ACTUATION OF A CLUTCH OF A MOTOR VEHICLE

Abstract

A control device and method are configured to actuate a clutch between a drive unit and at least one driven wheel of a motor vehicle, particularly a passenger car. The control device at least partially engages the clutch differently in dependence on a distance of the motor vehicle from an environment and/or a change of this distance.

Claims

1-12. (canceled)

13. A method for actuating a clutch operatively arranged between a drive unit and at least one driven wheel of a motor vehicle comprising: determining a distance parameter for the motor vehicle, wherein the distance parameter is selected from a group of parameters consisting of a distance between the motor vehicle and an object in an environment of the motor vehicle, a change in the distance, a first time derivative of the change in the distance, a second time derivative of the change in the distance or a combination thereof; and at least partially engaging the clutch with a control device according to a clutch torque curve as a function of the distance parameter.

14. The method according to claim 13 further comprising assigning the clutch torque curve at least one predefined characteristic with which the control device at least partially engages the clutch, wherein the at least one predefined characteristic is selected from the group consisting of a degree of clutch engagement, a time of clutch engagement, a torque gradient or a combination thereof.

15. The method according to claim 13 further comprising: at least partially engaging the clutch with the control device according to a first characteristic when the distance parameter has a first value; and at least partially engaging the clutch with the control device according to a second clutch torque curve when the distance parameter has a second value, wherein the second clutch torque curve and the second value are different from the first clutch torque curve and the first value respectively.

16. The method according to claim 16 further comprising assigning each of the first and second clutch torque curves at least one predefined characteristic with which the control device at least partially engages the clutch, wherein the at least one predefined characteristic is selected from the group consisting of a degree of clutch engagement, a time of clutch engagement, a torque gradient or a combination thereof.

17. The method according to claim 13 further comprising: determining an actuation parameter for an actuator of the motor vehicle; at least partially engaging the clutch with the control device as a function of the distance parameter and the actuation parameter.

18. The method according to claim 13 further comprising: determining an operating mode of the vehicle; and at least partially engaging the clutch with the control device as a function of the distance parameter and the operating mode.

19. The method according to claim 20, wherein the operating mode is selected from the group consisting of a driving start mode or a parking mode.

20. The method according to claim 13, wherein determining the distance parameter for the motor vehicle comprises: sensing a distance between the motor vehicle and an object in an environment around the motor vehicle with a sensor arrangement; and computing the distance parameter from the sensed distance.

21. The method according to claim 22, wherein the sensor arrangement is selected from the group consisting of a driver assistance sensor, a parking sensor, a camera, a radar sensor, a front sensor, a rear sensor or a combination thereof.

22. A control device comprising an actuator and a controller actuating a clutch to selectively couple a drive unit and a driven wheel, wherein the controller is configured to: determine a distance parameter for the motor vehicle, wherein the distance parameter is selected from a group of parameters consisting of a distance between the motor vehicle and an object in an environment of the motor vehicle, a change in the distance, a first time derivative of the change in the distance, a second time derivative of the change in the distance or a combination thereof; determine a clutch torque curve as a function of the distance parameter; and control the actuator for at least partially engaging the clutch according to the clutch torque curve.

23. The control device according to claim 24, wherein the controller is further configured to: control the actuator for at least partially engaging the clutch with the control device according to a first characteristic when the distance parameter has a first value; and control the actuator for at least partially engaging the clutch with the control device according to a second clutch torque curve when the distance parameter has a second value, wherein the second clutch torque curve and the second value are different from the first clutch torque curve and the first value respectively.

24. The control device according to claim 25, wherein the controller is further configured to assigning each of the first and second clutch torque curves at least one predefined characteristic with which the control device at least partially engages the clutch, wherein the at least one predefined characteristic is selected from the group consisting of a degree of clutch engagement, a time of clutch engagement, a torque gradient or a combination thereof.

