US3752284A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Acceleration and speed responsive electronic clutch controls
Assignee: Ford Motor Co
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Filing: 1971-09-23
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Granted: 1973-08-14
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Expires: 1991-09-23
Abstract
Abstract A system for controlling the engagement and disengagement of a clutch for a motor vehicle. Voltages proportional to clutch input member acceleration and speed and to clutch output member speed are developed. Clutch actuator means coupled to electrical circuitry responds to these voltage signals to control clutch engagement and disengagement. Additional control circuitry may be provided.
Inventors
- 👤 W Brittain
- 👤 D Price
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 03:09
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16D; F16D48/00; F16D48/06; B; B60; B60W; B60W10/00; B60W10/02; B60W10/04; F16D48/066; F16D2500/00; F16D2500/10; F16D2500/104; F16D2500/10443; F16D2500/1045; F16D2500/30; F16D2500/302; F16D2500/3028; F16D2500/304; F16D2500/3041; F16D2500/30415; F16D2500/30417; F16D2500/3042; F16D2500/30426; F16D2500/50; F16D2500/502; F16D2500/50239; F16D2500/70; F16D2500/704; F16D2500/70402; F16D2500/7042
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
198 words
A system for controlling the engagement and disengagement of a clutch, said clutch having an input member driven by an engine and having an output member, said control system comprising: control circuit means for generating an electrical output signal having a first conditon and a second condition, said control circuit means including circuit means for obtaining a differential voltage proportional to the difference in speed of said clutch input and output members, circuit means for comparing said differential voltage with a first reference voltage, and circuit means for placing said output signal on said first condition when said differential voltage is less than said reference voltage; clutch actuator means responsive to said control circuit output signal for causing said clutch to move toward engagement when said output signal is in said first condition and for causing said clutch to move toward disengagement when said output signal is in said seond condition; and circuit means for obtaining a voltage proportional to the acceleration of said clutch input member, for comparing said acceleration voltage with a second reference voltage, and for placing said output signal in said first condition if said acceleration voltage is greater than said second reference voltage.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
198 words
A system for controlling the engagement and disengagement of a clutch, said clutch having an input member driven by an engine and having an output member, said control system comprising: control circuit means for generating an electrical output signal having a first conditon and a second condition, said control circuit means including circuit means for obtaining a differential voltage proportional to the difference in speed of said clutch input and output members, circuit means for comparing said differential voltage with a first reference voltage, and circuit means for placing said output signal on said first condition when said differential voltage is less than said reference voltage; clutch actuator means responsive to said control circuit output signal for causing said clutch to move toward engagement when said output signal is in said first condition and for causing said clutch to move toward disengagement when said output signal is in said seond condition; and circuit means for obtaining a voltage proportional to the acceleration of said clutch input member, for comparing said acceleration voltage with a second reference voltage, and for placing said output signal in said first condition if said acceleration voltage is greater than said second reference voltage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said control circuit means further includes circuit means for placing said output signal in said first condition if said acceleration voltage is less than said second reference voltage and if the speed of said clutch input member is less than the speed of said clutch output member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system in accordance with claim 1, which further includes circuit means for causing said actuator means to disengage said clutch when the speed of said clutch output member is less than a predetermined value.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system in accordance wtih claim 2, which further includes circuit means for causing said actuator means to disengage said clutch when the speed of said clutch output member is less than a predetermined value.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
143 words
A system for controlling the engagement and disengagement of a clutch in a motor vehicle driveline, said clutch having an input member driven by the engine of said motor vehicle and having an output member connected to a gear box that has a gear change lever and a neutral position, said system comprising: circuit means for produicng a signal varying between a first condition and a second condition, said circuit means being responsive to the speed of said clutch member, the speed of said clutch output member, and the acceleration of said clutch input member; and clutch actuator means, connected to said circuit means and to said clutch, for moving said clutch toward engagement when said circuit means output signal is in said first condition and for moving said clutch toward disengagement when said circuit means output signal is in said second condition.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
143 words
A system for controlling the engagement and disengagement of a clutch in a motor vehicle driveline, said clutch having an input member driven by the engine of said motor vehicle and having an output member connected to a gear box that has a gear change lever and a neutral position, said system comprising: circuit means for produicng a signal varying between a first condition and a second condition, said circuit means being responsive to the speed of said clutch member, the speed of said clutch output member, and the acceleration of said clutch input member; and clutch actuator means, connected to said circuit means and to said clutch, for moving said clutch toward engagement when said circuit means output signal is in said first condition and for moving said clutch toward disengagement when said circuit means output signal is in said second condition.
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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) | 1976-08-13 | 1977-02-12 | 1977-08-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-13 | 1981-02-12 | 1981-08-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-13 | 1985-02-12 | 1985-08-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |