Work Vehicle Direct Drive Clutch Torque Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heavy work vehicles, such as those in construction, agriculture, and forestry, face challenges in regulating output torque effectively due to direct drive transmissions that lack precise control over torque transformation, leading to potential engine stall and inefficient power delivery.
Innovation Solution
A power system with a transmission controller that includes a clutch arrangement and a processor to generate clutch commands based on engine speed, allowing the clutch to be positioned in fully engaged, partially engaged, or fully disengaged states, thereby controlling output torque through the transmission, enabling enhanced torque regulation and prevention of engine stall.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a direct drive transmission is used to simplify the power system, then device complexity is reduced, but torque regulation precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch arrangement transitions from a static fully engaged/disengaged binary state to a dynamic partially engaged state, enabling continuous torque regulation. The clutch can be positioned at intermediate engagement levels to transform a portion of input torque into output torque, providing precise torque control while maintaining the simplicity of direct drive architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the engagement parameter of the clutch from discrete (fully engaged/disengaged) to continuous (partially engaged). By controlling the degree of clutch engagement, the system can precisely regulate the ratio of input torque transformed to output torque, achieving torque regulation precision without adding complex transmission components.
2Power
If the engine operates at high speeds to increase power output, then power delivery is improved, but engine stall risk increases due to insufficient torque control
Solution Approach 1:
The controller receives engine speed data and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust clutch engagement. When engine speed indicates potential stall conditions, the controller modulates clutch engagement to regulate torque transformation, preventing stall while maintaining high power output capability. This closed-loop control ensures reliable operation across the engine speed range.
Solution Approach 2:
The clutch arrangement provides dynamic torque transformation capability that responds to engine operating conditions. By partially engaging the clutch, the system can smoothly regulate torque delivery to the driven component, preventing sudden torque drops that would cause engine stall while allowing the engine to operate at high speeds for maximum power output.
3Measurement precision
If a torque converter or fluid coupling is added to improve torque regulation, then torque control precision is improved, but device complexity and energy loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential torque regulation function from complex fluid coupling systems and implements it through a simpler clutch arrangement. By removing the torque converter and using direct clutch engagement control, the system achieves torque control precision while eliminating the energy losses associated with fluid coupling and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces fluid mechanical coupling (torque converter) with direct mechanical clutch engagement. This substitution eliminates energy losses inherent in fluid dynamics while maintaining torque regulation capability through controlled clutch engagement, resulting in more efficient power transmission with comparable or superior torque control precision.
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
The system allows for precise control of output torque, enabling the engine to operate at high speeds while reducing torque at the wheels, improving transmission efficiency and preventing stall, without the need for a torque converter or fluid coupling.
Implementation Method 1
a clutch arrangement coupled to the input element and the output element to transform the input torque into output torque. The clutch arrangement includes at least one clutch selectively positionable between a fully engaged state in which approximately all of the input torque is transformed into the output torque
Data Source
AI summary
A power system includes an engine; a sensor to determine an engine speed; and a transmission. The transmission includes an input element configured to receive the power from the engine as input torque; an output element configured to provide at least a portion the power from the engine as output torque; and a clutch arrangement to transform the input torque into output torque. The clutch arrangement includes at least one clutch selectively positionable between a fully engaged state, a partially engaged state in which a portion of the input torque is transformed into the output torque, and a fully disengaged state. A controller is coupled to the at least one clutch and configured to generate clutch commands based at least in part on the engine speed to position the at least one clutch into the fully engaged state, the partially engaged state, or the fully disengaged state.