An electro-pneumatic clutch actuator

Abstract

The present invention discloses an electro-pneumatic clutch actuator, which has an air inlet (1), a disengaging solenoid valve (2), an engaging solenoid valve (3), a stroke sensor assembly (4), a pneumatic piston (5), a first air chamber (61), and a second air chamber (62). When the disengaging solenoid valve (2) is energized and the engaging solenoid valve (3) is not energized, high-pressure gas enters the first air chamber (61) from the air inlet (1) inside the disengaging solenoid valve (2), thereby pushing the pneumatic piston (5) to move to one side to disengage the clutch. When the disengaging solenoid valve (2) is not energized and the engaging solenoid valve (3) is energized, high-pressure gas enters the second air chamber (62) from the first air chamber (61) inside the engaging solenoid valve (3), and the pneumatic piston (5) moves to the other side to engage the clutch. The stroke sensor assembly (4) records the confirmed clutch position and provides it to the transmission control unit, thereby realizing electro-pneumatic clutch control.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electro-pneumatic clutch actuator, and more particularly, to an electro-pneumatic clutch actuator in the field of automotive braking. Background Art

[0002] With the development of the automotive industry, the clutch system is gradually tending towards automation. And the actuator of the automatic clutch is the core component among them. Currently, the actuators of automatic clutches mainly include hydraulic and electric types. However, the hydraulic-driven automatic clutch system requires a set of hydraulic systems such as a motor pump and a fuel tank, and the system is complex. The clutch actuator driven by an electric motor uses a DC motor as the power source. Although the structure is simple, the transmission efficiency is low, resulting in a long response time.

[0003] The present invention aims at the defects and deficiencies of the prior art and provides a clutch actuator with reasonable design, simple structure and convenient use. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides an electro-pneumatic clutch actuator, which is characterized in that it has an air inlet 1, a separation solenoid valve 2, a closing solenoid valve 3, a stroke sensor assembly 4, a pneumatic piston 5, a first air chamber 61, and a second air chamber 62.

[0005] Under the control of the transmission control unit, when the separation solenoid valve 2 is energized and the closing solenoid valve 3 is not energized, high-pressure gas enters the first air chamber 61 located between the cylinder block and the valve body from the inside of the separation solenoid valve 2 through the air inlet 1, thereby pushing the pneumatic piston 5 to move to one side to separate the clutch.

[0006] Under the control of the transmission control unit, when the separation solenoid valve 2 is not energized and the closing solenoid valve 3 is energized, high-pressure gas enters the second air chamber 62 communicating with the atmosphere from the first air chamber 61 through the inside of the closing solenoid valve 3 and is finally discharged to the atmosphere. After the movement of the pneumatic piston 5 ends, it moves to the other side to close the clutch.

[0007] The stroke sensor assembly 4 records the position of the pneumatic piston 5 and the confirmed clutch position, and provides the recorded signal to the transmission control unit.

[0008] In one embodiment, the electro-pneumatic clutch actuator of the present application is characterized in that the number of both the separation solenoid valve 2 and the closing solenoid valve 3 is two. One of the two separation solenoid valves is for quick separation and the other is for slow separation. One of the two closing solenoid valves is for quick closing and the other is for slow closing.

[0009] In one embodiment, the electro-pneumatic clutch actuator of the present application is characterized in that the air inlet 1 is equipped with a valve spring 11 and a one-way valve 12 to prevent reverse air pressure output and form a seal with the hexagonal joint 13.

[0010] In one embodiment, the electro-pneumatic clutch actuator of the present application is characterized in that the air inlet 1 is further equipped with a filter net 14.

[0011] In one embodiment, the electro-pneumatic clutch actuator of the present application is characterized in that the high-pressure gas enters the second air chamber 62 from the first air chamber 61 through the inside of the closed solenoid valve 3, via the third air chamber 63 which is the outer chamber of the closed valve body, the fourth air chamber 64 which is the inner cavity of the stroke sensor assembly, the fifth air chamber 65 which is the inner cavity of the push rod, and the sixth air chamber 66 which is the inner cavity of the piston.

[0012] In one embodiment, the electro-pneumatic clutch actuator of the present application is characterized in that the ferrule 51, the push rod 52, the piston 5 and the stroke sensor assembly 4 prevent the gas in the first air chamber 61 from flowing to the second air chamber 62 and the third air chamber 63 under the action of rubber seals.

[0013] In one embodiment, the electro-pneumatic clutch actuator of the present application is characterized in that the high-pressure gas is discharged from the second air chamber 62 to the atmosphere through the sponge 7 from the cylinder block.

[0014] The present application also provides an automatic electro-pneumatic clutch actuator system having the above electro-pneumatic clutch actuator. When the driver's intention is to shift gears, the electro-pneumatic clutch actuator is driven by an electronic controller in the transmission actuator, and controls the separation solenoid valve 2 and the closing solenoid valve 3 through the second information interaction wire harness 9 to perform the action of separating or closing the clutch. The stroke sensor assembly 4 records the position of the pneumatic piston 5 and the confirmed clutch position therefrom, and the first information interaction wire harness 8 collects the rotational speed sensor signal. The electronic module in the clutch actuator provides the stroke sensor signal and the rotational speed sensor signal to the transmission control unit through the second information interaction wire harness 9.

[0015] In one embodiment, the automatic electro-pneumatic clutch actuator system of the present application is characterized in that when starting up for the first time or after replacing the clutch disc, the clutch action module is made to act 5 times to learn and record the clutch engagement point, synchronization point and closing point positions for clutch separation and engagement control.

[0016] In one embodiment, the automatic electro-pneumatic clutch actuator system of the present application is characterized in that each time starting up, the clutch action module performs self-learning once to update the original data record, ensuring that the control software of the transmission control unit can obtain the latest wear information of the clutch friction plate at any time.

[0017] The above technical solution of the present invention has the following advantages compared with the prior art:

[0018] The electro-pneumatic clutch actuator of the present invention can automatically start the clutch for engagement and disengagement, effectively eliminating bumps and other vibrations, thereby allowing a smooth clutch operation. Compared with the clutch of a mechanical structure, its accuracy and timeliness are more guaranteed than those of a pure mechanical one.

[0019] Furthermore, through the self-learning function, after the positions of several main points in the adjustment range of the clutch actuator are confirmed and recorded, every time the ignition switch is turned on, the self-learning of the clutch actuator ensures that the control software can obtain the latest wear information of the clutch friction plate at any time and can be used to compensate for any possible clutch wear. In addition, at an appropriate moment before the clutch is completely worn out, the driver will receive an alarm message that the clutch has worn to the limit, which provides great guarantee for maintaining the best clutch drive and reducing the wear of the clutch plate.

[0020] In addition, when there are requirements for the speed of separating or closing the clutch, compared with the traditional mechanical structure clutch, the present invention can adjust the opening and closing time of the valve and / or the cycle frequency to ensure that the adjustment speed adapts to the actual situation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the specific embodiments of the present invention, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for the specific embodiments. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings.

[0022] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of the electro-pneumatic clutch actuator of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the external signal connection of the electro-pneumatic clutch actuator of the present invention.

[0024] 1: air inlet, 2: separation solenoid valve, 3: closing solenoid valve, 4: stroke sensor assembly, 5: pneumatic piston, 7: sponge, 8: first information interaction wire harness, 9: second information interaction wire harness, 11: valve spring, 12: check valve, 13: hexagon joint, 14: filter screen, 51: ferrule, 52: push rod, 61: first air chamber, 62: second air chamber, 63: third air chamber, 64: fourth air chamber, 65: fifth air chamber, 66: sixth air chamber. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0025] The following clearly and completely describes the content of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all of them. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts all fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of the electro-pneumatic clutch actuator of the present invention. As Figure 1 shown, this state is the initial diagram after the electro-pneumatic clutch actuator is installed on the vehicle. When a group of separation solenoid valves 2 are not energized, the solenoid valves seal the air pressure input from the air inlet 1 and prevent the air pressure from entering the first air chamber 61. A valve spring 11 and a one-way valve 12 can be installed at the air inlet 1 to prevent the reverse output of the air pressure and form a seal with the hexagon joint 13; and a filter net 14 can be installed to prevent large particulate matter in the air from entering the valve body, thereby affecting the use of the product.

