Automatic servo-mechanism for sequential gearbox and clutch
Contents
1. that regulates the analog electric signal being settable at any point on a scale from zero to a maximum value 3 The automatic servo mechanism according to claim 2 comprising an electronical control unit 14 having input signals 31 which are at least connected to the selector 15 the output signals 32 of which at least are connected to the solenoid valve 10 with an outlet pressure that is propor tional to the analog electric signal 4 The automatic servo mechanism according to claim 3 comprising a gear sensor that is mechanically coupled to a selector drum 19 of the sequential gearbox and is con nected by means of its own output signal 31 to the inputs of the control unit 14 5 The automatic servo mechanism according to claim 3 comprising a sensor 12 disposed at a clutch rod attached to the clutch which sensor is mechanically coupled to the actuator 11 of the clutch and is connected by means of its own output signal 31 to inputs of the control unit 14 6 The automatic servo mechanism according to claim 3 comprising a vehicle speed sensor 29 which is mechani cally coupled to a drive 30 for wheels of the motorized vehicle by means of its own output signal 31 to inputs of the control unit 14 7 The automatic servo mechanism according to claim 3 comprising a sensor of pressure 13 inside the hydraulic circuit another sensor monitoring the position of the power control and a sensor of the engine s2. 40 and an articulated joint 41 which is fixed to the frame The operation of the servo mechanism for the control of the clutch and the sequential gearbox in the illustrated case of the control of a sequential motorcycle gearbox is as follows 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 4 The user first sets the level of intervention on the servo assistance level selector 15 which in its most simple form can be a switch with two or more positions or a potentiometer it sends to the control unit 14 an analog signal which is processed inside the control unit and is conditioned by the other parameters that will be referred to below it is then sent to the solenoid valve 10 where the pressure response is proportional to the signal received to actuate actuator 11 on the clutch When the engine has been started up or has been previously switched off the user can therefore actuate the clutch lever the microswitch 16 moni tors this actuation and sends the signal to the control unit which on the basis of the level of intervention regulates the analog signal for the aforementioned solenoid valve 10 the pressurised oil from the hydraulic circuit is modulated by the aforementioned solenoid valve circuit pressure is not monitored because it may be at maximum pressure pressure modulated with the engine running or the pressure is set by the pneumatic hydraulic accumulator 7 when the engine is switched off In each ca
3. revolutions per minute each one of the aforementioned sensors being connected by means of their own output signals 31 to inputs of the aforementioned control unit 14 8 The automatic servo mechanism according to claim 3 comprising the electronic control unit 14 having an output 32 connected to control a cut off device that temporarily cuts off power generated by the engine 9 The automatic servo mechanism according to claim 1 comprising a sensor of intended gear changes 21 which sensor 21 is connected between a gear lever 38 and the frame T in order to monitor the intended a gear change 10 The automatic servo mechanism according to claim 9 comprising the sensor of intended gear change 21 being disposed between the gear lever and the frame which sensor 21 also monitors whether a higher or lower gear has been engaged 11 The automatic servo mechanism according to claim 3 comprising an actuator for the sequential gearbox that actuates a gear lever 38 or 39 to actuate the gearbox without any intervention on a user s part 12 The automatic servo mechanism according to claim 1 configured as a kit for modifying the control of a sequential gearbox by fitting the servo mechanism of the actuator of the clutch and of the gearbox onto a motorized vehicle for updating the hydraulic system 1 and the hydraulic actuator US 6 641 503 B1 7 11 that controls the clutch the kit and controlling the gearbox and in
4. Field of Search 51 56 T References Cited U S PATENT DOCUMENTS 4 625 840 A 5 105 922 A 12 1986 Kojima et al 4 1992 Yant 31 477 78 192 3 58 477 78 192 3 57 analog electric signal that controls the solenoid valve 10 a microswitch 16 on the lever that actuates the clutch mechanically the hydraulic circuit also contains at least one check valve 6 downstream of the pump 3 at least one pneumatic hydraulic accumulator 7 connected down stream of the aforementioned check valve the aforemen tioned proportional solenoid valve 10 that regulates the pressure in the controlled section 33 this is connected to the aforementioned actuator 11 according to the analog signal received 13 Claims 2 Drawing Sheets U S Patent Nov 4 2003 Sheet 1 of 2 US 6 641 503 B1 ath 0 el gt i CEA 2 j m U S Patent Nov 4 2003 Sheet 2 of 2 US 6 641 503 B1 US 6 641 503 B1 1 AUTOMATIC SERVO MECHANISM FOR SEQUENTIAL GEARBOX AND CLUTCH The invention relates to an automatic servo mechanism for a sequential gearbox and clutch in other words a combination of hydraulic and electric devices that enable servo assisted control of the clutch when a sequential gear box is used thus safeguarding all possible manual operations but allowing the level of servo assistance to be adjusted at will The prior art already includes actuator devices for sequ
