Clutch Engagement Control for Fast Manual Connection Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
In automated clutch systems of saddle-riding vehicles, the operational responsiveness of the clutch device is compromised due to frictional effects, particularly during manual operation and high-performance scenarios like racing starts, where quick and precise clutch engagement is critical.
Innovation Solution
A clutch control device that includes an engine, transmission, clutch actuator, and a control unit which calculates a quick connection target value for the clutch capacity based on the speed of the clutch operation, enabling a quick clutch connection mode that limits connection preparation time and adjusts according to the operation speed, ensuring rapid and responsive clutch engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If automated clutch control is implemented, then operational responsiveness is improved, but frictional effects during manual operation reduce responsiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit pre-calculates and stores target values for clutch capacity corresponding to various operating conditions (vehicle speed, engine load, temperature) before manual operation is needed. When manual operation is detected, the pre-calculated target values are immediately applied, eliminating the delay that would otherwise occur during real-time calculation and reducing the impact of frictional effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the target clutch capacity parameter based on operating conditions such as vehicle speed, engine load, and clutch temperature. By changing the target parameter values according to these conditions, the system optimizes clutch engagement performance across different scenarios, compensating for frictional effects that vary with temperature and load.
2Loss of time
If quick connection mode is activated, then clutch engagement time is reduced, but operational precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit dynamically adjusts the target clutch capacity based on the actual operating conditions during engagement. Rather than using a fixed quick-connection target value, the system continuously adapts the target parameter based on vehicle speed, engine load, and clutch temperature, ensuring both speed and precision are optimized for each specific situation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback from sensors monitoring clutch capacity, hydraulic pressure, and operating conditions to continuously adjust the target clutch capacity during the engagement process. This feedback mechanism ensures that even in quick connection mode, the clutch engages with the necessary precision by making real-time adjustments to compensate for variations in friction and hydraulic response.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual operation is allowed, then operational flexibility is improved, but responsiveness is reduced due to friction
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit pre-calculates target clutch capacity values for various manual operation scenarios and stores them in memory. When manual operation is detected, the appropriate pre-calculated target value is immediately retrieved and applied, eliminating the delay that would occur during real-time calculation and compensating for the time lost to frictional effects during manual lever movement.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enhances the operational responsiveness of the clutch system by reducing ineffective stroke elimination time and allowing for timely and precise clutch engagement, especially during racing starts, thereby improving the vehicle's acceleration and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a clutch actuator configured to drive the clutch device and change a clutch capacity
Implementation Method 2
the friction of each part when a clutch device is operated affects the responsiveness
Data Source
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AI summary
This clutch control device includes an engine (13), a transmission (21), a clutch device (26) configured to connect and disconnect motive power transmission between the engine (13) and the transmission (21), a clutch actuator (50) configured to drive the clutch device (26) and change a clutch capacity, a clutch operating element (4b) configured to enable the clutch device (26) to be manually operated, and a control unit (60) configured to calculate a target value (Pt) of a control parameter (Ps) of the clutch capacity in accordance with an amount of operation on the clutch operating element (4b). When the clutch device (26) is operated on a connection side according to an operation on the clutch operating element (4b), the control unit (60) is configured to set the target value (Pt) to a quick connection target value (Pmax) obtained by making a change to the connection side of the clutch device (26) with respect to an operation correspondence target value (Pv) according to the amount of operation on the clutch operating element (4b) if a speed of the operation on the clutch operating element (4b) is higher than or equal to a predetermined specified speed (Sp1).