METHOD FOR MONITORING THE FUNCTIONS OF A FRICTION CLUTCH

Abstract

A method is disclosed for monitoring the functions of a friction clutch which is arranged in a vehicle between a drive motor and a compressor of a compressed air supply system and which can be disengaged and engaged pneumatically. In a delivery mode of the compressor, at least one operating parameter is detected by sensor and evaluated in an electronic control unit. When a slipping condition of the friction clutch is identified, a value for a cut-off pressure of the compressor stored in the electronic control unit is reduced. When a slipping condition has been identified, the delivery mode of the compressor is ended by disengagement of the friction clutch, and a warning signal and/or warning information is outputted.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring the functions of a friction clutch which is arranged in a vehicle between a drive motor and a compressor of a compressed air supply system and which can be disengaged and engaged pneumatically, said method comprising: detecting by sensor and evaluating in an electronic control unit at least one operating parameter in a delivery mode of the compressor, wherein when a slipping condition of the friction clutch is identified by the electronic control unit, a value for a cut-off pressure of the compressor stored in the electronic control unit is reduced, wherein in the delivery mode of the compressor, a supply pressure in a main supply line of multiple compressed air consumer circuits or in a supply line of at least one compressed air consumer circuit is continuously detected by sensor, wherein a slipping condition of the friction clutch is identified in that the supply pressure remains at a constant pressure plateau, which is below the cut-off pressure of the compressor, within a predetermined tolerance range and within a predetermined holding time period, and wherein when a slipping condition of the friction clutch has been identified, the delivery mode of the compressor is ended by disengagement of the friction clutch, the value for the cut-off pressure of the compressor is reduced to a corrected cut-off pressure, which lies below the plateau pressure by a predetermined pressure difference, and a warning signal and/or warning information is outputted.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the value for the cut-off pressure of the compressor is reduced to a corrected cut-off pressure value and a warning signal and/or warning information is outputted only when the supply pressure remains at a constant pressure plateau, which is below the cut-off pressure value of the compressor, in each of multiple successive delivery mode phases of the compressor.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein a predetermined minimum cooling time, in which the friction clutch remains disengaged, is observed between successive delivery mode phases of the compressor.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the working pressure range of the compressor between the cut-on pressure and the cut-off pressure is divided into one or more partial pressure ranges, and wherein, depending on the partial pressure range in which the corrected cut-off pressure value is situated, different warning signals and/or warning information adapted to the particular partial pressure range in question are outputted.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the working pressure range of the compressor between the cut-on pressure and the cut-off pressure is divided into three partial pressure ranges, and wherein, when the corrected cut-off pressure value is within the upper partial pressure range, warning information is outputted that informs the driver of the slightly reduced cut-off pressure and asks him to drive to a garage within a relatively long operating time or distance traveled, and wherein, when the corrected cut-off pressure value is within the middle partial pressure range, warning information is outputted that informs the driver of the significantly reduced cut-off pressure and asks him to drive to a garage within a shorter operating time or distance traveled, and wherein, when the corrected cut-off pressure value is within the lower partial pressure range, warning information is outputted that informs the driver of the considerably reduced cut-off pressure and asks him to drive to a garage immediately and by the shortest route.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the current supply pressure and also the value of the cut-on pressure and the value of the cut-off pressure or the value of the corrected cut-off pressure of the compressor are displayed in a display instrument, and wherein, when a reduced cut-off pressure value is present, an associated warning lamp illuminates and/or an acoustic warning signal is outputted.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0022] The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages will become more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views, unless otherwise specified:

[0023] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the evolution over time of a supply pressure during a delivery mode of a compressor,

[0024] FIG. 2 shows the schematic layout of a typical compressed air supply system of a vehicle,

[0025] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the evolution over time of a supply pressure during three successive delivery modes of a compressor,

[0026] FIG. 4a shows two combined display instruments in the case where the cut-off pressure of the compressor has not been reduced, and

[0027] FIG. 4b shows the two combined display instruments according to FIG. 4a in the case where the cut-off pressure of the compressor has been reduced.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] FIG. 2 shows, in schematic form, a compressor 6 and an electronically controlled compressed air supply system 10 of a vehicle, in which the method according to the invention for monitoring the functions of a friction clutch 4 can be used. The friction clutch 4 is arranged between a drive motor 2 of the vehicle and the compressor 6 and can be disengaged and engaged pneumatically. The compressed air supply system 10 comprises the assembly groups of a compressed air conditioning unit 12, a multiple-circuit safety valve unit 14 and an electronic control unit 16.