5. a United States Patent US006641503B1 10 Patent No US 6 641 503 B1 Bigi 45 Date of Patent Nov 4 2003 54 AUTOMATIC SERVO MECHANISM FOR 5 377 797 A 1 1995 Mustapha et al SEQUENTIAL GEARBOX AND CLUTCH 5 662 195 A 9 1997 Rush 5 992 590 A 11 1999 Harries sneis 192 3 58 75 Inventor Maurizio Bigi Novi di Modena IT 6 015 031 A 1 2000 Dorfschmid et al 192 3 58 6 102 829 A 8 2000 Muddell et al 477 77 73 Assignee ae S p A Concordia S Secchia FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS EP 0447383 A 9 1991 Notice Subject to any disclaimer the term of this GB 1461498 A 1 1977 patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U S C 154 b by 0 days cited by examiner 21 Appl No Primary Examiner Dirk Wright 22 PCT Filed Apr 12 2000 74 Attorney Agent or Firm Millen White Zelano amp Branigan P C 86 PCT No PCT IT00 00139 57 ABSTRACT 371 c 1 2 4 Date Jan 16 2002 The automatic servo mechanism for sequential gearbox and clutch which is fitted or which can be fitted to a motorised 87 PCT Pub No W000 61430 vehicle comprises a sequential gearbox a hydraulic circuit 1 and an actuator 11 that controls the clutch which PCI Pub Date Oct 12 2000 actuator is actuated by a solenoid valve 10 characterized 30 Foreign Application Priority Data therein that it consists of a selector 15 that regulates the Apr 14 1999 Int Chee ee B60K 41 02 52 U S Che vee 58
6. ani cally the hydraulic circuit also contains at least one check valve downstream of the pump at least one pneumatic 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 2 hydraulic accumulator connected downstream of the afore mentioned check valve the aforementioned proportional solenoid valve that regulates the pressure in the controlled section that is connected to the aforementioned actuator according to the analog signal received Adopting in a preferred embodiment the aforemen tioned selector which regulates the analog electric signal which signal can be set at any point on a scale from zero to the maximum value Adopting in a second preferred embodiment an elec tronic control unit the input signals of which at least are connected to the aforementioned regulation selector the control unit s output signals at least being connected to the aforementioned solenoid valve with outlet pressure that is proportionate to the analog electric control signal Adopting in another preferred embodiment a gear sensor which is coupled mechanically to the selector drum of the sequential gearbox and is connected by means of its own output signal to the inputs of the aforementioned control unit Adopting in another preferred embodiment a clutch rod position sensor which is coupled mechanically to the afore mentioned clutch actuator and is connected by means of its own output signal to the inputs of the aforemen
7. cluding a sensor for detecting intended gear change 21 which sensor is connected between a gear lever 38 and a frame T in order to monitor the intended the gear change 13 The automatic servo mechanism according to claim 1 configured as a kit for modifying the control of a sequential gearbox by fitting the servo mechanism for the actuator of the clutch and for the gearbox onto a motorized vehicle and 8 for connecting the electronic control unit 14 and to update the hydraulic system 1 and the hydraulic actuator 11 that controls the clutch and controls the gearbox that includes a sensor of an intended gear change 21 which sensor 21 is connected between a gear lever 38 and a frame T in order to monitor the intended the gear change
8. d in view of the fact that in the case of powerful motorbikes especially braking risks jamming the rear wheel because of excessive engine braking the control unit assesses the effective speed of the vehicle monitored by the sensor 29 the number of engine revolutions per minute the throttle position and gear engaged which is monitored by the sensor 18 on the gearbox drum and sends a modulated analog signal to the aforementioned solenoid valve 10 to obtain the partial slip of the clutch and prevent the aforementioned jamming of the rear wheel without the intervention of the user this intervention is modulated according to parameters obtaining at the moment in question as it must be stronger for low gears In the second for of application the servo mechanism also comprises the gearbox 21 control sensor that monitors the gear change intention of the rod 22 of the pedal 38 of the gearbox and its direction if any The aforementioned sensor must always be positioned and fixed between the frame T 40 and 41 and the gear lever to monitor gear lever actuation Aforementioned sensor 21 can also be used without the electronic control unit 14 because sensor 21 is a sequential microswitch both for changing up to higher and down to US 6 641 503 B1 5 lower gears that controls the proportional solenoid switch 10 in this case the selector 15 is overridden because the actuation of the gear lever 38 is a clear indication of the user s wish t
