JP2005220937A - Automatic clutch control device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic clutch control device capable of appropriately performing first clutch engagement control after engine start. <P>SOLUTION: In the automatic clutch control device engaging and disengaging a clutch 3 with using hydraulic and provided with a clutch control means basically disengaging the clutch 3 when a gear position of a transmission T/M is in a parking or a neutral position, and a start detection means for detecting start of an engine E, the clutch control means executes instantaneous engagement control operating the clutch 3 in an engagement direction for a predetermined period of time at least one time when start of the engine E is detected by the start detection means 7 and the gear position is in the parking or the neutral position. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic clutch control device that connects and disconnects a clutch using hydraulic pressure, and more particularly to an automatic clutch control device that can appropriately perform clutch engagement control that is performed first after engine startup.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an automatic clutch control device that automatically connects and disconnects a clutch of a vehicle or the like using hydraulic pressure is known.

  The automatic clutch control device usually includes an oil pump connected to the crankshaft of the engine, and connects and disconnects the clutch by switching a valve for guiding the oil pressurized by the oil pump to the operating mechanism of the clutch.

  Some of these automatic clutch control devices strictly control the clutch engagement operation in order to eliminate the shock at the time of clutch engagement and reduce the time required for the connection. For example, there is one that operates in the contact direction relatively abruptly before the point (torque point) before the torque on the input side of the clutch starts to be transmitted to the output side, and then gradually connects. Such clutch engagement control is executed according to a program set and stored in advance.

  As described above, since the oil pump of the automatic clutch control device is driven by the engine, the oil pump also stops when the engine stops, and the hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic circuit decreases (see Patent Documents 1 to 3). ). Furthermore, when this state (engine stop state) is continued for a long period of time, the oil filled in the hydraulic circuit escapes through a minute gap such as a valve, so that the amount of oil in the hydraulic circuit decreases. In addition, air may enter the hydraulic circuit.

JP 2001-30801 A JP-A-8-14076 JP 2000-46175 A

  However, since the clutch engagement control program described above is created on the assumption that the hydraulic circuit is sufficiently filled with oil, after the engine has been stopped for a long time and the amount of oil in the hydraulic circuit has decreased, When trying to connect the clutch for the first time after starting the engine, there is a mismatch between the control program and the actual oil amount, which takes a long time to connect the clutch, and causes the clutch connection feeling to vary or worsen Sometimes.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic clutch control device capable of solving the above-described problems and appropriately performing clutch engagement control that is performed first after the engine is started.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a clutch control means for engaging and disengaging a clutch using hydraulic pressure, and basically disengaging the clutch when the gear position of the transmission is a parking or neutral position. An automatic clutch control device comprising: a start detection means for detecting start of the engine; and when the start of the engine is detected by the start detection means, the clutch control means In the neutral position, instantaneous contact control for operating the clutch in the contact direction for a predetermined period is executed at least once.

  Here, the instantaneous contact control may operate the clutch in the contact direction for a period shorter than a period necessary for the clutch to be completely connected.

  According to the present invention, since the instantaneous contact control is performed before the first clutch engagement control after the engine is started, the hydraulic circuit can be filled with oil. Accordingly, it is possible to appropriately perform the clutch engagement control that is performed first after the engine is started.

  Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  First, an outline of a vehicle power transmission device to which the automatic clutch control device of this embodiment is applied will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in the figure, the power transmission device includes a fluid coupling 2 (here, a torque converter) connected to the crankshaft 1 of the engine E, and a speed change clutch 3 (here, a wet type clutch) connected to the output shaft of the fluid coupling 2. Plate clutch) and a transmission T / M (here, a manual two-shaft transmission) coupled to the output shaft of the transmission clutch 3.

  The fluid coupling 2 includes a lockup clutch 5 for integrally connecting the input side and the output side of the fluid coupling 2.

  The lock-up clutch 5 and the transmission clutch 3 are operated by hydraulic pressure, and the automatic clutch control device automatically connects and disconnects the clutches 5 and 3 by switching the supply and discharge of oil to and from the clutches 5 and 3. 6 is provided. The hydraulic circuit for operating these clutches 5 and 3 will be described in detail later.

  Detection values of sensors provided in each part of the power transmission device are input to the control device 6, and the control device 6 controls connection / disconnection of the lockup clutch 5 and the transmission clutch 3 based on the detection values of these sensors.

  As various sensors, an engine rotation sensor 7 that detects the rotation speed of the crankshaft 1 of the engine E, a turbine rotation sensor 9 that detects the rotation speed of the input shaft of the transmission clutch 3 (the output shaft of the fluid coupling 2), and the transmission clutch 3 T / M rotation sensor 10 for detecting the rotation speed of the output shaft (input shaft of the transmission T / M), the vehicle speed sensor 11 for detecting the rotation speed of the output shaft of the transmission T / M, and the depression amount of the accelerator pedal 12 There are an accelerator opening sensor 13 for detecting the brake pedal, a brake pedal sensor 16 for detecting the depression amount of the brake pedal 15, a shift lever sensor 19 for detecting the operation of the shift lever 17 by the driver, and the like.

  In this power transmission device, when the vehicle starts, the shift clutch 3 is engaged and the lockup clutch 5 is disconnected, and the vehicle starts with the creep force of the fluid coupling 2. Then, after the vehicle has started, the lockup clutch 5 is connected, and after that, when the shift operation of the driver is detected by the shift lever sensor 19, the transmission clutch 3 is connected and disconnected to allow the transmission operation of the transmission T / M. To do. Further, if the vehicle speed is reduced to a certain level when the vehicle is about to stop, the lock-up clutch 5 is disconnected to prevent engine stall. That is, in this power transmission device, the lock-up clutch 5 is used to allow the vehicle to start and stop, and the transmission clutch 3 is used to allow the transmission T / M to shift.

  A hydraulic circuit that operates the lock-up clutch 5 and the shift clutch 3 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in the figure, the hydraulic circuit has a supply line 46 that is connected to an oil tank 45 and includes a filter F and an oil pump OP. The oil pump OP is connected to the crankshaft 1 (see FIG. 1) of the engine E. When the engine E is driven, the oil in the oil tank 45 is supplied to the supply line 46. The oil pressure in the supply line 46 is maintained at a preset pressure by the relief valve 47.

  A lockup clutch control valve 49 is connected to the supply line 46 via a line 48. The lockup clutch control valve 49 can connect and disconnect the lockup clutch 5 by switching the direction of the pressure oil flowing to the fluid coupling 2 (lockup clutch 5). The lockup clutch control valve 49 is connected to oil return lines 50 and 60 for returning the pressure oil that has passed through the lockup clutch 5 to the oil tank 45. The oil return line 50 is provided with a throttle valve 51, a cooler 52, a relief valve 53, and the like.

  The lockup clutch control valve 49 is switched by an electromagnetic valve 56 provided on a signal line 55 connected to the supply line 46.

  That is, when the electromagnetic valve 56 is closed by the control device 6, the lockup clutch control valve 49 is in the state shown in the figure, and the pressure oil from the line 48 flows to the oil discharge line 36, the lockup clutch 5, and the oil supply line 37. And return from the oil return line 50 to the oil tank 45. At this time, the pressure oil flowing in the lock-up clutch 5 operates the lock-up clutch 5 in the disconnecting direction.

  On the other hand, when the electromagnetic valve 56 is opened, the set pressure oil is supplied from the signal line 55 to the lockup clutch control valve 49, and the lockup clutch control valve 49 is switched. Then, the pressure oil from the line 48 flows in the opposite direction to the oil supply line 37, the lockup clutch 5, and the oil discharge line 36, and returns from the oil return line 60 to the oil tank 45. In this case, the pressure oil flowing in the lockup clutch 5 operates the lockup clutch 5 in the contact direction.

  In this way, the lockup clutch 5 is connected / disconnected by controlling the opening / closing of the electromagnetic valve 56 by the control device 6.

  Further, a shift clutch control valve 61 is connected to the supply line 46 via a line 68. The transmission clutch 3 can be connected / disconnected by switching the supply / discharge of oil to / from the operating mechanism 30 of the transmission clutch 3 by the transmission clutch control valve 61.

