IP Library Granted Patent US 7,235,037
Granted Patent B2
US 7,235,037 · App. 11/076,724 · Granted Jun 26, 2007

Friction launch control system for a vehicle

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,235,037
App. No.
11/076,724
Granted
Jun 26, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

A launch control system for a vehicle having an engine includes a clutch that selectively enables torque transfer from the engine. A control module determines a launch torque based on a throttle position and an engine speed to achieve a target engine stall speed. The control module determines a clutch torque based on the launch torque and that regulates engagement of the clutch based on the clutch torque.

Claims (23)

1. A method of regulating torque transfer through a clutch during a vehicle launch, comprising:

determining a launch torque trajectory of said clutch from a plurality of launch torque curves based on a throttle position and an engine speed;

calculating a clutch torque based on said launch torque trajectory; and

regulating engagement of said clutch based on said clutch torque.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said launch torque is determined based on an initial launch torque and a modifier.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said initial launch torque is determined based on said throttle position and said engine speed.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein said modifier is determined based on a speed ratio across said clutch and said throttle position.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising determining a lock torque for a clutch of a vehicle transmission, wherein said clutch torque is further calculated based on said lock torque.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said lock torque is determined based on an engine torque.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said clutch torque is determined based on a lock-up variable.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein said lock-up variable is based on a lock-up state of said clutch and has a value that ranges from 0 to 1.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein said lock-up variable is determined based on said throttle position and a speed of an output shaft.

10. A method of controlling a vehicle launch, comprising:

determining a launch torque of a clutch based on a throttle position and an engine speed;

calculating a clutch torque based on a lock torque and said launch torque; and

regulating engagement of said clutch based on said clutch torque.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein said launch torque is determined based on an initial launch torque and a modifier.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said initial launch torque is determined based on said throttle position and said engine speed.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein said modifier is determined based on said throttle position and a speed ratio across said clutch.

14. The method of claim 10 wherein said lock torque is determined based on an engine torque.

15. The method of claim 10 wherein said clutch torque is determined based on a lock-up variable.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said lock-up variable is based on a lock-up state of said clutch and has a value that ranges from 0 to 1.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein said lock-up variable is determined based on said throttle position and a speed of an output shaft.

Assignments (12)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2014
From: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 034371/0676 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 10, 2011
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 025780/0936 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 8, 2010
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 025327/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 4, 2010
From: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025245/0442 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 4, 2010
From: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025311/0770 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 28, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
Reel/Frame 023162/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 27, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 023156/0052 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 21, 2009
From: CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR BANK PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES; CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR HEDGE PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 023127/0468 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 20, 2009
From: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 023124/0429 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 16, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR BANK PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES; CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR HEDGE PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES
Reel/Frame 022553/0446 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 4, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 022201/0405 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 26, 2005
From: SHUSHAN BAI, DONALD L. DUSENBERRY; MAGUIRE, JOEL M.; PHILLIPS, ANDREW W.
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 016156/0589 →