JPH0461213B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic clutch device that uses a friction clutch to provide programmable control of contact pressure. In particular, this problem relates to creep operation in which the clutch slips and meets the vehicle, causing the vehicle to move forward or backward at a slow speed.

[Conventional technology]

Various types of automatic clutch control devices are known that automatically disengage the clutch of an automobile and change the combination of transmission gears under program control.

The clutch section and transmission gear section use a conventional manual-operated mechanical mechanism, and automatic clutch control systems in which the clutch and gear operations are program-controlled by a control circuit containing a microprocessor are already commonly used. The mechanical device is controlled by an electronic circuit via a servo mechanism to automatically release and release the clutch.

This system has many advantages over other systems, such as being economical in fuel consumption as there is no clutch slip during high-speed operation, the overall system is highly reliable and easy to maintain, and is easy to manufacture. be.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

However, in the program-controlled automatic clutch control device described above, the clutch mechanism has a mechanical structure, so it is not possible to perform slow-speed operation by transmitting a small amount of engine torque, so-called creep operation, as is done in a fluid coupling type automatic clutch device. cannot be easily performed by a person. In other words, with conventional fluid coupling type clutches, the position can be changed by simply operating the brake when entering a garage, correcting the parking position, or starting on a slope, but with a friction clutch type, if you do not switch between pressing the brake and accelerator, creep occurs. Unable to perform driving operations. This is a program-controlled automatic clutch control device.
Since the contact pressure when the clutch engages is set to the pressure during normal driving, the driver must change the pedal when driving at very low speeds.
The car won't start unless you press the accelerator pedal. Therefore, the driver had to change the pedals frequently.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic clutch device that can easily perform slow speed operation according to the driver's will.

[Means for solving problems]

As a means for solving the above-mentioned problems, the first invention provides a program control circuit that inputs information on the rotational speed of the engine and sends out output information for controlling the connection state of the clutch, and Therefore, in an automatic clutch control device equipped with a means for mechanically controlling the clutch, the control circuit includes a creep operation control mode in which the clutch meets while slipping and moves forward or backward at a very low speed, and the driver a creep mode switch disposed at a position where it can be operated and instructing the creep control mode, and an accelerator detection means for detecting that the accelerator pedal is depressed, and the control circuit is configured to detect when the creep mode switch is in an on state. In some cases, the vehicle is characterized in that it includes means for performing the creep operation mode control, and means for canceling the creep operation mode control based on the detection output of the accelerator detection means.

In addition to the first invention, a second invention includes handbrake detection means for detecting that the handbrake has been operated, and the control circuit operates in the creep operation mode when the creep mode switch is in the on state. The present invention is characterized in that it includes means for performing control, and means for canceling the driving mode control based on the detection output of the handbrake detecting means.

A creep amount adjusting operation end connected to a control circuit is provided at a position that can be operated by the driver, and the control circuit is in a state where the clutch slips and meets with contact pressure according to the amount of operation of the creep amount adjustment operation end. The apparatus may include a control means for controlling the process to continue.

Any combination can be used in combination with one of the devices of the first and second inventions.

[Effect]

In the device of the present invention, there is a creep mode switch in the driver's seat, and when the driver turns it on, the vehicle moves at a very slow speed without pressing the accelerator pedal. Therefore, when the creep mode switch is in the ON state, slow forward movement or slow backward movement can be performed only by operating the brake.

In the first invention, when the accelerator pedal is depressed, the creep mode switch is automatically released and the vehicle returns to the normal operating state.

In the second invention, by operating the handbrake, the creep mode switch is automatically released and the normal operating state is returned.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a control circuit according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows a flowchart of the control state of the above embodiment.

In FIG. 1, an engine 1, a clutch portion 2,
The speed change gear section 3 has a known configuration. The rotational speed of the engine 1 is detected by the sensor 1A, and using this as input information, the program control circuit 4 sends out output information for controlling the connection state of the clutch inside the clutch section 2, thereby controlling the actuator 6 via the air servo 5. The clutch is operated by the operation of the clutch. Further, reference numeral 7A indicates an accelerator pedal, reference numeral 8 indicates a speedometer, and reference numeral 9 indicates an input/output interface of the program control circuit 4. The air servo 5 is a solenoid valve whose delivery air pressure changes according to changes in input voltage.
This is a known device that can adjust the output of the actuator 6 based on the output information of the program control circuit 4 to change the contact pressure of the clutch.

The feature of the present invention in this embodiment is that a creep mode switch 10 is provided at a position that can be operated by the driver, and when the circuit of this creep mode switch 10 is turned on, the program control circuit 4 is to control the clutch so that it continues to meet while slipping.

Second, when the driver depresses the accelerator pedal 7A, the accelerator detection switch 11
When detected, the creep mode switch 10 is controlled to be released from the ON state.

Thirdly, a creep amount adjusting operation end 12 for adjusting the creep amount is provided at a position that can be operated by the driver, so that the vehicle operates at a desired slow speed when the creep mode switch is in the on state.
It is controlled to finely adjust the contact pressure of the clutch.

The above operation control operation will be explained with reference to FIG.

