Hydraulic control system

Abstract

The present disclosure describes a hydraulic control system comprising a first pressure chamber and a second pressure chamber, each pressure chamber configured to receive a hydraulic fluid, a first movable member configured to assume a position depending on a hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the first pressure chamber and a second movable member configured to assume a position depending on a hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the second pressure chamber, a hydraulic command circuit configured to provide the hydraulic fluid and to control the hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the first pressure chamber and/or the second pressure chamber, having a switchable valve in fluid communication with the first pressure chamber, wherein the switchable valve is configured to be pilotable depending on the hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the second pressure chamber.

Claims

1. A hydraulic control system, comprising: a first pressure chamber and a second pressure chamber, each pressure chamber configured to receive a hydraulic fluid; a first movable member configured to assume a position depending on a hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the first pressure chamber and a second movable member configured to assume a position depending on a hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the second pressure chamber; a hydraulic command circuit configured to provide the hydraulic fluid and to control the hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic fluid in at least one of the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber; and a switchable valve in fluid communication with the first pressure chamber, wherein the switchable valve is configured to be pilotable depending on the hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the second pressure chamber; wherein the hydraulic command circuit comprises: a hydraulic tank configured to store the hydraulic fluid; a hydraulic pump configured to pump the hydraulic fluid and to create the hydraulic pressure; and a controllable valve configured to block and/or allow a passage of the hydraulic fluid and be in a fluid communication with at least one of the hydraulic tank, the hydraulic pump, the first pressure chamber, and the second pressure chamber.

2. The hydraulic control system according to claim 1, further comprising a first clutch and a second clutch, wherein the first movable member is connected to the first clutch and configured to engage and/or disengage the first clutch, and wherein the second movable member is connected to the second clutch and configured to engage and/or disengage the second clutch.

3. The hydraulic control system according to claim 1, further comprising a first hydraulic network configured to provide a fluid communication between the first pressure chamber and the hydraulic command circuit, the first hydraulic network comprising a first restricting orifice and the switchable valve connected in series and a first check valve connected in parallel to the first restricting orifice and the switchable valve.

4. The hydraulic control system according to claim 3, further comprising a second hydraulic network configured to provide a fluid communication between the second pressure chamber and the hydraulic command circuit, the second hydraulic network comprising a parallel circuit of a second check valve and a second restricting orifice.

5. The hydraulic control system according to claim 4, wherein the switchable valve is further configured to: in a first state, allow a passage of the hydraulic fluid through the switchable valve to and/or from the first pressure chamber; and in a second state, restrict, for instance by means of at least one of an orifice and a notch, the passage of the hydraulic fluid through the switchable valve to and/or from the first pressure chamber or to block the passage of the hydraulic fluid through the switchable valve.

6. The hydraulic control system according to claim 5, wherein the switchable valve is configured to be in the first state when the hydraulic pressure in the second pressure chamber is substantially greater than or equal to a threshold.

7. The hydraulic control system according to claim 6, wherein the switchable valve comprises a spool and a spring configured to apply a force to the spool and wherein the threshold corresponds to a magnitude of the force applied to the spool.

8. The hydraulic control system according to claim 6, wherein the threshold corresponds to either the hydraulic pressure in the first hydraulic network or in the second hydraulic network, whichever pressure is the highest.

9. The hydraulic control system according to claim 8, further comprising a shuttle valve in a fluid communication with the first hydraulic network and the second hydraulic network and the switchable valve, wherein the shuttle valve is configured to provide the hydraulic fluid to the switchable valve having the hydraulic pressure corresponding to either the hydraulic pressure in the first hydraulic network or in the second hydraulic network, whichever pressure is the highest.

10. The hydraulic control system according to claim 9, further comprising: a first connecting hydraulic pipe connecting the switchable valve and the first restricting orifice; and a second connecting hydraulic pipe connecting the second restricting orifice and the hydraulic command circuit, wherein the shuttle valve is in a fluid communication with the first connecting hydraulic pipe and the second connecting hydraulic pipe.

11. The hydraulic control system according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit configured to control a passage of the hydraulic fluid through the controllable valve.

