Claims:We claim:

1. A clutch actuation system (100) for a vehicle, the system (100) comprising:
a master cylinder (102), connected to a clutch pedal (101) of the vehicle, the master cylinder (102) is operable between a supply condition and a retracted condition to selectively pressurize a fluid into a first conduit (103), on selective displacement of the clutch pedal (101);
a slave cylinder (106), connected to a clutch, the slave cylinder (106) is fluidly connected to the master cylinder (102) through a second conduit (105), wherein the second conduit (105) of the slave cylinder (106) is configured to receive the pressurized fluid from the first conduit (103), on operation of the master cylinder (102) to the supply condition by the clutch pedal (101); and
a dampening assembly (110), connectable between the master cylinder (102) and the slave cylinder (106), wherein the dampening assembly (110) comprises:
a connector (104), positioned between the master cylinder (102) and the slave cylinder (106), the connector (104) is configured to fluidly connect the first conduit (103), the second conduit (105), and a flexible conduit (108) in fluid communication with the first conduit (103) and the second conduit (105),
wherein, the flexible conduit (108) is structured to accumulate a portion of the pressurized fluid during the supply condition of the master cylinder (102) and release the pressurized fluid into the connector (104) to compensate at least one a back pressure and a pulsation generated by the pressurized fluid in the second conduit (105), when the master cylinder (102) is operated to the retracted condition, by the clutch pedal (101).

2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the supply condition and the retracted condition of the master cylinder (102) corresponds to a pressed condition and a released condition of the clutch pedal (101).

3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the master cylinder (102) is configured to retract the pressurized fluid from the slave cylinder (106), on operation to the retracted condition.

4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first conduit (103) is made of rigid material.

5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second conduit (105) is made of elastic material.

6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flexible conduit (108) is made of elastic material such as rubber.

7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connector (104) is made of rigid material.

8. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connector (104) is a tee connector.

9. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein one end of the flexible conduit (108) is connected to the connector (104) and an other end of the flexible conduit (108) opposite the one end is sealed.

10. The system (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the other end of the flexible conduit (108) is sealed by a blind flange (109).

11. A vehicle comprising a clutch actuation system (100) as claimed in claim 1 for operating a transmission. , Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
Present disclosure, in general, relates to the field of automobiles. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a clutch actuation system of a vehicle. Further, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a dampening assembly for the clutch actuation system of the vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
Vehicles generally include a clutch mechanism to selectively engage and disengage an engine power from a transmission of the vehicle, to regulate gear actuation and in-turn speed of operation of the vehicle. The clutch mechanism require a mode of actuation for engaging and disengaging the transmission and the engine. Usually, an actuation lever, in the from a clutch pedal is employed to disengage a drive shaft coupled to the engine from a driven shaft of the transmission. The clutch pedal is configured to translate in a curvilinear or parabolic path to linearly displace a clutch plate of the clutch mechanism. The linear displacement of the clutch plate is further utilized to displace a piston of a pressurized hydraulic cylinder to disengage the drive shaft from the driven shaft.

Figure 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a conventional clutch mechanism (10) of the vehicle. The conventional clutch mechanism (10) includes a master cylinder (12) connected to the clutch pedal (11) and a slave cylinder (14) in fluid communication with the master cylinder (12). The slave cylinder (14) is coupled to a clutch/clutch plate accommodated in a clutch housing (15) of transmission of the automobile. The conventional clutch mechanism (10) further includes a joining element (13), such as a collar, connected between the master cylinder (12) and the slave cylinder (14). The joining element is configured to fluidly connect the master cylinder (12) with the slave cylinder (14).

In such a conventional mechanism, actuation of the clutch pedal (11) operates the master cylinder to pressurize fluid into the slave cylinder (14). The pressurized fluid in the slave cylinder (14) is configured to actuate the clutch/clutch plate accommodated in the clutch housing (15). Further, during release of the clutch pedal (11), pressurized fluid in the slave cylinder (14) may generate a back pressure/pulsation/pressure wave while returning towards the master cylinder (pressure wave in reverse direction towards the master cylinder), which may in-turn result in vibration/chatter of the clutch pedal (11). Furthermore, in the conventional clutch mechanism (10), the clutch housing (15) is connected to engine or transmission housing of the automobile. The engine or transmission housing of the automobile usually vibrate during operation. Such vibration is transmitted (i.e., excitation energy is transferred) to the clutch housing (15), by virtue of the connection between the clutch housing (15) and the engine or transmission housing. The excitation energy received by the clutch housing will also result in vibration/chatter of the clutch pedal (11).

