WO2014094758A1

WO2014094758A1 - Clutch control

Info

Publication number: WO2014094758A1
Application number: PCT/DE2013/200310
Authority: WO
Inventors: Arthur EPP; Eckhard Kirchner; Andreas Kinigadner; Tobias Eckl
Original assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
Priority date: 2012-12-19
Filing date: 2013-11-20
Publication date: 2014-06-26
Also published as: DE112013006078B4; DE102012223744A1; DE112013006078A5

Abstract

A motor vehicle comprises a clutch which can be actuated by means of a driver-controlled actuating unit. A method for controlling the clutch comprises the steps of detecting that a condition for initiating a coasting mode of the motor vehicle is fulfilled and of separating the clutch in order to initiate the coasting mode, wherein the separation is carried out independently of the occurrence or absence of the actuation of the actuating unit.

Description

clutch control

The present invention relates to a clutch control. In particular, the

Invention a clutch control on board a motor vehicle to enable 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 201 1/015430 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 of the risk that the driving during the sailing operation changes gear or lays 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 safe 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. By the Influence by the actuator may resolve the conflicting requirements of the method and the driver in an improved manner. 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 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 independent of a taking or not occurring Disconnect operation of a driver-controlled operating unit to initiate the sailing operation.

By means of the corresponding control device, a coupling known per se can be used to enable automated sailing operation for a motor vehicle with hand-geared transmission.

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:

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a motor vehicle and

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

1 shows a motor vehicle 100. The motor vehicle 100 includes a drive motor 102, which can be coupled by means of a drive train 104 with drive wheels 106. In this case, the drive motor 102 preferably comprises an internal combustion engine, in particular a reciprocating engine. The powertrain 104 includes a clutch 108, a transmission 1 10, an optional propshaft 1 12 and an optional differential gear 1 14th

To actuate the clutch 108 is a driver of the motor vehicle 100 a

Actuator 1 16 available. The actuator unit 16 usually includes a foot pedal or a hand switch. The actuation unit 16 can act mechanically directly on the coupling 108. However, in a preferred embodiment, the actuator unit 16 provides an electrical signal based on which an actuator 16 is controlled to cause the clutch 108 to disengage or close. In this case, the actuator 1 is 18 preferably electrically controllable. In one embodiment, the actuator 1 18 includes an electric motor with an optional gear assembly that acts on the clutch 108 to disconnect or close it. In a preferred embodiment, the actuator 1 18 comprises a hydraulic transmission path, in which the electric motor acts on a master piston whose movement is transmitted hydraulically to a slave piston, which then causes the separation or closing of the clutch 108.

Similarly, the transmission 1 10 can be controlled by the driver of the motor vehicle 1 10. A selector 120 allows the driver to control or request the engagement of a gear on the transmission 1 10. In one embodiment, the selection device 120 comprises a mechanical device whose movement is transmitted directly to the transmission 110 in order to control the gear change operation there. In another embodiment, there is no direct mechanical coupling between the selector 120 and the transmission 1 10, but the position, or movement of the selector 120 is scanned and an electrical signal is determined, based on which another actuator 122, the engaged gear stage of Gear 1 10 controls. The actuator 122 may include one or more electric motors. It can also be provided a control device that automatically or automatically inserts the gear selected in gear 1 10. In this case, a gear change operation can be triggered by the driver, for example, by this actuates the actuator unit 1 16 for the clutch 108. A gear change can also be controlled completely automatically in one embodiment.

For the operation of the motor vehicle 102, one or more ancillary units 124 may be provided. The ancillary units 124 usually comprise units which are important for the operation of the motor vehicle 100, for example a hydraulic pump for a steering assistance or an air conditioning compressor for an air conditioning system of the motor vehicle 100. In a further embodiment, aggregates 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 accessories 120 are adapted to be directly driven by the drive motor 102. In order to prevent an accessory 124 from being driven off while the drive motor 102 is switched off and the motor vehicle 100 is in motion, a drive device 126 may be provided. The drive device 126 preferably includes an electric motor and may be configured to drive one or more of the accessories 124. One or more of the ancillaries 124 may also be mounted to the powertrain 104 such that they are driven as long as the motor vehicle 100 is in motion, that is, in the region between the clutch 108 and the drive wheels 106. In yet another embodiment, one or more several ancillaries 124 may be coupled to a non-driven wheel 128 of the motor vehicle 100.

For controlling the clutch 108, a control device 130 is provided. The control device 130 comprises 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, such as speed and information about an upcoming route, and the controller 130 may be configured to self-determine the request for sail 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 is disconnected from the powertrain 104 to save fuel. As a result, for example, a downward slope or a coasting phase can be used in the context of a holding process or a deceleration to save fuel of the drive motor 102. 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, the drive motor 102 is turned off during sail operation. For this purpose, the control device 130 can act on the drive motor 102 or a corresponding control device by means of a second interface 134. Via the second interface 134, it is also possible to control starting of the drive motor 102 when the sailing operation is terminated.

Via a third interface 136, the control device 130 can cause an opening of the clutch 108. In this case, the opening of the clutch 108 by the control device 130 takes precedence over an actuation or a lack of actuation of the actuation unit 16 by the driver of the motor vehicle 100. Such a priority circuit can be achieved by a logical OR operation between signals of the actuation device 16 and the control unit. ereinrichtung 130 take place. The OR condition can be implemented mechanically, electrically or hydraulically. In another embodiment, an electrical signal of the actuator unit 1 16 is not passed directly to the actuator 1 18, but to the control device 130, which optionally discards the signal and the clutch 108 in the sailing operation regardless of the position or actuation of the actuator unit 16 16 separates.

