JPH11241734A - Automatic clutch control vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] In a conventional automatic clutch control vehicle, it was difficult to lubricate and bleed the hydraulic circuit in the clutch hydraulic actuator 19 and the hydraulic circuit from the clutch hydraulic actuator 19 to the slave cylinder 20. SOLUTION: Several vehicle operations that can be performed while stopped are set as conditions, and when those conditions are satisfied, a controller 5 is set to an automatic air bleeding operation mode. In this mode, when the disconnection command switch 26 and the connection command switch 27 are repeatedly and alternately operated, the clutch hydraulic actuator 19 alternately switches the operation of disconnecting and connecting the clutch 13 for a time determined by the timer 5-1. repeat. When this operation is performed while opening the air release valve (not shown) of the slave cylinder 20 attached to the clutch 13 and lubricating the reserve tank (not shown) of the clutch hydraulic actuator, the air release in the hydraulic circuit is performed. Becomes possible.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic clutch control vehicle in which connection and disconnection of a clutch is automatically controlled by a command from a controller.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a vehicle, a friction clutch is used as a clutch itself. The friction clutch is not controlled manually but automatically by a signal from a controller.
Some of them can be controlled manually or automatically. Here, a vehicle that can be controlled at least automatically is referred to as a clutch automatic control vehicle.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a conventional automatic clutch control vehicle. In FIG. 4, 1 is a shift lever, 2 is a clutch control changeover switch, 3 is a brake switch, 3A is a parking brake switch, 4 is a brake pedal, 4A is a parking brake, 5 is a controller, and 5-1 is a clutch disconnection during coasting. Contact map, 6 is a clutch pedal sensor, 7 is a clutch pedal, 8 is a master cylinder, 9 is an accelerator opening sensor, 10 is an accelerator pedal,
11 is an engine, 12 is an engine rotation sensor, 13 is a clutch, 14 is a gear position sensor, 15 is a release fork, 16 is a transmission, 17 is a transmission rotation sensor, 18 is a hydraulic pipe (hydraulic piping), 19
Is a clutch hydraulic actuator, 20 is a slave cylinder, 21 is a rod, 22 is a clutch position sensor, 23 is a key switch, and 24 is a battery. Here, an automatic clutch control vehicle is shown in which the clutch control can be performed manually or automatically.

The brake switch 3, the parking brake switch 3A, the clutch pedal sensor 6, and the accelerator opening sensor 9 determine whether or not each corresponding pedal is operated.
Alternatively, the degree of depression is detected. The detection signal is sent to the controller 5. The gear position sensor 14 detects a current gear position in the transmission 16, and the clutch position sensor 22 detects a clutch position (clutch stroke) between clutch disconnection and clutch engagement. The transmission rotation sensor 17 is provided for the transmission 1
The number of rotations of the counter shaft 6 is detected. The vehicle speed can be obtained by converting the rotation speed in consideration of the gear ratio and the like (in this case, the transmission rotation sensor 17 is used as a vehicle speed sensor). The detection signals of these sensors are also transmitted to the controller 5
Sent to The controller 5 is configured as a computer.

[0005] The clutch hydraulic actuator 19 is an actuator that controls disconnection and connection of the clutch based on a control signal from the controller 5. The clutch 13 can be automatically controlled by a signal from the controller 5, or can be manually controlled by the clutch pedal 7. Therefore, a clutch hydraulic actuator 19 is interposed in the middle of the hydraulic pipe 18 from the master cylinder 8 of the clutch pedal 7 to the slave cylinder 20 of the clutch 13.

[0006] The clutch control changeover switch 2 is a switch for switching whether to control the clutch 13 automatically or manually (by the clutch pedal 7). When the mode is switched to the manual side, the hydraulic pressure from the clutch pedal 7 is transmitted to the slave cylinder 20. When switching to the automatic side, a pump or the like (not shown) in the clutch hydraulic actuator 19 is operated by a signal from the controller 5, and the hydraulic pressure is transmitted to the slave cylinder 20 (in this case, the clutch pedal 7 is depressed). However, the hydraulic pressure is not transmitted to the slave cylinder 20).