12. A method for controlling the hydraulic control system according to claim 11, wherein the control unit controls the passage of the hydraulic fluid through the controllable valve, and wherein the method comprises a first operating mode to: allow a passage of at least one of the hydraulic fluid and a propagation of the hydraulic pressure between the hydraulic pump and the second pressure chamber through the controllable valve; and allow passage of the hydraulic fluid between the first pressure chamber and the hydraulic tank through the controllable valve, such that the first clutch is engaged and the second clutch is disengaged, and wherein the method comprises a second operating mode to: allow a passage of at least one of the hydraulic fluid and a propagation of a hydraulic pressure between the hydraulic pump and the first pressure chamber through the controllable valve; and allow passage of the hydraulic fluid between the second pressure chamber and the hydraulic tank through the controllable valve, such that the first clutch is disengaged and the second clutch is engaged, and wherein the method further comprises a third operating mode to: allow passage of the hydraulic fluid between the first pressure chamber and the hydraulic tank through the controllable valve and between the second pressure chamber and the hydraulic tank through the controllable valve such that the first clutch is engaged and the second clutch is engaged.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein, in the first operating mode, the switchable valve allows a free passage of the hydraulic fluid through the switchable valve to and/or from the first pressure chamber; wherein, in the second operating mode, the switchable valve restricts passage of the hydraulic fluid through the switchable valve to and/or from the first pressure chamber or blocks the passage of the hydraulic fluid through the switchable valve; and wherein, in the third operating mode, the switchable valve restricts passage of the hydraulic fluid through the switchable valve to and/or from the first pressure chamber or allows the free passage of the hydraulic fluid through the switchable valve.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the first hydraulic network and the second hydraulic network and the hydraulic command circuit are adjusted to allow the free passage of the hydraulic fluid through the switchable valve to and/or from the first pressure chamber if the hydraulic pressure in the second pressure chamber is equal or larger than 60 percent of a predetermined maximum value.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the first hydraulic network and the second hydraulic network and the hydraulic command circuit are adjusted to allow the free passage of the hydraulic fluid through the switchable valve to and/or from the first pressure chamber if the hydraulic pressure in the second pressure chamber is equal or larger than 70 percent of a predetermined maximum value.

16. The method according to claim 13, wherein the first hydraulic network and the second hydraulic network and the hydraulic command circuit are adjusted to allow the free passage of the hydraulic fluid through the switchable valve to and/or from the first pressure chamber if the hydraulic pressure in the second pressure chamber is equal or larger than 80 percent of a predetermined maximum value.

17. The method according to claim 13, wherein the first hydraulic network and the second hydraulic network and the hydraulic command circuit are adjusted to allow the free passage of the hydraulic fluid through the switchable valve to and/or from the first pressure chamber if the hydraulic pressure in the second pressure chamber is equal or larger than 90 percent of a predetermined maximum value.

18. The method according to claim 13, wherein, in the second operating mode, the switchable valve uses at least one of an orifice and a notch to restrict the passage of the hydraulic fluid through the switchable valve to and/or from the first pressure chamber.

19. The method according to claim 13, wherein, in the third operating mode, the switchable valve uses at least one of an orifice and a notch to restrict the passage of the hydraulic fluid through the switchable valve to and/or from the first pressure chamber.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) The present disclosure is described below with reference to certain embodiments and the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows an overview of the hydraulic control system in a first embodiment;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a switchable valve in the first embodiment;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a portion of the switchable valve in the first embodiment;

(5) FIG. 4 shows an overview of the hydraulic control system in a second embodiment;

(6) FIG. 5 shows a switchable valve in the second embodiment; and

(7) FIG. 6 shows a portion of the switchable valve in the second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(8) FIG. 1 gives an overview of the hydraulic control system 1 in a first embodiment. The hydraulic control system 1 includes a first clutch 13 and a second clutch 23 wherein the first clutch 13 may be connected to a first gear and the second clutch 23 may be connected to a second gear. The hydraulic control system further comprises a first pressure chamber 10 and a second pressure chamber 20, a first hydraulic network 50 and a second hydraulic network 40, a hydraulic command circuit 30 and a control unit 70.

