Vehicle Drivetrain Clutch Control for Push-Start Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Transmission chains in vehicles, particularly those with manual, semi-automatic, or robotic clutches, face premature wear and destruction during exceptional usage contexts like push-starts, where unsuitable starting strategies lead to uncontrolled torque and speed transmission, causing damage to clutch and suspension components.
Innovation Solution
A method that determines the context of use by comparing state variables with detection thresholds, regulating the speed and torque of the second kinematic chain to prevent excessive torque transmission, involving progressive clutch closure and controlled braking to manage kinetic energy effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a manual, semi-automatic or robotic clutch is used in a transmission chain, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates during exceptional usage contexts due to lack of control means
Solution Approach 1:
The control device continuously monitors state variables (speed, torque, gear position) of the transmission chain and uses this feedback to dynamically regulate clutch engagement. This closed-loop control ensures that even during exceptional usage contexts like push-starts, the system responds to real-time conditions and prevents damage by adjusting clutch closure based on actual transmission chain state.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces purely mechanical clutch control with an electronic control system that uses sensors and processors to monitor and regulate transmission parameters. This substitution enables intelligent decision-making about clutch engagement timing and rate, transforming the system from passive mechanical operation to active electronic control that can predict and prevent damage scenarios.
2Productivity
If the clutch is closed rapidly during a push-start to start the engine, then the productivity is improved, but the strength of transmission chain elements deteriorates due to excessive torque and shocks
Solution Approach 1:
The control device dynamically adjusts the clutch engagement process based on real-time monitoring of transmission chain state variables. Rather than using a fixed engagement rate, the system modulates the clutch closure speed and timing according to actual conditions such as vehicle speed, gear position, and torque levels, enabling fast starts when safe and protective engagement when risk is detected.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device performs preliminary evaluation of transmission chain state variables before initiating clutch closure during a push-start. By assessing conditions in advance and predicting potential torque spikes or shock loads, the system can pre-position the clutch and regulate engagement to avoid excessive forces on transmission elements while still achieving timely engine start.
3Device complexity
If no control means are provided during exceptional usage contexts, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of transmission chain protection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control device is designed to handle multiple operating contexts with a single integrated system. It monitors and regulates the transmission chain during both normal operation and exceptional usage contexts like push-starts, eliminating the need for separate control mechanisms for different scenarios. This multi-functional approach maintains reliability across all conditions without proportionally increasing complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for transmitting a torque through a transmission chain (2) for a vehicle (1) comprising a clutch (3) arranged between a first kinematic chain (5) and a second kinematic chain (6), wherein a use context of the transmission chain (2) is determined for an open state of the clutch (3) by comparing at least one first state variable of the transmission chain (2) with at least one detection threshold, and a second state variable of the second kinematic chain (6) is regulated such that the second state variable is less than or equal to a limit value according to the result of the comparison.