9. ential gearboxes that consist of hydraulic cylinders in which the pressure on the hydraulic cylinders changes the gear up or down in sequence The prior art also includes mechanical actuators for the control of the clutch in motorcycles in which the mechanical control actuates a lever which by means of a sprocket rack drive shifts the clutch disk the return to the original position is achieved by the clutch springs themselves A manual hydraulic control is also used that consists of an actuator comprising a single stroke hydraulic cylinder that acts on the clutch rod disk and which is controlled by a pump that is connected to the user s manual control lever The need for both manual and servo assisted and possi bly automatic dual operation is particularly keenly felt in racing and supertouring vehicles In fact in motorcycle applications dual operation of both the gear and the clutch is a very important safety factor With remote control of the gearbox the control that actuates the sequential gearbox must at the same time actuate the clutch in order to operate correctly therefore the familiar clutch actuator in other words the aforementioned lever with sprocket and rod with rack or the manual hydraulic control system with single stroke cylinder must be remote controlled These requirements are met by Italian patent application M099A000025 by the inventor of this servo mechanism in which an actuator for the remote control of the clu
10. h to be controlled independently of its constitution the user can in fact use the selector to set the intervention level and can choose completely manual completely automatic or any intermediate position in addition the presence of the sensor on the sequential gearbox rod enables automatic operation to be combined with total servo assistance if the user actuates the gearbox or partial servo assistance to be used if the user uses the clutch lever to override the automatic operation of the sensor on the gearbox rod In addition the use of the electronic control unit with its capacity to monitor a large number of parameters enables further levels of automatic operation to be achieved which enable clutch intervention to be adjusted during gear chang ing whereas otherwise the user has to control the clutch by US 6 641 503 B1 3 reducing vehicle performance through sharp braking and swift gear changing Some embodiments of the invention have been illustrated merely as examples in the two attached plates of drawings in which FIG 1 is the electrohydraulic diagram of the servo mechanism of the clutch according to this invention with monitoring of the sequential gearbox control FIG 2 is the view of the control of a motorcycle clutch FIG 3 is the view of the sensor on the servo assisted gear lever of the clutch actuator The following are shown 1 FIG 1 is the hydraulic circuit diagram comprising the oil sump 2 with the ad
11. les it is coupled to the wheel drive 30 31 is the group of input signals to the control unit which in addition to the connec tions shown has the advantage of comprising the other input signals of the number of engine revolutions per minute and of the position of the throttle 32 are the output control signals from the control unit shown here as a group of output conductors carrying analog signal for solenoid valve 10 for proportional control of pressure display of gear engaged speed display system fault light start up cut off or other devices limiting power of engine and finally the command for the different alarms The following are also indicated 33 FIG 2 is the hydraulic pipe connecting the aforementioned proportional solenoid valve 10 to the actuator 11 comprising the cylinder 34 the piston of which acts on the clutch rod by means of actuation M 35 is the mechanical clutch lever which is actuated by actuation A of the familiar tie rod system which comprises an appendix 36 that makes the coupling mono directional with a coaxial and rotating arm 37 which is connected to the aforementioned piston and to the afore mentioned clutch rod Finally the following are indicated 38 FIG 3 is the pedal that actuates a sequential motorcycle gearbox with C or P control axis by means of lever 39 rod 22 connects the two levers and supports the aforementioned sensor 21 that refers to the frame T to which it is connected by a bracket
