Clutch Controller Torque Feedback for Semi-Automatic Transmissions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional clutch control methods in semi-automatic transmissions for vehicles fail to maintain appropriate torque transmission during engaging operations, leading to riding comfort issues due to shocks and excessive deceleration, and either result in sharp torque increases or insufficient torque transmission.

Innovation Solution

A clutch controller that measures actual and target torque transmission, actuating the clutch actuator to adjust the engagement state based on the difference between these two values, ensuring appropriate torque is transmitted during clutch engagement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the clutch is engaged by controlling the difference in rotational speed between drive-side and driven-side members, then the engagement process can be completed, but torque is not constantly transmitted appropriately causing shocks and impaired riding comfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotational speed synchronizationVSAvoidshocks during engagement

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control device uses feedback control by continuously monitoring the actual torque transmitted from the drive-side member to the downstream mechanism and comparing it with the target torque. The actuator is controlled based on the difference between actual and target torque, ensuring smooth engagement while maintaining appropriate torque transmission throughout the process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the control parameter from rotational speed difference to torque transmission amount. By controlling the clutch engagement based on actual torque feedback rather than rotational speed difference, the system achieves both engagement completion and constant appropriate torque transmission, eliminating shocks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the half-clutch state is maintained until the difference in rotational speed is almost zero, then shocks are reduced, but insufficient torque is transmitted over a long time causing excessive deceleration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshocks during engagementVSAvoidvehicle deceleration

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The control device implements feedback control by measuring actual torque transmission and adjusting the actuator accordingly. This ensures that torque transmission remains appropriate throughout the engagement process, preventing both shocks and excessive deceleration by dynamically balancing the half-clutch state duration with torque requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the clutch engagement state based on real-time torque feedback rather than maintaining a fixed half-clutch state. The actuator control amount is continuously adjusted according to the difference between actual and target torque, allowing the system to adapt to changing conditions and maintain optimal performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If the clutch engagement is controlled based on rotational speed difference, then the engagement process can be completed, but torque transmission is not constant leading to impaired riding comfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengagement completionVSAvoidtorque transmission instability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control device uses feedback control by measuring actual torque transmission and comparing it with target torque. The actuator is controlled based on the difference between these values, ensuring that torque transmission remains constant and appropriate throughout the engagement process while completing the engagement successfully.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the control parameter from rotational speed difference to torque transmission amount. This fundamental parameter change enables the system to maintain constant appropriate torque transmission during engagement, directly addressing the torque transmission instability issue while ensuring engagement completion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS8396636B2Clutch controller, method of controlling clutch, and straddle-type vehicle

Publication Date: 2013.03.12 YAMAHA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A clutch controller that transmits appropriate torque during engaging operation of a clutch. An actual torque obtaining section obtains torque transmitted from a drive-side member of the clutch to a downstream mechanism in a torque transmission path as actual transmission torque, the downstream mechanism including a driven-side member of the clutch. A target torque obtaining section obtains torque that is supposed to be transmitted from the drive-side member to the downstream mechanism in the torque transmission path as target transmission torque. A clutch actuator control section actuates an actuator by an actuation amount according to a difference between the actual transmission torque and the target transmission torque.