192 clutches and power-stop control – Transmission control and clutch control – Common control
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-19
2001-01-09
Bonck, Rodney H. (Department: 3681)
192 clutches and power-stop control
Transmission control and clutch control
Common control
C192S003620, C192S083000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06170624
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to an apparatus for disengaging (disconnecting) and engaging (connecting) a clutch, and more particularly to such an apparatus which can realize automatization of vehicle's clutch operation.
BACKGROUND ART
Conventionally, a so-called automatic clutch is known which combines an actuator with a friction clutch such that the clutch is automatically disconnected and connected.
However, a vehicle only equipped with the automatic clutch cannot run when the system is broken. Further, the following fail-safe measure is only available: the clutch is automatically disconnected, connected or maintained in the present condition when the system becomes out of order.
In consideration of the above, a so-called semi-automatic clutch is proposed to overcome the above shortcomings. By using the semi-automatic clutch, manual disconnection and connection of a clutch with a clutch pedal is also made available in addition to the automatic disconnection and connection (Japanese Utility Model Application, Laid-Open Publication No. 6-8825).
Incidentally, the semi-automatic clutch has a problem of interference between the automatic disconnection/connection and manual disconnection/connection when the automatic clutch operation is switched to the manual operation or vice versa. For example, if the one (automatic or manual) clutch disconnection/connection mode is switched to the other mode while the clutch disconnection is proceeding in the above-mentioned one mode, a clutch may immediately be brought into a connecting condition thereby causing a connection shock and unexpectedly rapid acceleration of a vehicle.
An object of the present invention is to provide a clutch disconnection/connection apparatus which can prevent occurrence of a connection shock and accidental acceleration of a vehicle when the switching between the automatic disconnection/connection mode and the manual disconnection/connection mode takes place.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A clutch disconnection/connection apparatus according to the present invention includes a manual disconnection/connection means for carrying out manual clutch disconnection and connection upon operation of a clutch pedal, an automatic clutch disconnection/connection means for performing automatic clutch disconnection and connection upon receiving a predetermined signal, and a switching control means for causing the switching between the manual disconnection/connection mode and the automatic disconnection/connection mode after clutch connection is completed.
According to this construction, the clutch mode switching is allowed to take place after the clutch connection is finished. Therefore, a shock upon clutch connection and unintentional acceleration of the vehicle would not occur.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4280604 (1981-07-01), Lambico
patent: 4505364 (1985-03-01), Goucher et al.
patent: 4589532 (1986-05-01), Ito et al.
patent: 5002166 (1991-03-01), Leigh-Monstevens et al.
patent: 5277290 (1994-01-01), Lasoen
patent: 324 553 (1989-07-01), None
patent: 1-216124 (1989-08-01), None
patent: 3-229020 (1991-10-01), None
patent: 9-79374 (1997-03-01), None
Arai Hiroyuki
Kobayashi Kazuhiko
Sugamura Nobuo
Bonck Rodney H.
Isuzu Motors Limited
Rader & Fishman & Grauer, PLLC
Rodr{acute over (i)}guez Sa{acute over (u)}l
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