Torque Limiting and Clutch Control for Driveline Protection

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle powertrain systems face challenges in managing simultaneous high engine torque and braking torque requests, which can lead to driveline component damage and require costly, robust components.

Innovation Solution

A system that includes a torque request module to set an engine torque limit based on driver inputs, vehicle speed, and braking torque, and a clutch control module to open the clutch when specific conditions are met, limiting engine torque output and protecting driveline components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If robust driveline components are used to handle simultaneous high engine torque and braking torque, then reliability improves, but weight and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriveline component reliabilityVSAvoiddriveline component weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The control system performs preliminary action by detecting simultaneous high torque and braking requests before actual driveline stress occurs, then proactively limits engine torque output and/or opens the clutch to prevent damage, avoiding the need for oversized robust components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The clutch serves as an intermediary element between the engine and transmission. By opening the clutch during simultaneous high torque and braking conditions, the system isolates the driveline components from conflicting torque loads, protecting them without requiring increased component robustness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If robust driveline components are used to handle simultaneous high engine torque and braking torque, then reliability improves, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriveline component reliabilityVSAvoiddriveline component cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The control system performs preliminary action by detecting simultaneous high torque and braking requests before actual driveline stress occurs, then proactively limits engine torque output and/or opens the clutch to prevent damage, avoiding the need for oversized robust components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The clutch serves as an intermediary element between the engine and transmission. By opening the clutch during simultaneous high torque and braking conditions, the system isolates the driveline components from conflicting torque loads, protecting them without requiring increased component robustness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If engine torque is limited during simultaneous high torque request and braking, then driveline component protection improves, but vehicle acceleration performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriveline component protectionVSAvoidvehicle acceleration performance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts engine torque limits based on real-time operating conditions. The torque limitation is not static but is actively modified by the control system only when simultaneous high torque request and braking are detected, allowing full performance in normal conditions while providing protection when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control system continuously monitors engine torque requests, braking torque, and clutch status, using this feedback to dynamically adjust torque limiting and clutch control strategies, optimizing the balance between protection and performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11560133B2Systems and methods for limiting engine torque and controlling a clutch

Publication Date: 2023.01.24 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

A system of a vehicle includes: a torque request module configured to determine a first engine torque request based on a driver input and to set a second engine torque request to a lesser one of (a) the first engine torque request and (b) an engine torque limit; and a torque limit module configured to, when a vehicle speed is less than a predetermined speed, an accelerator pedal position is greater than a predetermined accelerator pedal position, and a brake torque request for braking of the vehicle is greater than a predetermined torque, set the engine torque limit to less than the first engine torque request.