Automatic Transmission Clutch Wear Modeling for Predictive Shift Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automatic transmission systems fail to account for continuous clutch wear, leading to potential poor transmission shift quality and reduced transmission life, as they rely on periodic and reactive wear estimations that may not occur frequently enough and require specific driving conditions.
Innovation Solution
A feedforward adaptation method that continuously models clutch wear using operating parameters like temperature, slip speed, friction material friction, apply pressure, and torque transfer to determine clutch offsets for predictive clutch control, allowing for adjustments before wear issues arise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If periodic and reactive wear estimations are used, then the system complexity is reduced, but the transmission shift quality deteriorates due to unaccounted clutch wear
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs feedforward adaptation by continuously modeling clutch wear using operating parameters (temperature, slip speed, friction material friction, apply pressure, torque transfer) to determine clutch offsets before wear issues arise. This predictive approach adjusts clutch control proactively rather than reactively, maintaining shift quality while avoiding the complexity of periodic diagnostic procedures.
2Use of energy by moving object
If periodic wear estimations are performed, then the computational resources are conserved, but the transmission life is reduced due to delayed wear compensation
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously models clutch wear by processing operating parameters in real-time during normal operation. This continuous wear compensation extends transmission life by constantly adapting clutch control offsets, eliminating the need for separate periodic estimation events while efficiently utilizing computational resources during routine data processing.
3Ease of manufacture
If reactive wear estimation methods are used, then the system implementation is simplified, but the clutch control accuracy deteriorates due to lack of continuous adaptation
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback by monitoring operating parameters (temperature, slip speed, friction material friction, apply pressure, torque transfer) and continuously updating clutch wear models. This feedback loop maintains accurate clutch wear detection and enables continuous adaptation of clutch control offsets, improving control accuracy while implementing a straightforward computational approach.
4Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If specific driving conditions are required for wear estimation, then the measurement conditions are simplified, but the adaptability of the system deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system universally models clutch wear across all driving conditions by continuously processing operating parameters regardless of the specific driving context. The wear model adapts to various conditions (temperature, slip speed, friction material friction, apply pressure, torque transfer) without requiring specific driving scenarios, enabling the system to function effectively in diverse operating environments.
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 enables proactive clutch control, improving shift quality and extending transmission life by continuously monitoring and adapting to clutch wear, regardless of specific driving conditions, thereby addressing the limitations of periodic and reactive methods.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic piston forces the apply plate into contact with the reaction plate
Implementation Method 2
the friction causes torque to be transferred from the input shaft to the output shaft
Implementation Method 3
the hydraulic piston is retracted and a clutch spring causes the apply plate and the reaction plate to separate
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic transmission system of a vehicle and a corresponding adaptation method utilize an automatic transmission comprising a hydraulic friction clutch and a controller configured to continuously perform a feedforward adaptation procedure that models wear of the clutch, the feedforward adaptation procedure comprising obtaining a set of operating parameters each indicative of wear of the clutch, model the wear of the clutch based on the set of operating parameters using a clutch wear model, and determine a clutch offset for controlling application of the clutch based on the modeled clutch wear, and control application of the clutch based on the determined clutch offset.