Clutch Torque Capacity Table Updates for Smoother Gear Shifts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vehicle control systems face inaccuracies in updating torque capacity information for clutches due to factors like abrasion, leading to varying engine rotation speed characteristics and torque capacity generation under different driving conditions.

Innovation Solution

A control apparatus with a holding, determining, deciding, and update unit that adjusts instruction values for the actuator based on condition-specific information to achieve target torque capacities, updating information based on actual and target torque values during engine speed changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single torque capacity table is used for all driving conditions, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision of torque capacity control deteriorates due to varying clutch characteristics under different driving conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorque capacity information structureVSAvoidtorque capacity control accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the single torque capacity table into multiple condition-specific tables (first torque capacity table for increasing engine output torque, second torque capacity table for decreasing engine output torque). This segmentation allows each table to be optimized for its specific driving condition, improving torque capacity control accuracy while maintaining manageable system complexity through structured organization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by creating specialized torque capacity tables for specific local conditions (increasing vs. decreasing torque). Each table contains locally optimized instruction values tailored to the characteristics of its specific driving condition, ensuring high precision control for each local scenario rather than using a generic global table.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If torque capacity information is updated based on rotation control results, then the reliability of torque capacity data is improved, but the loss of time increases due to the updating process during gear changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorque capacity information accuracyVSAvoidinformation update time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing torque capacity information in multiple condition-specific tables before actual gear changes occur. The tables are populated with instruction values optimized for specific conditions (increasing/decreasing torque), so that during gear changes, the control system can directly retrieve pre-prepared data without performing time-consuming real-time calculations or updates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system updates torque capacity information automatically based on detected driving conditions without requiring external intervention. The control unit self-manages the selection and updating of appropriate torque capacity tables by monitoring engine output torque trends and other driving conditions, ensuring reliable data is maintained while minimizing manual or complex processing time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If condition-specific torque capacity tables are used for different driving conditions, then the manufacturing precision of torque capacity control is improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple information tables

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorque capacity control accuracyVSAvoidtorque capacity information structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements universality by designing a unified torque capacity control system that handles multiple driving conditions through a single integrated architecture. The control unit universally manages both the first and second torque capacity tables, selecting the appropriate table based on detected driving conditions. This multi-functional approach maintains high precision control for various conditions while avoiding the need for completely separate control systems.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies dynamics by making the torque capacity information structure adaptive and flexible. The control unit dynamically selects between different torque capacity tables based on real-time detection of driving conditions (such as whether engine output torque is increasing or decreasing). This dynamic selection mechanism allows the system to maintain high precision control for each condition while managing complexity through flexible, condition-based routing rather than rigid separate systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

This approach allows for precise control of clutch torque capacity adjustments, improving the accuracy of engine rotation speed changes and reducing shift shocks by adapting to different driving conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a clutch of which torque capacity changes in accordance with an operation of an actuator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2899422B1Vehicle control device, vehicle, and engine
Publication Date: 2022.06.08 YAMAHA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP2899422B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2899422B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2899422B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

To provide a control apparatus for a vehicle, capable of obtaining information indicating a relationship between an instruction value to be given to an actuator in accordance with a driving condition of a vehicle and a torque capacity of a clutch. A control apparatus (10) according to the present invention includes a table holding unit (51) for holding a correction table (51b) to be applied under a condition with an output torque from the engine is increasing and a correction table (51b) to be applied under a condition with an output torque from the engine is decreasing, a gear change condition determining unit (55) for determining under which condition a gear change is executed, and a correction table update unit (59) for updating the correction table (51b) to be applied under the determined condition, based on the information indicating a relationship between a target value and an actual value of the torque capacity generated at the inertia phase.