# Patent

## Title
Drive unit for a vehicle

## Abstract

A drive unit for a vehicle including at least one drive wheel is provided, the drive unit having an internal combustion engine, and, between the internal combustion engine and the at least one drive wheel, a clutch for transmitting a torque between the internal combustion engine and the drive wheel, as well as a vehicle control for controlling or regulating the internal combustion engine as a function of the speed of the clutch on the side of the internal combustion engine and/or as a function of the speed of the clutch on the side of the drive wheel.

## Background
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a drive unit for a motor vehicle having at least one drive wheel, the drive unit having an internal combustion engine and having, situated between the internal combustion engine and the at least one drive wheel, a clutch for transferring a torque between the internal combustion engine and the drive wheel. The present invention also relates to a method and a control system for operating such a drive unit.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to improve such a drive train and the operation of such a drive train.
This object is achieved by a method and a drive unit and a vehicle control. In this context, the internal combustion engine is controlled or regulated as a function of the clutch speed on the side of the internal combustion engine and/or the clutch speed on the side of the drive wheel and/or as a function of the time derivative of the clutch speed on the side of internal combustion engine and/or as a function of the time derivative of the clutch speed on the side of the drive wheel in order to operate a drive unit for a vehicle having at least one drive wheel, the drive unit having an internal combustion engine and having, situated between the internal combustion engine and the at least one drive wheel, a clutch for transferring a torque between the internal combustion engine and the drive wheel. In this manner, among other things, a particularly advantageous restriction of the torque surges in the drive unit is achieved. Particularly in connection with a continuously variable transmission, an especially good protection of this continuously variable transmission is achieved in this manner. The ride comfort is also increased.
In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, a setpoint value for the torque of the internal combustion engine is determined as a function of the time derivative of the clutch speed on the side of the internal combustion engine and/or as a function of the time derivative of the clutch speed on the side of the drive wheel.
In another advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the internal combustion engine is controlled or regulated as a function of the setpoint value.
In a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the speed of the internal combustion engine is restricted.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the setpoint value is a maximum value that is not to be exceeded.
In a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the torque of the internal combustion engine is restricted when 



  
    
      d
      
        n
        E
      
    
    
      d
      t
    
  
  ≥
  
    n
    Elim1
  




where nE is the speed of the clutch on the side of the internal combustion engine and nElim1 is the predefined limiting value, and/or when 



  
    
      d
      
        n
        A
      
    
    
      d
      t
    
  
  ≥
  
    n
    Alim1
  




where nA is the speed of the clutch on the side of the drive wheel and nAlim1 is a predefined limiting value.

( )/dt indicates the time derivative.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the restriction of the torque of the internal combustion engine is ended when

nE0−nE<nElim2

where nElim2 is a predefined limiting value and nE0 is the speed of the clutch on the side of the internal combustion engine at the instant at which the restriction was started, and/or when

 nA0−nA<nAlim2

where nAlim2 is a predefined limiting value and nA0 is the rotational speed of the clutch on the side of the drive wheel at the instant at which the restriction was started.




BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a drive unit for a motor vehicle.
FIG. 2 illustrates a sectional view of a clutch.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram a of clutch control.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for an engine-torque setpoint adjuster.
FIG. 5 is another flowchart for an engine-torque setpoint adjuster; and
FIG. 6 is block diagram of a slip controller.



DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 shows a drive unit 16 for a motor vehicle. In this context, reference numeral 1 denotes an internal combustion engine, which is connected by a shaft 4 to an automatic transmission 2. Automatic transmission 2 is advantageously designed as a continuously variable transmission. Automatic transmission 2 is connected to drive wheels 8, 9 via a clutch input shaft 5, a clutch 3, a clutch output shaft 6, and a differential 7, in order to drive the motor vehicle. The torque transmitted by clutch 3 is able to be adjusted by pressing clutch 3 together with a clamping load p. To adjust the torque transmitted by clutch 3, a clutch control 12 is provided, which sets the clamping load in clutch 3 in response to the input of a setpoint clamping load p*. The clamping load is synonymous with the clamping force used to press clutch 3 together.
Input variables for clutch control 12 include rotational speed nE of clutch input shaft 5, which is measured by a speed sensor 10, rotational speed nA of clutch output shaft 6, which is measured by a speed sensor 11, transmission ratio i of automatic transmission 2, and a setpoint value Δn* for the clutch slip of clutch 3 (setpoint clutch slip), as well as optionally torque TM of internal combustion engine 1 and information ΔTM about the inaccuracy of the information regarding torque TM of internal combustion engine 1.
Clutch slip Δn is defined as