[0029] Connected to a control pressure input of the friction clutch 4 is a control pressure line 18. When the control pressure line 18 is pressureless, the friction clutch 4 is engaged, so that the compressor 6 is in delivery mode when the drive motor 2 is running. When the control pressure line 18 is under a sufficiently high control pressure, the friction clutch 4 is disengaged, whereby the compressor 6 is cut off. In delivery mode, the compressor 6 takes in air from the surroundings and conveys it in the form of compressed air into a conveying line 8 connected to the compressed air conditioning unit 12.

[0030] In the compressed air conditioning unit 12, the conveyed compressed air is cleaned and also dried and passes on the output side into a main supply line 20. In the multiple-circuit safety valve unit 14, the main supply line 20 branches via in each case an overflow valve of a multiple-circuit safety valve into supply lines 22 of multiple compressed air consumer circuits. Within the multiple-circuit safety valve 14 there is also arranged a compressor control valve 24, which can be actuated by an electronic control unit of the control unit 16 and via which the control pressure line 18 of the friction clutch 4 can either be switched in a pressureless manner or subjected to a control pressure. Within the control unit 16 there is also arranged at least one pressure sensor 26, by means of which the supply pressure p.sub.sys can be detected by sensor in the main supply line 20 upstream of the multiple-circuit safety valve or in one of the supply lines 22 downstream of the associated overflow valve of the multiple-circuit safety valve. In the present case, the pressure sensor is connected by way of example to a supply line 22 of one of the compressed air consumer circuits.

[0031] Operational control of the compressor 6 conventionally takes place in such a manner that, when the drive motor 2 is running, the compressor is cut on, that is to say switched into the delivery mode, by engagement of the friction clutch 4 when the supply pressure p.sub.sys has reached or fallen below a predetermined cut-on pressure value p.sub.cut-on (p.sub.sys≤p.sub.cut-on). Likewise, the compressor 6 is cut off by disengagement of the friction clutch 4 when the supply pressure p.sub.sys, during the delivery mode, has reached or exceeded a predetermined cut-off pressure value p.sub.cut-off (p.sub.sys≥p.sub.cut-off).

[0032] The diagram according to FIG. 1 shows the evolution over time of a supply pressure p.sub.sys during a delivery mode of the compressor 6, that is to say when the drive motor 2 is running and the friction clutch 4 is engaged. The delivery mode of the compressor 6 begins at time to and ends at time t.sub.2. From time t.sub.1, the supply pressure p.sub.sys remains at a largely constant plateau pressure value p.sub.PI, which is below the cut-off pressure value p.sub.cut-off (p.sub.PI<p.sub.cut-off). In this case, it is highly likely that the friction clutch 4 is in a slipping condition, which on the one hand means that the supply pressure p.sub.sys cannot reach the cut-off pressure value p.sub.cut-off. More seriously, however, a prolonged slipping condition of the friction clutch 4 leads to thermal destruction of the friction clutch 4 and consequently to failure of the compressor 6. Because the compressed air supply to the compressed air consumer circuits, in particular also to the service brake circuits of the vehicle, fails as a result, the vehicle may stop on the open road and must then be repaired on site or towed to a garage for repair.

[0033] The method described hereinbelow for monitoring the functions of such a friction clutch 4 serves to prevent destruction of the friction clutch 4 and to maintain a limited functionality of the compressed air supply to the compressed air supply circuits, in particular the service brake circuits.