(9) The first pressure chamber 10 includes a first movable member 11 and a first return spring 12. The position of the first movable member 11 depends on a force exerted on the first movable member 11 by a hydraulic pressure of a hydraulic fluid in the first pressure chamber 10 and on a restoring force exerted on the first movable member 11 by the first return spring 12. The first movable member 11 is connected to the first clutch 13 and is configured to actuate the first clutch 13, that is, to engage and/or disengage the first clutch 13.

(10) The second pressure chamber 20 includes a second movable member 21 and a second return spring 22. The position of the second movable member 21 depends on a force exerted on the second movable member 21 by a hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the second pressure chamber 20 and on a restoring force exerted on the second movable member 21 by the second return spring 22. The second movable member 21 is connected to the second clutch 23 and is configured to actuate the second clutch 23, that is, to engage and/or disengage the second clutch 23.

(11) The first hydraulic network 50 includes a switchable valve 53 and a restricting orifice 52 connected in series via a hydraulic pipe 61. The first hydraulic network 50 further includes a check valve 51 in parallel to the switchable valve 53 and the restricting orifice 52. The switchable valve 53 comprises a hydraulic aperture 54′ (depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3, not depicted in FIG. 1) for receiving a hydraulic pipe 54 with the hydraulic fluid having a hydraulic pressure of the second pressure chamber 20. The switchable valve 53 further comprises a spring 57 exerting a restoring force on a spool 81 (depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3, not depicted in FIG. 1) and disposed in a spring chamber 85 (depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3, not depicted in FIG. 1), and a hydraulic connection 84 connecting the hydraulic pipe 61 and the spring chamber 85 hydraulically via a hydraulic aperture 61′ (depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3, not depicted in FIG. 1) and wherein the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic connection 84 and the spring chamber 85 has a hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic pipe 61.

(12) The switchable valve 53 may assume a first state where the passage of the hydraulic fluid through the switchable valve is free along an unrestricted passage way 55 and a second state where the passage of the hydraulic fluid is restricted along a restricted passage way 56 which may be an embodiment of a restricting orifice. The switchable valve 53 may be controlled by the restoring force of the spring 57, the force corresponding to a hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic aperture 54′ and the force corresponding to the hydraulic pressure in the internal hydraulic connection 84 and hence the hydraulic pressure in the spring chamber 85.

(13) A hydraulic 63 pipe connects the restricting orifice 52 and the check valve 51 hydraulically with a controllable valve 34 disposed in the hydraulic command circuit 30. A hydraulic pipe 62 connects the switchable valve 53 and the check valve 51 hydraulically with the first pressure chamber 10. The check valve 51 has a directivity wherein the directivity only allows for a flow of the hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic command circuit 30 towards the first pressure chamber 10.

(14) The second hydraulic network 40 includes a check valve 41 in parallel to a restricting orifice 42. A hydraulic 60 pipe connects the restricting orifice 42 and the check valve 41 hydraulically with the controllable valve 34 of the hydraulic command circuit 30.

(15) A hydraulic pipe 64 connects the restricting orifice 42 and the check valve 41 hydraulically with the second pressure chamber 20. The check valve 41 has a directivity wherein the directivity only allows for a flow of the hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic command circuit 30 towards the second pressure chamber 20.

(16) The hydraulic command circuit 30 comprises the controllable valve 34, wherein the controllable valve is controlled with a solenoid actuator 35. The hydraulic command circuit 30 further comprises a hydraulic pump 31, a hydraulic tank 32 and a pressure relief valve 33. The controllable valve 34 is controllable by a control unit 70 which is configured to control the solenoid actuator 35. The control unit 70 may be a microcontroller or another kind of computer which controls the controllable valve 34 according to a program which may be stored in a memory.

(17) In an embodiment the hydraulic pump 31 may pump at a fixed pumping rate, wherein the pumping rate denotes a volume of hydraulic fluid per time unit. In another embodiment it may be that the hydraulic pump 31 is controlled by the control unit 70, for example in an open loop control mode or in a closed loop control mode, in order to achieve a fixed or a variable target pumping rate and/or a target hydraulic pressure. In a closed loop control there may also be a sensor, for example a pressure sensor or a flow sensor, included in the hydraulic control system 1. The target pumping rate and/or the target hydraulic pressure may be determined within the control unit 70 or may be commanded to the control unit 70 via an interface of the control unit 70.

