The invention relates to the actuation of a converter lock-up clutch (44) of a hydrodynamic torque converter (4) in a vehicle drive-train by means of a safety function where, in addition to a driving strategy function, the safety function can actuate the converter lock-up clutch (44) by issuing a clutch actuation command. For this purpose, at least one rotation speed at the torque converter (4) is monitored. If the monitored rotation speed is below a rotation speed threshold, the safety function commands an actuation of the converter lock-up clutch (44) in its opening direction.

A work vehicle includes a rotary member, a support member, a sealing ring, a pressure controller, and a vehicle speed determination component. The rotary member has a first hydraulic fluid supply channel to supply the hydraulic fluid to the steering clutch, and is rotated by power from the transmission when the steering clutch is engaged. The sealing ring is disposed between the rotary member and the support member and is mounted adjacent to the connected part between the first hydraulic fluid supply channel and the second hydraulic fluid supply channel. The pressure controller controls the engagement pressure to be a specific first pressure when the vehicle speed is determined not to be equal to or greater than a specific speed, and controls the engagement pressure to decrease from the first pressure when the vehicle speed is determined to be equal to or greater than a specific speed.

The present invention relates to a method for optimizing kinetic energy for an automobile and an intelligent clutch (i-clutch) system thereof. The method comprises dynamically receiving, at a controller [210], one or more parameters from at least one of a braking pressure sensor [202], a speed sensor [204] and an acceleration pressure sensor [206] of the automobile. Next, the controller [210] continuously determines an operating condition of the automobile based on the received one or more parameters. Subsequently, the controller [210] generates a trigger based on the determined operating condition of the automobile to activate an intelligent clutch (i-clutch) [212]. Lastly, the i-clutch [212] disconnects a prime mover and a driving shaft of the automobile to optimize kinetic energy of the automobile.

A vehicle includes a powertrain having a powerplant and a clutch that selectively couples the powerplant to an axle. A controller is programmed to, in response to the powertrain being in a power-limiting routine, command a torque to the powerplant based on an error between a target slip of the clutch and a slip of the clutch.

This transmission device includes a mode changeover switch (59) on which a mode changeover operation between a manual mode (M2) and an automated mode (M1) is externally performed, other operation unit (80) on which a predetermined shift operation is externally performed separately from the mode changeover switch (59), and a control unit (60) configured to control a mode changeover between the manual mode (M2) and the automated mode (M1). The control unit (60) executes the mode changeover between the manual mode (M2) and the automated mode (M1) on the basis of the mode changeover operation on the mode changeover switch (59). When the shift operation on the other operation unit (80) has been performed, the control unit (60) executes the mode changeover between the manual mode (M2) and the automated mode (M1).

A sensorless clutch state feedback method is provided including a driveline disconnect. To engage the sensorless disconnect, respective speeds of a motor assembly and the sensorless disconnect are synchronized to within a speed delta threshold of each other, a control system facilitates the engagement of the motor assembly and the sensorless disconnect, and the control system determines the success of the engagement by the motor speed response of the motor assembly (e.g., whether the presence of a load is detected).

Embodiments of the present invention provide an electric machine control system for a vehicle, the electric machine control system comprising one or more controllers, wherein the vehicle comprises an electric machine arranged to be selectively coupleable to provide torque to at least one wheel of an axle of the vehicle, the control system comprising input means to receive (1110) a fault-derived coupling state request (430) signal and (1120) at least one further coupling state request signal, wherein each coupling state request signal is indicative of a request for a coupling state of the electric machine to the at least one wheel of the axle, processing means arranged to determine (1130) the coupling state of the electric machine to the at least one wheel of the axle in dependence on the fault-derived coupling state request signal (430) and the at least one further coupling state request signal, wherein the processing means is arranged to determine the coupling state of the electric machine in precedence on the fault-derived coupling state request signal over the at least one further coupling state request signal, and output means arranged to output (1140) a coupling signal indicative of the determined coupling state to control coupling of the electric machine to the at least one wheel of the axle.

Methods and systems are provided for a vehicle hill control. An example of a method may include during a vehicle stopped condition, operating with a clutch of a transmission engaged to mechanically lock the transmission, the transmission having a plurality of power inputs including receiving input from an electric machine and a prime mover; releasing at least one of the clutch or a service brake, and while releasing, concurrently adjusting an output magnitude of the electric machine responsive to speed control to control to a zero vehicle speed. In some examples, the method may further include learning a torque output of the electric machine required to maintain the zero vehicle speed upon fully releasing the clutch or service brake. In an example, the method may include estimating a road grade based on the learned torque output.

Methods of controlling a tandem axle assembly in a vehicle, the tandem axle assembly including an inter-axle differential (IAD), one or more side gears, and a front tandem axle assembly having a pair of front tandem axle half shafts selectively connected to a pair of front tandem axle wheel hub assemblies. When a determined speed of the vehicle is greater or equal to a predetermined speed, the IAD may be locked, the tandem axle wheel hub assemblies may be disconnected from their respective tandem axle shafts, and/or the IAD may be moved out of engagement with the one or more side gears. When a determined speed of the vehicle is less than a predetermined speed, the IAD may be unlocked, the tandem axle wheel hub assemblies may be connected to their respective tandem axle shafts, and/or the IAD may be engaged with the one or more side gears.

Methods and systems are provided for controlling and diagnosing one or more clutches in a transmission. In one example, a method for operation of a vehicle system is provided that includes at a diagnostic controller or processing unit independent from a driveline controller or processing unit, respectively, determining an engagement state of a clutch in a transmission of the vehicle system, wherein the engagement state is selected from a group of three or more clutch engagement states. The method further includes identifying an unauthorized clutch state based on the engagement state of the clutch and a speed of the vehicle and responsive to the identification of the unauthorized clutch state, operating the vehicle system in a fault state.