| abstract |
The invention relates to a vehicle (12) such as a wheel loader used for earthmoving, comprising a motor (14), a torque converter (20) provided with a rotor (22), a reactor (24 ) and a turbine (28) and an input clutch (64) connected between the engine (14) and the rotor (22). An electro-hydraulic control device (76) is provided for controlled engagement of the input clutch (64), which includes an electronic control module (78) with microprocessors, an actuation mechanism (120) including one control element (122) can be gradually moved between first, second and third positions to provide the electronic control module (78) with a first electrical signal, and a valve (170) directing the fluid to the clutch inlet (64) with a decreasing pressure level when the control element (122) is moved from the first to the second position in response to another signal from the electronic control module (178). Said electronic control module (78) is programmed to maintain at least a minimum pressure level for the actuating piston (68) of the input clutch (64) when the control element (122) is located between the second and third positions. In addition, a service brake (150, 158) is increasingly controlled by a service brake mechanism (128) which responds to movement of the control member (122) between the second and third positions. Other logic functions are incorporated to control the input clutch (64) and a lockup clutch (66) connected between the engine (14) and the turbine (28). |