Self-adaptive optimal control of dry dual clutch transmission (DCT) during starting process

Abstract An optimal control based on the minimum principle is proposed to solve the problems with the starting process of the self-developed five-speed dry dual clutch transmission (DCT). For the slipping phase, the minimum principle and improved engine constant speed control are adopted to obtain the optimal clutch and engine torques and their rotating speeds, with the minimum jerk intensity and friction work as optimization indices. For the stable running phase, the engine torque is converted to the driver׳s level of demand. The Matlab/Simulink software platform was used to simulate the DCT vehicle in the starting stage. The simulation and related analysis were conducted for different engine speeds and intentions of the driver. The results showed that the proposed clutch starting control strategy not only reduces the level of jerk and the frictional energy loss but also follows the different starting intentions of the driver. The optimum clutch engagement principle was transformed into the clutch position principle, and a test was carried out on the test bench to validate the effectiveness of the optimum clutch position curve.