Vehicle Clutch Torque Control During Half-Engaged Acceleration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle control systems fail to enhance the traveling feeling when a vehicle operates in a half-engaged state, particularly during vehicle start and acceleration, as they do not effectively manage the torque transmission and rotational frequency to prevent engine stall and ensure smooth power delivery.

Innovation Solution

A controller system that includes a driving source, a friction clutch, a clutch actuator, and an acceleration operation sensor, which determines the engagement state of the friction clutch and adjusts the clutch actuator to set the engagement amount based on the acceleration operation, thereby controlling the output torque of the driving source to match the engagement amount or a corresponding parameter, ensuring optimal torque transmission and rotational frequency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the clutch actuator is controlled to adjust engagement amount during half-engaged state, then the traveling feeling is improved, but the torque transmission stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraveling feelingVSAvoidtorque transmission stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the engagement amount parameter of the friction clutch based on acceleration operation amount, transforming the clutch control from a fixed state to a continuously variable state that adapts to driver intent, thereby improving traveling feeling while maintaining stable torque transmission through coordinated driving source control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The controller continuously monitors the acceleration operation amount from the acceleration operation sensor and uses this feedback to adjust the clutch actuator engagement amount in real-time, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains optimal torque transmission stability while improving traveling feeling during half-engaged state

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Speed

If the output torque of the driving source is increased to match engagement amount, then the responsiveness is improved, but the engine stall risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveresponsivenessVSAvoidengine stall prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the output torque of the driving source to correspond to the engagement amount of the friction clutch, creating a dynamic torque matching mechanism that responds to acceleration demands while preventing engine stall through coordinated control of the clutch actuator and driving source based on real-time acceleration operation input

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If the clutch engagement amount is adjusted based on acceleration operation, then the power delivery smoothness is improved, but the control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower delivery smoothnessVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller integrates multiple functions including acceleration operation detection, clutch engagement amount calculation, clutch actuator control, and driving source torque control into a single control unit, thereby achieving smooth power delivery through coordinated multi-function control without significantly increasing overall system complexity

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

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 system improves the traveling feeling by suppressing the excess and shortage of output torque, preventing engine stall, and enhancing responsiveness during vehicle start and acceleration, resulting in a more intuitive and efficient power delivery experience.

Implementation Method 1

a friction clutch that transmits torque corresponding to an engagement amount of the friction clutch

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4420945A1Controller of vehicle, vehicle including controller, and method of controlling vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.08.28 KAWASAKI MOTORS LTD
  • EP4420945A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4420945A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4420945A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A controller (20) of a vehicle (1) according to one aspect is a controller (20) of a vehicle (1) including: a driving source (2) that generates power; a driving wheel (8); a friction clutch (5) that transmits torque corresponding to an engagement amount of the friction clutch (5) and is located on a power transmitting path through which the power is transmitted between the driving source (2) and the driving wheel (8); a clutch actuator (6) that changes the engagement amount of the friction clutch (5); and an acceleration operation sensor that detects an acceleration operation amount. The controller (20) includes processing circuitry configured to: determine whether or not the friction clutch (5) is in an engaged state; when it is determined that the friction clutch (5) is not in the engaged state, control the clutch actuator (6) such that the engagement amount of the friction clutch (5) becomes a value corresponding to the acceleration operation amount received from the acceleration operation sensor; and control the driving source (2) such that output torque of the driving source (2) becomes a value corresponding to the engagement amount or a value corresponding to a parameter corresponding to the engagement amount.