DESC:FORM 2

THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENT RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10 and Rule 13)

Title of invention:
A SYSTEM AND A METHOD FOR REDUCING THERMAL LOAD IN A CLUTCH

Applicant:
Tata Motors Limited
A company Incorporated in India under the Companies Act, 1956
Having address:
Bombay House, 24 Homi Mody Street,
Hutatma Chowk, Mumbai 400001,
Maharashtra, India

The following specification describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND PRIORITY
[001] The present application claims priority from Indian patent application no. 201821012246, filed on 31st March, 2018 the complete disclosure of which, in its entirety is herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[002] The present subject matter relates generally to clutches for motor vehicle transmission systems, and in particularly, to temperature control of the clutches.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[003] A clutch, attached to a flywheel, is responsible for engaging and disengaging transmission from an engine to wheels. In the clutch, the flywheel connects to the engine and a clutch plate connects to the transmission. The clutch works because of the friction between the clutch plate and the flywheel. The clutch is operated either by fluid, or by a cable.

[004] In operation, when the clutch is in an engaged position, springs push a pressure plate against the clutch plate, which in turn presses against the flywheel. This locks the engine to the transmission, causing them to spin at a same speed. When the clutch is in a disengaged position, the fluid or the cable causes the springs to pull the pressure plate away from the clutch plate. This releases the transmission from the spinning engine.

[005] As the clutch works on the principle of the friction, high temperatures appear in the contacting surfaces of the clutch, such as the clutch plate, the pressure plate, and the flywheel. Significant heat is developed in the clutch plate, especially if the vehicle is driven hard or the clutch is operated partially engaged for a longer period of time in a slow-moving traffic conditions. This may overheat the clutch plate and result in wear and tear of the clutch plate. The overheating of the clutch plate is the predominant cause of clutch failure. This may result in failure of the clutch which could be detrimental to life and property of a car owner.

[006] The information disclosed in this background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the present subject matter and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information forms the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[007] An embodiment of the present invention discloses a system for reducing thermal load in a clutch comprising: a sensor configured to sense the temperature in said clutch; a controlling unit coupled with said sensor to receive sensed temperature from said clutch and compares with a predefined temperature; and an air conditioner electrically coupled with said controlling unit and includes a pipe to supply cooled air from said air conditioning unit to said clutch, wherein when sensed temperature is greater than said pre-defined temperature, said controlling unit instructs said air conditioner to supply cooled air to said clutch through said pipe to reduce thermal load in said clutch.

[008] In an embodiment of the present invention the cooled air supplied by said air conditioner is regulated by a flow controller before supplied to said clutch through said pipe.

[009] In an embodiment of the present invention the predefined temperature is 90 degrees.

[010] In an embodiment of the present invention the sensor is a temperature sensor.

[011] An embodiment of the present invention discloses a method for reducing thermal load in a clutch, including the steps of: sensing temperature of said clutch by a sensor; comparing sensed temperature by said sensor with a pre-defined temperature by a controlling unit; and controlling an air conditioner by said controlling unit electrically coupled with said air conditioner to supply cooled air to said clutch through a pipe when sensed temperature is greater than said pre-defined temperature.

[012] In an embodiment of the present invention the step of controlling said air conditioner includes regulating cooled air supplied by said air conditioner by a flow controller.

[013] In an embodiment of the present invention the step of comparing sensed temperature includes comparing sensed temperature with said pre-defined temperature of 90 degrees.

[014] In an embodiment of the present invention the step of sensing temperature of said clutch by said sensor is a temperature sensor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[015] The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present subject matter in any way.

[016] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a system for temperature control of a clutch of a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

[017] FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method for temperature control of a clutch, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

Name of element Reference Numeral
System 100
Sensor 108
Controlling unit 110
Air conditioner 104
Flow controller 106
Pipe 112
Clutch 102

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[018] Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the present subject matter, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described below. While the present subject matter will be described in conjunction with exemplary embodiments, it will be understood that present description is not intended to limit the present subject matter to those exemplary embodiments. On the contrary, the present subject matter is intended to cover not only the exemplary embodiments, but also various alternatives, modifications, equivalents, and other embodiments, which may be included within the scope of the invention.

[019] Referring to FIG. 1, a system and a method for reducing thermal load in a clutch is disclosed wherein the system 100 is for temperature control of a clutch 102 of a vehicle (not shown), in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. It should be noted, for the sake of clarity that details of components of the clutch, not pertinent to the present invention, are not discussed. However, such components and their relationship to the present subject matter are well-known in the art. The system 100 also comprises an air conditioner 104, a flow controller 106, a temperature sensor 108, and a controlling unit 110 also termed as Electronic Control Unit (ECU) 110.

[020] In an operation of the system 100, the air conditioner 104 may supply cooled air to the clutch 102 through a pipe 112. In an example, the cooled air may be supplied by the air conditioner 104 which is used for air conditioning of a passenger compartment of the vehicle. In an example, the air conditioner 104 may comprise a condensing coil, expansion valve, an evaporator coil, and a compressor.

