Torque converter clutch capacity based on regenerative braking request

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9475495-B2
Application number	US-201514591232-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 7, 2015
Priority date	Jan 7, 2015
Publication date	Oct 25, 2016
Grant date	Oct 25, 2016

Abstract

A vehicle includes an engine, a transmission, and an electric machine configured to provide drive torque and regenerative braking torque. The electric machine is selectively coupled to the engine via a clutch. The vehicle additionally includes a torque converter with an associated bypass clutch coupling the electric machine and transmission. The bypass clutch has an associated torque capacity. The vehicle further includes a controller. The controller is configured to, in response to a braking request indicative of an anticipated regenerative braking request, increase the torque capacity prior to the regenerative braking event by a quantity corresponding to an anticipated regenerative braking torque associated with the anticipated regenerative braking event.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A vehicle comprising:
an engine;
a transmission;
an electric machine configured to provide drive torque and regenerative braking torque, the electric machine being selectively coupled to the engine via a clutch;
a torque converter and associated bypass clutch coupling the electric machine and transmission, the bypass clutch having an associated torque capacity; and
a controller configured to, in response to a braking request indicative of an anticipated regenerative braking event, increase the torque capacity prior to the regenerative braking event by a quantity corresponding to an anticipated regenerative braking torque associated with the anticipated regenerative braking event.

2. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the braking request is initiated by a driver actuation of a brake pedal.

3. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the braking request is initiated by a driver release of an accelerator pedal.

4. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to increase the torque capacity at a rate based on a capacitization response rate of the bypass clutch.

5. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further programmed to increase hydraulic pressure in the bypass clutch to increase the torque capacity of the bypass clutch.

6. A method of controlling a vehicle having an engine, a traction motor, a clutch configured to selectively couple the engine and traction motor, and a torque converter with associated bypass clutch coupling the motor to a gearbox, the method comprising:
in response to an anticipated application of regenerative braking torque associated with a braking request, increasing a torque capacity of the bypass clutch by a quantity corresponding to the anticipated regenerative braking torque; and
in response to the braking request, controlling the traction motor to provide regenerative braking torque after the torque capacity is increased.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the braking request is initiated by a driver actuation of a brake pedal.

8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the braking request is initiated by a driver release of an accelerator pedal.

9. The method of claim 6 , wherein the torque capacity is increased at a rate based on a capacitization response rate of the bypass clutch.

10. The method of claim 6 , wherein the increasing of torque capacity of the bypass clutch includes increasing hydraulic pressure in the torque converter bypass clutch.

11. A vehicle comprising:
traction wheels;
an electric machine configured to provide regenerative braking torque to the traction wheels;
a clutch configured to selectively operatively couple the electric machine and traction wheels; and
at least one controller configured to, in response to an anticipated increase in magnitude of an input torque to the clutch based on a braking request, increase a torque capacity associated with the clutch prior to the increase in magnitude.

12. The vehicle of claim 11 , wherein the braking request is initiated by a driver actuation of a brake pedal.

13. The vehicle of claim 11 , wherein the braking request is initiated by a lift pedal braking request.

14. The vehicle of claim 11 , wherein the controller is configured to increase the torque capacity at a rate based on a capacitization response rate of the clutch.

15. The vehicle of claim 11 , wherein the at least one controller is further programmed to increase hydraulic pressure in the clutch to increase the torque capacity of the clutch.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Nefcy Bernard D
• Connolly Francis Thomas
• Kuang Ming Lang

Classifications

• B60W20/10

  Controlling the power contribution of each of the prime movers to meet required power demand · CPC title

• B60W2710/083

  Torque · CPC title

• B60W10/08

  including control of electric propulsion units, e.g. motors or generators · CPC title

• B60W10/02

  including control of driveline clutches · CPC title

• B60L2210/40

  DC to AC converters · CPC title