Claims:1) An improved power shuttle control module comprises
a) a driver interface (101),
b) a drive train (103) is being associated with said driver interface (101) through mechanical drive or mechanical link (MD) and said driver interface (101) transfers electrical or electronic signals (ES) to a control system (104),
c) a hydraulic and lubrication system (HLS) (102) feeds oil to the drive train (103) by hydraulic oil connection (HOC), said drive train (103) is operatively associated with a transmission deliverable (105) by mechanical drive or mechanical link (MD), said transmission deliverable (105) feedbacks the excessive oil to the HLS (102) and transfers the electrical or electronic signals (ES) to the control system (104) simultaneously, said control system (104) is in communication with the drive train (103) by electrical or electronic signals (ES), wherein;
i) said HLS (102) comprises an oil sump (112), an oil cooler (111) and a flow control valve (113), oil from the oil sump (112) is transferred to the oil cooler (111) for cooling the oil, cooled oil from the oil cooler (111) is transferred to the drive train (103) and also to the flow control valve (113), said flow control valve (113) feeds the oil for lubricating the drive train (103), the transfer of oil from the oil cooler (111) and the flow control valve (113) is done by Hydraulic oil connection (HOC),
ii) the driver interface (101) comprises a throttle/ acceleration pedal (106), a clutch pedal (107) to which a first sensor (not shown) is attached, a power shuttle lever (108) to which a second sensor (not shown) is attached, a brake pedal (109) to which a third sensor (not shown) is attached and a gear shift lever (110), wherein electrical or electronic signals (ES) from said sensors are fed to the control system (104), said throttle/acceleration pedal (106) and the gear shift lever (110) linked to the drive train (103) by the mechanical drive or mechanical link (MD),
iii) the drive train comprises (103) an engine (118), a damper(117), a power clutch (116), a solenoid valve (115) and a transmission unit (114), the throttle/acceleration pedal (106) is in link with the engine (118) by mechanical link or mechanical drive (MD), upon pressing of the throttle/acceleration pedal (106), the engine (118) transmits the mechanical energy to the damper (117) which is mechanically coupled with the engine (118), wherein said solenoid valve (115) receives the modulated electronic signals from the control system (104), which in-turn controls the flow of oil into the power clutch (116), said power clutch (116) receives oil from the solenoid valve (115) and also from the flow control valve (113), received oil mechanically engages or disengages the power clutch (116) with the engine (118) and transmission unit (114), appropriate amount of mechanical energy is transmitted to the transmission deliverable (105) which is linked by the mechanical link or mechanical drive (MD),
iv) the transmission deliverable (105) comprises speed sensor (124), temperature sensor (123), a power take-off (PTO) drive (122), a rear axle (121), a four wheel drive (4WD) front axle (120) and a hydraulic pump (119), wherein said speed sensor (124) measures the speed of the transmission unit (114) and sends the electrical or electronic signals (ES) to the control system (104), the temperature sensor (123) senses the temperature of the oil in the transmission unit (114) and sends the signals to the control system (104), appropriate mechanical energy based on the gear selected through gear shift lever (110) is transmitted to the PTO drive (122), the rear axle (121) and 4WD front axle (120), the excess oil is fed back to the oil sump (112) in HLS (102) through the hydraulic pump (119) in transmission deliverable (105) by Hydraulic oil connection (HOC),
v) the control system (104) comprises an ECU (126) and a control logics (125), characterized in that
said control logics (125) receives electrical or electronic signals (ES) from the speed sensor (124) and temperature sensor (123) from the transmission deliverable (105), said control logics (125) is in communication with the ECU (126), wherein said ECU (126) receives the electrical or electronic signals (ES) from the sensors attached to the clutch pedal (107), the power shuttle lever (108) and the brake pedal (109), said ECU (126) modulates the received signal and feeds the modulated signal to the solenoid valve (115), said solenoid valve (115) controls the engagement or disengagement of power clutch (116) with respect to the inputs from the above said sensors.
2) An improved power shuttle control module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the power clutch (116) is wet clutch pack.
3) An improved power shuttle control module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ECU (126) is CAN bus operated.
4) An improved power shuttle control module as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first, second and third sensors are position sensors.
, Description:TITLE OF THE INVENTION : AN IMPROVED POWER SHUTTLE CONTROL MODULE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is generally related to a transmission control assembly. In particular, the present invention is related to a power shuttle control module (PSCM) of a work vehicle for controlling power shuttle clutches.
BACKGROUND OF THE VEHICLE
In present day vehicles comprises many sensors, which sends the signals to the ECU for controlling the vehicle for efficient use of the vehicle. But in heritage vehicle there is not much provision to accommodate sensors, which in-turn restricts the modernization of existing vehicle and also restricts efficiency of the vehicle. Furthermore, there is no provision for the automatic engaging and disengaging of the clutch pack in the heritage vehicle.
Therefore, there is need in art to provide a solution, which requires less number of input sensors for higher efficiency of operation of the vehicle. Also, there is need in the art to provide a solution for automatic engaging or disengaging of the clutch pack in the heritage vehicle.
OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION
It is an objective of the present invention is to provide a control module for the power shuttle to control the forward and reverse direction of the work vehicle without any digital (or) analogue input from the engine.
Another objective of the present invention is to engage or disengage the clutch pack in the work vehicle without pressing/depressing the clutch pedal.
Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a provision to the driver to fix the clutch aggression rate of the work vehicle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DIAGRAM
Figure 1 depicts the layout of an improved power shuttle control module.
While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention as embodied by an improved power shuttle control module, succinctly fulfils the above-mentioned need(s) in the art. The present invention has objective(s) arising as a result of the above-mentioned need(s), said objective(s) being enumerated below. In as much as the objective(s) of the present invention are enumerated, it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that, the enumerated objective(s) are not exhaustive of the present invention in its entirety, and are enclosed solely for the purpose of illustration. Further, the present invention encloses within its scope and purview, any structural alternative(s) and/or any functional equivalent(s) even though, such structural alternative(s) and/or any functional equivalent(s) are not mentioned explicitly herein or elsewhere, in the present disclosure. The present invention therefore encompasses also, any improvisation(s)/modification(s) applied to the structural alternative(s)/functional alternative(s) within its scope and purview. The present invention may be embodied in other specific form(s) without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof.
Throughout this specification, the use of the word "comprise" and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising" may imply the inclusion of an element or elements not specifically recited.
In an embodiment shown in the figure 1 is an improved power shuttle control module (PSCM), wherein said power shuttle control module (PSCM) comprises a driver interface (101), a hydraulic and lubrication system (HLS) (102), a control system (104), a drive train (103) and a transmission deliverable (105).
Said HLS (102) comprises an oil sump (112), an oil cooler (111) and a flow control valve (113), oil from the oil sump (112) is transferred to the oil cooler (111) for cooling of the oil, said cooled oil from the oil cooler (111) is transferred to the drive train (103) and also to the flow control valve (113), said flow control valve (113) feeds the oil for lubrication to the drive train (103), the transfer of oil from the oil cooler (111) and the flow control valve (113) is done by Hydraulic oil connection (HOC).
Said driver interface (101) comprises a throttle/acceleration pedal (106), a clutch pedal (107), a power shuttle lever (108), a brake pedal (109) and a gear shift lever (110). The clutch pedal (107) comprises a first sensor (not shown), the power shuttle lever (108) comprises a second sensor (not shown) and the brake pedal (109) comprises a third sensor (not shown), wherein said first sensor, second sensor and third sensor are position sensors. Electrical or electronic signals (ES) from said first sensor, second sensor and third sensor are fed to the control system (104), wherein said throttle/acceleration pedal (106) and the gear shift lever (110) linked to the drive train (103) by a mechanical drive or mechanical link (MD).
The drive train comprises (103) an engine (118), a damper(117), a power clutch (116), a solenoid valve (115) and a transmission unit (114), wherein the throttle/acceleration pedal (106) is in link with the engine (118) by the mechanical link or mechanical drive (MD). Upon pressing of said throttle/acceleration pedal (106), the engine transmits the mechanical energy to the damper (117) which is mechanically coupled with the engine (118), wherein said solenoid valve (115) receives the modulated electrical or electronic signals (ES) from the control system (104), which in-turn controls the flow of oil into the power clutch (116), said power clutch (116) receives oil from the solenoid valve (115) and also from the flow control valve (113). With the help of oil received, engagement or disengagement of the power clutch (116) takes place. Mechanically engaging or disengaging of the power clutch (116) with the engine (118) and transmission unit (114), transmits or restricts the mechanical energy from the engine (118) to the transmission unit (114) through the power clutch (116). Based upon the gear selected through the gear shift lever (110) in the transmission unit (114), appropriate amount of mechanical energy is transmitted to the transmission deliverable (105) which is linked by the mechanical link or mechanical drive (MD).
The transmission deliverable (105) comprises a speed sensor (124), a temperature sensor (123), a power take-off (PTO) drive (122), a rear axle (121), a four wheel drive (4WD) front axle (120) and a hydraulic pump (119), wherein said speed sensor (124) measures the speed of the transmission unit (114) and sends the electrical or electronic signals to the control system (104), the temperature sensor (123) senses the temperature of the oil in the transmission unit (114) and sends the sensed signals to the control system (104). Appropriate mechanical energy based on the gear selected through gear shift lever (110) is transmitted to the PTO drive (122), the rear axle (121) and the 4WD front axle (120). Excess oil is fed back to the oil sump (112) in HLS (102) through the hydraulic pump (119) in transmission deliverable (105).
The control system (104) comprises an ECU (126) and a control logics (125), wherein said control logic (125) receives electrical or electronic signals (ES) from the speed sensor (124) and the temperature sensor (123) from the transmission deliverable (105), the control logic (125) is in feed back link with the ECU (126), wherein the ECU (126) receives the electrical or electronic signals from the first sensor, second sensor and third sensor attached to the clutch pedal (107), the power shuttle lever (108) and the brake pedal (109) respectively. Said ECU (126) modulates the received signals and feeds the modulated signals to the solenoid valve (115), wherein said solenoid valve (115) controls the engagement or disengagement of power clutch (116) with respect to the inputs from all the above said sensors.