  The shift clutch control valve 61 is switched by an electromagnetic valve 63 provided on a signal line 62 connected to the supply line 46.

  That is, as shown in the figure, when the electromagnetic valve 63 is opened by the control device 6, the set pressure pressure oil is supplied from the signal line 62 to the transmission clutch control valve 61, and the transmission clutch control valve 61 is closed. Accordingly, no pressure oil is supplied to the operating mechanism 30, and the transmission clutch 3 is operated to the disconnected side by the urging force of the spring 42 of the operating mechanism 30.

  On the other hand, when the electromagnetic valve 63 is closed, the shift clutch control valve 61 is switched to open. As a result, the pressure oil is supplied to the operating mechanism 30 through the oil supply line 69, the piston 43 of the operating mechanism 30 is moved against the urging force of the spring 42, and the transmission clutch 3 is operated to the contact side.

  Thus, the transmission clutch 3 is connected / disconnected by controlling the opening / closing of the electromagnetic valve 63 by the control device 6. The “clutch control means” in the “Claims” comprehensively includes mechanisms necessary for connecting and disconnecting the transmission clutch 3, such as the operating mechanism 30, the transmission clutch control valve 61, the electromagnetic valve 63, and the control device 6. It is called.

  In the present embodiment, when the gear position of the transmission T / M is a gear position other than the traveling gear stage, that is, when the gear position is the parking position (P) or the neutral position (N). Basically, the transmission clutch 3 is disengaged. This is because the shift clutch 3 is disengaged to reduce the load on the starter motor when the engine is started, and to reduce the engine load when the engine is operating, thereby improving fuel efficiency.

  Further, when the transmission clutch 3 is connected, the control device 6 executes predetermined predetermined clutch engagement control. In the present embodiment, the transmission clutch 3 is operated in the contact direction relatively abruptly until a point (torque point) at which the torque of the input shaft of the transmission clutch 3 starts to be transmitted to the output shaft, and then gradually connected. According to this, it is possible to shorten the clutch connection time and reduce the connection shock. The contents of this clutch engagement control are set and stored in advance in the control device 6 as a control program for the amount of current supplied to the electromagnetic valve 63, and the control device 6 connects the transmission clutch 3 according to the program.

  By the way, this clutch engagement control program is set on the assumption that the hydraulic circuit (supply line 46, line 68, oil supply line 69, signal line 62, etc.) that operates the transmission clutch 3 is sufficiently filled with oil. The However, as described in the “Background Art” section, when the engine E stops, the oil pump OP stops, so the hydraulic pressure in those hydraulic circuits decreases. Further, when the engine E is stopped for a long time, the oil in the hydraulic circuit is discharged through a fine gap, and the amount of oil is reduced. Further, air may be mixed in the hydraulic circuit.

  Thereafter, when the engine E is started, the oil pump OP is driven, so that the oil is filled up to the supply line 46, the line 68, and the signal line 62. As described above, the gear position of the transmission T / M Is a gear position other than the traveling gear stage (that is, a parking or neutral position, and usually when the engine E is started, the transmission T / M is located in these gear positions). In order to disengage the transmission clutch 3, the electromagnetic valve 63 is opened and the transmission clutch control valve 61 is closed. For this reason, the oil supply line 69 remains unfilled with oil.

  In this state, when the driver gears the transmission T / M into the starting stage, the control device 6 connects the transmission clutch 3 in accordance with the program. However, since the oil amount in the oil supply line 69 is reduced, the clutch There is a possibility that it takes a long time to connect, and that the connection feeling may vary or deteriorate.

  Therefore, the automatic clutch control device of the present embodiment is devised so as to be able to appropriately perform the shift clutch engagement control that is performed first after the engine E is started.

  Specifically, when the engine E is started, before the transmission T / M is shifted to the traveling gear stage (starting stage), that is, when the gear position is a parking or neutral position, 3 is executed at least once for instantaneous contact control that operates 3 in the contact direction for a predetermined period.

