Interrelated power delivery controls – including engine control – Clutch control – Condition responsive control
Patent
1992-06-19
1994-11-01
Marmor, Charles A.
Interrelated power delivery controls, including engine control
Clutch control
Condition responsive control
192103R, 477 78, 477 86, 477180, B60K 4102
Patent
active
053603818
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention pertains to a control for enabling a clutch to be automatically engaged to or disengaged from a power source.
Persons operating a standard transmission of a powered vehicle must smoothly operate a manual clutch to engage or disengage the power source with the wheel drive train of the vehicle. Many drivers prefer to avoid clutches by driving vehicles with automatic transmissions. However, vehicles with clutches are usually more economical to operate. Also, clutches provide a positive link with the power source which is usually preferred in racing vehicles. A drive system which would enable a clutch to be automatically engaged with the power source would be useful compromise between automatic transmissions and manually operated clutches.
The invention provides a programmed automatic control for motorcycle and motor vehicle mechanical clutches. The control senses one or more variables such as throttle position, engine RPM, engine load, pressure on the clutch friction plates, and other variables independent of the rider or driver, and enables the clutch to be engaged or disengaged according to one or more of those variables. No conventional manually operated clutch engagement pedal or handle is required. Gear shifting can be performed by operating the throttle and the gear shift control simultaneously. The control can have either a hydraulic, pneumatic or electrical pressure plate (ram) which automatically varies the pressure on the clutch friction plates according to throttle position, engine speed, load and other factors. The invention allows for optimum performance, economy and reliability on all clutched vehicles while simplifying usage. It is easily adapted to existing systems.
An apparatus for automatically controlling the position of a clutch between a power source and a drive train, characterized by a control which regulates pressure to a clutch engaging member according to sensed conditions relating to the power source. An apparatus for automatically controlling the position of a pressure actuated multiple plate clutch in a housing between a power source and a drive train of a vehicle characterized by a control which regulates air pressure generated by an air compressor mounted on the vehicle to a clutch engaging member adjacent to the clutch according to a performance variable of the power source.
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a motorcycle equipped with the automatic clutch control;
FIG. 2 illustrates detailed side partial section views of the interior of the housings which enclose the pump and solenoid valve and the clutch pressure plate actuator of the automatic clutch control;
FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric view of a motorcycle clutch pressure plate and clutch disc assembly;
FIG. 4 illustrates a section view of a motorcycle clutch, plate assembly, pressure plate, diaphragm actuator assembly and air supply of the motorcycle automatic clutch control;
FIG. 5 illustrates an inside view of a clutch plate housing with the pressure plate actuator;
FIG. 6 illustrates a detail section view of a motorcycle clutch plate assembly and pressure plate (ram) actuator assembly of the motorcycle automatic clutch control;
FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of the inside of a motorcycle clutch cover plate showing the ram pressure plate actuator assembly;
FIG. 8 illustrates a detailed isometric view of a motor, pneumatic air pump, reservoir, solenoid valve, and throttle activation switch, connected together;
FIG. 9 illustrates a schematic flow diagram of the electro-mechanical components of the automatic clutch control;
FIG. 10 illustrates a schematic flow diagram of the pneumatic operation of the automatic clutch control;
FIG. 11 illustrates a side partial section view of an automobile engine and manual shift transmission equipped with the pressure plate actuator of the automatic clutch;
FIG. 12 illustrates an end elevation of a manual shift transmission showing the pressure plate (ram) actuator and other components;
FIG. 13 illustrates a side elevation exploded view of the ram and c
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Marmor Charles A.
Pitts Andrea
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