DE102012223744A1 - clutch control - Google Patents

Abstract

A motor vehicle comprises a clutch which can be actuated by means of a driver-controlled actuation unit. A method for controlling the clutch comprises the steps of detecting that a condition for initiating coasting operation of the motor vehicle is met and disconnecting the clutch in order to initiate coasting operation, the disconnection taking place independently of whether the actuation unit is operated or not.

Description

The present invention relates to a clutch control. In particular, the invention relates to a clutch control on board a motor vehicle for enabling a sailing operation.

A motor vehicle with a drive motor, in particular an internal combustion engine, can be operated with increased efficiency when the drive motor is disconnected from the drive train, for example, when a gradient strength is traveled or a rolling of the motor vehicle is desired. For this purpose, a clutch which is provided in the drive train can be separated. In addition, the drive motor can be switched off.

WO 2011/015430 A2 shows a method for controlling a sailing operation of a motor vehicle.

DE 102 21 701 A1 shows a control method for motor vehicles with automated coupling device to allow a sailing operation.

Known methods and control devices for the sailing operation of a motor vehicle are limited to be used in conjunction with an automatic transmission or an automated transmission. An automated transmission is used in conjunction with a clutch that is no longer directly controlled by the driver. If a gear change is to be carried out, a disconnection of the clutch, before the gear is changed, and a subsequent closing of the clutch automatically. The gear change process can also be triggered automatically or at the request of a driver. The driver also does not directly influence the transmission, but merely provides a gear ratio to be engaged with a selector lever or dial buttons, while the mechanical operations for engaging the gear stage are performed by an actuator. A clutch pedal for the driver is not provided in the automated transmission.

In a motor vehicle with a manually shiftable transmission, a known control of the sailing operation can not be used, because there is a risk that the driver changes gear during the sailing operation or inserts the idle. If the sailing operation is to be ended, the rotational speed of the drive motor may be too high or too low due to the gear change, so that the drive motor can be overrun or strangled. Has been inserted in the transmission, the idle, the power transmission from the drive motor to the drive wheels of the motor vehicle can not be done, creating a poorly defined driving condition can arise.

The invention has for its object to provide a technique for controlling a motor vehicle with a manually shiftable transmission to make the benefits of sailing operation available. The invention solves this problem by means of a method and a drive train with the features of the independent claims. Subclaims reflect preferred embodiments.

A motor vehicle comprises a clutch which can be actuated by means of a driver-controlled operating unit. An inventive method for controlling the clutch comprises steps of detecting that a condition for initiating a sailing operation of the motor vehicle is met, and the disconnection of the clutch to initiate the sailing operation. In this case, the separation takes place independently of a current or absent operation of the operating unit.

This makes it possible to prevent the driver during sailing operation influenced a gear engaged in a gear ratio. Upon completion of the sail operation, the clutch is closed again, making sure that the originally engaged gear is still engaged. The clutch, when closed, transmits torque between a drive motor and the transmission. By the method can be prevented that when closing the clutch, the rotational speed of the drive motor is too low, so that the drive motor stalls, or too high, so that the drive motor is over-turned. In addition, it can be prevented that an idle is inserted in the transmission, so that the frictional connection between the drive motor and drive wheels of the motor vehicle is made sure at after the sailing operation again closed clutch.

In a preferred embodiment, the clutch is actuated by means of an actuator based on a position of the driver-controlled actuator and the actuator is controlled to disconnect the clutch independently of the position of the actuator. The influence of the actuator can resolve the conflicting requirements of the process and the driver in an improved way. The driver-controlled operating unit usually comprises a clutch pedal for foot control or a switch for manual operation.

In addition, a manual change of the gear ratio of the transmission can be prevented during the sailing operation. For this purpose, for example, a locking device can be activated on the transmission. Alternatively, a transmission of a signal between a selection device for an engaged gear stage and the transmission can be interrupted or be manipulated. This allows additional protection against the change of gear stage can be achieved. In addition, as an improved feedback to the driver so that it is not tempted to change the gear manually during sailing operation. It can also be prevented that the transmission is engaged in the idle.

In one embodiment, the transmission stage of the transmission can be changed by means of an actuator and the actuator is driven to disregard a driver-controlled gear change signal. Alternatively, a mechanical locking device for locking the engaged gear ratio of the transmission can be controlled.

