Development of a new sub-shift schedule and control algorithm for a hydro-mechanical transmission

Abstract

In this study, a new sub-shift schedule was proposed for a hydro-mechanical transmission. To develop the sub-shift schedule, a network analysis was performed by considering the hydrostatic unit loss and mechanical component losses. In the new sub-shift schedule, the sub-shift gear can be selected with respect to the demanded wheel torque and vehicle speed, which provides improved system efficiency for the given vehicle operating condition. Since the sub-shift can only be carried out at a speed ratio where the off-going and on-coming clutch speeds are synchronized in the existing sub-shift control, a sub-shift control algorithm without the clutch speed synchronization was proposed to apply the new sub-shift schedule using the forward clutch pressure and hydrostatic unit stroke control. The performance of the sub-shift control algorithm without the clutch speed synchronization was evaluated by the simulation and experiment. It was found from the simulation and experimental results that the sub-shift can be achieved, showing an acceptable peak-to-peak torque variation in the driveshaft.