Work Vehicle Lock-Up Clutch Control for Torque Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Work vehicles experience inefficient fuel consumption and delayed engine and work instrument speed increases due to inadequate distribution of driving force between the drive unit and work instrument during starting movement, leading to reduced efficiency and performance.
Innovation Solution
A work vehicle system that includes a torque converter unit with a lock-up clutch capable of switching between coupled, slippage, and decoupled states based on hydraulic pressure, with a control unit that adjusts lock-up hydraulic pressure and target engine speed based on work instrument load information to optimize torque transmission and engine speed control during startup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the lock-up clutch is set to be in a decoupled state (torqcon state) when starting moving, then engine stall is prevented, but fuel consumption efficiency deteriorates and engine speed increase is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The lock-up clutch is dynamically controlled to switch between decoupled state (for engine stall prevention) and coupled state (for fuel efficiency) based on real-time detection of work instrument load information. The control unit adjusts the clutch state according to whether the work instrument is operating, enabling adaptive optimization of both reliability and energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the lock-up clutch (coupled vs. decoupled state) based on detected work instrument load conditions. When work instrument load is detected, the clutch transitions to coupled state to improve fuel efficiency; when no load is detected, it remains in decoupled state to prevent engine stall.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the lock-up clutch is set to be in a coupled state (lock-up state) when starting moving, then fuel consumption efficiency is improved, but engine speed increase is delayed and work instrument action speed is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the lock-up clutch operational parameter based on work instrument load detection. When work instrument operation is detected, the clutch is switched to coupled state to improve fuel efficiency. When no work instrument operation is detected, the clutch remains in decoupled state to maintain faster engine speed response.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock-up clutch state is dynamically adjusted in real-time based on detected work instrument load conditions, enabling the system to optimize the balance between fuel efficiency and engine speed response according to actual operational requirements.
3Use of energy by moving object
If driving force from the engine is not appropriately distributed between drive unit and work instrument, then fuel consumption efficiency deteriorates, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously detects work instrument load information and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the lock-up clutch state. This feedback mechanism enables automatic optimization of driving force distribution between the drive unit and work instrument, improving fuel efficiency without requiring complex manual intervention or overly sophisticated control systems.
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
Enhances fuel efficiency and prevents delays in engine speed increase and work instrument action speed by dynamically controlling torque transmission and engine speed according to work instrument load, improving overall vehicle performance and reducing wear on the lock-up clutch.
Implementation Method 1
the torque converter unit is configured to transmit driving force from an engine to a drive unit through the torque converter
Implementation Method 2
the torque converter unit is configured to transmit driving force from an engine to the drive unit through the lock-up clutch
Data Source
AI summary
In a work vehicle, a control unit is configured to control a lock-up hydraulic pressure for controlling switching of a lock-up clutch. The control unit is configured to execute a lock-up slippage control for switching the lock-up clutch into a slippage state when the work vehicle starts moving. The control unit is configured to control the lock-up hydraulic pressure based on work instrument load information, pertaining to a load of a work instrument during execution of the lock-up slippage control.