Δn=nE−nA

For example, torque TM of internal combustion engine 1 as well as information ΔTM regarding the inaccuracy of the information about torque TM of internal combustion engine 1 are provided by an engine control 14. A setpoint value TM* as well as an optional corrected engine torque TMK, which is a corrected value for the actual value of torque TM of internal combustion engine 1, are transmitted from clutch control 12 to engine control 14.
Engine control 14 uses manipulated variables M* to control and regulate internal combustion engine 1. Actual engine values M are optionally transmitted from internal combustion engine 1 to engine control 14.
In an exemplary embodiment, engine control 14 and clutch control 12 are part of a vehicle control 15. This may also have a transmission control (not shown) for controlling and regulating automatic transmission 2 as well as a superordinate control system for coordinating automatic transmission 2, internal combustion engine 1, and clutch 3. The superordinate control system provides, for example, transmission ratio i of automatic transmission 2 and setpoint slip Δn* for clutch 3.
FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a clutch 3. In this context, reference numeral 83 denotes a lubricating-oil supply line for hydraulic oil, reference numeral 84 denotes an external driver, reference numeral 85 an internal driver, reference numeral 86 an external disk, reference numeral 87 an internal disk, reference numeral 88 a restoring spring, reference numeral 93 a cylinder, reference numeral 94 a piston, reference numeral 95 a pressure plate, and reference numeral 96 denotes a pressurized-media supply line. External disks 86, which, in an advantageous refinement, are steel disks not having a friction lining, are positioned at external driver 84, which is connected to clutch input shaft 5. Internal driver 85, which is connected to clutch output shaft 6, receives internal disks 87, which are coated with a friction lining. When hydraulic oil is introduced into cylinder 93 through pressurized-media supply line 96 at a defined pressure level, piston 94 moves in opposition to the force of restoring spring 88, in the direction of pressure plate 95, and presses together the disk stack, which includes internal and external disks 87 and 86. In order to cool the disk stack, hydraulic oil is directed through lubricating-oil supply line 83 to internal and external disks 87 and 86.
FIG. 3 shows a detailed view of clutch control 12. It has a differentiator 20, a slip controller 21, as well as an adapter 22. Slip controller 21 is explained in greater detail in FIG. 6. Differentiator 20 calculates clutch slip Δn, which is an input variable that is input into slip controller 21. Other input variables of slip controller 21 included among other things setpoint clutch slip Δn*, engine torque TM, transmission ratio i of automatic transmission 2, and friction coefficient μ. Friction coefficient μ is calculated by adapter 22. The input variables for adapter 22 include setpoint clutch slip Δn*, transmission ratio i of automatic transmission 2, torque TM of internal combustion engine 1, information ΔTM regarding the inaccuracy of the information about torque TM of internal combustion engine 1, as well as a differential torque TR, which is calculated by slip controller 21. Apart from coefficient of friction μ, a corrected engine torque TMK is an additional output variable of adapter 22. Slip controller 21 also calculates setpoint clamping load p*.
Clutch control 12 also has a protective device 81 for protecting drive unit 16, in particular automatic transmission 2, from torque surges. The output variable of protective device 81 is a surge torque Ts. In an advantageous refinement, surge torque Ts is calculated according to 



  
    T
    s
  
  =
  
    
      T
      c
    
    -
    
      
        ∑
        l
      
      ⁢
      
        
          J
          l
        
        ·
        
          
            
              2
              ⁢
              
                 
              
              ⁢
              π
            
            -
            
              Δ
              ⁢
              
                 
              
              ⁢
              
                n
                max
              
            
          
          
            Δ
            ⁢
            
               
            
            ⁢
            t
          
        
      
    
  




in which

    
    
        J1 is the moment of inertia of the 1th drive-unit component, on the side of clutch 3 on which internal combustion engine 1 is situated;
        Δnmax is the maximum allowable clutch slip;
        Tc is a constant torque; and
        Δt is the period of time, in which a torque surge leads to an increase in the slip.
    
