Motor-Assisted Clutch Lever With Mechanical Backup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clutch assemblies, both mechanical and electronic, face challenges such as high force requirements for disengagement, user fatigue, and reliability issues due to electrical system failures, especially in vehicles with difficultly accessible electronic components.
Innovation Solution
An electronic clutch assist apparatus with a casing, controller, position sensor, motor, and cable pulling lever that reduces the force needed to disengage the clutch by using a motor and position sensor to assist the hand lever, while maintaining a mechanical link and allowing for manual operation in case of electrical failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If an entirely electronic clutch assembly is used, then the force required to disengage the clutch is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates when electrical system issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: it can operate in fully mechanical mode using the hand lever and cable, or in assisted mode using the electric motor. This multi-functionality allows the system to adapt to different operational conditions and maintain reliability even when electrical systems fail.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates a mechanical backup pathway that is always available, providing a safety net before electrical failures occur. The mechanical linkages and cable system are maintained in ready state, ensuring that if electrical assistance fails, the user can immediately switch to manual operation without loss of clutch functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If electronic components are positioned in difficult to access locations, then the vehicle's original design is maintained, but the ease of operation deteriorates when switching from electronic to mechanical clutch
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch assist system is divided into separate functional modules: the electric motor unit, the control system, and the mechanical linkages. This segmentation allows the electronic components to be positioned in locations optimized for their function while maintaining clear access paths for mechanical operations and troubleshooting.
Solution Approach 2:
A mechanical interface or intermediary mechanism is provided that bridges the electronic and mechanical systems. This intermediary element is positioned to be easily accessible, allowing users to manually override or switch between modes without needing to access deeply embedded electronic components.
3Force
If a motor is used to assist clutch disengagement, then the force required by the user is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the purely mechanical force application with an electric motor that provides assisted force. The motor substitutes for the user's manual force in normal operation, reducing physical effort while maintaining the overall mechanical simplicity of the clutch disengagement mechanism through standardized motor and linkage components.
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 solution reduces user fatigue by lowering the force required to disengage the clutch and ensures reliability by providing an assist mechanism that can function both electrically and mechanically, ensuring the vehicle remains operational even with electrical system issues.
Implementation Method 1
a motor controlled by the controller and coupled to the casing
Data Source
AI summary
A clutch assist apparatus that has a casing, a controller, a position sensor that communicates with the controller to identify the position of a hand lever, a motor controlled by the controller and coupled to the casing, a cable pulling lever pivotally coupled to the casing about a rotation axis and configured to be coupled to a clutch cable, the cable pulling lever being movable between a first position and a second position. Wherein, the cable pulling lever selectively transitions a clutch assembly between an engaged position when the cable pulling lever is in the first position and a disengaged position when the cable pulling lever is in the second position. Further wherein, the cable pulling lever is movable between the first position and the second position by either the motor or the hand lever.