft and the output shaft, an inner plate and an outer plate rub against each other. Here, the drive-side input shaft is connected to the outer plate carrier, and the output shaft is connected to the inner plate carrier. Due to the speed difference and the transmitted torque, frictional power 7 is generated in the clutch 1, which leads to heat development in the clutch 1. The generated heat must also be dissipated from the clutch 1, which usually occurs via the medium 6 stored in the sump 10 and the environment 26. The heat transfer relevant here can occur through thermal conduction, convection, and / or thermal radiation.However, heat is not only generated due to the friction of the clutch plates 8, but also due to the heating of the electronic control unit 12 which is usual during operation. Since the control unit 12 is mounted directly on the clutch housing 11 and is thus connected to the clutch 1 in a heat-conducting manner, the heating of the control unit 12 also influences the heat development in the clutch 1. The control unit 12 is cooled here primarily by convection due to the ambient air flowing along it.

[0072] The electronic control unit 12 comprises a program-controlled microprocessor and an electronic memory in which a control program or computer program is stored. The computer program is configured and intended to execute all steps of the method proposed here when executed on the microprocessor.

[0073] Fig. Figure 2 schematically shows a model image illustrating an embodiment of the method proposed here. The method proposed here serves to estimate the current plate temperature of the clutch plates 8 at a specific operating point in a dynamic temperature model 27 or temperature algorithm. Fig. Figure 2 shows the individual components within the temperature model. The representation in Fig. 2 is therefore not based on the individual process steps a) to e), but rather clarifies the possibilities for model-like reproduction of a clutch unit offered by the process according to steps a) to e).

[0074] According to the presentation Fig. 2, a simplified temperature model 27 is shown, wherein three temperatures are estimated or calculated, namely a plate temperature as a component temperature in the functional field F1, a plate carrier temperature as a component temperature in the functional field F2 and a medium temperature - of the medium (6) present in the area of ​​the clutch plates (8) at the current operating point - in the functional field F3. The functional fields F1 and F2 thus correspond to process step d). The functional field F3 corresponds to process step D). The upstream process steps a) to c) are in the Fig. 2 are not shown separately, but represent upstream processing steps for these functional fields. In the functional field F4, a sump temperature is provided, which in the case of the simplified temperature model 27 according to Fig. 2 by (current) measurements of this temperature, for example by means of a temperature sensor integrated into the sump 10.

[0075] First, at least one operating point parameter is determined in the temperature model 27 that is representative of a currently existing operating state of the clutch 1. This corresponds to step a) and takes place in at least one of the aforementioned functional fields. The operating point parameter here is the rotational speed or the circumferential speed of the outer disk carrier. The rotational speed of the outer disk carrier essentially corresponds to the rotational speed of the drive-side input shaft, the current operating data of which is forwarded to the control unit 12 via the BUS arrangement 18 and is thus available to the temperature model 27 as input variables. The current circumferential speed of the outer disk carrier can then be calculated using geometric operations, e.g., as a function of the radius of the outer disk carrier. Dynamic influences, such as torsional effects and / or elasticities of the drive train, can also be taken into account here.

[0076] In the same way, information or data about the current speed difference at clutch 1 is also provided. The torque transmitted at the respective operating point (clutch torque) is determined from multidimensional (temperature- and differential speed-dependent), empirically determined characteristic maps that describe which torque is transmitted at which clutch pressure. From this, the currently existing friction power 7 can be calculated, which also serves as an input variable for the temperature model 27. A measured temperature, for example, a measured sump temperature, can be considered as an input variable.

[0077] In function field F1, the current or operating-point-specific plate temperature of the clutch plates 8 is calculated. Here, the mechanical power, namely the previously discussed friction power 7, is considered as the input variable. The heat generated by the friction power 7 increases the plate temperature depending on the heat capacity of the clutch plates 8.

[0078] In function field F1, the heat transfer coefficient between the clutch plates 8 and the medium is determined or calculated for each operating point. The heat transfer coefficient between the clutch plates 8 and the medium 6 is understood here as a thermal property parameter assigned to the clutch plates 8, within the meaning of process step (c). For an explanation of the operating point-specific calculation of the heat transfer coefficient, reference is made to the following relevant explanations in connection with medium 6. However, the heat transfer coefficient does not have to be recalculated in function field F1; it can also be determined, e.g., by retrieving it from function field F3. Parallel to or corresponding to step c), process step b) for determining the property parameters of the medium also runs in function fields F1, F2, F3, etc.

[0079] Depending on the heat transfer coefficient between the clutch plates 8 and the plate carrier 9 and the temperature difference between the plate temperature and the plate carrier temperature, heat transfer or energy transfer (primarily through heat conduction) occurs between the clutch plates 8 and the plate carrier 9. This is indicated in the temperature model 27 by a double arrow between the function fields F1 and F2. This heat transfer leads to a change in the plate temperature in the function field F1 depending on the heat capacity of the clutch plates 8. This can be taken into account in particular by the iterative design of the described process by considering values ​​(temperatures and / or process parameters) from a previous iteration step.