12. n the actual embodiment the materials dimensions and parts may be different from those indicated but be techni cally equivalent without for that reason going beyond the legal scope of this invention Thus the hydraulic circuit may be embodied separately although this is less economical and will certainly be more complex and costly What is claimed is 1 An automatic servo mechanism for sequential gearbox and clutch operated by a mechanical lever and adapted for use in a motorized vehicle driven by an engine the servo mechanism including a sequential gearbox a hydraulic 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 6 circuit 1 having a pump 3 and an actuator 11 that controls the clutch and is actuated by a solenoid valve 10 the automatic servo mechanism comprising a selector 15 for regulating an analog electric signal that controls the solenoid valve 10 a microswitch 16 located on the mechanical lever that actuates the clutch the hydraulic circuit also containing at least one check valve 6 disposed downstream of the pump 3 at least one pneumatic hydraulic accumulator 7 connected downstream of the solenoid valve 10 and being proportional in order to regulate the pressure in a controlled section 33 connected to the aforementioned actuator 11 according to the analog electric signal received 2 The automatic servo mechanism according to the claim 1 comprising the selector 15
13. o carry out the complete cycle the intervention of the clutch actuator 11 will therefore be 100 automatic the action of the clutch will depend on the existence of the control on rod 22 Using the control unit 14 with the aforementioned sensor 21 provides more functions the automatic gear changing cycle can occur with the most appropriate modulation of the parameters that the control unit constantly monitors thus the duration of the gear change requested by the user by pressing pedal 38 depends on the requirements set by the particular operating situation determined by current wheel speed values the number of revolutions per minute of the engine the position of the throttle braking or absence of braking the gear engaged and the position of the clutch rod The combination of these parameters enables the electronic unit with suitable management software to regulate the time that the actuator 11 takes to intervene on the clutch and to reduce or not reduce engine power through actuating the cut off on the throttle or on some other instruments for temporarily reducing the power generated by the engine The level of automatic operation that can be obtained can include starting up the vehicle from stationary which can be made completely automatic i e the clutch can be engaged without any intervention on the user s part the user must only regulate the level of power required by adjusting the gas control and engaging the gear The main ad
14. se the pressure that acts directly on the cylinder 34 of the actuator 11 is directly proportional to the intervention level required by the user Thus if the level is not 100 but is lower it will always be the user s responsibility to supply the extra missing power by using mechanical actuation A to completely overcome the clutch opening reaction on the other hand the servo assistance intervention is immediate if the level is set at 100 no mechanical actuation is necessary on the contrary the recip rocal thrust between the lever 35 and the appendix 36 and the arm 37 does not occur because only the arm rotates and all the mechanical transmission to the clutch lever of the familiar type remains stationary The proportional solenoid valve 10 if there is no electronic control unit 14 can be controlled directly by the aforementioned microswitch 16 that is in sequence with the aforementioned selector 15 in order to transmit to the solenoid valve an analog signal that is proportional to the level of intervention set by the user In the most complete embodiment of the servo assisted control of the clutch with the electronic control unit 14 other parameters can be considered that make the aforemen tioned servo assistance more automatic and also make driv ing or riding the vehicle on which this system is applied much safer In fact the microswitch on the brake lever informs the control unit 14 of the braking in progress set by the user an
15. tch and an actuator for the gearbox are described both actuators can be used separately or jointly in this servo mechanism In addition the considerable power that is today used in motorcycle engines in particular requires the user to make a considerable effort to actuate the clutch it is therefore extremely tiring to frequently actuate the clutch as is necessary in racing or super tourism There is considerable scope for perfecting this prior art in terms of eliminating the disadvantages described above in order to enable the user to control at will the level of servo assistance required and to achieve complete automa tion The foregoing discussion shows that it is necessary to solve the technical problem of devising a servo mechanism that adapts to the user s requirements can be implemented at a later date keeps manual operation completely straightforward and is easy for even the user to fit onto the vehicle The invention solves the aforementioned technical prob lem by adopting an automatic servo mechanism for sequen tial gearbox and clutch which is fitted or which can be fitted to a motorised vehicle consisting of a sequential gearbox a hydraulic circuit and an actuator that controls the clutch which actuator is actuated by a solenoid valve characterised therein that it consists of a selector that regulates the analog electric signal that controls the solenoid valve a microswitch on the lever that actuates the clutch mech
