Method of and apparatus for transmitting torque in vehicular power trains

US7286922B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• LuK Getriebe-Systeme GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Robert Fischer · Bogen, DE
• Uwe Wagner · Volketswil, CH
• Jürgen Freitag · Ottersweier, DE
• Johannes Braun · Langenthal, CH
• Anton Rink · Calw, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 22, 1995
• Grant date: Oct 23, 2007
• Expiry date: Feb 22, 2015

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F16H2342/044
• WIPO field: Mechanical elements
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

The magnitude of torque which can be transmitted by a bypass clutch between the housing and the turbine of a torque converter between a prime mover, such as an engine, and an automatic transmission in the power train of a motor vehicle is selectively regulatable by a computerized regulating unit. The regulation involves the transmission of torque by the clutch in dependency upon the magnitude of the torque being transmitted by the output element of the engine and ascertaining as well as adaptively applying to the clutch a variable force so that the clutch can transmit a predetermined torque. This entails automatic selection of a minimum slip between a torque receiving and a torque transmitting part of the power train. Compensation, particularly long-range compensation, is carried out for the existence of possible differences between the predetermined and actual torques being transmitted by the clutch.