    


Automatic transmission 2 may be damaged by so-called torque surges, which are introduced into the drive unit in particular by drive wheels 8 and 9. In this case, it is particularly critical, for example, to protect a variator of a CVT (continuously variable transmission). Brief slippage of such a continuously variable transmission due to a torque surge may already result in permanent damage to the continuously variable transmission. Such torque surges occur, for example, in response to passing over from a road-surface covering having a low coefficient of friction to a road-surface covering having a high coefficient of friction. Examples include transitioning from an ice-covered road surface to a dry road surface or driving over railroad tracks.
If slip time Δt is not significant, then surge torque Ts is able to be set equal to constant torque TC.
An advantageous refinement provides for surge torque Ts to be transmitted to a transmission control, so that, e.g. the clamping load in a continuously variable transmission is able to be increased accordingly. The necessary clamping load in the continuously variable transmission is to be increased as a function of surge torque Ts.
A protective device 81, as explained by way of example, is particularly advantageously used in combination with the present invention. In an exemplary implementation of the present invention, clutch control 12 has an engine torque setpoint adjuster 91. In this context, engine-torque setpoint adjuster 91 outputs a setpoint value TM* for the torque of internal combustion engine 1, the setpoint value for the engine torque being supplied to engine control 14 in an exemplary embodiment. Apart from a torque input, setpoint engine torque TM* may also be specified by an ignition-advance angle input or by a limiting value for the engine speed. In this context, value TM* is advantageously a maximum value for restricting the torque of internal combustion engine 1.
FIGS. 4 and 5 show flow charts, which, in an exemplary embodiment, are each implemented individually or jointly on engine-torque setpoint adjuster 91. In this context, reference numerals 100 and 109 in FIG. 4 designate the beginning of the flow chart and the end of the flow chart, respectively. The functional sequence begins with a step 101, in which input clutch speed nE is input. In a further step 102, derivative dnE/dt of input clutch speed nE is calculated. Step 102 is followed by query 103, which checks if 



  
    
      d
      
        n
        E
      
    
    
      d
      t
    
  
  ≥
  
    n
    Elim1
  




in which nElim1 is a preselected limiting value. If this condition is satisfied, then a value nE0 is calculated in step 104, where

nE0=nE

Engine torque TM of internal combustion engine 1 is restricted in a further step 105. To that end, a corresponding setpoint value TM* is output, which may include a torque input, an ignition-advance-angle input, or a restriction of the maximum engine speed of internal combustion engine 1 (see above). In step 105, a new value of nE is input. In addition, step 105 is followed by query 106, which checks if

nE0−nE<nElim2

in which nElim2 is a preselected limiting value. If the query is not fulfilled, then step 105 is executed again. However if the query is satisfied, then step 107 follows in which the restriction of the engine torque is canceled. In other words, there is no torque input, ignition-advance-angle input, or restriction of the maximum engine speed. Step 107 is followed by a query 108, which checks whether the functional sequence should be ended. If the sequence is not to be ended, then step 101 is executed again. Otherwise, the sequence is ended.

If the condition 



  
    
      d
      
        n
        E
      
    
    
      d
      t
    
  
  ≥
  
    n
    Elim1
  




of query 103 is not fulfilled, then it is followed by query 108.

