Shared Clutch Hydraulic Control for Hybrid Manual Transmissions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hybrid vehicles with manual transmissions lack efficient automated/assisted clutch control, making it difficult to integrate manual transmissions while maintaining the familiar mechanical feel for drivers.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid vehicle system that employs a hydraulic-mechanical linkage to blend control of clutch engagement between a driver and an electronic control unit (ECU), using a shuttle valve to allow fluid from the source with greater pressure to control clutch engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If automated clutch control is implemented in hybrid vehicles with manual transmissions, then clutch engagement control is improved, but the familiar mechanical feel for drivers is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges automated ECU control with manual driver control by providing two separate fluid supply paths (first fluid from ECU, second fluid from driver) that both connect to the same clutch mechanism. This allows both automated and manual control modes to coexist and work together in a unified system.
Solution Approach 2:
A selectable fluid coupling device acts as an intermediary between the two fluid sources (ECU and driver) and the clutch mechanism. This intermediary selectively connects either the first fluid or second fluid to the clutch based on which control mode is active, enabling smooth transition between automated and manual control while preserving the mechanical feel when manual control is used.
2Ease of operation
If driver control is maintained for clutch engagement, then mechanical feel is preserved, but automated clutch control during electric-only modes and regenerative braking is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between manual and automated control modes based on operating conditions. The selectable fluid coupling device enables the system to adaptively connect either the driver's fluid supply or the ECU's fluid supply to the clutch, allowing the control mode to change dynamically between electric-only travel, regenerative braking, and manual operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The ECU monitors vehicle operating conditions (such as electric-only mode and regenerative braking) and uses this feedback to determine when to activate automated clutch control. The system receives input signals from various sensors and uses this information to selectively engage the automated control path through the fluid coupling device.
3Productivity
If ECU overrides driver for clutch disengagement, then hybrid mode efficiency is improved, but driver authority is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed to prevent conflicts between driver and ECU control by using the selectable fluid coupling device to prioritize one control source over the other based on operating conditions. When automated control is activated, the system preemptively blocks the driver's fluid supply from reaching the clutch, preventing any potential conflict or override attempts by the driver.
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
Enables seamless automated/assisted clutch control, preserving the familiar mechanical feel of traditional manual transmissions while allowing the ECU to override the driver for decoupling the internal combustion engine from the drivetrain during electric-only travel modes or regenerative braking.
Implementation Method 1
receiving, by a hydraulic-mechanical linkage in a hybrid vehicle, at least one of a first fluid compressed by clutch-related input signals from a driver of the hybrid vehicle, and a second fluid compressed by clutch-related input signals from an electronic control unit (ECU)
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods of controlling a clutch in a hybrid vehicle with a manual transmission, are provided. With the goal of enabling autonomous/assisted clutch control in a hybrid vehicle, while preserving the familiar mechanical feeling at the clutch pedal that driving enthusiasts prefer, embodiments of the disclosed technology use a shuttle valve to blend control of clutch engagement between a driver and an ECU. In these embodiments, a clutch pedal in the vehicle may be mechanically connected to a piston in a first hydraulic cylinder (just like in a traditional mechanical/hydraulic clutch actuation system), and an ECU may actuate a second hydraulic cylinder. Accordingly, a shuttle valve may be used to route the fluid coming from the cylinder with the greater pressure (i.e. the driver actuated cylinder or the ECU actuated cylinder), to a third hydraulic cylinder which adjusts engagement of a clutch by a mechanical linkage.