EP0038113A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Clutch control apparatus
Assignee: Whitnash PLC
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Filing: 1981-02-12
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2001-02-12
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle automatic clutch control comprising an engine speed sensor (21) that produces a signal V,, an electrical reference signal generator (34) that produces a signal V R and a comparator (23) that processes the two signals V, and V R to produce an error signal E. The error signal E is utilised for controlling a clutch actuator 27 that operates the clutch to vary the state of engagement of the clutch to alter the engine speed and equalise the two signals V, and V R and thus maintain a substantially constant engine speed until the clutch is fully engaged.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter John Norris
- 👤 Frederick John Parker
- 👤 Harry Mellows Windsor
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 21:46
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60W; B60W30/00; B60W30/18; B60W10/00; B60W10/02; B60W10/04; B60W30/1819; B60W2510/00; B60W2510/02; B60W2510/0208; B60W2510/0225; B60W2540/00; B60W2540/10; B60W2710/00; B60W2710/02; B60W2710/021; B60W2710/022; B60W2710/06; B60W2710/0644; B60W2710/0666
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
A vehicle transmission clutch control system having an electrical engine speed sensor (21) (111) that produces a signal (V 1 ) indicative of engine speed, and an actuator (27) (137) that operates the clutch (13), characterised in that there is also provided an electrical reference signal generator (34) (114) that produces a reference signal (V R ), a comparator (23) (113) that receives the reference signal (V R ) and engine speed signal (V i ) and produces an error signal (E), the error signal (E) is utilised Jor controlling the actuator (27) (137) to operate the clutch (13) and vary the engagement of the clutch to alter the engine speed with subsequent variation of the engine speed signal (V 1 ) to approach equivalence with the reference signal (V R ) so as to equalise the signals (V i ) and (V R ) and thus maintain a substantially constant engine speed until the clutch is fully engaged.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
159 words
A vehicle transmission clutch control system having an electrical engine speed sensor (21) (111) that produces a signal (V 1 ) indicative of engine speed, and an actuator (27) (137) that operates the clutch (13), characterised in that there is also provided an electrical reference signal generator (34) (114) that produces a reference signal (V R ), a comparator (23) (113) that receives the reference signal (V R ) and engine speed signal (V i ) and produces an error signal (E), the error signal (E) is utilised Jor controlling the actuator (27) (137) to operate the clutch (13) and vary the engagement of the clutch to alter the engine speed with subsequent variation of the engine speed signal (V 1 ) to approach equivalence with the reference signal (V R ) so as to equalise the signals (V i ) and (V R ) and thus maintain a substantially constant engine speed until the clutch is fully engaged.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
A control system as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that means (34) (127) are provided to adjust the reference signal (V R ) depending upon torque demand upon the engine of the vehicle so that as the torque demand increases the reference signal (V R ) is varied to correspond to a higher engine speed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
A control system as claimed in Claim 2, characterised in that said reference signal adjustment means comprise a throttle position sensor (127) that produces a throttle signal (V T ) indicative of throttle opening, and a summing junction (131) for summation of the throttle signal (VT) and reference signal (V R ), the comparator (113) receiving the modified signal (V S ).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
A control system as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that a choke position indicator (129) provides a choke signal (Y C ) which is utilised to alter the reference signal (V R ) according to the degree of choke.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
A control system as claimed in Claim 4, when dependent upon Claim 3, characterised in that the choke signal (V T ) is added to the reference signal (V R ) prior to the reference signal (V R ) being summed with the throttle signal (V T ).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
107 words
A control system as claimed in Claim 3 and Claim 4 and 5, when dependent upon Claim 3, wherein a switching circuit 123 is connected between the error signal (E) and the throttle position signal (VT) so that when the switching circuit (123) is energised by a predetermined imbalance between the engine speed signal (V 1 ) and the modified reference signal (V S ), the switching circuit output signal is then utilised to modify the throttle signal (V T ) and cause the clutch position control to remain in the clutch engaged state until the engine speed signal (V 1 ) drops to a given value.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A clutch control as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the throttle signal (V T ) varies with the throttle opening so that maximum signal equates with no more than 50% throttle opening.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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