[0034] The method according to the invention provides that, in the delivery mode of the compressor 6, a supply pressure p.sub.sys in a main supply line 20 of multiple compressed air consumer circuits or in a supply line 22 of at least one compressed air consumer circuit is continuously detected by sensor, and that a slipping condition of the friction clutch 4 is identified in that the supply pressure p.sub.sys remains at a constant plateau pressure level p.sub.PI, which is below the cut-off pressure value p.sub.cut-off of the compressor (p.sub.PI<p.sub.cut-off), within a predetermined holding time period T.sub.H and a predetermined tolerance range Δp.sub.T, and that, when a slipping condition of the friction clutch 4 has been identified, the delivery mode of the compressor 6 is ended by disengagement of the friction clutch 4, the cut-off pressure value p.sub.cut-off of the compressor 6 is reduced to a corrected cut-off pressure value p.sub.cut-off_c, which lies below the plateau pressure value p.sub.PI by a predetermined pressure difference Δp.sub.c (p.sub.cut-off_c=p.sub.PI−p.sub.c), and a warning signal and/or warning information is outputted.

[0035] By detecting the supply pressure p.sub.sys by sensor, the method according to the invention utilizes a pressure sensor 26 that is already present in an electronically controlled compressed air supply system. On the basis of the development of a largely constant plateau pressure value p.sub.PI, which is below the cut-off pressure value p.sub.cut-off (p.sub.PI<p.sub.cut-off), it is identified that the friction clutch 4 is in the slipping condition and therefore the cut-off pressure value p.sub.cut-off cannot be reached.

[0036] In order to prevent permanent destruction of the friction clutch 4, the delivery mode of the compressor 6 is then first ended by disengagement of the friction clutch 4. In addition, the cut-off pressure value p.sub.cut-off of the compressor 6 stored in the electronic control device of the compressed air supply system 10 is reduced to a corrected cut-off pressure value p.sub.cut-off_c, which lies below the plateau pressure value p.sub.PI by a predetermined pressure difference p.sub.c (p.sub.cut-off_c=p.sub.PI−p.sub.c). Thus, owing to a correspondingly lower delivery load of the compressor 6 in subsequent delivery modes, a slipping condition of the friction clutch 4 is avoided but a limited compressed air supply to the compressed air consumer circuits, in particular the service brake circuits, is maintained.

[0037] Finally, the driver is made aware of the limited function of the compressor 6 and thus of a limited compressed air supply in particular to the service brake circuits of the vehicle by the outputting of a warning signal and/or of warning information. It is then up to the discretion of the driver whether he drives a more or less long distance further before driving to a garage for repair of the friction clutch 4 or compressor 6, or whether he looks for a garage for this purpose immediately and by the shortest route. The method according to the invention at least prevents the vehicle in question from stopping on the road with a completely failed compressed air supply and then having to be either repaired on site or towed to a garage.

[0038] In a further development of the method according to the invention, which is likewise shown in the diagram according to FIG. 1, it is provided that the working pressure range Δp.sub.sys of the compressor 6 between the cut-on pressure value p.sub.cut-on and the cut-off pressure value p.sub.cut-off is divided into multiple partial pressure ranges A, B, C. Depending on the partial pressure range A, B, C in which the corrected cut-off pressure value p.sub.cut-off_c is situated, different warning signals and/or warning information adapted to the particular partial pressure range A, B, C in question are outputted. In the present case, the working pressure range Δp.sub.sys of the compressor 6 is divided into three partial pressure ranges A, B, C, an upper partial pressure range A, a middle partial pressure range B and a lower partial pressure range C.

[0039] Since the corrected cut-off pressure value p.sub.cut-off_c of the compressor 6 in the present case is situated in the middle partial pressure range B, for example, corresponding warning information is outputted that informs the driver of the significantly reduced cut-off pressure value p.sub.cut-off_c and asks him to drive to a garage within a relatively short operating time or distance traveled. Corresponding warning information which is displayed on a display and/or outputted by speech via a loudspeaker could be as follows: “Supply pressure reduced! Find a garage after the current journey or after travelling a maximum distance of 300 km!”.

