US6490944B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for controlling a drive train of a vehicle having two power-shift clutches
Assignee: Mercedes Benz Group AG
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Filing: 2000-06-27
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Granted: 2002-12-10
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Expires: 2020-06-27
Abstract
Abstract In a method for controlling a drive line of a vehicle, in which a power-shift clutch is engaged for torque transmission while driving, the point of engagement of a power-shift clutch that is disengaged in parallel is determined by a nonsteady-state engagement operation.
Inventors
- 👤 Markus Heinzel
- 👤 Heinrich Steinhart
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 08:22
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60W; B60W30/00; B60W30/18; B60W10/00; B60W10/02; B60W10/10; B60W10/11; B60W10/113; B60W30/1819; F; F16; F16D; F16D48/00; F16D48/06; F16D48/062; F16D2500/00; F16D2500/30; F16D2500/302; F16D2500/3026; F16D2500/304; F16D2500/30401; F16D2500/3041; F16D2500/30415; F16D2500/3042; F16D2500/30426; F16D2500/306; F16D2500/3069; F16D2500/31; F16D2500/3108; F16D2500/3111; F16D2500/70; F16D2500/704; F16D2500/70402; F16D2500/7041; F16H; F16H2342/00; F16H2342/04; F16H2342/042; F16H3/00; F16H3/006; F16H3/02; F16H3/08; F16H3/087; F16H3/091; F16H3/0915; F16H61/00; F16H61/68; F16H61/684; F16H61/688; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/19; Y10T74/19219; Y10T74/19251; Y10T74/19256; Y10T74/1926
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
A method for controlling a drive line provided for torque transmission between an engine and wheels of a vehicle, comprising the steps of: (a) engaging a first one of two power-shift friction clutches so that a speed of travel of the vehicle is unequal to zero, each power-shift friction clutch being engageable to transmit torque and disengageable to interrupt torque transmission; (b) maintaining a second one of the two power-shift friction clutches in a disengaged load-free state, the second one of the two power-shift friction clutches being arranged in parallel with the first one of the two power-shift friction clutches; (c) determining whether a differential speed of the second one of the two power-shift friction clutches is significantly different from zero; (d) at least partially engaging the second one of the two power-shift friction clutches in accordance with the determining step (c); and (e) determining a point of engagement of the second one of the two power-shift friction clutches.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
159 words
A method for controlling a drive line provided for torque transmission between an engine and wheels of a vehicle, comprising the steps of: (a) engaging a first one of two power-shift friction clutches so that a speed of travel of the vehicle is unequal to zero, each power-shift friction clutch being engageable to transmit torque and disengageable to interrupt torque transmission; (b) maintaining a second one of the two power-shift friction clutches in a disengaged load-free state, the second one of the two power-shift friction clutches being arranged in parallel with the first one of the two power-shift friction clutches; (c) determining whether a differential speed of the second one of the two power-shift friction clutches is significantly different from zero; (d) at least partially engaging the second one of the two power-shift friction clutches in accordance with the determining step (c); and (e) determining a point of engagement of the second one of the two power-shift friction clutches.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
80 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein the determining step (e) is performed prior to engaging the second one of the two power-shift friction clutches, the determining step (e) including the substeps of: (f) determining whether the differential speed of the second one of the two power-shift friction clutches is unequal to zero; and (g) setting a higher differential speed if it is determined in the determining step (f) that the differential speed is not significantly different from zero.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein the determining step (e) includes the substep of measuring a clutch travel at a beginning of engagement.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein the determining step (e) includes the substep of measuring a change in rotational speed of one clutch half over time.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of storing at least one measured parameter value relating to the point of engagement in a read-only memory when the engine is switched off.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 2 , wherein the setting step (g) includes the substep of reducing a rotational speed of a secondary-side clutch half.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method according to claim 6 , wherein the setting step (g) further includes the substep of actuating a synchronized engageable and disengageable gearwheel clutch, which is arranged in a part of the drive line configured to connect the secondary-side clutch half with the vehicle wheels, in a direction of engagement to couple a gearwheel to a respective shaft.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 7 , further comprising the step of interrupting the part of the drive line before engaging the second one of the two power-shift friction clutches.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 8 , wherein the interrupting step includes the substep of disengaging the gearwheel clutch.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 5 , wherein the storing step is performed when the engine is turned off and when the speed of travel is equal to zero.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-12-09 | 2006-06-10 | 2006-12-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-12-09 | 2010-06-10 | 2010-12-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-12-09 | 2014-06-10 | 2014-12-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |