JPH051727A - Clutch engagement speed controlling device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] An actuator that controls the rotation return speed of the clutch pedal is used to control the clutch engagement speed to accurately control the engagement of the clutch according to the vehicle situation. A clutch engagement speed control device is provided. The actuator 10, the pedal operation detecting means 31a, the vehicle speed detecting means 31b, the brake operation detecting means 31c, and the engine speed detecting means 31d are provided, and when the vehicle is stopped in the disengaged state of the clutch. Select the first control pattern when operating the brakes,
When the engine speed is equal to or higher than a predetermined value when the brake is not operated, the second control pattern is selected, and when the engine speed is lower than the set value, a third control pattern is selected. Clutch joint speed control device.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a clutch engagement speed control device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The clutch engagement speed is set by the driver appropriately adjusting the depression release operation of the clutch pedal according to the driving state of the vehicle. When releasing the foot from the clutch pedal when releasing, a large impact torque is generated in the clutch, and while the vehicle is traveling, the clutch disc wears unless the pedal release operation is accelerated according to the vehicle speed,
Fever increases. For this reason, it is desired to develop a control device capable of appropriately controlling the clutch engagement speed in accordance with vehicle conditions such as normal running, sudden start, and hill start. The applicant of the present invention filed Japanese Patent Application No. 2-54200 previously filed in order to deal with such a request.
Japanese Patent No. 3485, proposes an actuator capable of accurately controlling the engagement speed of the clutch, and discloses an example of control using the actuator.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to use the above-mentioned actuator for controlling the rotation and return of the clutch pedal, or an actuator having a function similar to this, to meet the situation of the vehicle as described above. A clutch engagement speed control device capable of precisely controlling the engagement speed of the clutch is provided.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a clutch engagement speed control device, and the engagement speed control device detects an actuator for controlling a rotation return speed of a clutch pedal and a depression operation of the clutch pedal. The pedal operation detecting means, the vehicle speed detecting means for detecting the speed of the vehicle, the brake operation detecting means for detecting the operating state of the brake, and the rotation speed detecting means for detecting the engine speed are provided, and the disengagement of the clutch is released. In this state, the first control pattern is selected when the vehicle is stopped and the brake is operated, and the second control pattern is selected when the engine speed is equal to or higher than the set predetermined value when the brake is not operated. When the value is less than the set value, a selection means for selecting the third control pattern is provided.

[0005]

In the clutch engagement speed control device having such a configuration, the first to third control patterns can be selected by the operation of the selecting means when the clutch is disengaged. Is set according to the conditions of the vehicle, for example, normal running, sudden start, hill start, etc., the clutch engagement speed can be accurately controlled according to the conditions of these vehicles.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an actuator 10 constituting a clutch engagement speed control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The actuator 10 is an actuator previously filed by the applicant, and the actuator is arranged between the clutch pedal 21 and the dash panel 22 of the vehicle body as shown in FIG. By controlling, the clutch engagement speed is controlled. The clutch pedal 21 is a push rod 23.
The clutch operating oil is supplied to the clutch release cylinder through the hydraulic line from the clutch master cylinder 24 by depressing the clutch pedal 21, and the clutch engagement is released. Further, when the operation of depressing the clutch pedal 21 is released in this state, the working oil flows back from the clutch release cylinder to the clutch master cylinder 24, the clutch is engaged, and the clutch pedal 21 returns to the original position.

The actuator 10 is composed of the cylinder body 11, the piston rod 12, and the electrorheological fluid enclosed in the cylinder body 11. The cylinder body 11 is provided with a cylinder inner hole 11a at the center thereof, and a first passage 11b extending along the cylinder inner hole 11a.
And a second passage 11c, and both passages 11b, 1
Both 1c communicate with both ends of the cylinder inner hole 11a.
A check valve 13 is provided in the first passage 11b, and the check valve 13 allows only the flow of the electrorheological fluid in the arrow A direction. An electrode 14 is arranged in the second passage 11c, and the electrode 14 is arranged in the second passage 11c.
A voltage is applied to the flowing electrorheological fluid. The electrorheological fluid is introduced as the electrorheological fluid ... ER fluid in the publication "NIKKEI MECHANICAL (1986,2,10) P35". The piston rod 12 is a cylinder inner hole 11 of the cylinder body 11.
The electro-rheological fluid (hereinafter referred to as ER fluid) in the cylinder inner hole 11a is made to flow through the first passage 11b or the second passage 11c while being slidably inserted in the longitudinal direction a. In the actuator 10, the cylinder body 11 is rotatably connected to the dash panel 22 at its front end side, and the piston rod 12 is connected to the clutch pedal 21 at its rear end side.

The ER fluid changes its viscosity according to the applied voltage, and FIG. 3 shows a graph of the viscosity-applied voltage characteristic of the ER fluid. The ER fluid is applied with a voltage by the electrode 14 in the second passage 11c of the cylinder body 11, and the voltage supplied to the electrode 14 is controlled by the electric control device 30 described later.

In the joint speed control device 10 having such a structure, the piston rod 12 connected to the clutch pedal 21 in response to the depression operation of the clutch pedal 21 extends in the cylinder inner hole 11a of the cylinder body 11 in the longitudinal front end. Slides to the side, and causes the ER fluid in the cylinder inner hole 11a to flow mainly from the front end side in the first passage 11b in the direction of arrow A to the rear end side of the cylinder inner hole 11a. As a result,
The clutch pedal 21 is depressed by a predetermined amount, hydraulic oil is supplied from the clutch master cylinder 24 to the clutch release cylinder via a hydraulic line, and the clutch engagement is released. Further, when the depression of the clutch pedal 21 is released in this state, the clutch pedal 21 is pushed back to its original position by the return of the hydraulic oil from the clutch release cylinder to the clutch master cylinder 24, and at this time, the piston rod 12 is moved into the cylinder inner hole 11a. As the inside slides toward the rear end, E
The R fluid is supplied from the rear end side of the cylinder inner hole 11a to the second passage 11
c is made to flow in the direction of arrow B, and is made to flow into the front end side of the cylinder inner hole 11a.

Thus, the ER fluid has the viscosity-applied voltage characteristic shown in FIG. 3, and by changing the voltage applied to the electrodes 14, the viscosity of the fluid flowing between the electrodes 14 is changed, and The flow velocity in the two passages 11c can be changed. Therefore, if the applied voltage of the ER fluid is controlled according to the operating state of the vehicle, the depression release speed of the clutch pedal 21, the recirculation speed of the hydraulic oil from the clutch release cylinder to the clutch master cylinder, and thus the clutch engagement speed can be determined. It can be controlled according to the driving state of the vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 4, the electric control unit 30 includes a clutch operation switch 31a, a vehicle speed sensor 31b, a brake sensor 31c, an engine speed sensor 31d,
Pedal position sensor 31 for detecting the moving position of the pedal
e, pedal speed sensor 3 for detecting the return speed of the pedal
1f, a microcomputer 32 and a voltage control circuit 33. Clutch operation switch 31a, vehicle speed sensor 31b, brake sensor 31
The engine speed sensor 31d corresponds to pedal operation detecting means, vehicle speed detecting means, brake operation detecting means, and engine speed detecting means of the present invention.

Operation switch 31a and each sensor 31
b to 31f are connected to a microcomputer 32. The computer 32 has a ROM 32b, a CPU 32c, a RAM 32d and an I which are commonly connected to a bus 32a.
/ O32e. In addition, the microcomputer 32
Is connected to the voltage control circuit 33. The ROM 32b stores a program corresponding to the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 and also stores a program corresponding to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The CPU 32c keeps executing the program by closing the ignition switch, and the RAM 32d temporarily stores variable data necessary for executing the program.

When the ignition switch is turned on in the electric control device 30, the CPU 32
c starts executing the program from step 40 in FIG. The CPU 32c operates the operation switch 31 in step 41.
The on / off state of “a” is determined, and if it is in the on state, it is determined that the clutch pedal 21 has been stepped on, and “YES”.
If it is determined that the clutch pedal 21 is not depressed, the program is returned to the original state. C
In step 42, the PU 32c determines the vehicle stop state based on the vehicle speed signal from the vehicle speed sensor 31b, and the vehicle speed V becomes zero.
If so, it is determined to be "YES" as the stopped state and the program proceeds to step 43. If the vehicle speed is not 0, it is determined to be "NO" as the running state and the program is performed as step 4
Go to 4.

If the CPU 32c determines that the vehicle is stopped, the brake sensor 31 is determined in step 43.
The operating state of the brake is determined based on the braking state signal from c, and when the braking is in the operating state (ON), it is determined to be "YES" and the program proceeds to step 45 where the clutch engagement is continued. If the first control pattern is selected as the total speed control pattern and the brake is in the non-actuated state (OFF), the program proceeds to step 44.

On the other hand, if the CPU 32c determines that the vehicle is running, or if the vehicle is in the stopped state but the brake is inactive, the engine is detected in step 44 based on the engine speed signal from the engine speed sensor. It is determined whether or not the rotation speed N of the clutch is a predetermined rotation speed (N> N0) that has been set. If the second control pattern is selected, and if it is smaller than N0, it is determined to be "NO", and in step 47 the third control pattern is selected as the control pattern of the coupling speed of the clutch. In the present embodiment, the hill start control corresponding to the flow chart shown in FIG. 6 is programmed as the first control pattern, and the sudden connection mitigation control corresponding to the flow chart shown in FIG. 7 is programmed as the second control pattern. In addition, as a third control pattern, a suitable clutch engagement control at normal time (not shown) is programmed.

When the first control pattern is selected in step 45, the CPU 32c starts executing the slope start control program from step 50 in FIG.
At, a control signal for applying an applied voltage to the voltage control circuit 33 is output. As a result, a predetermined voltage is applied to the electrorheological fluid of the actuator 10, the fluidity of the electrorheological fluid is greatly reduced, and the cylinder 11 of the actuator is
Internal flow is regulated. Therefore, the clutch pedal 2
The depression operation of 1 becomes impossible, and the clutch pedal 21 is locked.

The CPU 32c then determines in step 52 based on the rotation speed signal from the rotation speed sensor 31d whether or not the engine rotation speed N is equal to or higher than the set value N1, and if the value is less than the set value N1, "NO". ", The step is returned to the original, and if the set value is N1 or more," YE
S "is determined and the program proceeds to step 53. CP
The U 32c stops the control signal output to the voltage control circuit 33 in step 53, and then proceeds to step 54.
As a result, the application of the voltage to the electrorheological fluid is stopped, the electrorheological fluid returns to the normal flow characteristic, and the movement of the clutch pedal 21 is allowed.

In step 54, the CPU 32c determines whether or not the returning pedal position L is equal to or greater than the set value L0 based on the signal from the pedal position sensor 31e, and if the value is less than the set value L0, the CPU 32c determines "NO". Undo the steps. Also,
When the pedal position L is equal to or greater than the set value L0 in step 54, the determination is "YES" and the program proceeds to step 55. In step 55, the clutch pedal 21 is returned based on the speed signal from the pedal speed sensor 31f. Speed V
Is greater than or equal to the set value V1, and if less than the set value V1, it is determined to be "NO", the control of the voltage applied to the electrorheological fluid of the actuator 10 is stopped, and the program is ended. Further, the CPU 32c is the clutch pedal 21.
If the return speed V of is greater than or equal to the set value V1, the program proceeds to step 56.