[021] A flow of the cooled air may be regulated by the flow controller 106. The flow controller 106 may be designed and calibrated to control the flow of the cooled air at a particular range of flow rates. In an example, the flow controller 106 may have an inlet port, an outlet port, a flow sensor, and a control valve. In an example implementation, the flow controller 106 may be either analog or digital.

[022] The sensor or temperature sensor 108 may be embedded within the clutch 102 to sense temperature of the clutch 102. The temperature sensor 108 may be positioned within a cutout of the clutch 102 so as not to be in direct physical contact with different parts of the clutch 102. The temperature sensor 108 may be electrically connected with supporting electronics.

[023] The electronic control unit 110 may receive data from the temperature sensor 108. The data may include temperature values at a particular time or sensed temperature. Based on the detected temperature values, the electronic control unit 110 is operable to provide control signals to the air conditioner 104. The electronic control unit 110 compares the sensed temperature with a pre-defined temperature to instruct air conditioner 104 to supply cooled air to clutch 102. In an example, the electronic control unit 110 may comprise a processor and a memory. The processor may utilize the data received from the temperature sensor 108. A temperature control program may be stored in the memory and is executable by the processor. The processor may utilize the temperature control program to detect one or more anomalies in the received data. The electronic control unit 110 generates a control signal upon detection of the one or more anomalies. The control signal is provided to the air conditioner 104 and the flow controller 106, which in turn regulate the supply of the cooled air to the clutch 102. Thus, the system 100 may work as a closed loop feedback system to control the temperature of the clutch 102.

[024] Referring to FIG. 2, a method 200 for temperature control of a clutch, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter is disclosed. At step 202, a vehicle starts, which in turn starts the system 100 of the present subject matter. At 204, the temperature sensor 108 senses temperature of the clutch 102. In an example, if the temperature of the clutch 102 is above 90 degree Celsius, the system 100 may check if the air conditioner 104 is in ON (operating) or OFF (not operating) mode.

[025] At 206, if the system 100 detects that the air conditioner 106 is in the OFF mode, the system 100 may switch the air conditioner 106 to the ON mode (illustrated at step 208). If the system 100 detects that the air conditioner 106 is in ON mode, the system 100 provides instructions to the flow controller 210 to regulate supply of the cooled air to the clutch 102. The supply of the cooled air may depend upon the various factors, such as, vehicle speed, engine torque, and inclination angle of the vehicle. Once the temperature of the clutch 102 is under a threshold limit, the temperature sensor 108 may provide a signal to the controlling unit 110, which in turn provides a signal to switch the air conditioner 104 in the OFF mode. The method 200 helps to regulate the temperature of the clutch 102.

[026] Advantages of the present subject matter:
1. The improvement in clutch efficiency and clutch life
2. Slippage of the clutch can easily be avoided
3. Minimum friction of the clutch is ensured, which strengthens the life of the clutch.
4. Due to less friction and slippage, maximum torque is transferred to the wheel. It improves the vehicle efficiency and mileage.
5. Reduce environmental pollution as unburnt fuel passing through exhaust system will drastically get reduced.

[027] The foregoing descriptions of specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain certain principles of the invention and their practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to make and utilize various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, as well as various alternatives and modifications thereof.
,CLAIMS:
1. A system 100 for reducing thermal load in a clutch 102 comprising:
a sensor 108 configured to sense the temperature in said clutch 102;
a controlling unit 110 coupled with said sensor 108 to receive sensed temperature from said clutch 102 and compares with a predefined temperature; and
an air conditioner 104 electrically coupled with said controlling unit 110 and includes a pipe 112 to supply cooled air from said air conditioning unit 110 to said clutch 102,
wherein when sensed temperature is greater than said pre-defined temperature, said controlling unit 110 instructs said air conditioner 104 to supply cooled air to said clutch 102 through said pipe 112 to reduce thermal load in said clutch 102.

2. The system 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein cooled air supplied by said air conditioner 104 is regulated by a flow controller 106 before supplied to said clutch 102 through said pipe 112.

3. The system 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predefined temperature is 90 degrees.

4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sensor 108 is a temperature sensor.

5. A method for reducing thermal load in a clutch 102, including the steps of:
sensing temperature of said clutch 102 by a sensor 108;
comparing sensed temperature by said sensor 108 with a pre-defined temperature by a controlling unit 110; and
controlling an air conditioner 104 by said controlling unit 110 electrically coupled with said air conditioner 104 to supply cooled air to said clutch 102 through a pipe 112 when sensed temperature is greater than said pre-defined temperature.

6. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the step of controlling said air conditioner includes regulating cooled air supplied by said air conditioner 104 by a flow controller 106.

7. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the step of comparing sensed temperature includes comparing sensed temperature with said pre-defined temperature of 90 degrees.

8. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the step of sensing temperature of said clutch by said sensor 108 is a temperature sensor.