Via an optional fourth interface 138, the control device 130 can also prevent a gear change or the insertion of idling in the transmission 1 10 by the driver of the motor vehicle 100. For this purpose, a logical combination between signals of the selector 120 and the control device 130 can again take place, which can also be implemented, for example, electrically, hydraulically or mechanically. An electrical signal of the selector 120 may also be provided to the controller 130 which, in response to normal operation or sailing operation, forwards or discards the signal to the actuator 122 to provide its own signal. In yet another embodiment, a locking device 140 is provided, which mechanically locks a gear engaged in the transmission 1 10 and thus prevents their change. The locking device 140 may optionally be attached to the transmission 1 10 or to the selector 120.

Finally, the control device 130 may still have a fifth interface 142 through which it can set the drive device 126 in motion when the drive motor 102 is switched off during the sailing operation.

FIG. 2 shows a flow chart of a method for controlling the clutch 108 of the motor vehicle 100 from FIG. 1. The method 200 is set up in particular for execution on the control device 130.

In a first step 205, a condition for initiating the sailing operation is detected. In a subsequent step 210 it is checked whether the condition is fulfilled. If this is not the case, the motor vehicle 100 is in normal operation and the method 200 returns to step 205.

If the condition is met, then in an optional step 215 a change in the gear stage of the transmission 10 or an engagement of the idling is prevented. In addition, the clutch 108 is triggered to disconnect to disconnect the drive motor 102 from the powertrain 104. In a step 220, furthermore, an actuation of the coupling 108 by means of the actuating unit 16 can be prevented.

In one embodiment of the method 200, the drive device 126 is further actuated to drive one or more of the auxiliary units 124 before the drive motor 102 is switched off in a step 235. It can be seen that the order of steps 215 to 235 can be varied virtually as desired. Some of these steps can also be performed simultaneously.

At this point of the method 200, the motor vehicle 100 is in sailing mode. To return to normal operation from there, the following steps 240 through 270 may be performed.

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

Otherwise, in a step 250, the drive motor 102 is restarted, if it was previously turned off in step 235. If necessary, in a step 255, the drive device 126 is turned off if it has been turned on in step 230.

In step 260, the clutch actuation is unlocked if it has been locked in step 225. In addition, in step 265, the clutch 108 is closed again. In an optional embodiment, the closing of the clutch 108 may be omitted if at this time the actuator 1 16 is actuated by the driver of the motor vehicle 100. In any case, the control of the clutch 108 in this position is returned to the driver, so that this can control the separation and closing of the clutch 108 itself by means of the actuator 1 16 as before the initiation of the sailing operation. Finally, in a step 270, the locking of the transmission 1 10 is canceled, if it is done in step 215. Also, steps 250 to 270 can obviously be swapped arbitrarily in their order, and some of the steps can also be performed in parallel.

LIST OF REFERENCES

100 motor vehicle

102 drive motor

104 powertrain

106 drive wheels

108 clutch

1 10 gearbox

112 cardan shaft

1 14 differential gear

1 16 operating unit

1 18 actuator

120 selection device

122 actuator

124 accessory

126 drive device

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 procedures

205 Detect condition for initiating sail operation

210 condition fulfilled?

215 Lock the transmission control 220 Disconnect the coupling

225 Lock clutch operation

230 Drive auxiliary unit

235 drive motor off

240 Detect Condition for terminating sail operation

245 condition fulfilled?

250 drive motor on

255 Stop the auxiliary drive

260 Unlock clutch activation

265 Close the clutch

270 Unlock gearbox actuation

Claims

claims

Method (200) for controlling a clutch (108) of a motor vehicle (100) that can be actuated by means of a driver-controlled actuating unit (1 16), the method (200) comprising the following steps:

Detecting (210) that a condition for initiating a sailing operation of the motor vehicle (100) is met;

Disconnecting (220) the clutch (108) to initiate sailing operation;

characterized in that

the disconnection (220) is independent of any actuation of the actuation unit (1 16) that is occurring or not occurring.

The method (200) of claim 1, wherein the clutch (108) is actuable by means of an actuator (1 18) based on a position of the driver-controlled actuator unit (1 16) and the actuator (1 18) is controlled, the clutch (108 ) regardless of the position of the operating unit (1 18) to separate.

Method (200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the clutch (108) controls a force connection between a drive motor (102) and a transmission (110) and prevents a manual change of a gear stage of the transmission (110) during the sailing operation (215 ) becomes.

The method (200) of claim 3, wherein the engagement of the idle on the transmission (1 10) is prevented (215).

Method (200) according to one of claims 3 or 4, wherein a gear stage of the transmission (1 10) can be changed by means of an actuator (122) and the actuator (122) is driven 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.

Method (200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein during the sailing operation a drive motor (102) of the motor vehicle (100) is switched off and a drive device (126) is activated in order to drive an auxiliary unit (126), which ßerhalb the sailing operation of the drive motor (102) is drivable.

8. clutch (108) for a drive train (104) of a motor vehicle (100), comprising an actuator (1 18) for actuating the clutch (108) and a control device (130) which is adapted to detect that a condition to initiate a sailing operation of the motor vehicle (100) is met and to separate the clutch (108) regardless of a current or absent operation of a driver-controlled actuator unit (1 16) for the clutch to initiate the sailing operation.

9. clutch (108) according to claim 8, wherein the actuator (1 18) is electrically controllable.