[0027] When the separation solenoid valve 2 is in the energized state and the closing solenoid valve 3 is not energized, a channel is opened inside the separation solenoid valve 2, and the air pressure input from the air inlet 1 instantly enters the first air chamber 61, which is the air chamber between the cylinder block and the valve body, and acts on the pneumatic piston 5 to move leftward to separate the clutch. During this movement process, the ferrule 51, the push rod 52, the pneumatic piston 5, and the stroke sensor assembly 4 prevent the gas in the first air chamber 61 from flowing to the second air chamber 62, which is the air chamber where the cylinder block communicates with the atmosphere, and the third air chamber 63, which is the external chamber of the closing valve body, for example, under the action of rubber seals.

[0028] When the separation solenoid valve 2 is disconnected and the closing solenoid valve 3 is energized, the separation solenoid valve 2 closes the channel, and the air inlet 1 is no longer connected to the first air chamber 61; the internal channel of the closing solenoid valve 3 is opened, and the air flow in the first air chamber 61 enters the third air chamber 63 through this channel. Since the third air chamber 63 is connected to the fourth air chamber 64, which is the inner cavity of the stroke sensor assembly, the fifth air chamber 65, which is the inner cavity of the push rod, and the sixth air chamber 66, which is the inner cavity of the piston, the air flow instantly flows from the third air chamber 63 to the fourth air chamber 64, and from the fourth air chamber 64 through the fifth air chamber 65 and the sixth air chamber 66 to the second air chamber 62, and can be discharged to the atmosphere from the cylinder body through the sponge 7. Then, the closing solenoid valve 3 is disconnected and returns to the initial state.

[0029] After the movement of the pneumatic piston 5 ends, it can be driven back to its original position by the movement of the release bearing in the gearbox and move rightward to close the clutch.

[0030] The working principle of the automatic electro-pneumatic clutch actuator system of the present application is as follows:

[0031] Figure 2It is a schematic diagram of the external signal connection of the electro-pneumatic clutch actuator of the present invention. As Figure 2 shown, the first information interaction wire harness 8 and the second information interaction wire harness 9 are respectively electrically connected to the corresponding actuator connectors on the gearbox to perform the required information interaction. When the driver's intention is to shift gears, the electro-pneumatic clutch actuator is driven by the electronic controller in the gearbox actuator, and the separation solenoid valve 2 and the closing solenoid valve 3 are controlled through the second information interaction wire harness 9 to perform the actions of separating or closing the clutch. The stroke sensor assembly 4 records the position of the pneumatic piston 5 and the confirmed clutch position, and the first information interaction wire harness 8 collects the rotational speed sensor signal. The electronic module in the clutch actuator provides the stroke sensor signal and the rotational speed sensor signal to the gearbox control unit through the second information interaction wire harness 9.

[0032] In this way, the electro-pneumatic clutch actuator of the present application can realize the automatic start of the clutch for engagement and separation, effectively eliminating bumps and other vibrations, thereby allowing a smooth operation of the clutch. Compared with the clutch of the mechanical structure, its accuracy and timeliness are more guaranteed than those of the pure mechanical one.

[0033] When there are requirements for the speed of separating or closing the clutch, compared with the traditional mechanical structure clutch, this product can adjust the opening and closing time of the valve and / or the cycle frequency to ensure that the adjustment speed adapts to the actual situation. The automatic electro-pneumatic clutch execution system of the present application also has a clutch self-learning function.

[0034] After the first power-on / or after replacing the clutch disc, the clutch action module acts 5 times to learn and record the clutch engagement point, synchronization point and closing point positions for clutch separation and engagement control.

[0035] Every time the power is turned on later, the clutch action module self-learns once to update the original data record to ensure that the control software can obtain the latest wear information of the clutch friction plate at any time.

[0036] Through the above self-learning function, after the positions of several main points in the adjustment range of the clutch actuator are confirmed and recorded, every time the ignition switch is turned on, the self-learning of the clutch actuator ensures that the control software can obtain the latest wear information of the clutch friction plate at any time, and can be used to compensate for any possible clutch wear. In addition, at an appropriate moment before the clutch is completely worn, the driver will receive an alarm message that the clutch has worn to the limit, which provides great guarantee for maintaining the best clutch drive and reducing the wear of the clutch disc.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment, the product has four solenoid valves, namely two closing control solenoid valves (one for rapid closing and one for slow closing); and two separating control solenoid valves (one for rapid separation and one for slow separation). During starting and creeping, the engagement of the clutch can be controlled in a very precisely measured manner.

