• Journal of Drive and Control
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.47-56
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• 2020

As a shift control of automatic transmission was managed with the electronic control unit (ECU), shift quality which is a measure of shift shock during gear change has markedly improved. However, the initial clutch pressure control of the clutch filling phase should continue to rely on the predetermined control input since the input and output speeds are unchanged until the shifting process attains the inertia phase. It is critical to minimize the clutch response time and control the clutch pressure accurately at the end of clutch fill to achieve quick shift response and smoothness. Advanced transmission companies have adopted an auto calibration method which establishes the databases for the clutch piston fill-up attributes and the frictional characteristics of the disks. In this study, a distinctive auto calibration algorithm for forklift transmission under development is proposed and verified with the real-vehicle test. The experimental calibration results showed consistent turbine dynamics at the initial stage of shifts with the properly calibrated clutch-fill control parameters. By using this technique, it is necessary to finalize the shift control for the various operation conditions.

• Journal of Drive and Control
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.47-54
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• 2014

Clutches are an integral part of the automatic transmission for changing gears. Modern automatic transmissions make extensive use of wet multiple-disc clutches employing hydraulic actuation mechanism with electronic control. Although nowadays, highly advanced shifting algorithm implements the superior shift quality and transmission efficiency, its performance should be based on smooth, reliable engagement with a reasonably durable friction material as well as stable clutch piston dynamics. Particularly, clutch filling control is the crucial part of shifting process because only the open-loop control is available due to the lack of measurement. In this paper, the effect of clutch-fill control parameters on clutch piston dynamics is experimentally investigated by using clutch piston test equipment which enables the clutch piston to actuate similar to real shifting conditions. The experimental analysis results can be expected to be utilized for the calibration of proportional solenoid valve as reference current profile data in vehicle test.

• Journal of Drive and Control
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.17-26
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• 2022

Recently, automatic transmissions caused a good improvement in the shift quality of a forklift. An advanced shift control algorithm, which was based on TCU firmware, was applied with embedded control technology and microcontrollers. In the clutch-to-clutch shifting, one friction element is released and the other friction element is activated. During this process, if the release and application timings are not synchronized, an overrun or tie-up occurs and ultimately leads to a shift shock. The TCU, which measures only the speed of the forklift, inevitably applies the open-loop shift control. In this situation, the speed ratio does not change during the clutch fill. The torque phase occurs until the clutch is disengaged. In this study, an offline shift logic of the learning control was proposed. It induced a synchronous shift when the learning control progressed. During this process, the reference current trajectory of the release clutch was corrected and applied to the next upshift. We considered the results of the overrun/tie-up characteristics of the upshift performed immediately before. The vehicle test proved that the deviation in shift quality, which was caused by the difference in the mechanical characteristics of the clutch, could be improved by the learning control.

• Journal of Drive and Control
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.46-55
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• 2021

A forklift is a powered industrial vehicle used to lift and move materials over short distances. Nowadays, almost all forklifts are equipped with an automatic transmission due to its improved operator comfort and increased productivity. Thanks to marked improvement of transmission control unit equipped with highly-advanced microcontrollers, recently developed automatic transmission for forklift have various auxiliary functions such as creep, auto retardation, and automatic shift with excellent shift quality. This paper deals with the creep function which enables one to maneuver a forklift at the designated low speed by slip control of clutches. The design of creep function was based on four modes of creep operation depending on the status of the operator's shift lever and accelerator pedal. Control algorithms and control parameters for each mode were designed to achieve the desired static and dynamic performance. Vehicle test for the designed creep function was carried out with an independently developed embedded controller. Test results confirmed good creep speed control without speed error at a steady state with a mild shift shock during mode changes by stepping or releasing the accelerator.