The above-described configuration of the conventional clutch mechanism (10) suffers from problem of clutch pedal pulsation. Vibration of the clutch pedal (11) causes discomfort to the operator. Though dampers are employed for vibration reduction of clutch pedal (11), such dampers are expensive, add extra weight to the clutch mechanism (10) and performance of the damper reduces over time.

The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above or any other limitations associated with the conventional configuration of the clutch mechanism of the transmission systems of the vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
One or more shortcomings of the prior art are overcome by a clutch actuation system including a dampening assembly for a vehicle as claimed and additional advantages are provided through the system and the assembly as claimed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.

In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a clutch actuation system for a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a master cylinder connected to a clutch pedal of the vehicle. The master cylinder is operable between a supply condition and a retracted condition to selectively pressurize a fluid into a first conduit, on selective displacement of the clutch pedal. The system includes a slave cylinder connected to a clutch. The slave cylinder is fluidly connected to the master cylinder through a second conduit. The second conduit of the slave cylinder is configured to receive the pressurized fluid from the first conduit, on operation of the master cylinder to the supply condition by the clutch pedal. The system further includes a dampening assembly, connectable between the master cylinder and the slave cylinder. The dampening assembly includes a connector, positioned between the master cylinder and the slave cylinder. The connector is configured to fluidly connect the first conduit, the second conduit, and a flexible conduit in fluid communication with the first conduit and the second conduit. The flexible conduit is structured to accumulate the pressurized fluid during the supply condition of the master cylinder. Further, the flexible conduit is structured to release the pressurized fluid into the connector to compensate at least one a back pressure and a pulsation generated/applied by the pressurized fluid in the second conduit, when the master cylinder is operated to the retracted condition, by the clutch pedal.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the supply condition and the retracted condition of the master cylinder corresponds to a pressed condition and a released condition of the clutch pedal.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the master cylinder is configured to retract the pressurized fluid from the slave cylinder, on operation to the retracted condition.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first conduit is made of rigid material.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second conduit is made of elastic material.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the flexible conduit is made of elastic material such as rubber.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the connector is made of rigid material.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the connector is a tee connector.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, one end of the flexible conduit is connected to the connector and an other end of the flexible conduit opposite the one end is sealed.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the other end of the flexible conduit is sealed by a blind flange.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The novel features and characteristics of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a conventional clutch actuation mechanism of an automobile.

Figure 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of a clutch actuation system for a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the system and the method illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the embodiments in the disclosure are subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by the way of example in the figures and will be described below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the scope of the disclosure.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof used in the disclosure, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusions, such that a device, assembly, mechanism, system, method that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such system, or assembly, or device. In other words, one or more elements in a system proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or method.

Embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a clutch actuation system for a vehicle. Particularly, the system is directed towards a hydraulic clutch actuation system employed in the vehicles. The system includes a master cylinder connected to a clutch pedal of the vehicle. The master cylinder is operable between a supply condition and a retracted condition to selectively pressurize a fluid into a first conduit, on selective displacement of the clutch pedal. The system includes a slave cylinder connected to a clutch. The slave cylinder is fluidly connected to the master cylinder through a second conduit. The second conduit of the slave cylinder is configured to receive the pressurized fluid from the first conduit, on operation of the master cylinder to the supply condition by the clutch pedal and return the fluid from the slave cylinder to the master cylinder when the clutch pedal is released. The system further includes a dampening assembly, connectable between the master cylinder and the slave cylinder. The dampening assembly includes a connector, positioned between the master cylinder and the slave cylinder. The connector is configured to fluidly connect the first conduit, the second conduit, and a flexible conduit in fluid communication with the first conduit and the second conduit. The flexible conduit is structured to accumulate the pressurized fluid during the supply condition of the master cylinder. Further, the flexible conduit is structured to release the pressurized fluid into the connector to compensate at least one a back pressure and a pulsation generated by the pressurized fluid in the second conduit, when the master cylinder is operated to the retracted condition, by the clutch pedal. The above-described configuration of the clutch actuation system reduces pulsation of the clutch pedal during idle condition of the clutch pedal.

