Altitude-Adaptive Clutch Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature models for automated clutches and transmissions do not effectively account for altitude, leading to premature or inadequate activation of protective strategies against overheating and wear, as they do not consider the influence of air density and altitude on cooling properties, resulting in potential hardware damage or unnecessary performance restrictions.
Innovation Solution
A method for controlling automated clutches and transmissions that takes into account air density and altitude by using sensors to determine altitude and air mass flow, adjusting cooling capacity parameters with altitude-dependent characteristic diagrams to improve temperature modeling and prevent premature or late activation of protective strategies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If protective strategies are developed for the worst case scenario (high altitude), then hardware damage is prevented, but driving function is restricted disproportionately early at low altitude
Solution Approach 1:
The protective strategies are made dynamic by adjusting them based on real-time altitude detection. The system transitions from static worst-case protective measures to dynamic altitude-adaptive measures, allowing full performance at low altitude while providing appropriate protection at high altitude.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of protective strategies based on altitude. By detecting altitude and modifying cooling capacity parameters accordingly, the system optimizes the balance between hardware protection and driving performance for different elevation conditions.
2Device complexity
If cooling capacity is modeled without altitude consideration, then model simplicity is maintained, but temperature modeling accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
An altitude sensor acts as an intermediary that provides altitude information to the temperature modeling system. This intermediary component enables accurate altitude-based cooling capacity modeling without requiring complex direct measurements of cooling conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds the altitude dimension to the temperature modeling parameters. By incorporating altitude as an additional parameter, the model accurately reflects the three-dimensional reality of cooling capacity variations without excessive complexity.
3Reliability
If protective strategies are activated late at high altitude, then hardware damage is prevented, but response time is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of altitude conditions and proactively adjusts protective strategies before thermal issues arise. By detecting altitude early and pre-adjusting cooling capacity parameters, the system ensures timely protective action at high altitude.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method enhances temperature modeling by considering altitude, ensuring protective strategies are implemented appropriately, preventing damage and performance issues by accurately accounting for cooling capacity variations due to altitude changes.
Implementation Method 1
whose cooling takes place by convection
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling an automated clutch or an automated transmission or a drive unit in a vehicle is disclosed in which protective measures for the clutch and/or for the transmission and/or for a drive unit is provided by the control system. The protective measures include measures against overheating or wear. When measuring temperature, allowance is made for the air density in the vehicle environment or altitude as compared to sea level.