[0040] In a further development of the method according to the invention shown in the diagram according to FIG. 3, it is provided that the cut-off pressure value p.sub.cut-off of the compressor 6 is reduced to a corrected cut-off pressure value p.sub.cut-off_c and a warning signal and/or warning information is outputted only when the supply pressure p.sub.sys remains at an at least largely constant plateau pressure value p.sub.PI, which is below the cut-off pressure value p.sub.cut-off of the compressor (p.sub.PI<p.sub.cut-off), in each of multiple successive delivery mode phases T.sub.F1, T.sub.F2, T.sub.F3, . . . T.sub.Fn of the compressor 6. In the present case there are provided by way of example three successive delivery mode phases T.sub.F1, T.sub.F2, T.sub.F3 of the compressor 6, between which a predetermined minimum cooling time T.sub.cd, in which the friction clutch remains disengaged 4, is observed.

[0041] The first delivery mode phase T.sub.F1 of the compressor 6 takes place between times t.sub.0 and t.sub.2. The second delivery mode phase T.sub.F2 of the compressor 6 begins at time t.sub.3 and ends at time t.sub.5. The third delivery mode phase T.sub.F3 of the compressor 6 takes place between times to and to. Between the first delivery mode phase T.sub.F1 and the second delivery mode phase T.sub.F2 of the compressor, the minimum cooling time T.sub.cd, which ends at time t.sub.3′, is exceeded since the supply pressure p.sub.sys, because of low compressed air consumption, reaches the cut-on pressure value p.sub.cut-on of the compressor 6 only after the minimum cooling time T.sub.cd has passed. Between the second delivery mode T.sub.F2 and the third delivery mode T.sub.F3 of the compressor 6, the minimum cooling time T.sub.cd is observed, even though the supply pressure p.sub.sys, because of increased compressed air consumption, has reached and exceeded the cut-on pressure p.sub.cut-on of the compressor 6 before at time t.sub.6′.

[0042] By waiting for multiple successive delivery mode phases T.sub.F1, T.sub.F2, T.sub.F3 of the compressor 6 before the cut-off pressure value p.sub.cut-off is reduced, account is taken of a situation in which a slipping condition of the friction clutch 4 is attributable to a one-off effect, such as, for example, an incompletely engaged state due to a jammed release piston of the friction clutch 4 or a jammed operating piston of the compressor control valve 24, which can be eliminated by repeated disengagement and engagement of the friction clutch 4. Only when a slipping condition of the friction clutch 4 has identifiably occurred in multiple successive delivery mode phases T.sub.F1, T.sub.F2, T.sub.F3 of the compressor 6 is it assumed that the friction clutch 4 is permanently damaged, for example as a result of worn friction linings, and the cut-off pressure value p.sub.cut-off of the compressor 6 reduced to the corrected cut-off pressure value p.sub.cut-off_c. By observing the minimum cooling time T.sub.cd between the delivery mode phases T.sub.F1, T.sub.F2, T.sub.F3 of the compressor 6, thermal overloading and destruction of the friction clutch 4 is prevented.

[0043] FIGS. 4a and 4b depict in each case a combination of two display instruments 32, 34 with which the driver of a vehicle can be informed of the current supply pressure p.sub.sys and a possibly reduced cut-off pressure value p.sub.cut-off_c of the compressor 6. The first display instrument 32 is a display instrument which has a pressure scale from 6 bar to 14 bar. The cut-on pressure p.sub.cut-on of the compressor 6 is indicated by a first stationary pointer 36. The cut-off pressure value p.sub.cut-off of the compressor 6, which may also be the reduced cut-off pressure value p.sub.cut-off_c, is indicated by a second stationary pointer 38. The current supply pressure p.sub.sys detected by sensor is indicated by a dynamic pointer 40. The second display instrument 34 is a warning lamp. The two display instruments 32, 34 are preferably arranged side by side in a dashboard or instrument panel of the vehicle in question.

[0044] In the case of normal operation, shown in FIG. 4a, of the compressed air supply system 10, or of the associated compressor 6, the cut-on pressure value p.sub.cut-on indicated by the first stationary pointer 36 is set at a value of 8 bar. The cut-off pressure value p.sub.cut-off indicated by the second stationary pointer 38 is set at a value of 12.5 bar. A current supply pressure p.sub.sys of 11.5 bar is indicated by means of the dynamic pointer 40. The warning lamp 34 is off.

