Adaptive Clutch Control for Work Vehicle Deceleration

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing clutch control device for work vehicles does not fully consider the vehicle's state, leading to suboptimal clutch release timing and increased load on the service brakes during deceleration.

Innovation Solution

A clutch control device that includes an accelerator pedal operation determination unit, vehicle speed detection unit, braking force detection unit, and clutch control unit, which determine the clutch cutoff condition based on the operation of the accelerator pedal, vehicle speed, and braking force, allowing for precise control of clutch engagement and release.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the clutch control device uses simple high-speed/low-speed judgment to determine clutch release timing, then the control logic is simple, but the clutch release timing is not optimal and service brakes bear excessive load

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol logic complexityVSAvoidclutch release timing accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the clutch release threshold dynamic rather than fixed. The determination unit adjusts the clutch release threshold based on real-time vehicle state (accelerator pedal position, vehicle speed, braking force) to optimize clutch release timing for different operating conditions. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining reasonable control complexity while significantly improving timing accuracy through adaptive threshold adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of clutch release threshold from a fixed value to a dynamically adjusted value based on multiple vehicle parameters. The determination unit modifies the threshold according to accelerator pedal operation state, vehicle speed, and braking force magnitude, enabling optimal clutch release timing across various driving conditions while keeping the control structure relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Force

If the clutch is released at high vehicle speed with low braking force threshold, then the engine brake can decelerate the vehicle effectively without great load on service brakes, but the clutch may release too early when the vehicle state does not require it

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraking force thresholdVSAvoiddeceleration smoothness
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring vehicle state parameters (accelerator pedal position, vehicle speed, braking force) and using this information to determine whether to release the clutch. The determination unit adjusts the clutch release threshold based on real-time feedback from these sensors, ensuring the clutch releases at the appropriate moment rather than based solely on a fixed braking force threshold. This maintains deceleration smoothness while enabling effective engine brake usage when conditions are suitable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If the clutch control device does not consider the accelerator pedal operation state, then the control system is simpler, but the clutch release timing cannot be optimized for different driving scenarios

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol system complexityVSAvoiddeceleration efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by creating a multi-functional determination unit that processes multiple input parameters (accelerator pedal position, vehicle speed, braking force) to make a single clutch release decision. This unified approach optimizes deceleration efficiency across various driving scenarios (acceleration, constant speed, deceleration) while keeping the overall control system structure relatively compact and integrated.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2781782B1Clutch control device for work vehicle
Publication Date: 2017.09.27 K C M
  • EP2781782B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2781782B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2781782B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A clutch control device for a work vehicle includes a determination unit that determines as to whether or not a clutch cutoff condition has been established based upon whether or not the accelerator pedal is being operated, as determined by the accelerator pedal operation determination unit, the vehicle speed of the work vehicle detected by the vehicle speed detection unit and the braking force of the work vehicle detected by the braking force detection unit; and a clutch control unit that controls engagement/release of a clutch so as to release the clutch when the determination unit determines that the clutch cutoff condition has been established.