Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Matt Todd

Ashok E Rodrigues

Alan Robert Dona

John Antoni Glab

Ramy Boctor

A method for controlling operation of a transfer case in a motor vehicle driveline that includes by an engine controlled by a throttle having a variable position, and a transmission driveably connected to the engine for producing multiple ratios of the speed of a transmission input relative to the speed of a transmission output. The transfer case transmitting rotating power in response to an electric signal applied to a clutch. The method includes determining that the engine throttle position is less than a first reference throttle position during a period of predetermined length; determining that a speed of the vehicle speed is in a predetermined range; determining that the transmission is operating in a speed ratio greater than a reference speed ratio; determining that the engine throttle position is greater than a first reference throttle position; and increasing the torque capacity of the clutch for a predetermined period.

Prevention of inadvertent inertial engagement of a transfer case clutch

A method for controlling operation of a transfer case clutch in a motor vehicle driveline controlled by an engine throttle having a variable position. The transfer case transmits rotating power to a primary power path and to a secondary power path in response to an electric current duty cycle applied to a coil that actuates the clutch. The method includes the steps of determining that a current vehicle speed is less than a reference vehicle speed; determining that the engine throttle position is in a reference throttle position range; determining that a change in vehicle speed is greater than a reference change in vehicle speed; using a current magnitude of torque in the driveline to determine a desired duty cycle for the coil; and applying a duty cycle of the desired magnitude to the coil.

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Canton, MI, United States of America

Matt Todd