IP Library Granted Patent US 8,105,205
Granted Patent B2
US 8,105,205 · App. 12/214,931 · Granted Jan 31, 2012

Method and device for adjusting the friction coefficient of a friction clutch situated in a hybrid power train

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,105,205
App. No.
12/214,931
Granted
Jan 31, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for adjusting the friction coefficient of a friction clutch situated in a hybrid power train between an electric machine and a combustion engine, actuated by a clutch actuator, the friction coefficient is adjusted by a torque transmitted by the friction clutch, which is determined when starting the combustion engine by the electric machine.

Claims (14)

1. A method for adjusting a torque characteristic curve or a friction coefficient of a friction clutch situated in a hybrid power train between an electric machine and a combustion engine, actuated by a clutch actuator, comprising:

adjusting the torque characteristic curve or friction coefficient by a torque transmitted by the friction clutch, the torque being determined when starting the combustion engine by the electric machine,

wherein the adjusting step includes the following steps:

actuating the friction clutch to crank-start the combustion engine in accordance with an old torque characteristic curve, in such a way that the friction clutch transmits a target torque definitely sufficient to start the combustion engine;

detecting a change in speed of the combustion engine;

determining an actual clutch torque from the change in engine speed, a moment of inertia and a torque of the combustion engine; and

adjusting the old torque characteristic curve or friction coefficient so that the target torque matches an actual torque.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the actual clutch torque is determined when the combustion engine is not yet firing.

3. The method as recited in claim 2 wherein the combustion engine has a drag torque, the drag torque being taken into account as a function of operating parameters of the combustion engine.

4. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the actual clutch torque can be determined when the combustion engine is already producing torque.

5. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the adjustment of the old torque characteristic curve or friction coefficient occurs incrementally.

6. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the adjustment of the old torque characteristic curve or friction coefficient does not occur until the friction clutch is fully engaged.

7. A device for adjusting the torque characteristic curve or the friction coefficient of a friction clutch situated in a hybrid power train between an electric machine and a combustion engine, actuated by an actuator, the device comprising:

an electronic control device with inputs connected to sensors for detecting operating states of the hybrid power train, and at least one output connected to the actuator, the control device including a torque characteristic curve that specifies a transmissible clutch torque as a function of the setting of the clutch actuator, and a program that adjusts the torque characteristic curve or friction coefficient in accordance with a method as recited in claim 1 .

Assignments (7)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE PROPERTY NUMBERS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 037732 FRAME 0347. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE APP. NO. 14/553248 SHOULD BE APP. NO. 14/553258. Recorded Oct 11, 2016
From: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
To: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
Reel/Frame 040404/0530 →
MERGER AND CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 5, 2016
From: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG; SCHAEFFLER VERWALTUNGS 5 GMBH
To: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
Reel/Frame 037732/0228 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 5, 2016
From: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
To: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
Reel/Frame 037732/0347 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Mar 23, 2012
From: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
To: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
Reel/Frame 027921/0346 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 21, 2011
From: LUK VERMOEGENSVERWALTUNGSGESELLSCHAFT MBH
To: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
Reel/Frame 027423/0644 →
MERGER Recorded Dec 6, 2011
From: LUK LAMELLEN UND KUPPLUNGSBAU BETEILIGUNGS KG
To: LUK VERMOEGENSVERWALTUNGSGESELLSCHAFT MBH
Reel/Frame 027343/0224 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 10, 2008
From: REUSCHEL, MICHAEL
To: LUK LAMELLEN UND KUPPLUNGSBAU BETEILIGUNGS KG
Reel/Frame 021518/0762 →