(18) The controllable valve 34 of the hydraulic command circuit 30 may be in fluid communication with the hydraulic tank 32 and/or with the hydraulic pump 31. The controllable valve 34 may be in fluid communication with the first hydraulic network 50 via the hydraulic pipe 63. The controllable valve 34 may be controlled to provide and/or block a hydraulic connection between the first hydraulic network 50 and the hydraulic pump 31 and/or the hydraulic tank 32.

(19) The controllable valve 34 may be in fluid communication with the second hydraulic network 40 via the hydraulic pipe 60. The controllable valve 34 may be controlled to provide and/or block a hydraulic connection between the second hydraulic network 40 and the hydraulic pump 31 and/or the hydraulic tank 32.

(20) The controllable valve 34 may also have a return spring exerting a restoring force on a movable member of the controllable valve 34.

(21) The pressure relief valve 33 may be used to protect the hydraulic control system 1 against excessive hydraulic pressure values. In that case it may provide a hydraulic short-cut between hydraulic pump 31 and hydraulic tank 32.

(22) FIG. 2 depicts a switchable 53 valve in a first embodiment. It comprises a valve housing 82, a spool 81, a spring 57 and a setscrew 80 disposed within the valve housing 82. The spring 57 is configured to apply a restoring force on the spool 81. The setscrew 80 may be used to bias the restoring force of the spring 57. The switchable valve 53 includes a number of apertures 54′, 61′ and 62′ configured as hydraulic connectors to receive the hydraulic pipes 54, 61 and 62, respectively. A bore 84 in the spool 81 connects the aperture 61′ hydraulically with the spring chamber 85. The aperture 62′ may be, for example, hydraulically connected to the first pressure chamber 10 and aperture 61′ may be hydraulically connected to the restricting orifice 52. The aperture 54′ may be connected to the second hydraulic network 40 such that the hydraulic pressure of the second hydraulic network 40, or the hydraulic pressure of the second pressure chamber 20, may be present within the aperture 54′. A force corresponding to the hydraulic pressure in the second pressure chamber 20 may then act on the spool 81 together with the restoring force of the spring 57. Both forces determine the position of the spool 81, wherein the position of the spool 81 corresponds to a state of the switchable valve 53. The movability of the spool 81 is limited by a first stop 86 and a second stop 86′. The switchable valve 53 may be in a first state if the spool 81 contacts the second stop 86′. It may be in a second state if the spool 81 contacts the first stop 86.

(23) The spool 81 is designed to have different diameters along its central axis 83 such that, depending on the position of the spool 81, for example when the spool 81 contacts the second stop 86′, there may be a hydraulic connection through the valve between the apertures 61′ and 62′ allowing for a free passage of the hydraulic fluid. It may also be, for example when the spool 81 contacts the first stop 86, that there is a hydraulic connection through the valve between the apertures 61′ and 62′ allowing for a restricted passage of the hydraulic fluid. The orifice 56 of the spool may be designed to adjust the restriction of the flow of the hydraulic fluid through the switchable valve 53.

(24) FIG. 3 shows the switchable valve 53 of FIG. 2 in a perspective view.

(25) With the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, for example, a downshift from a second to first a gear in a two gears transmission may be considered. This transient scenario starts from the second gear, and hence the second clutch being engaged. It ends at the first gear, and hence the first clutch being engaged.

(26) The second gear engaged corresponds to a low hydraulic pressure in the second pressure chamber 20. At the same time the first gear disengaged corresponds to a high hydraulic pressure in the first pressure chamber 10. The controllable valve 34 is in a second operating mode connecting the first hydraulic network 50 to the hydraulic pump 31 and connecting the second hydraulic network 40 to the hydraulic tank 32. The switchable valve 53 is then in a second state restricting the passage of the hydraulic fluid through the switchable valve 53 to and/or from the first pressure chamber 10.

(27) The control unit 70 may then control the hydraulic control system 1 to perform a downshift from the second gear to the first gear, that is, the control unit 70 changes from the second operating mode to the first operating mode. In the first operating mode the control unit 70 controls the controllable valve 34 to connect the first hydraulic network 50 with the hydraulic tank 32 and connect the second hydraulic network 40 with the hydraulic pump 31.

