Parallel-Axis Clutch Actuator for Compact Manual Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clutch actuators are not easily miniaturized for use in manual clutch systems, as the integration of hydraulic cylinders and motors leads to increased size and protrusion, making them less compact.
Innovation Solution
A clutch actuator design where the hydraulic pressure generating mechanism, motor, transmission mechanism, and conversion mechanism are integrated with parallel axial directions, allowing for closer placement and reduced size, incorporating a valve mechanism, hydraulic pressure sensors, and an accumulator mechanism that extend parallel or perpendicular to the motor axis to minimize protrusion and enhance compactness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If the hydraulic cylinder and motor are integrated with center shafts crossing each other, then the clutch actuator can be compact in plan view, but the axial length increases and protrusion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spatial arrangement from a cross-axis configuration to a parallel-axis configuration. The motor's driving shaft and the hydraulic cylinder's piston shaft are arranged parallel to each other, allowing the components to be stacked in the axial direction rather than extending in perpendicular directions. This dimensional reorganization reduces the plan view area while controlling axial length through compact component stacking.
2Volume of moving object
If the hydraulic pressure generating mechanism and motor are placed closer together, then the overall size is reduced, but the integration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the motor and hydraulic pressure generating mechanism into a single integrated unit where the motor's driving shaft directly drives the piston shaft through a transmission mechanism. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate mounting brackets, coupling mechanisms, and external linkages, reducing overall size while managing integration complexity through direct mechanical coupling.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated unit serves multiple functions simultaneously: the motor provides rotational power, the transmission mechanism converts rotational motion to linear motion, and the hydraulic cylinder generates hydraulic pressure. This multi-functionality in a single integrated assembly reduces the number of separate components and connections needed, thereby reducing overall size without proportionally increasing complexity.
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 design achieves a more compact clutch actuator unit by allowing the hydraulic pressure generating mechanism and motor to be placed closer together, reducing the overall size and preventing protrusion, thereby facilitating easier mounting on manual clutch vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic pressure generating mechanism configured to operate a clutch to provide a connected state or a cut state by stroking a piston in a cylinder main body to generate a hydraulic pressure and supplying the hydraulic pressure toward the clutch
Implementation Method 2
a motor disposed such that an axial direction of a driving shaft is parallel to an axial direction of the cylinder main body of the hydraulic pressure generating mechanism and configured to generate a rotary driving force for driving the hydraulic pressure generating mechanism
Implementation Method 3
a conversion mechanism installed coaxially with the driven member between the driven member and the piston of the hydraulic pressure generating mechanism and configured to convert the rotary driving force transmitted to the driven member into a reciprocal driving force in a stroke direction of the piston
Data Source
AI summary
This clutch actuator includes a hydraulic pressure generating mechanism (51) configured to operate a clutch (26) to provide a connected state or a disconnected state, a motor (52) configured to generate a rotary driving force for driving the hydraulic pressure generating mechanism (51) to a driving shaft (52a), a transmission mechanism (54) configured to transmit the rotary driving force generated in the driving shaft (52a) of the motor (52) to a driven member (54b) parallel to the driving shaft (52a) in an axial direction and disposed coaxially with a cylinder main body (51a), and a conversion mechanism (55) configured to convert the rotary driving force transmitted to the driven member (54b) into a reciprocal driving force of a piston (51b) in a stroke direction, wherein the hydraulic pressure generating mechanism (51), the motor (52), the transmission mechanism (54) and the conversion mechanism (55) are integrated as a unit.