Reference numerals 110 and 119 in FIG. 5 designate the beginning of the sequence and the end of the sequence, respectively. The functional sequence begins with a step 111, in which output clutch speed nA is input. In an additional step 112, derivative dnA/dt of output clutch speed nA is calculated. Step 112 is followed by query 113, which checks if 



  
    
      d
      
        n
        A
      
    
    
      d
      t
    
  
  ≥
  
    n
    Alim1
  




in which nAlim1 is a preselected limiting value. If this condition is satisfied, then a value nA0 is calculated in step 114, where

nA0=nA

Engine torque TM of internal combustion engine 1 is limited in an additional step 115. To that end, a corresponding setpoint value TM* is output, which may include a torque input, an ignition-advance-angle input, or a restriction of the maximum engine speed of internal combustion engine 1 (see above). In step 113, a new value of nA is input. Step 115 is followed by query 116, which checks if

nA0−nA<nAlim2

in which nAlim2 is a preselected limiting value. If the query is not fulfilled, then step 115 is executed again. However, if the query is satisfied, a step 117 follows in which the restriction of the engine torque is eliminated, i.e., there is no torque input, ignition-advance-angle input, or restriction of the maximum engine speed. Step 117 is followed by an query 118, which checks if the functional sequence should be ended. If the sequence should not be ended, then step 111 is executed again. Otherwise, the sequence is ended.

If the condition 



  
    
      d
      
        n
        A
      
    
    
      d
      t
    
  
  ≥
  
    n
    Alim1
  




of query 113 is not satisfied, then it is followed by query 118.

FIG. 6 shows the inner design of slip controller 21. Slip controller 21 has a filter 31 for filtering clutch slip Δn. The difference between setpoint clutch slip Δn* and clutch slip Δn filtered by filter 31 is calculated by summer 36. This difference is negated by negator 32 and is the input variable for a controller 33, which is designed as a PID controller in an advantageous refinement. The output variable of controller 33 is differential torque TR.
Using a filter 34, engine torque TM is filtered and is multiplied by transmission ratio i of automatic transmission 2 using a multiplier 90. A summer 37 adds the product of engine torque TM and the transmission ratio of automatic transmission 2 to the output of a minimum generator 82, which compares differential torque TR and surge torque Ts and outputs the lesser torque as the output value. The sum of the product of engine torque TM and transmission ratio i of automatic transmission 2 and the maximum of differential torque TR and surge torque Ts is clutch torque Tk to be transmitted by clutch 3, the clutch torque, together with friction coefficient μ, being an input value for an inverse clutch model 35. The following equation is implemented in an exemplary embodiment of inverse clutch model 35: 



  
    p
    *
  
  =
  
    
      1
      
        A
        R
      
    
    ⁢
    
      (
      
        
          
            T
            K
          
          
            μ
            ·
            r
            ·
            
              Z
              R
            
          
        
        +
        
          F
          0
        
      
      )
    
  




In this context, AR is the piston area of clutch 3, r is the effective friction radius of clutch 3, ZR is the number of friction surfaces of clutch 3, and F0 is the minimum force necessary for clutch 3 to transmit torque.

## Claims

1. A method for operating a drive unit of a vehicle, the drive unit including at least one drive wheel, an internal combustion engine, and a clutch situated between the internal combustion engine and the at least one drive wheel, the clutch being operable to transmit a torque between the internal combustion engine and the drive wheel, the method comprising:
one of controlling and regulating the internal combustion engine as a function of at least one of a speed of the clutch on a side of the internal combustion engine and a speed of the clutch on a side of the drive wheel; 
wherein the internal combustion engine is one of controlled and regulated as a function of at least one of a time derivative of the speed of the clutch on the side of the internal combustion engine and a time derivative of the speed of the clutch on the side of the drive wheel. 
2.The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:

determining a setpoint value for a torque of the internal combustion as a function of at least one of the speed of the clutch on the side of the internal combustion engine and the speed of the clutch on the side of the drive wheel.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the internal combustion engine is one of controlled and regulated as a function of the setpoint value.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the torque of the internal combustion engine is restricted and the setpoint value is a maximum value that may not be exceeded.