16. tioned control unit Adopting in another preferred embodiment a vehicle speed sensor coupled mechanically to the vehicle wheels and connected by means of its own output signal to the inputs of the aforementioned control unit Adopting in another embodiment a hydraulic circuit pressure sensor a sensor that monitors the position of the power control and a sensor that monitors the engine s revolutions per minute each of the aforementioned sensors being connected by means of its own output signal to the inputs of the aforementioned control unit Adopting in another preferred embodiment the afore mentioned control unit that is connected to control a device that temporarily cuts off the power generated by the engine which device may be of any type that is suitable for the engine used Also adopting in another embodiment a gear change intention sensor which is connected between the gear lever and the frame in order to monitor the gear actuation intention Also adopting in another embodiment the aforemen tioned gear change intention sensor between the gear lever and the frame which also monitors the direction of the gear change for changing the gear up or down Finally adopting in another preferred embodiment an actuator for sequential gear changing which actuates the gear lever without the user s intervening The following advantages are obtained by this invention the electrohydraulic servo mechanism enables the clutc
17. van tage of the engine oil sump the pump 3 and the inlet filter 4 and the outlet filter 5 a check valve 6 to prevent the oil flowing back towards the pump 7 is a pneumatic hydraulic accumulator comprising the pressurised oil sump 8 is a pressure switch or pressure transducer to monitor by means of an electric signal when operating pressure has been reached 9 is a maximum pressure valve for discharging excess oil pumped during operation at a high rate of revo lutions per minute 10 is the proportional valve under pressure which regulates control delivery pressure on the basis of the analog signal received 11 is the hydraulic actuator that acts by means of movement M on the clutch rod A is the force generated by the linkage of the clutch to obtain said movement M 12 is the sensor of the position of the clutch rod 13 is the pressure sensor located directly on the actuator 11 which sensor monitors actuation pressure 14 is the electronic control unit with the control logic for the different input signals 15 is the selector of the level of servo assistance 16 and 17 are respectively the microswitches located to monitor the actuation of the clutch lever and of the brake lever 18 is the sensor of the drum 19 position of the sequential gearbox 20 is the control unit 14 start switch 21 is the sensor for monitoring the actuation of rod 22 of the gearbox and possibly of its direction 29 is the sensor of vehicle speed in the case of motorcyc
18. vantage is obtained by simultaneously using the actuator for controlling the sequential gearbox already described in the patent application referred to above and the actuator for the control of the clutch together or not with the electronic control unit which depends only on the level of automation required in the intervention this does not pre vent them from being used separately with manual com mands or also in combination with other prior art actuators The simultaneous use of the actuator for the gearbox already described in the previously mentioned patent application enables the clutch servo mechanism to be embodied as a completely automatic drive command and also enables the start up phase to be controlled and finally by speeding up the gear change it can also be used for gearboxes that transmit high levels of power This invention applies specifically to motorcycles but the automatic control of the sequential gearbox can also be equally applied to automobiles or to other vehicles such as go karts Finally a particular advantage for the user is the possi bility of being able to fit on his or her own the sequential gearbox control for changing the motorised vehicle control from manual to servo assisted by means of sets of parts that differ from vehicle to vehicle but which always include the clutch and or gearbox control parts and the instructions for fitting the complete electrical and hydraulic system for that vehicle I
Download Pdf Manuals
Related Search