The disclosure is described in the following paragraphs with reference to Figure 2. In the figures, the same element or elements which have same functions are indicated by the same reference signs. It is to be noted that, the vehicle and the entire clutch actuation system including transmission are not illustrated in the figures for the purpose of simplicity. One skilled in the art would appreciate that the clutch actuation system and the dampening assembly included in the clutch actuation system as disclosed in the present disclosure may be used in any vehicles that employs/includes a clutch pedal based hydraulic clutch actuation system, where such vehicle may include, but not be limited to, light duty vehicles, passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, and the like.

Figure 2 is an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure which illustrates a schematic diagram of a clutch actuation system (100) for the vehicle. The clutch actuation system (100) may be operated by employing a hydraulic fluid. The system (100) includes a master cylinder (102), connected to a clutch pedal (101) of the vehicle. The master cylinder (102) pressurizes the hydraulic fluid [herein after also referred to as “the fluid”] based on drivers input through the clutch pedal to operate the clutch actuation system (100). The master cylinder (102) may be operable between a supply condition and a retracted condition, to selectively pressurize the fluid into a first conduit (103). The master cylinder (102) may include a first piston, configured to pressurize the fluid into the first conduit (103). The master cylinder (102) may be operable between the supply condition and the retracted condition due to selective displacement of the clutch pedal (101). The master cylinder (102) is structured to boost the input provided by the driver for operating the clutch, thereby minimizes the efforts required by the driver to operate the clutch.

In an embodiment, the system (100) further includes a slave cylinder (106) connected to a clutch of a transmission of the vehicle. In the supply condition, the master cylinder (102) is configured to supply the pressurized fluid to the slave cylinder (106). In the retracted condition, the master cylinder (102) is configured to retract the pressurized fluid from the slave cylinder (106). The supply condition of the master cylinder (102) corresponds to a pressed condition of the clutch pedal (101). In the pressed condition, the clutch pedal (101) is pressed by an operator/driver of the vehicle to disengage a drive shaft from a driven shaft of the transmission of the vehicle. The retracted condition of the master cylinder (102) corresponds to a released condition of the clutch pedal (101). In the released condition, the clutch pedal (101) is in an inoperative condition and no force is acting upon the clutch pedal (101). In the released condition of the clutch pedal (101), the drive shaft is engaged with the driven shaft of the transmission of the vehicle.

Referring to Figure 2 again, the slave cylinder (106) may be fluidly connected to the master cylinder (102) through a second conduit (105). The second conduit (105) of the slave cylinder (106) is configured to receive the pressurized fluid from the first conduit (103), on operation of the master cylinder (102) to the supply condition by the clutch pedal (101). The pressurized fluid from the second conduit (105) may displace a second piston housed within the slave cylinder (106). The second piston, upon being displaced by the pressurized fluid, is configured to actuate a clutch/clutch plate accommodated in the clutch housing (107).

In an embodiment, the system (100) further includes a dampening assembly (110), fluidly connectable between the master cylinder (102) and the slave cylinder (106). The dampening assembly (110) includes a connector (104) and the flexible conduit (108), positioned between the master cylinder (102) and the slave cylinder (106). The connector (104) may be configured to fluidly connect the first conduit (103), the second conduit (105), and the flexible conduit (108). The connector (104) may be configured to fluidly connect the flexible conduit (108) with the first conduit (103) and the second conduit (105) such that, the first conduit (103) and the flexible conduit (108) are colinear along flow of the pressurized fluid, while the pressurized fluid is directed and/or channelized orthogonally [i.e., normal to flow of the pressurized fluid] to the second conduit (105). Such branching for the flow path of the pressurized fluid in the clutch actuation system (100) may enable in maintaining and/or dampening pressure of the pressurized fluid. The connector (104) may be a tee connector [T-connector], made from materials including, but not limited to, metal, polymer, carbon fiber, powdered material, and any other material that may be capable of operating under the fluid pressure between the master cylinder and the slave cylinder. However, the connector (104) may also be any other coupling component configured to fluidly connect the flexible conduit (108) with the first conduit (103) and the second conduit (105). In an embodiment, one end of the flexible conduit (108) may be connected to the connector (104) and an other end of the flexible conduit (108), opposite the one end, may be sealed. In an embodiment, the other end of the flexible conduit (108) may be sealed by a blind flange (109). However, the other end of the flexible conduit (108) may also be sealed by a plate, a flange, an end cap, or sealing the other end of the flexible conduit (108).

