192 clutches and power-stop control – Clutches – Operators
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-08
2001-09-04
Lorence, Richard M. (Department: 3681)
192 clutches and power-stop control
Clutches
Operators
C192S085060, C192S090000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06283266
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to hydraulic clutch release mechanisms which can be utilized in the power trains or drive trains of motor vehicles to transfer clutch pedal action to the fork or release bearing of the clutch. As disclosed, for example, in “Modern Automotive Technology”, authored by James E. Duffy and published by the Goodheart-Willcox Company, Inc., Tinley Park, Ill., a hydraulic clutch release mechanism normally comprises three basic parts, namely, a clutch master cylinder (also called clutch cylinder), a hydraulic line and a slave cylinder.
A hydraulic clutch release mechanism replaces earlier types of clutch release mechanisms including those wherein a Bowden wire is employed to transmit motion from the clutch pedal to the release member (such as a fork) for a friction clutch. Depression of the clutch pedal, which is operatively connected with a clutch release member by a hydraulic release mechanism, entails the actuation of the master cylinder (the pressure of hydraulic fluid in the plenum chamber of the master cylinder rises), and the piston of the master cylinder expels pressurized hydraulic fluid, by way of the hydraulic line, into the plenum chamber of the slave cylinder. The piston of the slave cylinder is caused to perform a stroke which results in disengagement of the clutch by way of the aforementioned clutch release member.
A drawback of presently known hydraulic clutch release mechanisms is that the installing of the hydraulic line, the installing of various connections between the hydraulic line and at least one of the cylinders, and the installing of fluid-conveying connections between the cylinders, are time-consuming procedures primarily due to lack of space under the hood of a motor vehicle. Moreover, a hydraulic line cannot be bent to any desired extent, and this also contributes to the space requirements of conventional hydraulic clutch release mechanisms, not only in fully assembled and installed condition of the release mechanism but also (and often especially) during mounting of conventional release mechanisms in the power trains of motor vehicles. Heretofore known proposals to cope with the above outlined problems include the utilization of specially designed elbows, adapters, tees and analogous complex, costly and often bulky components.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,601,374 (granted Jul. 22, 1986 to Ladin for “HYDRAULIC CLUTCH PISTON AND SEAL”) discloses a hydraulic clutch release mechanism which comprises the above-enumerated constituents; however, the patentee is not concerned with and does not discuss the manner of assembling the constituents and of installing them in a motor vehicle. The connection between the master and slave cylinders comprises a threaded joint. The hydraulic line between the two cylinders has an end portion extending radially of the housing of one of the cylinders, and an arcuate second portion adjacent the end portion. The space requirements of the just described hydraulic line are quite pronounced so that such clutch release mechanisms cannot be put to use in numerous types of vehicles, especially those embodying front wheel drives. Moreover, the mounting of such mechanisms in those vehicles which provide adequate space to accommodate a hydraulic line with the aforedescribed radially extending and arcuate sections is a complex and time-consuming operation.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,108,135 (granted Apr. 28, 1992 to Mercado for “FIBER REINFORCED PLASTIC PIPE TEE”) discloses a fitting which can be put to use in certain types of hydraulic clutch release mechanisms. However, this patent fails to disclose any solutions how to approach the problems which arise in connection with the assembly of the constituents of a clutch release mechanism and/or in connection with the installation of an at least partially assembled release mechanism in a motor vehicle.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,113,657 (granted May 19, 1992 for “MODULAR HYDRAULIC CONTROL APPARATUS” to Compton et al.) discloses a hydraulic release mechanism employing modular quick-connect members which include one-way locking arrangements. This patent also fails to offer effective and generally useful solutions of the aforediscussed problems arising in connection with the utilization of conventional hydraulic clutch release mechanisms.
The disclosures of our German priority application Serial No. 197 54 702.8 (filed Dec. 12, 1997) and of all U.S. and foreign patents and patent applications identified in the specification of the present application are incorporated herein by reference.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide novel and improved connections between the constituents of a hydraulic clutch release mechanism for use in the power trains of motor vehicles.
Another object of the invention is to provide a hydraulic clutch release mechanism which is more compact and less expensive than heretofore known and utilized hydraulic clutch release mechanisms.
A further object of the invention is to provide novel and improved component parts and combinations of component parts, such as couplings, fittings or the like, for use in the above outlined clutch release mechanism.
An additional object of the invention is to provide novel and improved materials and combinations of materials for use in the making of certain constituents of a hydraulic clutch release mechanism.
Still another object of the invention is to provide novel and improved equipment for use in connection with the making and/or assembling or joining of constituents of the above outlined clutch release mechanism.
A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved method of assembling the constituents of the above outlined hydraulic clutch release mechanism.
Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved substantially T-shaped fitting for use in the above outlined clutch release mechanism.
An additional object of the invention is to provide a power train which embodies the above outlined hydraulic clutch release mechanism.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a clutch release mechanism which constitutes an improvement over and a further development of mechanisms disclosed in the aforementioned U.S. '374 patent to Ladin and/or in the aforementioned U.S. '657 patent to Compton et al.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is embodied in a hydraulic clutch release mechanism which comprises a cylinder having a piston reciprocable in a cylinder housing which defines a plenum chamber, a conduit (such as a hydraulic line), and a quick-connect coupling between the conduit and the housing. The coupling includes a fitting (such as a tee) having a channeled first section communicatively connected with an end portion of the conduit and a channeled second section that is inclined relative to and communicates with the channeled first section (and hence with the conduit), and a channeled third section which is provided on the cylinder housing. One of the second and third sections is a female section which sealingly but preferably separably receives the other of the second and third sections (i.e., the male section) and establishes therewith a path for the flow of fluid between the plenum chamber in the housing of the cylinder and the conduit by way of the first section of the fitting.
The cylinder can constitute a master cylinder which is actuatable by the clutch pedal or a slave cylinder which is actuated by a master cylinder. Alternatively, the third section of the coupling can include or constitute an adapter which is affixed to or is of one piece with the housing of the master or slave cylinder.
If the fitting is a tee, the first section forms part of the run and the second section forms part of or includes or constitutes the branch of the tee. As concerns the terms “run” and “branch”, reference may be had to the glossary in column 4, lines 4-30 of the U.S. '135 patent to Mercado.
The release mechanism can also comprise a relief valve which is or can be installed in the run of the tee at the end opposite that which is sealin
Meyer Gerhard
Welter Roland
Winkelmann Ludwig
Darby & Darby
Lorence Richard M.
LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbH
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