JP4609066B2 - Oil pump control device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an oil pump control device, and more particularly to a technique for controlling an oil pump when adjusting the amount of hydraulic fluid of a transmission.

  Among automobiles, in particular, many passenger cars use an automatic transmission (AT) as a transmission. The automatic transmission is composed of a torque converter and a transmission mechanism (regardless of a stepped type using gears or a stepless type using a belt or the like), and the torque converter and transmission mechanism are filled with hydraulic oil (oil). Is done. If the amount of oil is less than the specified amount, the oil pump may not be able to suck oil at low temperatures, cornering traveling or when climbing, and the driving force may be cut off.

  On the other hand, if there is too much oil in the automatic transmission, when the oil level rises due to expansion, such as at high oil temperatures, the oil is agitated by a rotating member such as a clutch drum of the gear transmission mechanism, and mechanical loss increases. The oil temperature will be further raised, the durability of the automatic transmission will be lowered, and the oil will be blown from the breather. Therefore, the amount of oil must always be kept appropriate.

  The oil of this automatic transmission changes in viscosity depending on its temperature, and also expands to change the oil level. Therefore, it is preferable to adjust the oil amount to an appropriate amount while fixing the oil temperature condition. Usually, there are many examples in which management is performed at a level corresponding to about 70 to 80 ° C., which is a temperature range that is easy to reach in general driving of an automobile and in which oil circulation is easily stabilized. In addition, in an automobile manufacturing factory, it is difficult to raise the oil temperature to such a temperature in terms of man-hours. Therefore, a check level corresponding to the oil temperature obtained by the measurement after the inspection process is separately set and managed.

  In this way, the manufacturing plant can take a lot of man-hours to manage the oil level, but the oil deteriorates over time, so when using the car for a long time, the dealers etc. Will be exchanged. In this case, since there is no means for accurately grasping the oil temperature, the vehicle is actually run, and the internal temperature of the transmission rises to control the oil level.

  The actual method for this purpose is to check the amount of oil after running the vehicle under predetermined conditions, for example, after running for 30 minutes at 60 km / h. If the automobile is run under these conditions, the internal temperature of the transmission is stabilized at about 70 to 80 ° C., so that the oil can be injected in accordance with the conditions when the oil is actually used. However, such a method requires a course for driving the vehicle and requires a large number of man-hours.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-325235 (Patent Document 1) discloses an oil level detection of an automatic transmission that makes it possible to easily inject an appropriate amount when injecting oil in an automobile equipped with such an automatic transmission. A display method is disclosed. This automatic transmission oil level detection display method is a method in which the AT controller generates an output indicating that the automatic transmission oil level detection conditions are met in an automobile equipped with a failure diagnosis system in the AT controller. As a condition for detecting the oil level of the automatic transmission, at least the engine is rotating at idling speed, the vehicle is stopped, and the position of the shift select lever is in the N range or P range. It is a case.

According to this automatic transmission oil level detection and display method, when the diagnosis terminal of the AT controller is short-circuited, different displays are made depending on whether or not the oil level of the automatic transmission may be detected. In this case, if the engine is rotating at the idling speed and the vehicle is stopped, the oil reaches a necessary place and is stable. Therefore, even when a dealer or the like who does not actually run a course changes the oil for an automatic transmission, an appropriate amount of oil can be injected.
JP 11-325235 A

  However, the oil level detection conditions in the automatic transmission oil level detection and display method disclosed in Patent Document 1 are that the engine is rotating at idling speed, the vehicle is stopped, and the position of the shift select lever. Is only N range or P range. Even during idling, the engine speed may not be constant due to the influence of auxiliary equipment operated by engine rotation. If the engine speed changes in such a state, the amount of oil rotation (if the hydraulic oil temperature is low and the viscosity is high, it will not adhere to the housing etc. within the transmission mechanism and return to the oil pan) or the hydraulic oil temperature If the oil level does not reach the desired value, the oil level varies and it is difficult to accurately adjust the oil level.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide an oil pump control device capable of accurately adjusting the oil level in the oil pan.

  An oil pump control device according to a first aspect of the present invention controls an oil pump that supplies hydraulic oil stored in an oil pan to a transmission that transmits the output of an internal combustion engine to drive wheels. This control device includes a detecting means for detecting the number of rotations of the oil pump, and an oil passage provided in the transmission so that the operating oil is supplied when the oil level in the oil pan is adjusted. Control means for controlling the number of revolutions of the oil pump is included so as to be satisfied.

  According to the first invention, when adjusting the oil level in the oil pan, the oil passage provided in the transmission is filled with the working oil so that the working oil is supplied. As a result, the amount of hydraulic oil sent from the oil pan to the transmission and the amount of hydraulic oil returned from the transmission to the oil pan can be stabilized. Therefore, the oil level in the oil pan can be stabilized. As a result, an oil pump control device capable of accurately adjusting the oil level in the oil pan can be provided.

  In the control apparatus for the oil pump according to the second invention, in addition to the configuration of the first invention, the control means is configured to set the oil pump to a predetermined rotational speed equal to or higher than the rotational speed at which the oil passage is filled with the hydraulic oil. Means for maintaining the rotational speed.

  According to the second invention, the rotational speed of the oil pump is maintained at a predetermined rotational speed. Thereby, the amount of hydraulic oil sent from the oil pan to the transmission and the amount of hydraulic oil returned from the transmission to the oil pan can be further stabilized. Therefore, the oil level in the oil pan can be further stabilized.

  In the control apparatus for the oil pump according to the third invention, in addition to the configuration of the first or second invention, the oil pump is connected to the internal combustion engine. The control means is for controlling the rotation speed of the internal combustion engine so that the oil passage provided in the transmission is filled with the working oil so that the working oil is supplied when the oil level in the oil pan is adjusted. Including means.

  According to the third invention, in a vehicle or the like equipped with an oil pump driven by an internal combustion engine, the oil level in the oil pan can be stabilized when adjusting the oil level.

  In the control apparatus for the oil pump according to the fourth invention, in addition to the configuration of the first or second invention, the oil pump is connected to the rotating electrical machine. The control means is for controlling the rotation speed of the rotating electrical machine so that an oil passage provided in the transmission is filled with the hydraulic oil so that the hydraulic oil is supplied when the oil level in the oil pan is adjusted. Including means.

  According to the fourth invention, in a vehicle or the like equipped with an oil pump driven by a rotating electrical machine, the oil level in the oil pan can be stabilized when adjusting the oil level.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

  With reference to FIG. 1, a control block diagram of a power train controlled by an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) which is a control device according to the present embodiment will be described.

  The control device according to the present embodiment is realized by ECU 100 shown in FIG. This ECU 100 integrates two functions of an engine ECU and an ECT (Electronically Controlled Automatic Transmission) _ECU into one. ECU 100 mainly controls engine 200 and transmission 300 connected to the output shaft of engine 200.

  The engine 200 is not particularly limited as long as it is a known gasoline engine or diesel engine. The transmission 300 may be an automatic transmission that uses hydraulic oil, and may be a stepped transmission such as a gear type or a continuously variable transmission such as a belt type. A manual transmission may also be used. In the present embodiment, transmission 300 will be described as a belt-type continuously variable transmission.

  ECU 100 controls the rotational speed of engine 200 via fuel injection controller 210. The engine speed sensor 202 outputs a signal representing the engine speed to the ECU 100. In addition, a signal representing the oil temperature is output from the oil temperature sensor 302 to the ECU 100. ECU 100 outputs data for displaying on indicator 400 information indicating to the worker that the oil metering operation of transmission 300 is suitable. The indicator 400 is, for example, a position lamp of an automatic transmission provided on the instrument panel. An oil warning light may also be used.

The ECU 100 is connected to the diagnostic tool 500 via an I / F (Interface) 110. The I / F 110 has a male and female connector shape, and the ECU 100 can recognize that it is in a special work mode by short-circuiting a specific terminal of the connector on the ECU 100 side. . The failure diagnosis tool 500 is an information display device for an operator having a liquid crystal panel, for example.

The transmission 300 includes a torque converter and a transmission mechanism, and an oil pump 310 is provided between the torque converter and the transmission mechanism. The oil pump is a non-crescent type oil pump, for example, and is driven by the rotation of the engine 200.