When driving at slow speeds, such as changing the parking position, the driver must set the creep mode switch 1 in advance.
0 is turned on, and the creep amount adjustment operation end 12 is placed at a position for an appropriate adjustment amount.

When the brake is released, a minute torque corresponding to the amount of operation of the creep amount adjusting operation end 12 is applied, and the vehicle moves at a minute speed. At this time, if the speed and torque of the slow movement are not desired, the creep amount adjusting operation end 12 is operated to obtain the desired slow movement speed.

When this slow speed driving operation is completed and normal driving is to be resumed, when the accelerator pedal is depressed, the accelerator detection switch is activated and the creep mode switch is automatically turned off.

A block diagram of a control circuit according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG.

This second embodiment is characterized in that the switch circuit for canceling the creep mode is constituted by a handbrake detection switch 13 that operates in conjunction with the operation of the handbrake 7B.
The other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment described above, so detailed explanations will be omitted.

In this case, operate in creep mode,
Since the handbrake is pulled when the vehicle stops at the fixed position intended by the driver, creep mode is automatically canceled at this time.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of a control circuit according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

This third embodiment is a creep mode switch 10.
The feature is that a circuit is provided that automatically controls the valve 14 of the bypass path provided in the fuel supply system to open state in conjunction with the on state of the fuel supply system. The other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, so detailed explanations will be omitted.

In this example, when the driver turns on the creep mode switch 10, the valve 14 is automatically opened, so that engine stop can be prevented even if the engine idling is set low.

In the first embodiment described above, the creep mode state is automatically released when the vehicle speed is further increased, and in the second embodiment, the creep mode state is automatically released when the vehicle stops. In this case, these two embodiments can be combined and implemented.

In the first and second embodiments described above, the creep mode state is automatically released, but it can also be done manually by the driver turning off the creep mode switch, or by other methods. It can also be done by

In the above examples, the creep amount adjusting operation end is shown as a potentiometer, but a non-contact type actuating transformer or a multi-terminal changeover switch may also be used.

In the third embodiment described above, the opening state of the valve in the bypass passage is controlled in conjunction with the creep mode switch being turned on, but this is linked with the creep amount adjusting operation end to adjust the creep amount. It is also possible to configure the circuit so that the valve is opened when the adjustment value of the adjustment operation end exceeds a predetermined value.

In the third embodiment, the bypass passage of the fuel supply system is controlled, but if the valve is electrically operated, the opening degree of the valve itself may be controlled. It is also possible to configure this to be done by software.

〔Effect of the invention〕

According to the present invention, it is possible to add creep operation performance peculiar to a fluid coupling type automatic clutch control device to a program control type automatic clutch control device that has excellent high-speed operation characteristics, so that it is possible to add creep operation performance peculiar to a fluid coupling type automatic clutch control device. Can move forward or slowly backward. Therefore, there is an effect that the maneuverability of the vehicle is improved.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a control circuit according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the control operation of the above embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control circuit according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a control circuit according to a third embodiment of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Engine, 1A... Sensor, 2... Clutch part, 3... Transmission gear part, 4... Program control circuit,
5... Air servo, 6... Actuator, 7A... Accelerator pedal, 7B... Handbrake, 8... Speedometer, 9... Input/output interface, 10... Creep mode switch, 11... Accelerator detection switch,
12... Creep amount adjustment operation end, 13... Handbrake detection switch, 14... Valve.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A program control circuit that receives information on the rotational speed of the engine and sends out output information for controlling the connection state of the clutch, and mechanically controls the clutch in accordance with the output information of this control circuit. In the automatic clutch control device, the control circuit includes a creep operation control mode in which the clutch meets while slipping and moves forward or backward at a slow speed, and the control circuit is arranged at a position where the driver can operate the clutch, The control circuit includes a creep mode switch for instructing a control mode, and an accelerator detection means for detecting that the accelerator pedal is depressed, and the control circuit is a means for controlling the creep operation mode when the creep mode switch is in an on state. and means for canceling the creep operation mode control based on the detection output of the accelerator detection means. 2. A creep amount adjusting operation end is provided at a position that can be operated by the driver, and the control circuit includes a control means for controlling the creep operation mode of the clutch using a contact pressure according to the operation amount of the creep amount adjustment operation end. The automatic clutch control device according to claim 1. 3. A program control circuit that receives information on the rotational speed of the engine and sends out output information for controlling the connection state of the clutch, and means for mechanically controlling the clutch in accordance with the output information of this control circuit. In the automatic clutch control device, the control circuit includes a creep operation control mode in which the clutch meets while slipping and moves forward or backward at a slow speed, and a creep operation control mode that is arranged at a position where the driver can operate it and instructs the creep control mode. The control circuit includes a mode switch and a handbrake detection means for detecting that the handbrake has been operated, and the control circuit includes means for controlling the creep operation mode when the creep mode switch is in an on state, and a handbrake detecting means for controlling the creep operation mode when the creep mode switch is in an on state. An automatic clutch control device comprising means for canceling the creep operation mode control based on the detection output of the detection means. 4. A creep amount adjustment operation end is provided at a position that can be operated by the driver, and the control circuit includes a control means for controlling the creep operation mode of the clutch using a contact pressure according to the operation amount of the creep amount adjustment operation end. The automatic clutch control device according to item 3.