[0007] In an automatic clutch control vehicle, a shift lever 1 in which a switch is built in a knob may be used. When the driver applies a force to the shift lever 1 to shift a gear, the switch is first turned on to sense the driver's intention to shift. When the controller 5 receives the switch-on signal, the clutch 13 is disengaged in preparation for gear-in. After such a state, the gear is shifted.

Next, a hydraulic circuit for controlling the clutch will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a normal state of the clutch control hydraulic circuit. Here, the normal state refers to a state in which the clutch is not controlled by manual operation or automatic operation and is kept in contact. The reference numerals correspond to those in FIG. 4, 50 is a rod, 51 is a reserve tank, 52 is a piston, 53 is a spring,
54 is a chamber, 60 is an intermediate cylinder, 61 is a reserve tank, 62 is an air release valve, 63 is a chamber, 64 and 65 are pistons, 66 is a spring, 67 is a check valve, 68 is a pump, 69 is a motor, 70 is Solenoid valve, 71 is a relief valve, 80 is a chamber, 81 is an air release valve, 82
Is a piston, and 83 is a spring. The relief valve 71 is a valve for protecting the hydraulic circuit, and is a valve that opens when the hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic circuit becomes higher than a predetermined value and allows oil to flow in the direction of the arrow.

The clutch hydraulic actuator 19 drives an intermediate cylinder 60 having two pistons 64 and 65, and a pump 68, a solenoid valve 70, a relief valve 71 and a pump 68 connected to the intermediate cylinder 60 by a hydraulic pipe 18. The motor 69 includes a check valve 67 for preventing backflow to the pump 68 and the like. In a normal state, the pump 68 is stopped and the solenoid valve 7
0, the relief valve 71 is closed. The operation and stop of the pump 68 and the opening and closing of the solenoid valve 70 are performed by commands from the controller 5, respectively.

Next, manual and automatic clutch control will be described. The manual control is performed by the clutch pedal 7, and the automatic control is performed by issuing a command from the controller 5 to the clutch hydraulic actuator 19. (1) Manual Disengagement of Clutch FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the state of the clutch control hydraulic circuit when the clutch is manually disengaged. The reference numerals correspond to those in FIG. When the clutch pedal 7 is depressed, hydraulic pressure is transmitted from the master cylinder 8 to the intermediate cylinder 60,
The pistons 64 and 65 move rightward while pressing and contracting the spring 66. Thereby, the hydraulic pressure is transmitted from the intermediate cylinder 60 to the slave cylinder 20, and the clutch is disconnected. At this time, the pump 68 is stopped, and the solenoid valve 70 is closed. (2) Manual clutch connection When the clutch pedal 7 which is being stepped on is released, the state of each cylinder returns to the original state by the return springs 53, 66, 83 and the like, and the clutch returns to the connected state.

(3) Automatic clutch disconnection FIG. 7 is a view for explaining the state of the clutch control hydraulic circuit when the clutch is automatically disconnected. The reference numerals correspond to those in FIG. At this time, a rotation command is issued from the controller 5 to the motor 69, and the pump 68 is operated. Therefore, in the route of the reserve tank 61 → the pump 68 → the check valve 67 → the intermediate cylinder 60, the intermediate cylinder 60
(At this time, the solenoid valve 70 is closed. The relief valve 71 is also closed unless a predetermined oil pressure is reached.) Each of the pistons 64 and 65 in the intermediate cylinder 60 receives a pressure directed laterally from the center. The piston 65 moves rightward while compressing the spring 66, so that the hydraulic pressure is transmitted to the slave cylinder 20 and the clutch is released.

(4) Automatic Clutch Connection FIG. 8 is a view for explaining the state of the clutch control hydraulic circuit when the clutch is automatically engaged. The reference numerals correspond to those in FIG. At this time, an opening command is issued from the controller 5 to the solenoid valve 70, and the solenoid valve 70 is opened (the pump 68 is stopped). Therefore, the path of the intermediate cylinder 60 → the solenoid valve 70 → the reserve tank 61 is communicated, so that the piston 65 moves to the left by the elastic force of the spring 66. Therefore, oil is drained from the center chamber 63 of the intermediate cylinder 60, the piston 82 of the slave cylinder 20 moves to the left, and the clutch returns to the engaged state.

[0013] As a conventional document relating to an automatic clutch control vehicle, there is, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 6-8825.

[0014]

(Problems) In the above-mentioned conventional clutch automatic control vehicle, the inside of the clutch hydraulic actuator 19 and the clutch hydraulic actuator 19
When performing lubrication and air bleeding work on the hydraulic circuit from the hydraulic cylinder to the slave cylinder 20, the hydraulic circuit is interrupted on the way due to the configuration of the hydraulic circuit. There was a point.

(Explanation of Problems) FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a hydraulic circuit in a clutch only for manual control. The symbol is FIG.
It corresponds to the thing. This is a diagram in which the clutch hydraulic actuator 19 is removed from the configuration shown in FIG. When lubricating and bleeding the hydraulic circuit from the master cylinder 8 to the slave cylinder 20, the air bleeding operation is performed by opening the air bleed valve 81 of the slave cylinder 20 and repeatedly pressing the clutch pedal 7 while lubricating from the reserve tank 51. It is performed by the action of stepping on. The oil in the hydraulic circuit is gradually sent to the slave cylinder 20, and the air mixed with the oil is discharged from the air release valve 81 to perform the air release.

As shown in FIG. 5, when an air bleed valve 62 is provided on the master cylinder 8 side of the intermediate cylinder 60, air bleed between the master cylinder 8 and the intermediate cylinder 60 is performed in the same manner as described above. , Can be performed by the clutch pedal 7. However, the air in the hydraulic circuit in the other part could not be removed. An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems.

[0017]

According to the present invention, there is provided a friction type clutch, a clutch hydraulic actuator for driving the clutch, and disconnection and connection of the clutch by instructing the clutch hydraulic actuator. Automatic lubricating air that instructs the controller to start automatic lubricating air bleeding work in a state where the conditions for starting automatic lubricating air bleeding in the hydraulic pipe for automatic clutch control are set in a clutch automatic control vehicle equipped with a controller that controls the automatic lubricating air bleeding operation. A release operation start switch, a timer set in the controller, and a disconnection instruction switch for issuing a clutch disconnection instruction to the controller for the time of the timer in a state where predetermined automatic lubricating air release operation start conditions are satisfied. A connection command switch for issuing a clutch connection command for the time of the timer. Was Rukoto. As the timer, a timer for disconnection command time and a timer for contact command time may be separately provided.

(Summary of operation to be solved) When the predetermined condition for starting the automatic lubricating air bleeding operation is satisfied, that is, when the automatic lubricating air bleeding operation mode is set, the automatic lubricating air bleeding operation is started, and the disconnection command switch and the disconnection command switch are connected. When the command switch is repeatedly and alternately operated, the clutch hydraulic actuator alternately repeats the operation of disconnecting and connecting the clutch for a predetermined time. If this operation is performed while opening the air release valve of the slave cylinder attached to the clutch and lubricating the reserve tank of the clutch hydraulic actuator, air can be released in the hydraulic circuit.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a clutch automatic control vehicle according to the present invention. The reference numerals correspond to those in FIG. 4. 5-1 is a timer, 25 is an automatic lubricating air bleeding work start switch, 26 is a disconnection command switch, and 27 is a contact command switch. 4 are the same as those in FIG. 4, and the description thereof is omitted. Timer 5-1
Is a timer set in the controller 5. The automatic lubricating air bleeding operation start switch 25 is a switch for instructing the controller 5 to enter an automatic lubricating air bleeding operation mode when predetermined conditions described later are satisfied.
The disconnection command switch 26 is a switch that causes the controller 5 to issue a clutch disconnection command in the automatic lubricating air bleeding operation mode, and the engagement command switch 27 is a switch that similarly issues a clutch engagement instruction.

In the present invention, the operation of bleeding air in a clutch control hydraulic circuit in an automatic clutch control vehicle is performed. FIG. 3 shows an example in which clutch control can be performed either manually or automatically. There is a part where air can be manually vented as in the past. The air bleeding operation in that portion is referred to as “manual air bleeding operation”, and the air bleeding operation in the other portions (more precisely, the portion within the clutch hydraulic actuator 19 and the portion up to the slave cylinder 20 attached to the clutch 13) is referred to as “ Automatic lubrication air bleeding operation ", and the description will be divided into two.

