US3709340A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fluid released clutch controlled by engine speed and gear shifter
Assignee: Aisin Corp
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Filing: 1971-04-26
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Granted: 1973-01-09
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Expires: 1991-04-26
Abstract
Abstract A spring engaged friction clutch is released by a fluid pressure operated motor controlled by a pressure modulating exhaust valve. At idling speed and during gear shifting, the valve is closed by a solenoid to cause release of the clutch. An electronic device 52 produces and output voltage inversely proportioned to engine R. P. M. so as to supply a decreasing voltage to the solenoid as engine speed increases above idling to cause the valve to slowly open and the motor to gradually engage the clutch.
Inventors
- 👤 T Naruto
- 👤 N Hashimoto
- 👤 N Murakami
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 10:59
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16D; F16D48/00; F16D48/06; F16D48/068; F16D48/066; B; B60; B60W; B60W2510/00; B60W2510/06; B60W2510/0638; F16D2500/00; F16D2500/10; F16D2500/104; F16D2500/10443; F16D2500/1045; F16D2500/30; F16D2500/306; F16D2500/3067; F16D2500/50; F16D2500/502; F16D2500/50224; F16D2500/504; F16D2500/5045; F16D2500/70; F16D2500/704; F16D2500/70402; F16D2500/7042; F16D2500/706; F16D2500/70668
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
An automatic control system of a friction disc clutch for a vehicle comprising a source of fluid pressure, hydraulic servo means for engaging and disengaging said clutch, fluid pressure regulating valve means for controlling fluid pressure supplied to said servo means from said pressure source, solenoid means for regulating operation of said valve means by its energy in response to the rotation number of an engine of said vehicle whereby high pressure is supplied to said servo means during engine idling and shifting operation and gradually lowered pressure as engine rotation increases, and current control means for detecting said rotation number of said engine and for providing high voltage to said solenoid means during engine idling and shifting operation and gradually lowered voltages as engine rotation increases.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
An automatic control system of a friction disc clutch for a vehicle comprising a source of fluid pressure, hydraulic servo means for engaging and disengaging said clutch, fluid pressure regulating valve means for controlling fluid pressure supplied to said servo means from said pressure source, solenoid means for regulating operation of said valve means by its energy in response to the rotation number of an engine of said vehicle whereby high pressure is supplied to said servo means during engine idling and shifting operation and gradually lowered pressure as engine rotation increases, and current control means for detecting said rotation number of said engine and for providing high voltage to said solenoid means during engine idling and shifting operation and gradually lowered voltages as engine rotation increases.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
132 words
An automatic control system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fluid pressure regulating valve means comprises a valve housing including a cylindrical bore therein and provided with an inlet port in connection with said fluid pressure source and a pressure chamber of said servo means and an outlet port connected with a reservoir, a spool valve reciprocatable within said bore, a spring retainer reciprocatable within said bore and operable by thrusting force of a plunger jutting out of said solenoid means when energized, a first spring stretched between said spring retainer and said spool valve, and a second spring for normally biasing said spool valve and said spring retainer toward said plunger, thereby to control fluid pressure flow supplied to said pressure chamber of said servo means from said pressure source.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
106 words
An automatic control system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said spool valve is provided with a first land in contact with said second spring, a second land co-operating with said first land to form a first pressure chamber, and a third land co-operating with said second land to form a second chamber in connection with said inlet port and said outlet port, said first and second chambers being always connected each other by means of a through hole drilled on said spool valve, and a third chambeR is formed between said third land and said spring retainer, said third chamber connected with said outlet port.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
151 words
An automatic control system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said current control means comprises means for keeping said current supplied to said solenoid means at a predetermined high value while said engine of said vehicle is conditioned to its idling rotation, for decreasing said current at a time down to a predetermined low value when said engine rotation increases up to a preset number, for decreasing said current further in response to further increase of said engine rotation, for cutting off said current when said engine rotation reaches up a preset high number, and for increasing said current up to said predetermined high value upon shifting operation of drive power trains of said vehicle, thereby to engage said clutch when said engine rotation reaches and exceeds said preset number and to disengage said clutch when said engine is conditioned to its idling rotation and when drive power train is shifted.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
141 words
An automatic control system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said current control means comprises a detecting circuit for detecting the rotation number of said engine as sine waves, a converter circuit for converting said sine waves to pulse signals and further to analogue voltage, a first rotation number determining circuit for controlling said current supplied to said solenoid means in response to the value of said analogue voltage, a second rotation number determining circuit for cutting off said current in response to the value of said analogue voltage, a first current control circuit for controlling said current by means of said first rotation number determining circuit, a second current control circuit for controlling said current by means of said second rotation number determining circuit, and a drive shift detecting circuit for regulating said current upon drive power train shifting operation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
An automatic control system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said detecting circuit of said current control means comprises a senser of an electro-magnetic pickup device and a starter gear provided on a flywheel of said engine.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
An automatic control system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said converter circuit comprises a first transistor for amplifying said sine waves, a Schmitt circuit for converting an output of said first transistor to pulse signals, an integrator for converting said pulse signals to analogue amount, and an amplifying circuit for amplifying said analogue amount.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
An automatic control system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said first rotation number determining circuit comprises a Schmitt circuit controlled by said analogue voltage issued from said converter circuit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
An automatic control system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said second rotation number determining circuit comprises a Schmitt circuit controlled by said voltage issued from said converter circuit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
An automatic control system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said first current control circuit comprises a transistor conducted by means of said first rotation number determining circuit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
An automatic control system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said second current control circuit comprises a transistor conducted by means of said second rotation number determining circuit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
An automatic control system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said drive shift detecting circuit comprises s switching device operated by a shift lever of the vehicle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
86 words
An automatic control system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hydraulic servo means comprises a housing including a cylindrical bore therein and a port provided thereon, a piston reciprocatably engaged within said cylindrical bore to form a pressure chamber and operable by fluid pressure supplied to said pressure chamber from said pressure source through said fluid pressure regulating valve means and said port, a stopper means for determining the retraction stroke of said piston and connecting meanS for operatively connecting said piston to said clutch.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
78 words
An automatic control system as claimed in claim 13, wherein said connecting means comprises a rod extending from said piston, a hook member mounted to said rod, a release wire connected with said hook member, and a release fork one end of which is connected with said release wire and the other end of which is pivoted on the vehicle body, thereby to control the engagement and disengagement of said clutch by swinging movements of said release fork.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-09 | 1976-07-10 | 1977-01-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-09 | 1980-07-10 | 1981-01-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-09 | 1984-07-10 | 1985-01-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |