Vehicle Driveline Clutch Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for controlling vehicle clutches in heavy-duty vehicles fail to prevent overheating, leading to reduced clutch functionality and increased wear due to friction-generated heat during actuation and gear shifts.
Innovation Solution
A method that estimates upcoming clutch temperature based on the imminent drive route and detects increased clutch load, activating a critical heat mode to reduce temperature increase by down-prioritizing gear shifts, skipping gears, performing power cut-off shifts, and enhancing clutch cooling systems, such as increasing oil flow and fan power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the clutch is actuated during start and/or stop of the vehicle and/or gearshifts, then the clutch can connect and disconnect the transmission to the propulsion unit, but heat is generated due to friction and the clutch temperature increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by estimating the upcoming clutch temperature based on the imminent drive route before the actual clutch actuation occurs. This allows the control system to prepare and implement preventive measures (such as adjusting gear selection, modifying clutch actuation timing, or activating cooling systems) before the clutch temperature actually rises to harmful levels, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining clutch actuation capability and preventing temperature increase.
2Productivity
If the clutch temperature becomes too high, then the clutch functionality is reduced and clutch wear is increased, but continued operation is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring clutch temperature and comparing it against threshold values. Based on this feedback, the control unit dynamically adjusts driveline control parameters to maintain clutch temperature within safe operating limits. This closed-loop control ensures that productivity is maintained while preventing reliability degradation through real-time temperature management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by taking preventive measures before the clutch temperature reaches dangerous levels. The control unit estimates upcoming temperature based on the drive route and implements countermeasures (such as selecting alternative gears, modifying clutch engagement strategies, or activating cooling) before thermal damage can occur, thus maintaining both productivity and reliability.
3Ease of operation
If conventional clutch control methods are used, then the driveline can operate normally, but the clutch temperature sometimes still becomes too high
Solution Approach 1:
The invention maintains driveline control simplicity while improving temperature management by introducing preliminary temperature estimation based on the imminent drive route. This allows the system to proactively adjust control parameters before excessive temperature occurs, resolving the contradiction between operational simplicity and temperature control effectiveness.
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
Significantly decreases the risk of clutch overheating and wear by proactively managing clutch temperature through advanced predictive algorithms and adaptive control strategies, minimizing heat generation and extending clutch lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
heat is generated due to friction. Clutch actuation thus means heating of the clutch
Implementation Method 2
a first opening temperature, and the method step of reducing the temperature of the oil in the clutch cooling system is achieved by the method steps of; controlling the valve to open at a second opening temperature
Implementation Method 3
increasing the flow of the oil in the clutch cooling system
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for controlling a driveline (10) of a vehicle (1), wherein the driveline (10) at least comprise a clutch (12) and a transmission (13), where the clutch (12) is adapted to connect the transmission to an propulsion unit (11). The method comprises the steps of; - estimating (105) an upcoming clutch temperature at least dependent on an imminent drive route, and if (106) the estimated upcoming clutch temperature is above a threshold value (T); - controlling (107) the driveline (10) in a critical heat mode, wherein in the critical heat mode the transmission (13) is controlled such that a clutch temperature increase is lower in comparison to a normal driveline control mode.