Automatic Clutch Engagement Control for Parallel Hybrid Electric Vehicle

Abstract

Automatic clutch engagement control is essential for all kinds of vehicle power transmissions. The controllers for vehicle power transmissions may include model-based or model-free approaches and must provide high transmission efficiency, fast engagement and low jerk. Most vehicle automatic transmissions are using torque converters with transmission efficiencies up to 96%. This paper presents the use of fuzzy logic control for a dry clutch in parallel hybrid electric vehicles. This controller can minimize the loss of power transmission since it can offer a higher transmission efficiency, up to 99%, with faster engagement, lower jerk and, thus, higher driving comfortability with lower cost. Fuzzy logic control is one of the model-free schemes. It can be combined with AI algorithms, neuro networks and virtual reality technologies in future development. Fuzzy logic control can avoid the complex modelling while maintaining the system’s high stability amid uncertainties and imprecise information. Experiments show that fuzzy logic can reduce the clutch slip and vibration. The new system provides 2% faster engagement speed than the torque converter and eliminates 70% of noise and vibration less than the manual transmission clutch.

Keywords

• fuzzy logic control
• parallel hybrid electric vehicle
• torque converter
• dry friction clutch
• fast engagement
• low jerk