Hydraulic Clutch Flow Restraint for Negative Pressure

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing vehicle hydraulic clutch apparatus experiences negative pressure issues during quick pedal return operations, leading to increased ineffective stroke and reduced operability due to inertial energy of working oil flowing from the concentric slave cylinder to the clutch master cylinder.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a flow restraint device, such as an orifice or throttle hole, in the oil passageway within the concentric slave cylinder to reduce inertial energy and prevent negative pressure by varying flow resistance based on the direction of oil flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the clutch pedal is quickly returned from the depressed position, then the working oil flows swiftly from the concentric slave cylinder side to the clutch master cylinder side, but negative pressure occurs in the oil passageway due to the inertia of the working oil

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepedal return speedVSAvoidclutch pedal operability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A flow restraint device is introduced as an intermediary element in the oil passageway between the concentric slave cylinder and clutch master cylinder. This device restricts the flow of working oil during quick pedal return, preventing negative pressure generation while still allowing normal clutch operation. The flow restraint device acts as a mediator that controls the inertial flow of oil to maintain system reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The flow restraint device changes the flow resistance parameter of the working oil during pedal return. By increasing flow resistance in the reverse direction, the device prevents the working oil from flowing too swiftly back to the master cylinder, thereby avoiding negative pressure and maintaining clutch pedal operability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If gaps are provided in the concentric slave cylinder to absorb engine vibration, then vibration absorption is improved, but the play of the initial stroke of the clutch pedal increases when negative pressure occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration absorptionVSAvoidclutch pedal initial stroke
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The flow restraint device converts the harmful effect of quick oil flow (which causes negative pressure and increases initial stroke play) into a beneficial effect. By restraining the flow, the device prevents negative pressure formation, ensuring that the gaps used for vibration absorption do not lead to excessive pedal play, thus maintaining both vibration absorption and operational precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Speed

If the working oil flows freely from the slave cylinder to the master cylinder, then the system responds quickly to pedal release, but the inertial energy of the working oil causes negative pressure and increases ineffective stroke

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoil flow speedVSAvoidineffective stroke
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The flow restraint device serves as an intermediary that controls the speed and direction of working oil flow. During pedal release, it allows sufficient flow speed for system response while restraining excessive inertial flow that would cause negative pressure and increase ineffective stroke, thus optimizing the balance between response speed and operational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The flow restraint device effectively reduces negative pressure occurrences, minimizing the ineffective stroke and enhancing clutch pedal operability by managing pressure loss and flow resistance, thereby improving the overall performance of the hydraulic clutch apparatus.

Implementation Method 1

Due to the influence of the inertia of the working oil, negative pressure occurs in the oil passageway

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInertia: Inertia

Implementation Method 2

a flow restraint device that restrains flow of the working oil from a concentric slave cylinder side to a clutch master cylinder side

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow resistance: Drag

Data Source

PatentEP2610518B1Vehicle hydraulic clutch apparatus
Publication Date: 2014.09.24 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP2610518B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2610518B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2610518B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A vehicle hydraulic clutch apparatus includes a clutch master cylinder that generates clutch working oil pressure in response to operation of a clutch pedal, and a concentric slave cylinder that engages and releases a friction clutch as the clutch working oil pressure generated by the clutch master cylinder is supplied thereto and discharged therefrom via an oil passageway. A flow restraint device (130, 200) that restrains flow of the working oil from a concentric slave cylinder (66) side to a clutch master cylinder (62) side which occurs according to operation of the clutch pedal (60) is provided in the concentric slave cylinder (66).