In step 56, the CPU 32c calculates the applied voltage corresponding to the return speed V and outputs a control signal corresponding to the calculated applied voltage to the voltage control circuit 33. As a result, a predetermined voltage is applied to the electrorheological fluid of the actuator 10, the fluidity of the electrorheological fluid is reduced by a predetermined amount, and the flow of the actuator 10 in the cylinder 11 is reduced. As a result, the return speed of the clutch pedal 21 decreases. The CPU 32c determines in step 57 based on the speed signal from the pedal speed sensor 31f whether or not the return speed V of the clutch pedal 21 is within the range between the first set value V1 and the second set value V2 which is a predetermined speed smaller than the first set value V1. If it is larger than the set value V1, it is judged as "NO" and the program is returned to step 56.
If it is within the range, it is determined as “YES” and step 5
Proceed to 8.

In step 58, the CPU 32c determines the clutch engagement state based on the detection signal from the operation switch 31a which detects the state of the clutch pedal 21, and when the clutch pedal 21 is restored and the clutch is engaged. When it is (ON), it is determined to be "YES", the control signal output is stopped in step 59, and the execution of the program is ended. If the clutch engagement is not completed, "NO"
Then, the program is returned to step 57.

According to the above clutch engagement speed control, the clutch pedal 21 is held in the operated state with the clutch disengaged, and then the clutch pedal 21 is returned at a speed corresponding to the accelerator opening degree to cause the clutch engagement. Completes the splicing. Therefore, it is possible to smoothly connect the clutches when the vehicle starts on a slope without releasing the clutch pedal 21.

When the second control pattern is selected in step 46 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, the CPU 32c executes a suitable clutch engagement control program during normal running from step 60 in FIG. Start. CPU
32c determines in step 61 based on the signal from the pedal position sensor 31e whether or not the returning pedal position L is greater than or equal to the set value L0. If it is less than the set value L0, it is determined as "NO" and the program is initialized. Return to. If the pedal position L is greater than or equal to the set value L0 in step 61, "YES"
If the return speed V of the clutch pedal 21 is greater than or equal to the set value V1 based on the speed signal from the pedal speed sensor 31f, it is determined in step 62 that the return speed V is less than or equal to the set value V1. "NO" in case
Then, the program is terminated without controlling the voltage applied to the electrorheological fluid of the actuator 10. If the return speed V of the clutch pedal 21 is equal to or higher than the set value V1, the CPU 32c advances the program to step 63.

In step 63, the CPU 32c calculates an applied voltage corresponding to the return speed V and outputs a control signal corresponding to the calculated applied voltage to the voltage control circuit 33. As a result, a predetermined voltage is applied to the electrorheological fluid of the actuator 10, the fluidity of the electrorheological fluid is reduced by a predetermined amount, and the flow of the actuator 10 in the cylinder 11 is reduced. As a result, the return speed of the clutch pedal 21 decreases. In step 64, the CPU 32c determines whether the return speed V of the clutch pedal 21 is within the range between the first set value V1 and the second set value V2 which is a predetermined speed smaller than the first set value V1 based on the speed signal from the pedal speed sensor 31f. If it is larger than the set value V1, it is judged as "NO" and the program is returned to step 63, and the set value V1 to V2 is set.
If it is within the range, it is determined as “YES” and step 6
Go to 5.

In step 65, the CPU 32c determines the clutch engagement state based on the detection signal from the operation switch 31a which detects the return state of the clutch pedal 21, and the clutch pedal 21 returns and the clutch is engaged. In this case, it is determined to be "YES", the control signal output is stopped in step 66, and the execution of the program is ended. If the engagement of the clutch is not completed, it is determined to be "NO" and the program is returned to step 63.

According to the above clutch engagement speed control, a voltage corresponding to the accelerator opening is applied to the electrorheological fluid of the actuator 10 based on the return position, the return speed, etc. of the clutch pedal 21, so that the rapid movement during normal traveling is achieved. A smooth clutch connection is achieved by preventing the occurrence of connection.

