Patent ID: 6052637
Filing Date: 2000-04-18
Classification: B60W,F16H,Y10T

Abstract:
A control system for a vehicular automated mechanical transmission system comprising a fuel-controlled engine having an engine output shaft, a mechanical change-gear transmission having an input shaft driven by said engine output shaft through a selectively engaged and disengaged master friction clutch, sensors for providing input signals indicative of system operating conditions, including signals indicative of the rotational speed of said transmission input shaft and of the engaged or disengaged condition of said transmission, and a controller for receiving said input signals and for processing same according to predetermined logic rules to make decisions and to issue command output signals, said control characterized by:means for determining an engaged or disengaged condition of said master clutch as a function of the value of input shaft speed and a predetermined engagement reference value equal to a less-than-expected idle speed of said engine;means for determining an engaged or disengaged condition of said transmission;means for determining a test value indicative of the rate of change with respect to time of the rotational speed of said input shaft;means effective, upon determining master clutch and transmission disengaged conditions, to compare said test value to one or more predetermined first reference values to determine the state of adjustment of said master clutch; andmeans effective, upon determining the existence of an unsatisfactory state of adjustment of said master clutch, to initiate predetermined corrective action.