(1) Manual Air Bleeding Operation This is a conventional lubricating air bleeding operation performed by depressing the clutch pedal 7 several times. The master cylinder 8 attached to the clutch pedal 7 is used to release the clutch hydraulic actuator. This is performed when bleeding air from the hydraulic circuit up to 19. Referring to FIG. 6, an air release valve 62 is provided on the side of the intermediate cylinder 60 close to the master cylinder 8,
The air release valve 62 is opened, and the clutch pedal 7 is depressed several times while oil is supplied from the reserve tank 51. Then, the oil is gradually sent toward the intermediate cylinder 60, and the oil mixed with the air is discharged from the air release valve 62.

(2) Automatic Lubrication Air Bleeding Operation This is a state in which the air bleeding valve 81 of the slave cylinder 20 attached to the clutch 13 is opened, and the reserve tank 61 attached to the intermediate cylinder 60 can be filled with oil. When a predetermined condition is satisfied, the disconnection command switch 26 and the contact command switch 27 are alternately turned on while the lubrication is performed, and an instruction for an automatic lubrication air release operation is sent from the controller 5 to perform an air release operation. It is.

When the disconnection command switch 26 is turned on, the pump 68 is operated, and when the connection command switch 27 is turned on, the solenoid valve 70 is opened. These operations and opening are performed in a short time, but a timer 5-1 for a fixed short time is set in the controller 5, and the disconnection command switch 26,
After the contact command switch 27 is turned on, it is performed only for a certain short time. Only one timer may be set and used in common, or provided separately for disconnection and connection.
The timer time may be different. Next, the operation when the pump 68 and the solenoid valve 70 are operated will be described.

Operation when the pump 68 is operated for a short time (at this time, the solenoid valve 70 is closed)
... The oil flows as follows (see FIG. 7). Reserve tank 61 → pump 68 → check valve 67 → intermediate cylinder 60 (chamber 63). In addition, the intermediate cylinder 60 → the slave cylinder 20 (the chamber 80) → the air release valve 81 (here, a little oil mixed with air is discharged). Since the air release valve 81 is open, the piston 82 hardly moves.

Operation when the solenoid valve 70 is opened for a short time (at this time, the pump 68 is stopped) ... The oil flows as follows (see FIG. 8). Intermediate cylinder 60 (chamber 63) → solenoid valve 70 → reservoir 61 (if air is mixed with the oil returned here,
Released to the atmosphere). On the other hand, between the intermediate cylinder 60 and the slave cylinder 20, oil is supplied from the reserve tank 61.

Disconnect command switch 26, contact command switch 27
Are alternately repeated several times, and the above operation is repeated several times, so that the inside of the clutch hydraulic actuator 19 and the clutch hydraulic actuator 19
The air in the hydraulic circuit from the valve to the slave cylinder 20 attached to the clutch 13 is gradually released.

FIG. 1 is a flow chart for explaining the automatic lubricating air bleeding operation according to the present invention. Step 1 ...
Check whether the conditions for starting automatic lubrication and air bleeding are met. The start condition is a kind of encryption condition, and the condition is determined in advance. For example, some switch-operating things such as stepping on the brake pedal 4 and stepping on the accelerator pedal 10 are defined. In addition, in order to ensure safety and to be able to perform work reliably,
Conditions such as that the engine is stopped, the gear is in neutral, and the key switch is on must be added as essential conditions.

The automatic lubrication and air bleeding operation is started after the above-mentioned cryptographic conditions are prepared. The reason why such cryptographic operating conditions are imposed is that the driver This is to prevent the automatic lubrication air bleeding operation from being started when there is no intention to start the operation (for example, during normal traveling).