In the illustrative embodiment, the master cylinder (102) and the flexible conduit (108) may be linearly positioned along a flow path [i.e., in a colinear path] of the pressurized fluid such that, the pressurized fluid is accumulated in the flexible conduit (108) configured to during operation of the master cylinder (102) to the supply condition. Further, the slave cylinder (106) is positioned in a flow path which is either offset or normal [i.e., in an orthogonal path] of the pressurized fluid such that, upon actuating the master cylinder (102) to the supply condition, the pressurized fluid flows from the first conduit (103) to the flexible conduit (108) and then into the second conduit (105). With such a configuration, energy of the pressurized fluid may be momentarily accumulated in the flexible conduit (108) before channelizing the pressurized fluid to the slave cylinder (106), whereby the flexible conduit (108) may enable in maintaining constant pressure in the cultch actuation system (100).

In an embodiment, the flexible conduit (108) may be made of elastic material. The flexible conduit (108) may be made from at least one of a natural rubber, synthetic rubber, vulcanized rubber, flexible polymer, synthetic polymer, and the like. In the embodiment, the flexible conduit (108) may be a flexible rubber hose. Upon accumulating the pressurized fluid from the first conduit (103), the flexible conduit (108) may undergo deformation due to elastic properties of the material of the flexible conduit (108), where such deformation may be along dimension of the flexible conduit (108). It is understood that dimensions of the flexible conduit (108), such as length, internal diameter, external diameter, wall thickness, porosity, and any other parameter affecting the dimension of the flexible conduit (108) may be considered for minimizing loses during operation under the fluid pressure of the clutch actuation system (100). Also, it is understood that extent of deformation of the flexible conduit (108) may be dependent on operating pressure range of the clutch actuation system (100), which may inherently indicate suitable material for the flexible conduit (108). For example, to operate the clutch actuation system (100) in a broad range of the fluid pressure, then a material capable of undergoing higher degree of deformation such as, polymeric material, may be employed. Also, to operate the clutch actuation system (100) in a lower range of the fluid pressure, then a material capable of undergoing minimal or no deformation such as, copper, silver, low-grade steel, and other suitable material, may be employed.

Further, the flexible conduit (108) may be structured to release the pressurized fluid into the connector (104), during the retracted condition of the master cylinder (102). Upon releasing the pressurized fluid into the connector (104), the flexible conduit (108) may undergo deformation by way of contraction. The pressurized fluid released into the connector (104) compensates at least one a back pressure and a pulsation, that is being generated by the pressurized fluid in the second conduit (105). By compensating the back pressure/pulsation generated by the pressurized fluid in the second conduit (105), propagation of pressure wave towards the first conduit (103) may be prevented. Releasing of the pressurized fluid into the connector (104), during the retracted condition of the master cylinder (102), will result in a virtual/indirect decoupling of the first conduit (103) from the second conduit (105). With such release of the pressurized fluid into the connector (104), transmission of vibrations from the second conduit (105) to the first conduit (103) may be eliminated. Also, when the vehicle is running, vibrations generated in the clutch housing may push the fluid in the slave cylinder (106) towards the master cylinder (102) which may create vibrations in the clutch pedal (101). The dampening assembly (110) is structured such that, any fluid coming from the slave cylinder reaches the connector (104) through the second conduit (105). The connector (104) then distributes the fluid between the first conduit (103) and the flexible conduit (108), thereby minimizes the oil flow into the master cylinder. This minimizes vibrations in the clutch pedal (101).

In an embodiment, the first conduit (103) may be made of rigid material. The rigid material may be at least one of a metal, polymer, composites, and the like. In an embodiment, the second conduit (105) may be made of elastic material. The elastic material may be at least one of a natural rubber, synthetic rubber, vulcanized rubber, flexible polymer, synthetic polymer, metallic material such as, copper, and the like.

In an embodiment, the dampening assembly (110) of the clutch actuation system (100), shields the first conduit (103) from vibrations incoming from the second conduit (105). The clutch actuation system (100) eliminates pulsation/chatter of the clutch pedal (101). The clutch actuation system (100) including the dampening assembly (110) prevents discomfort to the operator/driver of the vehicle and enhances safety of the vehicle, by eliminating pulsation/chatter of the clutch pedal (101).

EQUIVALENTS

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system (100) having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system (100) having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

REFERRAL NUMERICALS
Particulars Numerical
Conventional clutch mechanism 10
Components of the conventional clutch mechanism 11-15
Clutch actuation system 100
Clutch pedal 101
Master cylinder 102
First conduit 103
Connector 104
Second conduit 105
Slave cylinder 106
Clutch housing 107
Flexible conduit 108
Blind flange 109
Dampening assembly 110