In the clutch engagement speed control in the third control pattern, the engagement of the clutch can be controlled, for example, to the clutch operating state of a professional driver, and the running state of the vehicle, that is, the vehicle A professional clutch pedal operation pattern corresponding to shift, vehicle speed, engine speed, etc. is stored in the microcomputer as a map, and the actual vehicle shift, vehicle speed, engine speed, etc. are detected and the clutch is detected. Control the splicing speed of. For example, when the driver shifts down the transmission from 4th speed to 3rd speed, a smooth shift change (shift down without shocks ... constant speed shift) is performed by opening the throttle valve immediately before joining and increasing the engine speed.
By making it possible to reproduce the clutch operation of a professional operator, it is possible to reproduce a good clutch operation. In addition, various control patterns are not limited to the above control patterns, and various control patterns capable of forming a desired clutch engagement state can be set.

In this embodiment, as the actuator, an actuator 10 having an electrorheological fluid whose fluidity is changed by applying a voltage is adopted, and the actuator 10 is provided between the clutch pedal 21 and the dash panel 22. Although an example of the arrangement is shown, in the present invention, an actuator or an electromagnetic control valve that functions in the same manner as the actuator 10 is adopted as the actuator, and it can be arranged and used as shown in FIGS. 8 to 11. ..

In the control device shown in FIG. 8, the electromagnetic control valve 10 is connected to the working fluid line 25 connecting the clutch master cylinder 24 and the clutch release cylinder (not shown).
A is arranged, and in the control device shown in FIG. 9, an electrorheological fluid is adopted as a working fluid, and a controller 10B having an electrode for applying a voltage to the working fluid is arranged. In the control device shown in FIG. 10, a hydraulic cylinder 10C having an electromagnetic control valve is arranged between the clutch pedal 21 and the dash panel 22, and in the control device shown in FIG. 11, the clutch release lever 26 is engaged. Clutch release cylinder 2
7 is provided with an electromagnetic control valve 10D. Even in each of these control devices, by controlling each actuator, the same operational effect as that of the above-described embodiment is obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an actuator that constitutes a control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a layout diagram showing a relationship between the actuator, a clutch pedal, and a clutch master cylinder.

FIG. 3 is a viscosity-applied voltage characteristic diagram of an electrorheological fluid.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an electric control device that constitutes the same control device.

FIG. 5 is a first flowchart executed by a microcomputer of the electric control device.

FIG. 6 is a second flowchart executed by the microcomputer of the electric control device.

FIG. 7 is a third flowchart executed by a microcomputer of the electric control device.

FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a first modified example of the control device of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a second modification of the control device.

FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a third modification of the control device.

FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a third modification of the control device.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Actuator, 10A ... Electromagnetic control valve, 10
B ... Controller, 10C ... Hydraulic cylinder, 10D ... Electromagnetic control valve, 11 ... Clutch body, 11a ... Cylinder inner hole, 11b, 11c ... Passage, 12 ... Piston rod, 1
3 ... Check valve, 14a ... Electrode, 21 ... Clutch pedal, 22 ... Dash panel, 30 ... Electric control device, 3
1a ... Operation switch, 31b ... Vehicle speed sensor, 31c ...
Brake sensor, 31d ... Engine speed sensor,
31e ... Pedal position sensor, 31f ... Pedal speed sensor, 32 ... Microcomputer, 33 ... Voltage control circuit.

Claims (1)

Claim: What is claimed is: 1. An actuator for controlling a rotation return speed of a clutch pedal, a pedal operation detecting means for detecting a depression operation of the clutch pedal, and a vehicle speed detecting means for detecting a vehicle speed. A brake operation detecting means for detecting the operation state of the brake and a rotation speed detecting means for detecting the rotation speed of the engine are provided, and the first control pattern is selected when the vehicle is stopped and the brake is operated in the disengaged state of the clutch. And a selection means for selecting the second control pattern when the engine speed is equal to or higher than the set predetermined value when the brake is not operated, and for selecting the third control pattern when the engine speed is less than the set value. A clutch engagement speed control device characterized in that