(28) By changing into the first operating mode, the control unit 70 initiates a transition from the engaged second gear/disengaged first gear to the disengaged second gear/engaged first gear. At the beginning of this transition the hydraulic fluid flows through the orifice 56 of the switchable valve 53 and the first restricting orifice 52 to the hydraulic tank 32. The hydraulic pressure in the first pressure chamber 10 decreases accordingly with a slow ramp determined by the restriction provided by the first restricting orifice 52 and the orifice 56 of the switchable valve 53. The hydraulic pressure in the spring chamber 85 corresponds to hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic pipe 61 which is relatively high at the beginning of the transition.

(29) At the same time the hydraulic pressure in the second pressure chamber 20 increases since the hydraulic fluid is pumped to the second pressure chamber 20 through the second check valve 41 and, at least partially, through the second restricting orifice 42. If the hydraulic pressure in the second pressure chamber 20, which is present in the hydraulic aperture 54′, exceeds a threshold corresponding to the restoring force of the spring 57 and the hydraulic pressure in the spring chamber 85, the switchable valve 53 changes into the first state wherein the spool 81 contacts the second stop 86′ and wherein the switchable valve 53 does not further restrict the flow of the hydraulic fluid from the first pressure chamber 10 to the hydraulic tank 32. The hydraulic pressure in the first pressure chamber 10 decreases then much faster than before and the first clutch engages.

(30) The restoring force of the spring 57 is adjusted such that the switchable valve 53 assumes the first state only if the hydraulic pressure in the second pressure chamber 20 is high enough such that the second clutch 23, and hence the second gear, is already disengaged. By appropriately adjusting the restoring force of the spring 57 and the hydraulic pressure produced by the hydraulic pump 31, the engagement/disengagement is performed in a mutually coordinated manner allowing for a safe operation of the hydraulic control system 1.

(31) This way it is guaranteed that the two clutches are never engaged at the same time as long as torque is transmitted through the first and/or the second clutch 13, 23. Moreover, the dependency of the downshift on a temperature of the hydraulic fluid is reduced by reducing a dependency of the functionality of the hydraulic command system 1 on the first restricting orifice 52, the second restricting orifice 42 and the orifice 56. The effect of the clutches wear is reduced and the downshift transient is more constant over time.

(32) The control unit 70 may control the hydraulic control system 1 to perform an upshift from the first gear to the second gear, that is, the control unit 70 changes from the first operating mode to the second operating mode. In the second operating mode the control unit 70 controls the controllable valve 34 to connect the second hydraulic network 40 with the hydraulic tank 32 and connect the first hydraulic network 50 with the hydraulic pump 31.

(33) By changing into the second operating mode, the control unit 70 initiates a transition from the disengaged second gear/engaged first gear to the engaged second gear/disengaged first gear. The decrease of the hydraulic pressure in the second pressure chamber 20 is achieved by a flow of the hydraulic fluid from the second pressure chamber 20 to the hydraulic tank 32 via the second restricting orifice 42. The increase of the hydraulic pressure in the first pressure chamber 10 is achieved by a flow of the hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic pump 31 to the first pressure chamber 10 via the first check valve 51.

(34) The control unit 70 may control the hydraulic control system 1 to perform a downshift from the first gear to a parking position, that is, the control unit 70 changes from the first operating mode to the third operating mode. In the third operating mode the control unit 70 controls the controllable valve 34 to connect the second hydraulic network 40 with the hydraulic tank 32 and connect the first hydraulic network 50 with the hydraulic tank 32. This control action is allowed in the case when there is no torque to be transmitted through the first clutch 13 and/or the second clutch 23.

(35) By changing into the third operating mode, the control unit 70 initiates a transition from the disengaged second gear/engaged first gear to the engaged second gear/engaged first gear. The decrease of the hydraulic pressure in the second pressure chamber 20 is achieved by a flow of the hydraulic fluid from the second pressure chamber 20 to the hydraulic tank 32 via the second restricting orifice 42.

(36) When changing to the third operating mode, the hydraulic pressure in the first pressure chamber 10 must decrease as quickly as possible whereas when changing from the second to the first operating mode there must be a delay in the decrease of the hydraulic pressure in the first pressure chamber 10. Therefore, the orifice 56 in the switchable valve (53) must be properly chosen as a compromise, to have a delay big enough during the change from the second to the first operating mode, but not too big to compromise the change from the first operating mode to the third operating mode.