5. A method for operating a drive unit of a vehicle, the drive unit including at least one drive wheel, an internal combustion engine, and a clutch situated between the internal combustion engine and the at least one drive wheel, the clutch being operable to transmit a torque between the internal combustion engine and the drive wheel, the method comprising:
one of controlling and regulating the internal combustion engine as a function of at least one of a speed of the clutch on a side of the internal combustion engine and a speed of the clutch on a side of the drive wheel; and 
determining a setpoint value for a torque of the internal combustion as a function of at least one of the speed of the clutch on the side of the internal combustion engine and the speed of the clutch on the side of the drive wheel; 
wherein the torque of the internal combustion engine is restricted when at least one of: 



  
    
      d
      
        n
        E
      
    
    
      d
      t
    
  
  ≥
  
    n
    Elim1
  






wherein nE is the speed of the clutch on the side of the internal combustion engine and nElim1 is a predefined limiting value; and 



  
    
      d
      
        n
        A
      
    
    
      d
      t
    
  
  ≥
  
    n
    Alim1
  




wherein nA is the speed of the clutch on the side of the drive wheel and nAlim1 is a predefined limiting value.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the restriction of the torque of the internal combustion engine is ended when at least one of:


nE0−nE21 nElim2 


wherein nElim2 is a predefined limiting value and nE0 is the speed of the clutch on the side of the internal combustion engine at an instant at which the restriction of the torque is started; and


nA031 nA21 nAlim2 


wherein nAlim2 is a predefined limiting value and nA0 is the speed of the clutch on the side of the drive wheel at the instant at which the restriction of the torque is started.

7. A method for operating a drive unit for a vehicle, the drive unit including at least one drive wheel, an internal combustion engine, and a clutch situated between the internal combustion engine and the at least one drive wheel, the clutch being operable to transmit a torque between the internal combustion engine and the drive wheel, the method comprising the step of:
one of controlling and regulating the internal combustion engine as a function of at least one of a time derivative of a speed of the clutch on a side of the internal combustion engine and a time derivative of a speed of the clutch on a side of the drive wheel; and 
determining a setpoint value for a torque of the internal combustion engine as a function of at least one of the time derivative of the speed of the clutch on the side of the internal combustion engine and the time derivative of the speed of the clutch on the side of the drive wheel.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the internal combustion engine is one of controlled and regulated as a function of the setpoint value.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the torque of the internal combustion engine is restricted and the setpoint value is a maximum value that may not be exceeded.

10. The method according to claim 7, wherein the torque of the internal combustion engine is restricted when at least one of: 



  
    
      d
      
        n
        E
      
    
    
      d
      t
    
  
  ≥
  
    n
    Elim1
  




wherein nE is the speed of the clutch on the side of the internal combustion engine and nElim1 is a predefined limiting value; and 



  
    
      d
      
        n
        A
      
    
    
      d
      t
    
  
  ≥
  
    n
    Alim1
  




wherein nA is the speed of the clutch on the side of the drive wheel and nAlim1 is a predefined limiting value.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the restriction of the torque of the internal combustion engine is ended when at least one of:


nE0−nE<nElim2 


wherein nElim2 is a predefined limiting value and nE is the speed of the clutch on the side of the internal combustion engine at an instant at which the restriction of the torque is started; and


nA0−nA<nAlim2 


wherein nAlim2 is a predefined limiting value and nA0 is the speed of the clutch on the side of the drive wheel at the instant at which the restriction of the torque is started.

12. A drive unit for a vehicle having at least one drive wheel, comprising:
an internal combustion engine; 
a clutch situated between the internal combustion engine and the at least one drive wheel, the clutch being operable to transmit a torque between the internal combustion engine and the drive wheel; and 
a controller for one of controlling and regulating the internal combustion engine as a function of at least one of a time derivative of a speed of the clutch on a side of the internal combustion engine and a time derivative of a speed of the clutch on a side of the drive wheel.

13. A control device for use in connection with a drive unit for a vehicle having at least one drive wheel, an internal combustion engine and a clutch situated between the internal combustion engine and the at least one drive wheel, the clutch being operable to transmit a torque between the internal combustion engine and the drive wheel, comprising:
a controller for one of controlling and regulating the internal combustion engine as a function of at least one of a time derivative of a speed of the clutch on a side of the internal combustion engine and a time derivative of a speed of the clutch on a side of the drive wheel.