25. The control device according to claim 24, wherein the controller is further configured to: determine an actuation parameter for an actuator of the motor vehicle; control the actuator for at least partially engaging the clutch with the control device as a function of the distance parameter and the actuation parameter.

26. The control device according to claim 24, wherein the controller is further configured to: determine an operating mode of the vehicle; and control the actuator for at least partially engaging the clutch with the control device as a function of the distance parameter and the operating mode.

27. The control device according to claim 24, wherein the operating mode is selected from the group consisting of a driving start mode or a parking mode.

28. The control device according to claim 24, wherein the controller is further configured to compute the distance parameter from a sensed distance between the motor vehicle and an object in an environment around the motor vehicle.

29. A motor vehicle comprising: a drive unit; at least one driven wheel; a clutch selectively coupling the drive unit and the driven wheel; and a control device including an actuator and a controller actuating the clutch to selectively couple the drive unit and the driven wheel, wherein the controller is configured to: determine a distance parameter for the motor vehicle, wherein the distance parameter is selected from a group of parameters consisting of a distance between the motor vehicle and an object in an environment of the motor vehicle, a change in the distance, a first time derivative of the change in the distance, a second time derivative of the change in the distance or a combination thereof; determine a clutch torque curve as a function of the distance parameter; and control the actuator for at least partially engaging the clutch according to the clutch torque curve.

30. The motor vehicle according to claim 29, wherein the clutch is arranged between the drive unit and a shift gearbox operative coupled to the at least one driven wheel.

31. The motor vehicle according to claim 29, wherein the shift gearbox is selected from the group consisting of an at least partially automatic shift gearbox, an at least partially or manual shift gearbox, a dual-clutch gearbox, or an electrically-actuated shift gearbox.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The present disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements.

[0033] FIG. 1 shows a motor vehicle with a control device for actuating a clutch according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0034] FIG. 2 shows a method for actuating the clutch according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background of the invention or the following detailed description.

[0036] FIG. 1 shows a motor vehicle 1 with a control device 9 for actuating a clutch 30 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure and FIG. 2 shows a corresponding method carried out by the control device 9.

[0037] The motor vehicle 1 includes a drive unit, particularly at least one internal combustion engine and/or at least one electric motor 2, which drives or is configured for driving driven wheels 6 via the (at least partially automatic) clutch 30 and a shift gearbox 4, particularly an at least partially manual and/or at least partially automatic shift gearbox.

[0038] An accelerator pedal sensor 51 detects a position or actuation of the accelerator pedal 50 and transmits this position or actuation to the control device 9. A speed sensor 7 detects a vehicle speed and likewise transmits this vehicle speed to the control device 9.

[0039] A sensor arrangement 8 with at least one sensor, particularly at least one front and/or at least one rear sensor, such as a camera and/or a radar sensor, detects a minimal distance from an obstacle nearest the vehicle in the environment in front or behind the vehicle and transmits this minimal distance to the control device 9 that, if applicable, determines its time rate of change accordingly. The control device 9 actuates the clutch 30 electrically in that or wherein it correspondingly actuates or commands an actuator 31 for disengaging and engaging the clutch 30.

[0040] With reference to FIG. 2 in combination with FIG. 1, at S10, it is detected that the clutch 30 should be engaged, for example, due to the engagement of a gear of the gearbox 4 by the driver or a corresponding command. At S20, the current distance and/or its change detected by the sensor arrangement 8, the current position or actuation of the accelerator pedal 50 detected by the sensor 51 and the current vehicle speed detected by the sensor 7 are assigned to one or more different clutch torque curves with the aid of a characteristic diagram.

[0041] At S30, the control device 9 engages the clutch 30 in accordance with this clutch torque curve by correspondingly actuating or commanding the actuator 31, for example more quickly and/or completely if the sensor arrangement 8 detects that a clear space, particularly in front of the vehicle, is large or increases, particularly increases more quickly, and/or more slowly and/or only partially if the sensor 8 detects that a clear space in front of the vehicle is small or decreases.

[0042] While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment as contemplated herein. It should be understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.