[0038] Obviously, the above embodiments are merely examples given for clear illustration and are not limitations on the embodiments. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other different forms of changes or modifications can be made based on the above description. It is not necessary and impossible to list all the embodiments here. And the obvious changes or modifications derived therefrom are still within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electro-pneumatic clutch actuator, characterized in that, It has an air inlet (1), a separating solenoid valve (2), a closing solenoid valve (3), a stroke sensor assembly (4), a pneumatic piston (5), a first air chamber (61), and a second air chamber (62). Under the control of the transmission control unit, when the separating solenoid valve (2) is energized and the closing solenoid valve (3) is not energized, high-pressure gas enters the first air chamber (61) between the cylinder block and the valve body from the air inlet (1) through the inside of the separating solenoid valve (2), thereby pushing the pneumatic piston (5) to move to one side and separating the clutch. Under the control of the transmission control unit, when the separating solenoid valve (2) is not energized and the closing solenoid valve (3) is energized, high-pressure gas enters the second air chamber (62) communicating with the atmosphere from the first air chamber (61) through the inside of the closing solenoid valve (3) and is finally discharged to the atmosphere. After the movement of the pneumatic piston (5) ends, it moves to the other side to close the clutch. The stroke sensor assembly (4) records the position of the pneumatic piston (5) and the confirmed clutch position, and provides the recorded signal to the transmission control unit. The high-pressure gas enters the second air chamber (62) from the first air chamber (61) through the inside of the closing solenoid valve (3), via the third air chamber (63) which is the external chamber of the closing valve body, the fourth air chamber (64) which is the inner cavity of the stroke sensor assembly, the fifth air chamber (65) which is the inner cavity of the push rod, and the sixth air chamber (66) which is the inner cavity of the piston.

2. The electro-pneumatic clutch actuator according to claim 1, wherein, The number of both the separating solenoid valve (2) and the closing solenoid valve (3) is two. One of the two separating solenoid valves is for rapid separation and the other is for slow separation. One of the two closing solenoid valves is for rapid closing and the other is for slow closing.

3. The electro-pneumatic clutch actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air inlet (1) is equipped with a valve spring (11) and a one-way valve (12) to prevent reverse air pressure output and form a seal with the hexagonal joint (13).

4. The electro-pneumatic clutch actuator according to claim 1, wherein, The air inlet (1) is further equipped with a filter screen (14).

5. The electro-pneumatic clutch actuator according to claim 1, wherein, The ferrule (51), the push rod (52), the piston (5), and the stroke sensor assembly (4) prevent the gas in the first air chamber (61) from flowing to the second air chamber (62) and the third air chamber (63) under the action of rubber seals.

6. The electro-pneumatic clutch actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The high-pressure gas is discharged from the second air chamber (62) to the atmosphere through the sponge (7) from the cylinder block.

7. An automatic electro-pneumatic clutch actuator system having the electro-pneumatic clutch actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the driver's intention is to shift gears, the electro-pneumatic clutch actuator is driven by the electronic controller in the transmission actuator, and controls the separating solenoid valve (2) and the closing solenoid valve (3) through the second information interaction wire harness (9) to perform the action of separating or closing the clutch. The stroke sensor assembly (4) records the position of the pneumatic piston (5) and the confirmed clutch position, and the first information interaction wire harness (8) collects the speed sensor signal. The electronic module in the clutch actuator provides the stroke sensor signal and the speed sensor signal to the transmission control unit through the second information interaction wire harness (9).

8. The automatic electro-pneumatic clutch actuator system according to claim 7, wherein When starting up for the first time or after replacing the clutch disc, the clutch action module is made to act 5 times to learn and record the clutch engagement point, synchronization point, and closing point positions for clutch separation and engagement control.

9. The automatic electro-pneumatic clutch actuator system according to claim 8, characterized in that, Each time the machine is powered on, the clutch operation module performs self-learning once to update the original data record, ensuring that the control software of the transmission control unit can obtain the latest wear information of the clutch friction plate at all times.

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