All Wheel Drive Clutch Durability Prediction via Slip Torque
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Solution Overview
Problem
The durability of a clutch in all-wheel drive vehicles is difficult to accurately measure, leading to unexpected damage and reduced power transmission performance, as the actual load conditions vary and can exceed design criteria, resulting in a 10-15% shorter clutch durability.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that measure clutch durability by calculating damage based on slip amount and transfer torque, using a control unit to accumulate and predict durability by comparing accumulated damage with a reference value, incorporating input shaft RPM and reference durability RPM to generate warnings when limits are reached.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If clutch durability is designed to coincide with power transmission system durability, then system-level durability is improved, but actual clutch durability becomes shorter than designed by 10-15% due to varying load conditions exceeding design criteria
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameters from simple operational counts to a composite damage degree calculation that incorporates clutch slip amount and transfer torque. This allows the durability assessment to reflect actual load conditions and varying usage patterns, resolving the discrepancy between designed and actual durability by adapting the measurement to real operating parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control unit continuously monitors clutch slip amount and transfer torque, accumulates damage degree based on these measurements, and compares the accumulated damage against reference values. This closed-loop feedback system enables accurate prediction of actual clutch durability by continuously updating the assessment based on real-time operating conditions.
2Power
If clutch slip amount and transfer torque exceed durability design criterion, then power transmission capability is improved, but clutch durability decreases by 10-15% below designed durability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the durability assessment adaptive rather than static. Instead of using fixed design criteria, the system dynamically calculates damage degree based on actual clutch slip amount and transfer torque at any given moment. This allows the system to accommodate varying power transmission demands while accurately tracking the cumulative effect on clutch life, enabling both high power capability and realistic durability prediction.
3Device complexity
If durability measurement method is simplified to match design criteria, then measurement complexity is reduced, but accuracy in predicting actual clutch durability under varying load conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by utilizing the clutch's own operating parameters (slip amount and transfer torque) as the measurement inputs. The control unit within the existing vehicle system accumulates damage degree using these self-generated data, eliminating the need for external measurement equipment or complex test setups. This approach maintains measurement simplicity while achieving high accuracy in predicting actual clutch durability.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a method for measuring clutch durability of an all wheel drive vehicle. The method includes: a damage degree securing step of accumulating and acquiring a damage degree of a clutch based on a clutch slip amount and clutch transfer torque when the clutch slips by a difference in rotary speed between a front wheel and a rear wheel; and a durability predicting step of predicting current durability of the clutch based on the difference between the accumulated and acquired damage degree and a reference damage degree of the corresponding clutch, an input shaft RPM of rotating the clutch, and a reference durability RPM of the clutch.