(37) FIG. 4 gives an overview of the hydraulic control system 1 in a second embodiment. The hydraulic control system 1 in FIG. 4 is almost identical to the hydraulic control system 1 in FIG. 1. Therefore, only the differences are explained.

(38) The hydraulic control system 1 in FIG. 4 comprises a shuttle valve 58. The shuttle valve 58 includes a first input, a second input and one output. The shuttle valve 58 hydraulically connects the input with the highest hydraulic pressure to the output. The first input of the shuttle valve 58 is hydraulically connected to the hydraulic pipe 61 between the switchable valve 53′ and the first restricting orifice 52. The second input of the shuttle valve 58 is hydraulically connected to the hydraulic pipe 60 of the second hydraulic network 40. The output of the shuttle valve 58 is hydraulically connected to the switchable valve 53′ via a hydraulic pipe 59. The state of the switchable valve 53′ may hence correspond to the hydraulic pressure in the second pressure chamber 20 and the hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic pipe 59. Furthermore, the state of the switchable valve 53′ may correspond to the restoration force of a spring 57′ exerted on a spool 81 of the switchable valve 53′.

(39) FIG. 5 shows a switchable valve 53′ in a second embodiment different form the switchable valve 53 in the first embodiment. It has a structure similar to the switchable valve 53 in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. The switchable valve 53′ comprises a valve housing 82 receiving the spool 81 and the spring 57′ and a setscrew 80. The spring 57′ is configured to apply a restoring force on the spool 81. The setscrew 80 may be used to bias the restoring force. The switchable valve 53′ has the hydraulic apertures 61′, 62′, 54′ and 59′ configured to receive the hydraulic pipes 61, 62, 54 and 59, respectively.

(40) A bore 84′ in the spool 81 connects the aperture 54′ hydraulically with the spring chamber 85. The aperture 62′ may be, for example, hydraulically connected to the first pressure chamber 10 and aperture 61′ may be hydraulically connected to the restricting orifice 52. The aperture 54′ may be connected to the second hydraulic network 40 such that the hydraulic pressure of the second hydraulic network 40, or the hydraulic pressure of the second pressure chamber 20, may be present within the aperture 54′. The aperture 59′ may be connected to the hydraulic pipe 59 such that the hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic pipe 59 may be present within the aperture 59′. A force corresponding to the hydraulic pressure in the aperture 59′, corresponding to the hydraulic pressure in the second pressure chamber 20 and corresponding to the restoring force of the spring 57′ may then act on the spool 81. The forces determine the position of the spool 81, wherein the position of the spool 81 corresponds to a state of the switchable valve 53′. The movability of the spool 81 is limited by a first stop 86 and a second stop 86′. The switchable valve 53′ may be in a first state if the spool 81 contacts the first stop 86. It may be in a second state if the spool 81 contacts the second stop 86′.

(41) The spool 81 is designed to have different diameters along its central axis 83 such that, depending on the position of the spool 81, for example when the spool 81 contacts the first stop 86, there may be a hydraulic connection through the valve between the apertures 61′ and 62′ allowing for a free passage of the hydraulic fluid. It may also be, for example when the spool 81 contacts the second stop 86′, that there the hydraulic connection through the valve between the apertures 61′ and 62′ is blocked.

(42) FIG. 6 shows the switchable valve 53′ of FIG. 5 in a perspective view.

(43) With the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, for example, a downshift from a second to first a gear in a two gears transmission may be considered. This transient scenario starts from the second gear, and hence the second clutch being engaged. It ends at the first gear, and hence the first clutch being engaged.

(44) The second gear engaged corresponds to a low hydraulic pressure in the second pressure chamber 20. At the same time the first gear disengaged corresponds to a high hydraulic pressure in the first pressure chamber 10. The controllable valve 34 is in a first operating mode connecting the first hydraulic network 50 to the hydraulic pump 31 and connecting the second hydraulic network 40 to the hydraulic tank 32. The switchable valve 53′ is then in a first state, that is a position where it blocks the hydraulic connection between the first pressure chamber 10 and the first restricting orifice 52.

