US3581156A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic arrangement for controlling an electromagnetic clutch
Assignee: US Philips Corp
•
Filing: 1969-02-06
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Granted: 1971-05-25
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Expires: 1989-02-06
Abstract
Abstract An automatic clutch control system for use in a motor vehicle includes an engine speed transducer that supplies a speed voltage to a control circuit. A power circuit controlled by the control circuit supplies current to the operating coil of the automatic clutch. The control circuit produces control voltages at distinct operating threshold levels for the power circuit that correspond to four engine operating zones, i.e. engine standstill, idling, transmission gear drive, and high speed drive.
Inventors
- 👤 Raymond Dolbachian
- 👤 Claude Lefevre
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 14:56
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02P; H02P29/00; H02P29/0016; H02P29/0027; B; B60; B60W; B60W30/00; B60W30/18; B60W30/1819; B60K; B60K2702/00; B60K2702/08; B60K2702/10; B60K2702/16; B60K2702/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
An electronic arrangement for controlling the electromagnetic clutch of a motor vehicle, comprising an engine speed transducer, a control circuit controlled by a voltage supplied by said transducer, said voltage increasing as the engine speed increases, and a power circuit controlled by said control circuit for supplying energy to an operating coil of the clutch, said control circuit including means for establishing a first operating threshold level below which it supplies a control signal to the power circuit which controls the power circuit so that the latter circuit supplied maximum energy to the coil and above which it controls the said power circuit so that it supplies minimum energy to the coil, a second operating threshold level above which it controls the power circuit so that it supplies to the coil a varying amount of energy that increases with increasing engine speed, and a third operating threshold level above which it controls the power circuit so that it supplies maximum energy to the coil.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
164 words
An electronic arrangement for controlling the electromagnetic clutch of a motor vehicle, comprising an engine speed transducer, a control circuit controlled by a voltage supplied by said transducer, said voltage increasing as the engine speed increases, and a power circuit controlled by said control circuit for supplying energy to an operating coil of the clutch, said control circuit including means for establishing a first operating threshold level below which it supplies a control signal to the power circuit which controls the power circuit so that the latter circuit supplied maximum energy to the coil and above which it controls the said power circuit so that it supplies minimum energy to the coil, a second operating threshold level above which it controls the power circuit so that it supplies to the coil a varying amount of energy that increases with increasing engine speed, and a third operating threshold level above which it controls the power circuit so that it supplies maximum energy to the coil.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
82 words
An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, in which said speed transducer delivers a signal having a repetition frequency that is proportional to the engine speed, said control circuit comprising a first stage having a transistor connected as a clipping circuit and a second stage having at least one transistor connected to form a monostable trigger circuit having a time constant that is smaller than the minimum time duration of a pulse delivered by said speed transducer and having said first threshold.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
74 words
An arrangement as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the output electrode of said first stage is connected to a biasing circuit for the input electrode of said second stage through a diode of which the electrode opposite to said output electrode is connected to a capacitor at the terminals of which the clipped pulses delivered by the first stage produce a voltage tending to render conducting said transistor of the second stage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
An arrangement as claimed in claim 2 wherein the output electrode of said second stage is connected to the input electrode of a transistor of a third stage through a first integrating network, said third stage being connected as a comparator and providing said second threshold.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
An arrangement as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that said third stage has a saturation threshold level which constitutes said third threshold level.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
An arrangement as claimed in claim 4 including means connecting the output electrode of said comparator stage to the input terminal of said power circuit, said power circuit comprising two transistors connected as a monostable trigger circuit having an output terminal connected to said operating coil.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
An arrangement as claimed in claim 6, characterized by a second integrating, stabilizing network arranged between the output terminal of said power circuit and the input electrode of the transistor of said comparator stage.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
An arrangEment as claimed in claim 4 further comprising a make-and-break switch coupled to the engine choke control and connected to modify the operating characteristics of said comparator stage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
An arrangement as claimed in claim 4 further comprising a make-and-break switch coupled to the engine accelerator pedal and connected to modify the bias of the transistor of said comparator stage.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
An arrangement as claimed in claim 4 further comprising a changeover switch coupled to the gear lever of the engine gearbox and connected to cause a weak reverse current to flow through said operating coil when said gear lever is operated.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3203518A
Cited
US3402793A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-24 | 1974-11-23 | 1975-05-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-24 | 1978-11-23 | 1979-05-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-24 | 1982-11-23 | 1983-05-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |