Partial Charging Control for Automatic Transmission Hydraulic Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic systems in automatic transmissions require full charging of pressure accumulators even when not needed, leading to unnecessary energy consumption and increased battery charging cycles.
Innovation Solution
A method that employs a provisioning module to control the charge pump for partial charging, setting a predetermined switch-off pressure value, eliminating the need for pressure sensors and reducing energy consumption by only charging the accumulator to a minimal operational pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If full charging operation is performed to ensure transmission readiness, then reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial charging by determining a required charge volume based on the time until next operation and hydraulic leakage rates, rather than performing full charging. This calculates the minimal necessary charge to maintain readiness, reducing energy consumption while ensuring the transmission is prepared for operation when needed.
2Reliability
If full charging operation is performed, then transmission readiness is ensured, but battery charging cycles increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs partial charging operations that only fill the necessary volume of hydraulic fluid required for the anticipated operation time, rather than continuously performing full charging cycles. This reduces the frequency and duration of battery engagement, thereby reducing battery charging cycles while maintaining transmission readiness.
3Productivity
If charge pump operates at high rotational speed for full charging, then charging speed is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The charge pump rotational speed is dynamically adjusted based on the required charge volume and current accumulator pressure. The control device calculates the necessary charge amount and modulates the pump speed accordingly, using high speed only when needed to reach the target pressure quickly, then reducing speed as the accumulator approaches the required pressure, optimizing the balance between charging speed and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by adjusting the charge pump rotational speed as a function of the charging process progression. The pump operates at higher speeds initially to quickly establish pressure, then reduces speed as the accumulator pressure approaches the target value, thereby reducing energy consumption during the final stages of charging while maintaining overall charging efficiency.
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 reduces energy consumption by avoiding full accumulator charging, minimizing battery charging cycles, and ensuring the automatic transmission is ready for operation without unnecessary power usage.
Implementation Method 1
activating a partial charging operation in which the charge pump is controlled with a charging rotational speed for increasing an actual accumulator pressure of the accumulator to a predetermined switch-off pressure value
Implementation Method 2
the high-pressure circuit has a charge pump with which the pressure accumulator is charged to the required accumulator pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a hydraulic system of an automatic transmission, in particular a dual clutch transmission of a vehicle, includes analyzing by a provisioning module of a control device of the automatic transmission whether an intention of a driver to initiate operation of the vehicle exists, wherein the automatic transmission includes a high-pressure circuit which includes a pressure accumulator, at least one clutch, actuators and a charge pump, and when the intention to initiate operation of the vehicle and a requirement to charge the pressure accumulator exist, activating a partial charging operation in which the charge pump is controlled with a charging rotational speed for increasing an actual accumulator pressure of the accumulator to a predetermined switch-off pressure value at which the automatic transmission is ready for operation for a defined period of time.