(45) The control unit 70 may then control the hydraulic control system 1 to perform a downshift from the second gear to the first gear, that is, the control unit 70 changes from the second operating mode to the first operating mode. In the first operating mode the control unit 70 controls the controllable valve 34 to connect the first hydraulic network 50 with the hydraulic tank 32 and connect the second hydraulic network 40 with the hydraulic pump 31.

(46) By changing into the first operating mode, the control unit 70 initiates a transition from the engaged second gear/disengaged first gear to the disengaged second gear/engaged first gear. At the beginning of this transition there is no flow of the hydraulic fluid through the switchable valve 53′. Furthermore, the pressure in the aperture 59 is high, corresponding to the hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic pipe 61. At the same time, the hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic pipe 54 is still low such that the position of the spool 81 of the switched valve 53′ substantially corresponds to the restoring force of the spring 57′ and the hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic pipe 61. At this time the switched valve 53′ is in the second state and the spool 81 contacts the second stop 86′.

(47) In the sequel the hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic pipe 54 is slowly increasing and hence increasingly equalizing the force corresponding to the hydraulic pressure in the pipe 59 acting on the spool 81. As soon as the force corresponding to the hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic pipe 54 and the restoring force of the spring 57′ exceeds the force corresponding to the hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic pipe 59 the switchable valve 53′ may assume a first state corresponding to the spool 81 contacting the first stop 86. The hydraulic fluid may then pass the switchable valve 53′ freely without restriction such that the hydraulic pressure rapidly decreases in the first pressure chamber 10 as well as in the hydraulic pipes 62, 61, 63 and 69 and the first clutch engages.

(48) The restoring force of the spring 57′ is adjusted such that the switchable valve 53′ assumes the first state only if the hydraulic pressure in the second pressure chamber 20 is high enough such that the second clutch 23, and hence the second gear, is already disengaged. By appropriately adjusting the restoring force of the spring 57′ and the hydraulic pressure produced by the hydraulic pump 31, the engagement/disengagement is performed in a mutually coordinated manner allowing for a safe operation of the hydraulic control system 1.

(49) This way it is guaranteed that the two clutches are never engaged at the same time as long as torque is transmitted through the first and/or the second clutch 13, 23. Moreover, the dependency of the downshift on a temperature of the hydraulic fluid is reduced by reducing a dependency of the functionality of the hydraulic command system 1 on the first restricting orifice 52 and the second restricting orifice 42. The effect of the clutches wear is reduced and the downshift transient is more constant over time.

(50) FIGS. 1-6 show example configurations with relative positioning of the various components. If shown directly contacting each other, or directly coupled, then such elements may be referred to as directly contacting or directly coupled, respectively, at least in one example. Similarly, elements shown contiguous or adjacent to one another may be contiguous or adjacent to each other, respectively, at least in one example. As an example, components laying in face-sharing contact with each other may be referred to as in face-sharing contact. As another example, elements positioned apart from each other with only a space there-between and no other components may be referred to as such, in at least one example. As yet another example, elements shown above/below one another, at opposite sides to one another, or to the left/right of one another may be referred to as such, relative to one another. Further, as shown in the figures, a topmost element or point of element may be referred to as a “top” of the component and a bottommost element or point of the element may be referred to as a “bottom” of the component, in at least one example. As used herein, top/bottom, upper/lower, above/below, may be relative to a vertical axis of the figures and used to describe positioning of elements of the figures relative to one another. As such, elements shown above other elements are positioned vertically above the other elements, in one example. As yet another example, shapes of the elements depicted within the figures may be referred to as having those shapes (e.g., such as being circular, straight, planar, curved, rounded, chamfered, angled, or the like). Further, elements shown intersecting one another may be referred to as intersecting elements or intersecting one another, in at least one example. Further still, an element shown within another element or shown outside of another element may be referred as such, in one example.

(51) The following claims particularly point out certain combinations and sub-combinations regarded as novel and non-obvious. These claims may refer to “an” element or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof. Such claims should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements. Other combinations and sub-combinations of the disclosed features, functions, elements, and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of the present claims or through presentation of new claims in this or a related application. Such claims, whether broader, narrower, equal, or different in scope to the original claims, also are regarded as included within the subject matter of the present disclosure.