Step 2: If it is confirmed that the automatic lubricating air bleeding work start condition is satisfied, it is checked whether the automatic lubricating air bleeding work start switch 25 is turned on. If it is not turned on, the process returns to step 1. When the automatic lubricating air bleeding operation start switch 25 is turned on, the controller 5 enters an automatic lubricating air bleeding operation mode. Step 3: When the automatic lubricating air bleeding operation start switch 25 is turned on, it is checked to make sure that the automatic lubricating air bleeding operation start condition is still held. If not, the process returns to step 1. Step 4: If held, perform the automatic lubrication air bleeding operation once. That is, after the disconnection command switch 26 is turned on (the pump 68 is operated for the timer time), the connection command switch 27 is turned on (the solenoid valve 70).
Is released only for the timer time) once. Thereafter, steps 3 and 4 are repeatedly performed. When even one of the automatic lubricating and air bleeding operation start conditions is not satisfied, the process returns from step 3 to step 1 and is stopped there. As described above, the air in the hydraulic circuit in the clutch hydraulic actuator 19 and from there to the slave cylinder 20 attached to the clutch 13 (= the part that cannot be deflated by depressing the clutch pedal 7) is supplied from the controller 5. It can be pulled out by the control of.

In the above example, a vehicle in which clutch control can be performed manually or automatically has been described as an example of an automatic clutch control vehicle. However, it is needless to say that a vehicle in which only automatic control is performed can be similarly applied. No.

[0031]

As described above, according to the clutch automatic control vehicle of the present invention, the automatic automatic lubrication air bleeding operation start condition is set (with the controller in the automatic lubricating air bleeding operation mode). Start oil bleeding work,
By repeatedly operating the disconnection command switch and the connection command switch alternately, the clutch hydraulic actuator can repeat the clutch disconnection operation.
Therefore, by performing this operation while opening the air release valve of the slave cylinder attached to the clutch and lubricating the reserve tank of the clutch hydraulic actuator, air can be released from the clutch control hydraulic circuit. became.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating an automatic lubrication air bleeding operation according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a hydraulic circuit in a clutch only for manual control.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an automatic clutch control vehicle according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a conventional clutch automatic control vehicle.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a normal state of a clutch control hydraulic circuit.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a state of a clutch control hydraulic circuit when the clutch is manually disengaged.

FIG. 7 is a view for explaining a state of a clutch control hydraulic circuit when the clutch is automatically disengaged.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a state of a clutch control hydraulic circuit when a clutch is automatically engaged.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: shift lever, 2: clutch control changeover switch, 3
… Brake switch, 3A… parking brake switch, 4
... brake pedal, 4A ... parking brake, 5 ... controller, 5-1 ... timer, 6 ... clutch pedal sensor, 7
... clutch pedal, 8 ... master cylinder, 9 ... accelerator opening sensor, 10 ... accelerator pedal, 11 ... engine,
12: engine rotation sensor, 13: clutch, 14: gear position sensor, 15: release fork, 16: transmission, 17: transmission rotation sensor,
18 ... Hydraulic pipe, 19 ... Clutch hydraulic actuator, 20 ... Slave cylinder, 21 ... Rod, 22 ... Clutch position sensor, 23 ... Key switch, 24 ... Battery, 25 ... Auto lubricating air release work start switch, 26 ...
Disconnection command switch, 27 contact switch, 50 rod, 51 reserve tank, 52 piston, 53 spring, 54 chamber, 60 intermediate cylinder, 61 reserve tank, 62 air release valve, 63 chamber , 64,
65: piston, 66: spring, 67: check valve, 6
8 ... pump, 69 ... motor, 70 ... solenoid valve,
71: relief valve, 80: chamber, 81: air release valve, 82: piston, 83: spring

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Kazuhiko Kobayashi 4-1-1 Uedanaka, Nakahara-ku, Kawasaki City Inside Transtron Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Arai 4-1-1, Ueodanaka, Nakahara-ku, Kawasaki City Inside the company Transtron

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An automatic clutch control vehicle comprising: a friction type clutch; a clutch hydraulic actuator for driving the clutch; and a controller for instructing the clutch hydraulic actuator to control disconnection and connection of the clutch. An automatic lubricating air bleeding operation start switch for instructing the controller to start the automatic lubricating air bleeding operation in a state where the conditions for starting the automatic lubricating air bleeding operation in the control hydraulic pipe are established, and a timer set in the controller. A disconnect command switch for causing the controller to issue a clutch disconnect command for the time of the timer, and a contact command for issuing a clutch engagement command for the time of the timer in a state where the predetermined automatic lubricating air bleeding work start condition is satisfied. An automatic clutch control vehicle comprising a switch. 2. The automatic clutch control vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a timer for a disconnection command time and a timer for a contact command time are provided as timers.