  A predetermined amount of oil pumped by the oil pump 310 is stored in an oil pan 320 provided below the transmission case. The oil stored in the oil pan 320 is supplied to an oil passage 330 provided for forcibly lubricating the transmission mechanism by the oil pump 310 and a valve body 332 that is a hydraulic adjustment mechanism for controlling the transmission mechanism to a desired state. Sent to the oilway. The oil sent to the oil passage 330 and the valve body 332 is finally returned to the oil pan 320.

  In a state where the oil pump 310 is not driven, that is, in a state where the engine speed NE is 0, the oil passage 330 and the oil passage of the valve body 332 are not completely filled with oil. When the engine speed is increased from the state where the engine speed NE is 0, the oil pump 310 starts to pump oil, and the oil path 330 and the oil path of the valve body 332 are filled with oil. At this time, as shown in FIG. 2, as the engine speed increases, the maximum value of the line pressure, the belt clamping pressure, the secondary pressure (the maximum value of the pressure adjustable by the valve body 332), and the lubricating pressure (the oil passage 330). Inside pressure) increases. In addition, the oil level in the oil pan 320 is lowered.

  In FIG. 2, when the engine speed NE is equal to or higher than NE (1), the line pressure, the belt clamping pressure, the secondary pressure, and the lubricating pressure do not increase and become constant values. In this state, it can be said that the oil passages 330 and the oil passages of the valve body 332 are filled with oil. Thus, filling the oil passages 330 and the oil passages of the valve body 332 with the oil is referred to as cracking.

  After cracking, the amount of oil sucked from the oil pan 320 and the amount of oil returned to the oil pan 320 are stabilized. Therefore, the oil level in the oil pan 320 is stabilized, and the oil level after cracking can take a substantially constant value as shown in FIG. Note that the engine speed that causes cracking may vary depending on the oil temperature.

  The transmission case is provided with a refill plug used for replenishing oil of the automatic transmission, and the oil pan 320 is provided with an overflow plug for discharging too much oil. The overflow plug is provided with an overflow tube. When a predetermined amount or more is accumulated in the oil pan 320, the oil surface becomes the upper surface of the overflow tube, and excess oil from the automatic transmission is discharged from the overflow plug through the overflow tube. If the automatic transmission is short of oil, refill the oil from the refill plug, open the overflow plug and inject oil from the refill hole until oil comes out of the overflow plug. The metering of the oil in the automatic transmission is not limited to such a method.

  With reference to FIG. 3, a control structure of a program executed by ECU 100 that is the control device according to the present embodiment will be described. In the following description, the oil temperature threshold value is T (1) <T (2) <T (3) <T (4).

  In step (hereinafter step is abbreviated as S) 100, ECU 100 determines whether or not it is an oil level adjustment mode. The oil level adjustment mode is a mode for adjusting the amount of oil in the transmission 300, and is performed when the vehicle is stopped and the engine is operating. As to whether or not it is the oil level adjustment mode, for example, an operation of shorting a specific terminal on the ECU 100 side of the I / F 110 to move the shift lever from the N position to the D position and to return from the D position to the N position is 1 It is determined that the oil level adjustment mode is established by performing for 6 seconds or more continuously within 5 seconds. If it is the oil level adjustment mode (YES in S100), the process proceeds to S110. Otherwise (NO in S100), this process ends.

  In S110, ECU 100 determines whether or not the oil temperature is higher than a predetermined oil temperature threshold value T (1). If oil temperature> T (1) (YES in S110), the process proceeds to S120. If not (NO in S110), the process proceeds to S130. The oil temperature threshold value T (1) is set corresponding to the oil temperature at the start of engine speed control.

  In S120, ECU 100 performs engine speed control. At this time, the target value of the engine speed NE is set as NE (TGT). Here, NE (TGT) is a rotational speed equal to or higher than the rotational speed at which the oil passage 330 and the oil passage of the valve body 332 are cracked in the oil temperature range of T (2) to T (3). Note that the engine rotational speed NE may be varied as long as it is equal to or higher than the rotational speed for cracking.

  In S130, ECU 100 executes normal engine speed control. For example, at this time, the rotational speed of the engine 200 is controlled to the idling speed by ISC (Idle Speed Control) control. After the process of S130, the process returns to S110.

  In S140, ECU 100 determines whether or not the oil temperature is higher than a predetermined oil temperature threshold value T (2). If oil temperature> T (2) (YES in S140), the process proceeds to S150. If not (NO in S140), the process returns to S120. The oil temperature threshold value T (2) is set corresponding to the lower limit of the oil temperature appropriate for adjusting the oil level.

  In S150, ECU 100 turns on the “D” lamp of indicator 400. In S160, ECU 100 determines whether or not the oil temperature is higher than a predetermined oil temperature threshold value T (3). If oil temperature> T (3) (YES in S160), the process proceeds to S170. If not (NO in S160), the process returns to S150. The oil temperature threshold value T (3) is set corresponding to the upper limit of the oil temperature appropriate for adjusting the oil level.

  In S170, ECU 100 causes the “D” lamp of indicator 400 to blink. In S180, ECU 100 determines whether or not the oil temperature is higher than a predetermined oil temperature threshold value T (4). If oil temperature> T (4) (YES in S180), the process proceeds to S190. If not (NO in S180), the process returns to S170. The oil temperature threshold value T (4) is set corresponding to the oil temperature when the engine speed control is finished.

  In S190, ECU 100 executes normal rotation speed control. The content of the control at this time is the same as the process of S130 described above.

  In S200, ECU 100 determines whether the ignition is turned off or the vehicle is in a traveling state. If the ignition is turned off or the vehicle is in a running state (YES in S200), the process proceeds to S210. If not (NO in S200), the process returns to S190. In S210, ECU 100 turns off the “D” lamp of indicator 400.

  An operation at the time of oil metering of transmission 300 of the power train controlled by ECU 100 that is the control device according to the present embodiment based on the above-described structure and flowchart will be described.

  An operator short-circuits a specific terminal on the ECU 100 side of the I / F 110 and moves the shift lever from the N position to the D position and from the D position to the N position within 1.5 seconds for 6 seconds. By performing the above, it is determined that the oil level adjustment mode is set (YES in S100). When oil temperature is equal to or lower than oil temperature threshold value T (1) based on information representing the oil temperature input to ECU 100 from the oil temperature sensor provided in transmission 300 (NO in S110), normal The rotation speed control is executed (S130).

  While the engine speed control of the normal engine 200 is being executed, the oil temperature gradually rises. When the oil temperature becomes higher than oil temperature threshold value T (1) (YES in S110), engine speed control is executed with NE (TGT), which is a speed equal to or higher than the speed at which cracking occurs, as a target value. (S120).

  When the oil temperature becomes higher than oil temperature threshold value T (2) (YES in S140), the indicator “D” lamp is turned on (S150). When this indicator “D” lamp is lit, the operator can recognize that the oil temperature has reached a temperature suitable for the metering work. As a result, the operator loosens the overflow plug of the oil pan provided below the transmission case and discharges excess oil from the automatic transmission from the overflow flag. If the oil is not discharged even when the overflow plug is opened, it is determined that the amount of oil is small, and the refill plug is opened, and the automatic transmission oil is replenished from the refill hole until the oil comes out of the overflow plug. Even during such work, the engine 200 is controlled by the ECU 100 so that the engine speed is NE (TGT). That is, the oil passage 330 and the valve body 332 are maintained in a cracked state. Therefore, the oil level in oil pan 320 can be stabilized and the oil level can be adjusted accurately.

  When oil temperature continues to rise and oil temperature becomes equal to or higher than oil temperature threshold value T (3) (YES in S160), indicator “D” lamp blinks (S170). Since this oil temperature threshold value T (3) is the upper limit value of the oil level adjustment appropriate oil temperature, when the “D” lamp of the indicator flashes (S170), the operator adjusts the oil amount of the automatic transmission oil. End.

  When the oil temperature further rises and the oil temperature becomes higher than the oil temperature threshold value T (4) (YES in S180), the engine speed is suppressed to the target engine speed NE (TGT) to suppress the engine oil temperature from increasing. And the normal rotation speed control is executed (S190).

  Such an operation is performed until the ignition switch is turned off or the vehicle is driven. When the ignition switch is turned off or the vehicle travels (YES in S200), “D” lamp of indicator 400 is turned off (S210).

  With reference to FIG. 4, the time change of oil temperature and an engine speed is demonstrated. It is assumed that the oil temperature is initially low and the engine speed is high.