Preferably the power clutch (116) is wet clutch pack, the ECU (126) is CAN bus operated.
In an another embodiment, an improved power shuttle control module comprises
a driver interface (101), a drive train (103) is being associated with said driver interface (101) through mechanical drive or mechanical link (MD) and said driver interface (101) transfers electrical or electronic signals (ES) to a control system (104),
a hydraulic and lubrication system (HLS) (102) feeds oil to the drive train (103) by hydraulic oil connection (HOC), said drive train (103) is operatively associated with a transmission deliverable (105) by mechanical drive or mechanical link (MD), said transmission deliverable (105) feedbacks the excessive oil to the HLS (102) and transfers the electrical or electronic signals (ES) to the control system (104) simultaneously, said control system (104) is in communication with the drive train (103) by electrical or electronic signals (ES), wherein;
said HLS (102) comprises an oil sump (112), an oil cooler (111) and a flow control valve (113), oil from the oil sump (112) is transferred to the oil cooler (111) for cooling the oil, cooled oil from the oil cooler (111) is transferred to the drive train (103) and also to the flow control valve (113), said flow control valve (113) feeds the oil for lubricating the drive train (103), the transfer of oil from the oil cooler (111) and the flow control valve (113) is done by Hydraulic oil connection (HOC),
the driver interface (101) comprises a throttle/acceleration pedal (106), a clutch pedal (107), a power shuttle lever (108), a brake pedal (109) and a gear shift lever (110). The clutch pedal (107) comprises a first sensor (not shown), the power shuttle lever (108) comprises a second sensor (not shown) and the brake pedal (109) comprises a third sensor (not shown), wherein said first sensor, second sensor and third sensor are position sensors. Electrical or electronic signals (ES) from said first sensor, second sensor and third sensor are fed to the control system (104), wherein said throttle/acceleration pedal (106) and the gear shift lever (110) linked to the drive train (103) by a mechanical drive or mechanical link (MD),
the drive train comprises (103) an engine (118), a damper(117), a power clutch (116), a solenoid valve (115) and a transmission unit (114), the throttle/acceleration pedal (106) is in link with the engine (118) by mechanical link or mechanical drive (MD), upon pressing of the throttle/acceleration pedal (106), the engine (118) transmits the mechanical energy to the damper (117) which is mechanically coupled with the engine (118), wherein said solenoid valve (115) receives the modulated electronic signals from the control system (104), which in-turn controls the flow of oil into the power clutch (116), said power clutch (116) receives oil from the solenoid valve (115) and also from the flow control valve (113), received oil mechanically engages or disengages the power clutch (116) with the engine (118) and transmission unit (114), appropriate amount of mechanical energy is transmitted to the transmission deliverable (105) which is linked by the mechanical link or mechanical drive (MD),
the transmission deliverable (105) comprises speed sensor (124), temperature sensor (123), a power take-off (PTO) drive (122), a rear axle (121), a four wheel drive (4WD) front axle (120) and a hydraulic pump (119), wherein said speed sensor (124) measures the speed of the transmission unit (114) and sends the electrical or electronic signals (ES) to the control system (104), the temperature sensor (123) senses the temperature of the oil in the transmission unit (114) and sends the signals to the control system (104), appropriate mechanical energy based on the gear selected through gear shift lever (110) is transmitted to the PTO drive (122), the rear axle (121) and 4WD front axle (120), the excess oil is fed back to the oil sump (112) in HLS (102) through the hydraulic pump (119) in transmission deliverable (105) by Hydraulic oil connection (HOC),
the control system (104) comprises an ECU (126) and a control logics (125), characterized in that said control logics (125) receives electrical or electronic signals (ES) from the speed sensor (124) and temperature sensor (123) from the transmission deliverable (105), said control logics (125) is in communication with the ECU (126), wherein said ECU (126) receives the electrical or electronic signals (ES) from the sensors attached to the clutch pedal (107), the power shuttle lever (108) and the brake pedal (109), said ECU (126) modulates the received signal and feeds the modulated signal to the solenoid valve (115), said solenoid valve (115) controls the engagement or disengagement of power clutch (116) with respect to the inputs from the above said sensors.
It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the above description is for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as limiting. Various modifications, additions, alterations, and improvements without deviating from the spirit and the scope of the invention may be made by a person skilled in the art.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
101. - Driver interface
102. - Hydraulic and lubrication system (HLS)
103. - Drive train
104. - Control system
105. - Transmission deliverable
106. - Throttle/acceleration pedal
107. - clutch pedal
108. - power shuttle lever
109. - brake pedal
110. - Gear shift lever
111. - Oil cooler
112. - Oil sump
113. - Flow control valve
114. - Transmission unit
115. - Solenoid valve
116. - Power clutch
117. - Damper
118. - Engine
119. - Hydraulic pump
120. - Four wheel drive (4WD) front axle
121. - Rear axle
122. - Power Take-Off (PTO) drive
123. - temperature sensor
124. - Speed sensor
125. - Control logics
126. - Electronic Control Unit (ECU)