Torque Converter Lock-Up Clutch Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The starting of a work vehicle's engine is hindered by high viscosity working fluid in the torque converter, leading to increased engine load and reduced startability due to the lock-up clutch being in a non-engagement state at low temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A control system that determines the temperature state of the working fluid and adjusts the lock-up clutch to either the engagement or non-engagement state based on this determination, using a low-temperature state determination unit and a clutch control unit to optimize engine startability by switching the clutch to the engagement state at low temperatures and to the non-engagement state at higher temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the lock-up clutch is in a non-engagement state when the engine starts at low temperatures, then the working fluid can be circulated, but the engine load increases due to high viscosity resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The lock-up clutch is made dynamically controllable based on temperature conditions. The control device switches the clutch between engagement and non-engagement states according to the detected working fluid temperature, allowing the system to adapt its mechanical coupling characteristics to environmental conditions and optimize both startability and operational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter (clutch engagement state) based on temperature parameters. When temperature is low, the clutch engages to reduce load; when temperature is high, the clutch disengages to allow fluid circulation. This parameter switching resolves the contradiction between reducing engine load and enabling fluid circulation.
2Force
If the lock-up clutch is engaged at high temperatures, then engine load is reduced, but the working fluid circulation is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The lock-up clutch is made dynamically controllable based on temperature conditions. The control device switches the clutch between engagement and non-engagement states according to the detected working fluid temperature, allowing the system to adapt its mechanical coupling characteristics to environmental conditions and optimize both startability and operational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter (clutch engagement state) based on temperature parameters. When temperature is low, the clutch engages to reduce load; when temperature is high, the clutch disengages to allow fluid circulation. This parameter switching resolves the contradiction between reducing engine load and enabling fluid circulation.
3Device complexity
If the lock-up clutch remains in a fixed state, then the system structure is simple, but the system cannot adapt to temperature variations
Solution Approach 1:
A temperature detection device continuously monitors the working fluid temperature and provides feedback to the control device. The control device processes this temperature information and automatically adjusts the lock-up clutch state accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to temperature variations while maintaining relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system automatically determines the appropriate clutch state based on temperature detection without requiring manual intervention. The system serves itself by using its own temperature sensing capability to make real-time decisions about clutch engagement, eliminating the need for complex external control mechanisms.
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 engine load and improves startability by ensuring the working fluid is not stirred at low temperatures, allowing for quicker and more reliable engine starting.
Implementation Method 1
a torque converter for transmitting power of the engine to the wheels through the working fluid
Implementation Method 2
a control valve that controls a flow of hydraulic oil discharged from the hydraulic source
Data Source
AI summary
A work vehicle has a hydraulic source; a control valve that controls a flow of the hydraulic oil discharged from the hydraulic source; and an engine starting device for starting an engine, in which a control device has: a low-temperature state determination unit that determines whether a temperature state of a working fluid of a torque converter is a low-temperature state; and a clutch control unit that when it is determined by the low-temperature state determination unit that the temperature state of the working fluid is not the low-temperature state, controls the control valve in order to switch a lock-up clutch to a non-engagement state, and when it is determined by the low-temperature state determination unit that the temperature state of the working fluid is the low-temperature state, controls the control valve in order to switch the lock-up clutch to a engagement state.