[0045] In the case of emergency operation, shown in FIG. 4b, of the compressed air supply system 10, or of the associated compressor 6, according to one of the method variants described above, the cut-on pressure value p.sub.cut-on is set unchanged at a value of 8 bar. The cut-off pressure value p.sub.cut-off, however, owing to a previously determined slipping condition of the friction clutch 4, has been reduced to a corrected cut-off pressure value p.sub.cut-off_c of in the present case 11.5 bar, which is now indicated by the second stationary pointer 38. A current supply pressure p.sub.sys of 11 bar is indicated by the dynamic pointer 40. Owing to the emergency operation, the warning lamp 34 is on, whereby the driver is made aware of the limited compressed air supply.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS (PART OF THE DESCRIPTION)

[0046] 2 drive motor [0047] 4 friction clutch [0048] 6 compressor [0049] 8 conveying line [0050] 10 compressed air supply system [0051] 12 compressed air conditioning unit [0052] 14 multiple-circuit safety valve unit [0053] 16 electronic control unit [0054] 18 control pressure line [0055] 20 main supply line [0056] 22 supply lines [0057] 24 compressor control valve [0058] 26 pressure sensor [0059] 32 first display instrument, display instrument [0060] 34 second display instrument, warning lamp [0061] 36 first stationary pointer [0062] 38 second stationary pointer [0063] 40 dynamic pointer [0064] A upper partial pressure range [0065] B middle partial pressure range [0066] C lower partial pressure range [0067] P pressure [0068] p.sub.cut-off cut-off pressure value [0069] p.sub.cut-off_c corrected cut-off pressure value [0070] p.sub.cut-on cut-on pressure value [0071] p.sub.PI plateau pressure [0072] p.sub.sys supply pressure [0073] t time [0074] t.sub.0-t.sub.8 times [0075] t.sub.3′, t.sub.6′ times [0076] T period of time (generally) [0077] T.sub.cd minimum cooling time [0078] T.sub.F1 first delivery mode phase [0079] T.sub.F2 second delivery mode phase [0080] T.sub.F3 third delivery mode phase [0081] T.sub.Fn n.sup.th delivery mode phase [0082] T.sub.H holding time period [0083] Δp pressure difference (generally) [0084] Δp.sub.c pressure difference [0085] Δp.sub.sys working pressure range [0086] Δp.sub.T tolerance range

[0087] The terms “comprising” or “comprise” are used herein in their broadest sense to mean and encompass the notions of “including,” “include,” “consist(ing) essentially of,” and “consist(ing) of”. The use of “for example,” “e.g.,” “such as,” and “including” to list illustrative examples does not limit to only the listed examples. Thus, “for example” or “such as” means “for example, but not limited to” or “such as, but not limited to” and encompasses other similar or equivalent examples. The term “about” as used herein serves to reasonably encompass or describe minor variations in numerical values measured by instrumental analysis or as a result of sample handling. Such minor variations may be in the order of ±0-25, ±0-10, ±0-5, or ±0-2.5, % of the numerical values. Further, The term “about” applies to both numerical values when associated with a range of values. Moreover, the term “about” may apply to numerical values even when not explicitly stated.

[0088] Generally, as used herein a hyphen “-” or dash “—” in a range of values is “to” or “through”; a “>” is “above” or “greater-than”; a “≥” is “at least” or “greater-than or equal to”; a “<” is “below” or “less-than”; and a “≤” is “at most” or “less-than or equal to.” On an individual basis, each of the aforementioned applications for patent, patents, and/or patent application publications, is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety in one or more non-limiting embodiments.

[0089] It is to be understood that the appended claims are not limited to express and particular compounds, compositions, or methods described in the detailed description, which may vary between particular embodiments which fall within the scope of the appended claims. With respect to any Markush groups relied upon herein for describing particular features or aspects of various embodiments, it is to be appreciated that different, special, and/or unexpected results may be obtained from each member of the respective Markush group independent from all other Markush members. Each member of a Markush group may be relied upon individually and or in combination and provides adequate support for specific embodiments within the scope of the appended claims. The present invention has been described herein in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. The present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described within the scope of the appended claims. The subject matter of all combinations of independent and dependent claims, both single and multiple dependent, is herein expressly contemplated.