During the sailing operation, a drive motor of the motor vehicle can be switched off. As a result, a fuel economy during sailing operation can be increased. The motor vehicle may include an accessory configured to be driven by the drive motor. In order to avoid standstill of the accessory during the sailing operation, a drive device can be activated to drive the auxiliary unit in the sail mode with the drive motor switched off. The auxiliary unit may in particular comprise a component which, although not important for the operation of the drive motor, but for the operation of the motor vehicle. Such a component may include, for example, a hydraulic pump for a power steering booster or an air conditioning compressor.

A clutch according to the invention for a drive train of a motor vehicle comprises an actuator for actuating the clutch and a control device which is adapted to detect that a condition for initiating a sailing operation of the motor vehicle is met and also the clutch regardless of a current or absent actuation of a driver-controlled operating unit to initiate the sailing operation.

By the corresponding control device, a clutch known per se can be used to enable an automated sailing operation for a motor vehicle with handbeschaltetem gear.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the actuator is electrically controllable. In this case, for example, an electric motor can disconnect or close the clutch directly, or an electrohydraulic actuator can be provided in which an electric motor causes the clutch to be disconnected or closed by means of a hydraulic transmission path.

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the attached figures, in which:

1 a schematic representation of a motor vehicle and

2 a flowchart of a method for controlling the clutch off 1 represent.

1 shows a motor vehicle 100 , The car 100 includes a drive motor 102 that by means of a powertrain 104 with drive wheels 106 can be coupled. In this case, the drive motor includes 102 in a preferred manner, an internal combustion engine, in particular a reciprocating engine. The powertrain 104 includes a clutch 108 , a gearbox 110 , an optional cardan shaft 112 and an optional differential gearbox 114 ,

For actuating the clutch 108 is a driver of the vehicle 100 an actuating unit 116 to disposal. The operating unit 116 usually includes a foot pedal or a handset. The operating unit 116 can be mechanically directly on the clutch 108 Act. In a preferred embodiment, the actuator unit 116 however, an electrical signal ready, based on which an actuator 116 controlling the disconnection or closing of the clutch 108 causes. Here is the actuator 118 preferably electrically controllable. In one embodiment, the actuator comprises 118 an electric motor with an optional gearbox that connects to the clutch 108 works to separate or close them. In a preferred embodiment, the actuator comprises 118 a hydraulic transmission path, wherein the electric motor acts on a master piston whose movement is transmitted hydraulically to a slave piston, which then separating or closing the clutch 108 causes.

Similarly, the transmission can 110 by the driver of the motor vehicle 110 to be controlled. A dialer 120 allows the driver to engage a gear on the transmission 110 to control or request. In this case, the selection device includes 120 in one embodiment, a mechanical device whose movement directly to the transmission 110 is transferred there to control the gear change operation. In another embodiment, there is no immediate mechanical coupling between the selector 120 and the transmission 110 but the position or movement of the selector 120 is sampled and it is determined an electrical signal, on the basis of another actuator 122 the engaged gear stage of the gearbox 110 controls. The actuator 122 may include one or more electric motors. It can also be a control device be provided, which in the transmission 110 inserted gear automatically or automatically inserts. In this case, a gear change operation can be triggered by the driver by this example, the actuator unit 116 for the clutch 108 actuated. A gear change can also be controlled completely automatically in one embodiment.

For the operation of the motor vehicle 102 can one or more accessories 124 be provided. The ancillaries 124 usually include aggregates that are used to operate the motor vehicle 100 are of importance, for example, a hydraulic pump for a power steering or air conditioning compressor for an air conditioning system of the motor vehicle 100 , In a further embodiment, units may also be included which are primarily for the operation of the drive motor 102 are required, for example, a coolant pump, or a lubricant pump. Usually, the ancillaries 120 set up, directly by the drive motor 102 to be driven. To prevent an accessory 124 is powerless while the drive motor 102 is turned off and the motor vehicle 100 is in motion, a drive device 126 be provided. The drive device 126 preferably comprises an electric motor and may be adapted to one or more of the ancillaries 124 drive. One or more of the ancillaries 124 can also do so on the powertrain 104 be attached that they are driven as long as the motor vehicle 100 in motion, ie in the area between the clutch 108 and the drive wheels 106 , In yet another embodiment, one or more accessories may be included 124 with a non-driven wheel 128 of the motor vehicle 100 be coupled.

