Clutch-by-wire integration including human override
US11506250B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 1, 2021 |
| Grant date | Nov 22, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 1, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16D2500/7041
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Systems and methods of controlling a clutch in a vehicle are provided. With the goal of enabling autonomous/assisted control of the clutch by an electronic control unit while preserving the familiar mechanical feeling at the clutch pedal that driving enthusiasts prefer, embodiments of the disclosed technology use a shuttle valve to blend control of clutch engagement between a driver and an ECU. In these embodiments, a clutch pedal in the vehicle may be mechanically connected to a piston in a first hydraulic cylinder (just like in a traditional mechanical/hydraulic clutch actuation system), and an ECU may actuate a second hydraulic cylinder. Accordingly, a shuttle valve may be used to route the fluid coming from the cylinder with the greater pressure (i.e. the driver actuated cylinder or the ECU actuated cylinder), to a third hydraulic cylinder which adjusts engagement of a clutch by a mechanical linkage.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.