[0080] The heat transfer between the clutch plates 8 and the medium 6, which is located in the clutch 1 and in the area of ​​the clutch plates 8 at the respective operating point, i.e., "in the plate pack," is indicated by the double arrow between the functional fields F1 and F3. This heat transfer also leads to a change in the plate temperature in the functional field F1.

[0081] In functional field F2, the plate carrier temperature of the plate carrier 9 is calculated. The previously explained heat transfer between the clutch plates 8 and the plate carrier 9 is also taken into account here. This heat transfer leads to a change in the plate carrier temperature in functional field F2, depending on the heat capacity of the plate carrier.

[0082] Furthermore, the heat transfer between the fin carrier 9 and the medium 6 currently located in the fin pack is also taken into account. This is illustrated in the temperature model 27 by the double arrow between the functional fields F2 and F3. This heat transfer also leads to a change in the fin carrier temperature in the functional field F2.

[0083] In addition, in functional field F2, the heat transfer coefficient between the fin carrier 9 and the medium 6 is determined or calculated for each operating point. The heat transfer coefficient between the fin carrier 9 and the medium 6 is understood here as a thermal property parameter assigned to the fin carrier 9, within the meaning of process step c). For an explanation of the operating point-specific calculation of the heat transfer coefficient, reference is made to the following relevant explanations in connection with the medium 6. However, the heat transfer coefficient does not need to be recalculated in functional field F2; it can also be determined, e.g., by retrieving it from functional field F3.

[0084] Furthermore, the fin carrier 9 also exchanges heat with the sump 10, which is indicated here by the double arrow between the function fields F2 and F4. Depending on an operating point-dependent heat transfer coefficient and the temperature difference between the fin carrier temperature and the sump temperature, the heat transfer between the fin carrier 9 and the sump 10 can be calculated, which in this case leads to a change in the fin carrier temperature, depending on the thermal capacity of the fin carrier 9, e.g., in a subsequent iteration step. The sump temperature is measured here and stored as an input variable in the function field F4.

[0085] In function field F3, the current temperature of the medium 6 (preferably oil) located in the clutch and in the area of ​​the clutch plates 8, i.e. "in the plate pack", is calculated (and not measured) for each operating point. From the representation according to Fig. 2 it can be seen that the medium temperature is influenced by all clutch components, namely the clutch plates 8 (functional field F1), the plate carrier 9 (functional field F2) and the sump 10 (functional field F4) and, in the sense of thermal interaction, also influences their respective temperatures.

[0086] Using the (previously) determined operating point parameters, namely the rotational speed or circumferential speed of the outer disk carrier, at least one thermal property parameter assigned to the medium is calculated in function field F3, as defined in process step b), depending on the determined operating point parameter. As an example, the volume of the medium currently located in the disk pack is calculated here. This volume can be calculated depending on the determined operating point parameters. The volume flow entering clutch 1, in particular into the disk pack, is variable and depends on the rotational speed or circumferential speed of the outer disk carrier and the sump temperature. The flow of the medium can be guided into the disk pack via or through a cascade. The sump temperature directly influences the viscosity of the medium.The volume flow of the medium 6 emerging from the clutch 1, in particular from the plate pack, also depends on the quantity or volume of the medium currently located in the plate pack.

[0087] This dynamic volume calculation allows for an operating-point-dependent calculation of the heat capacity or thermal mass of the medium 6 currently located in the clutch 1, particularly in the plate pack. Thus, the variable heat capacity of the medium, which depends significantly on the volume of the medium currently present in the clutch 1, is calculated in function field F3 for each operating point.

[0088] In addition, the heat transfer coefficient is also calculated for each operating point in function field F3. The heat transfer coefficient (α) between the medium 6 and one of the clutch components 4 is understood here as a thermal property parameter assigned to the medium 6, in the sense of process step b). The heat transfer coefficient depends, for example, on the sump temperature, because this influences the viscosity of the medium entering the plate pack. Furthermore, the heat transfer coefficient also depends on the medium velocity, which is influenced by the rotational speed or the peripheral speed of the plate carrier.

[0089] Knowing the current fluid volume in the clutch or plate pack also makes it possible to calculate or estimate the wetting of the component surfaces. These wetted component surfaces represent the thermal contact area or heat transfer area (A).

[0090] Depending on the operating point-dependent heat transfer coefficient between the medium 6 and the clutch plates 8 and the temperature difference between the medium temperature and the plate temperature, a heat transfer between the clutch plates 8 and the medium 6 is calculated in function field F3. This heat transfer influences the medium temperature of the medium 6 currently located in the plate pack in function field F3, depending on the operating point-dependent heat capacity of the medium 6, e.g., for subsequent iteration steps.

[0091] Depending on the operating point-dependent heat transfer coefficient between the medium 6 and the fin carrier 9 and the temperature difference between the medium temperature and the fin carrier temperature, a heat transfer between the fin carrier 8 and the medium 6 is also calculated in function field F3. This heat transfer influences the medium temperature of the medium 6 currently located in the fin pack in function field F3, depending on the operating point-dependent heat capacity of the medium 6, e.g., for subsequent iteration steps.

[0092] In a corresponding manner, heat transfer between the medium 6 and the sump 10 can also be calculated. Furthermore, the sump 10 influences the medium temperature by introducing cooler medium 6 from the sump 10 into the plate pack, particularly through a cascade. Furthermore, heated medium 6 is generally returned to the sump 10. These volume flows entering or leaving the plate pack also lead to a change in the medium temperature.

[0093] This provides a method for operating a clutch assembly that allows for the operating point-specific cooling behavior of the clutch plates to be taken into account. Furthermore, the current temperature of the (cooling) medium in the area of ​​the clutch plates can be determined without relying on a temperature sensor to measure the temperature of the (cooling) medium. List of reference symbols 1 clutch 2 Drivetrain 3 vehicles 4 Coupling component 5 Clutch unit 6 Medium 7 Friction power 8 clutch plates 9 slat carriers 10 Swamp 11 Clutch housing 12 Control unit 13 Actuating unit 14 side waves 15 Longitudinal shaft 16 Engine 17-speed gearbox 18 BUS arrangement 19 transfer cases 20 front axle 21 Rear axle 22 signal conductors 23 wheels 24 differential gears 25 Underground 26 Surroundings 27 Temperature model 28 Wheel sensor

Claims

[1] Method for operating a clutch assembly (5) of a drive train (2) of a vehicle (3), wherein the clutch assembly (5) has at least one clutch (1) with at least one clutch component (4), wherein the clutch (1) is a multi-plate clutch and the clutch component (4) is at least one of the following components: - clutch plate (8), - disc carrier (9), wherein the coupling component (4) is at least indirectly in a heat exchange with a medium (6) guided at least partially in the coupling (1), wherein the method comprises at least the following iterative steps: a) determining at least one operating point parameter which is representative of a currently existing operating state of the clutch (1), b) determining at least one thermal property parameter associated with the medium (6) as a function of the determined operating point parameter, wherein the determined thermal property parameter of the medium (6) is at least one of the following parameters: - Filling volume of the medium (6) in the coupling (1), - Volume flow of the medium (6) through the coupling (1) c) determining at least one thermal property parameter associated with the at least one coupling component (4), d) Calculating at least one component temperature of the at least one coupling component (4) as a function of at least the following three values: - at least one further component temperature of another coupling component (4), - the thermal property parameter of the medium (6) determined in step b), - the thermal property parameter of the at least one coupling component (4) determined in step c), e) Adjusting an actuation of the clutch (1) depending on the calculated component temperature. [2] Method according to claim 1, wherein the following additional step D) takes place before step e): D) Calculating at least one medium temperature of the medium (6) depending on at least the following two values: - at least one component temperature of a coupling component (4), - the thermal property parameter of the medium (6) determined in step b). [3] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the operating point parameter determined in step a) is at least one of the following parameters: - peripheral speed of a clutch plate (8), - relative peripheral speed of a clutch plate (8) in relation to another clutch plate (8), - change in peripheral speed of a clutch plate (8), - speed of an input shaft or an output shaft of the clutch (1), - Speed ​​difference between the input shaft and the output shaft of the clutch (1), - clutch pressure or contact force acting between clutch plates, - clutch torque, - sump temperature, - Volume flow of the medium (6) through the coupling (1). [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermal property parameter of the medium (6) determined in step b) is at least one of the following parameters: - Wetting of the clutch plate (8) with the medium (6), - viscosity of the medium (6) in the coupling (1), - heat capacity of the medium (6) in the coupling (1), and - Heat transfer coefficient of the medium (6) to a coupling component (4). [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermal property parameter of the coupling component (4) determined in step c) is at least one of the following parameters: - thermal mass of the coupling component (4), - heat capacity of the coupling component (4), - heat transfer coefficient between the coupling component (4) and the medium (6), wherein the heat transfer coefficient is calculated as a function of the operating point parameter, and - Heat transfer coefficient to another coupling component (4). [6] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling component (4) is at least one of the following components: - Swamp (10), - Clutch housing (11). [7] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in step d) the calculation of at least one component temperature is furthermore carried out as a function of at least one component temperature of the same component and / or another component determined in a preceding iteration step. [8] Method according to one of the preceding claims 2 to 7, wherein before steps d) and D) a sump temperature of a sump (10) of the clutch (1) is determined and this sump temperature is additionally taken into account in steps d) and D) for calculating a disk carrier temperature or the medium temperature. [9] Vehicle (3) with a clutch unit (5) for the variable distribution of torque to different axles (20, 21) of the vehicle (3), wherein the clutch unit (5) is assigned an electronic control unit (12) which is suitable and configured to carry out a method according to one of the preceding claims.

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