To control the clutch 108 is a control device 130 intended. The control device 130 includes a first interface 132 for detecting a signal with which a sailing operation of the motor vehicle 100 can be requested. The signal can be provided, for example, by a further control device. Alternatively, the signal may include one or more operating parameters of the motor vehicle 100 include, for example, a speed and information about an upcoming route, and the controller 130 may be arranged to self-determine the requirement for sailing operation based on the received values.

A sailing operation of the motor vehicle 100 is characterized in that the motor vehicle 100 is in motion while the drive motor 102 from the drive train 104 is separated to save fuel. As a result, for example, a slope or a coasting phase can be used as part of a holding process or a speed reduction, fuel of the drive motor 102 save. The sailing operation is usually used only when driving forward and only from a predetermined speed in order to exploit significant savings.

In one embodiment, during the sailing operation, the drive motor 102 off. For this purpose, the control device 130 by means of a second interface 134 on the drive motor 102 or a corresponding control device act. About the second interface 134 can also start the drive motor 102 be controlled when terminating the sailing operation.

Via a third interface 136 can the controller 130 an opening of the clutch 108 cause. It has the opening of the clutch 108 by the control device 130 Priority over an operation or a lack of actuation of the operating unit 116 by the driver of the motor vehicle 100 , Such precedence can be achieved by a logical OR between signals from the actuator 116 and the controller 130 respectively. The OR condition can be implemented mechanically, electrically or hydraulically. In another embodiment, an electrical signal of the actuator unit 116 not directly on the actuator 118 but to the controller 130 which optionally discards the signal and the clutch 108 in sailing operation, regardless of the position or actuation of the operating unit 116 separates.

Via an optional fourth interface 138 can the controller 130 also a gear change or the insertion of the idle in the transmission 110 by the driver of the motor vehicle 100 prevention. This can again be a logical link between signals of the selector 120 and the controller 130 carried out, which can also be implemented, for example, electrically, hydraulically or mechanically. An electrical signal from the selector 120 can also be the controller 130 are provided, which in response to a normal operation or a sailing operation, the signal to the actuator 122 forwards or discards to provide its own signal. In yet another embodiment, a locking device 140 provided in a mechanical way one in the transmission 110 locked gear engaged and thus prevents their change. The locking device 140 can optionally on the gearbox 110 or at the dialer 120 to be appropriate.

Finally, the control device 130 still over a fifth interface 142 over which they have the drive device 126 can set in motion when during the sail operation of the drive motor 102 is switched off.

2 shows a flowchart of a method for controlling the clutch 108 of the motor vehicle 100 out 1 , The procedure 200 is in particular for execution on the control device 130 set up.

In a first step 205 a condition for initiating the sail operation is detected. In a subsequent step 210 it is checked if the condition is met. If this is not the case, then the motor vehicle is located 100 in normal operation and the procedure 200 returns to the step 205 back.

If the condition is met, then in an optional step 215 a change in the gear ratio of the transmission 110 or prevents the insertion of the idling. In addition, the clutch 108 driven to disconnect to the drive motor 102 from the drive train 104 to separate. In one step 220 In addition, an actuation of the clutch 108 by means of the actuating unit 116 be prevented.

In one embodiment of the method 200 Furthermore, the drive device 126 controlled, one or more of the ancillaries 124 drive in one step before 235 the drive motor 102 is turned off. It can be seen that the order of steps 215 to 235 can be varied virtually arbitrarily. Some of these steps can also be performed simultaneously.

At this point of the procedure 200 is the motor vehicle 100 in sailing operation. To return from there to normal operation, you can do the following steps 240 to 270 to go through.

In step 240 it is detected whether a condition for ending the sailing operation is satisfied. This condition may, for example, the achievement of a predetermined distance position, an operation of an accelerator pedal or a brake pedal of the motor vehicle 100 by the driver or another event on board the motor vehicle 100 include. In a subsequent step 245 it checks if the condition of the step 240 is satisfied. If this is not the case, the procedure returns 200 to the step 240 back and the motor vehicle 100 remains in sailing operation.