  According to this, since the transmission clutch control valve 61 is temporarily opened after the engine E is started, the oil supply line 69 is filled with oil. Therefore, even if the transmission clutch 3 is subsequently connected in accordance with a predetermined program, the connection period is not prolonged, and the connection feeling does not vary or deteriorate.

  In this embodiment, the engine rotation sensor 7 shown in FIG. 1 is used as the start detection means for detecting the start of the engine E. That is, it is determined that the engine E has started when the detection value of the engine rotation sensor 7 has increased from zero to a predetermined value (for example, idle rotation speed).

  If the engine rotation sensor 7 detects the start of the engine E, the control device 6 temporarily closes the electromagnetic valve 63 even though the gear position of the transmission T / M is a parking position or a neutral position. To do. As a result, the shift clutch control valve 61 is switched to open, and the oil in the line 68 is filled into the oil supply line 69. If the control device 6 closes the electromagnetic valve 63 for a predetermined period set in advance, the control device 6 opens the electromagnetic valve 63 again. As a result, the shift clutch control valve 61 is closed.

  Here, the period during which the electromagnetic valve 63 is closed (the period during which the transmission clutch 3 is operated in the contact direction) is set shorter than the period necessary for the transmission clutch 3 to be completely connected. That is, the predetermined period is set so that the speed change clutch 3 is not completely connected by instantaneous contact control. This is to prevent the vehicle from moving due to the transmission clutch 3 being connected. Of course, when the instantaneous contact control is executed, since the gear position of the transmission T / M is a parking or neutral position, the vehicle does not start even if the transmission clutch 3 is completely connected. So, in order to implement a double safety measure, this is the setting. The instantaneous contact control is not intended to increase the oil pressure in the oil supply line 69 but to fill the oil in the oil supply line 69, so that it is not necessary to supply oil until the transmission clutch 3 is completely connected. It depends on the reason.

  The number of times that the instantaneous contact control is executed is set to a value that allows the oil supply line 69 to be sufficiently filled (to the same level as when the engine is operating) in consideration of the characteristics of the hydraulic circuit. It should be noted that the air mixed in the oil supply line 69 can be effectively discharged from the oil return line 65 by performing the instantaneous contact control at intervals of a plurality of times, so that it can be executed at least twice. preferable.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

  For example, the power transmission device is shown as an example, and can be applied to other power transmission devices such as those equipped with an automatic transmission. That is, the present invention can be applied to any type of power transmission device as long as it has an automatic clutch control means for controlling connection / disconnection of the transmission clutch 3 using hydraulic pressure.

  Further, when the engine E is restarted in a short period after being stopped, it can be estimated that the oil amount in the oil supply line 69 is reduced and the air is less mixed, so that the engine E is stopped and restarted. The above-described instantaneous contact control may be executed only when the measured value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

  Further, the engine E start detection means is not limited to the engine rotation sensor 7, and other means such as a means for determining the start of the engine E based on the position of the ignition key may be used.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the instantaneous contact control is executed when the engine E is started. However, there is a state where the gear position of the transmission T / M is in the parking or neutral position, that is, the state where the transmission clutch 3 is disconnected. Even when the operation continues for a long period of time, it is considered that oil leakage or air may enter the refueling line 69. You may make it perform control.

It is the schematic of the power transmission device to which the automatic clutch control apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention is applied. It is explanatory drawing of the working hydraulic circuit of a transmission clutch.

Explanation of symbols

2 Fluid coupling 3 Shift clutch 5 Lock-up clutch 6 Control device 7 Engine rotation sensor (start detection means)
E Engine T / M Transmission

Claims (2)

When the gear position of the transmission is in the parking or neutral position, the clutch control means for disengaging the clutch and the start detection for detecting the start of the engine. An automatic clutch control device comprising:
The clutch control means includes
When the start of the engine is detected by the start detection means, when the gear position is the parking or neutral position, the instantaneous contact control for operating the clutch in the contact direction for a predetermined period is executed at least once. An automatic clutch control device characterized by the above. 2. The automatic clutch control device according to claim 1, wherein the instantaneous contact control is such that the clutch is operated in the contact direction for a period shorter than a period necessary for the clutch to be completely connected.

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