  When the oil temperature gradually rises and reaches the oil temperature threshold value T (1), the engine speed is controlled to be equal to or higher than the speed at which the oil path 330 and the oil path of the valve body 332 are cracked. When the oil temperature gradually rises and reaches the oil temperature threshold value T (2), the indicator “D” lamp is turned on. This state is continued until the oil temperature reaches T (3). When the oil temperature becomes higher than T (3), the “D” lamp of the indicator 400 blinks, and when the oil temperature becomes higher than the oil temperature threshold T (4), the engine speed control is changed to the normal speed control. Returned. When the ignition is turned off or the vehicle is in a running state, the “D” lamp of the indicator 400 is turned off. The “D” lamp, which indicates to the operator that it is suitable for the oil metering work of the automatic transmission, is lit in the oil temperature range of T (2) to T (3).

  As described above, the engine is controlled by the ECU according to the present embodiment, and the oil passage provided for forced lubrication and the oil passage of the valve body are maintained in a cracked state. After cracking, the amount of hydraulic oil sucked out from the oil pan and the amount of hydraulic oil returned to the oil pan are stabilized. Since the metering operation is performed in such a state, the oil amount of the automatic transmission can be adjusted in a state appropriate for the metering operation.

  In the above description, the “D” lamp of the indicator 400 is turned on, blinked, or turned off. However, the diagnostic tool 500 connected via the I / F 110 displays equivalent information instead. You may do it.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a motor 312 may be connected to the oil pump 310, and the oil pump 310 may be driven by the motor 312 instead of the engine 200.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

FIG. 3 is a control block diagram (No. 1) of a power train including an ECU that is a vehicle control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the relationship between a line pressure, a belt clamping pressure, a secondary pressure, a lubrication pressure, and an oil level, and the engine speed NE. It is a flowchart which shows the control structure of the program performed with ECU of FIG. It is a figure which shows the time change of the oil temperature of an automatic transmission oil, and an engine speed. It is a control block diagram (the 2) of a power train containing ECU which is a control device of vehicles concerning an embodiment of the invention.

Explanation of symbols

  100 ECU, 110 I / F, 200 engine, 202 engine speed sensor, 210 fuel injection controller, 300 transmission, 302 oil temperature sensor, 310 oil pump, 312 motor, 320 oil pan, 330 oil passage, 332 valve body, 400 Indicator, 500 diagnostic tool.

Claims (6)

An oil pump control device that supplies hydraulic oil stored in an oil pan to a transmission that transmits the output of an internal combustion engine to drive wheels,
Detection means for detecting the rotational speed of the oil pump;
When the oil level in the oil pan is adjusted, the oil passage provided in the transmission is filled with the hydraulic oil so that the rotational speed of the oil pump decreases and the hydraulic oil is supplied. A control device for an oil pump, comprising control means for controlling the rotational speed of the oil pump. When the temperature of the hydraulic oil is higher than a temperature lower than the lower limit value of the oil temperature for adjusting the oil level, the control means is configured such that the rotational speed of the oil pump decreases and the hydraulic oil is supplied. The oil pump control device according to claim 1, further comprising means for controlling the number of revolutions of the oil pump so that an oil passage provided in the transmission is filled with the hydraulic oil. When the temperature of the hydraulic oil becomes higher than a temperature higher than the upper limit value of the oil temperature for adjusting the oil level, the control means reduces the number of revolutions of the oil pump and supplies the hydraulic oil. The oil pump according to claim 1, further comprising means for ending control of the rotation speed of the oil pump so that an oil passage provided in the transmission is filled with the hydraulic oil. Control device. The said control means includes a means for maintaining the rotation speed of the said oil pump to the predetermined rotation speed more than the rotation speed with which the said oil path is satisfy | filled with the said hydraulic oil . The oil pump control device described in 1. The oil pump is connected to the internal combustion engine;
When the oil level in the oil pan is adjusted, the control means includes an oil passage provided in the transmission so that the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine is reduced and the hydraulic oil is supplied. The control apparatus for an oil pump according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising means for controlling the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine so as to be satisfied by The oil pump is connected to a rotating electric machine,
When the oil level in the oil pan is adjusted, the control means includes an oil passage provided in the transmission so that the rotational speed of the rotating electrical machine is reduced and the hydraulic oil is supplied. The control apparatus for an oil pump according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising means for controlling the rotational speed of the rotating electrical machine so as to be satisfied by

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