Otherwise, in one step 250 the drive motor 102 restarted, if he had previously in step 235 was turned off. If necessary, in one step 255 the drive device 126 shut off if in step 230 was turned on.

In step 260 the clutch actuator is unlocked if in step 225 was locked. In addition, in step 265 the coupling 108 closed again. In an optional embodiment, the closing of the clutch 108 be waived, if at this time the actuator 116 by the driver of the motor vehicle 100 is pressed. In any case, the control of the clutch 108 at this point handed back to the driver, so that this by means of the actuator 116 the disconnection and closing of the clutch 108 can control itself as before the initiation of the sailing operation.

Finally, in one step 270 the locking of the gearbox 110 lifted again, if in step 215 is done. Also the steps 250 to 270 Obviously, they can be swapped almost arbitrarily in their order, and some of the steps can be executed in parallel.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

100

 motor vehicle

102

 drive motor

104

 powertrain

106

 drive wheels

108

 clutch

110

 transmission

112

 propeller shaft

114

 differential gear

116

 operating unit

118

 actuator

120

 dialer

122

 actuator

124

 accessory

126

 driving means

128

non-driven wheel

130

 control device

132

 first interface

134

 second interface

136

 third interface

138

 fourth interface

140

 locking device

142

 fifth interface

200

 method

205

 Capture condition for initiating sail operation

210

 Conditions met?

215

 Lock gearbox operation

220

 Disconnect the coupling

225

 Lock clutch operation

230

 Drive the auxiliary unit

235

 Drive motor off

240

 Capture condition for terminating the sail operation

245

 Conditions met?

250

 Drive motor on

255

 Stop auxiliary drive

260

 Unlock clutch operation

265

 Close the clutch

270

 Unlock transmission control

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• WO 2011/015430 A2 [0003]
• DE 10221701 A1 [0004]

Claims (9)

Procedure ( 200 ) for controlling a clutch ( 108 ) of a motor vehicle ( 100 ) by means of a driver-controlled operating unit ( 116 ), the method ( 200 ) comprises the following steps: - detecting ( 210 ) that a condition for initiating a sailing operation of the motor vehicle ( 100 ) is satisfied; - Disconnect ( 220 ) of the coupling ( 108 ) to initiate sailing operation; characterized in that - separating ( 220 ) irrespective of any action taken or not taken by the operating unit ( 116 ). Procedure ( 200 ) according to claim 1, wherein the coupling ( 108 ) by means of an actuator ( 118 ) based on a position of the driver-controlled actuator unit ( 116 ) and the actuator ( 118 ), the clutch ( 108 ) regardless of the position of the operating unit ( 118 ) to separate. Procedure ( 200 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling ( 108 ) a frictional connection between a drive motor ( 102 ) and a transmission ( 110 ) and during the sailing operation, a manual change of a gear stage of the transmission ( 110 ) prevents ( 215 ) becomes. Procedure ( 200 ) according to claim 3, wherein the engagement of the idle on the transmission ( 110 ) prevents ( 215 ) becomes. Procedure ( 200 ) according to one of claims 3 or 4, wherein a transmission stage of the transmission ( 110 ) by means of an actuator ( 122 ) and the actuator ( 122 ) is ignored to disregard a driver-controlled gear change signal. Method according to one of claims 3 or 4, wherein a mechanical locking device is controlled to lock the engaged gear ratio of the transmission. Procedure ( 200 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein during the sailing operation a drive motor ( 102 ) of the motor vehicle ( 100 ) and a drive device ( 126 ) is activated to an ancillary unit ( 126 ), which is outside the sailing operation of the drive motor ( 102 ) is drivable. Clutch ( 108 ) for a drive train ( 104 ) of a motor vehicle ( 100 ) comprising an actuator ( 118 ) for actuating the clutch ( 108 ) and a control device ( 130 ) which is adapted to detect that a condition for initiating a sailing operation of the motor vehicle ( 100 ) and the coupling ( 108 ) irrespective of any action taken or not taken by a driver-controlled operating unit ( 116 ) for the clutch to initiate the sail operation. Clutch ( 108 ) according to claim 8, wherein the actuator ( 118 ) is electrically controllable.

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