Method and apparatus for controlling an electromagnetic clutch for use on a vehicle
US4624349A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 25, 1984 |
| Grant date | Nov 25, 1986 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 25, 2004 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16D2500/7061
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Method and apparatus for controlling an electromagnetic clutch of a vehicle to transmit a torque of the engine to the drive wheels through an engaging action thereof which is effected by a solenoid, a clutch torque to be transmitted by the clutch being varied as a function of an electric current to energize the solenoid so as to be increased with an actual speed of the engine during the engaging action of the clutch. The method or apparatus comprises: a step or device for detecting a currently required output of the engine during a period of the engaging action of the clutch; and a step or device for changing a rate of increase in the electric current relative to the actual speed of the engine, so that the rate of increase is increased as the required output of the engine is decreased. The clutch may be of magnetic powder type. The controlling method or apparatus may comprise a step or device for controlling the electric current even after completion of the clutch engagement, based on the actual output torque of the engine, such that the clutch torque is larger than the actual output torque of the engine and smaller than an allowable upper limit torque of the engine.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.