Claims:I/We Claim:
1. A clutch actuation valve assembly (100) with pressure modulation control for improving a 1 clutch performance, wherein the clutch actuation valve assembly (100) comprises: 2
a flow control valve (102) that regulates a flow of a fluid when the clutch actuation valve 3 assembly (100) receives the fluid from an oil pump; 4
a relief valve (104) that is attached to the flow control valve (102) to regulate pressure of 5 the fluid and releases a pressurized fluid; and 6
characterized in that, a modulation valve (108) that receives the pressurized fluid to (i) 7 absorb fluid shock force from the pressurized fluid and (ii) control the amount of fluid flow to a 8 clutch input port, to maintain an engagement time of a clutch by preventing shock occurrence 9 during clutch actuation, thereby improving the clutch performance with quick response and 10 comfort. 11
2. The clutch actuation valve assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the clutch 1 actuation valve assembly (100) comprises a solenoid direction control valve (106) that controls the 2 direction of the fluid flow in the clutch actuation valve assembly (100). 3
3. The clutch actuation valve assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the clutch 1 actuation valve assembly (100) comprises a valve manifold block that connects the flow control 2 valve (102), the relief valve (104), the modulation valve (108), and the solenoid direction control 3 valve (106) using one or more ports. 4
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4. The clutch actuation valve assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the solenoid 1 direction control valve (106) comprises an electrical actuation of spool movement that changes the 2 direction of the fluid flow using the one or more ports. 3
5. The clutch actuation valve assembly (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the valve 1 manifold block integrates the flow control valve (102), the relief valve (104), the modulation valve 2 (108), and the solenoid direction control valve (106) with a single hydraulic system to regulate the 3 flow and pressure of the fluid in the clutch actuation valve assembly (100). 4
6. The clutch actuation valve assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the relief valve 1 (104) regulates the pressure of the fluid with a determined pressure data by spring force adjustment, 2 wherein the determined pressure data is in a range of 15 bar to 25 bar. 3
7. The clutch actuation valve assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the modulation 1 valve (108) controls the amount of fluid flow to maintain a fluid flow response time based on 2 internal spring force and diameter of holes provided in a piston and sleeve body of the clutch 3 actuation valve assembly (100). 4
8. The clutch actuation valve assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, the pressurized fluid from 1 the flow control valve flows into the modulation valve (108) when the solenoid direction control 2 valve (106) is in the ON condition, wherein the pressurized fluid from the flow control valve (102) 3 flows into an oil tank directly when the solenoid direction control valve (106) is in the OFF 4 condition. 5
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9. A method for improving a clutch performance using a clutch actuation valve assembly 1 (100) of a vehicle, wherein the method comprises: 2
receiving, a fluid in the clutch actuation valve assembly (100) from an oil pump; 3
regulating, using a flow control valve (102), a flow of a fluid when the clutch actuation 4 valve assembly (100) receives the fluid; 5
regulating, using a relief valve (104), pressure of the fluid and releases a pressurized fluid; 6
absorbing, using a modulation valve (108), a fluid shock force from the pressurized fluid; 7 and 8
controlling, using the modulation valve (108), the amount of fluid flow to a clutch input 9 port, to maintain an engagement time of a clutch, thereby improving the clutch performance with 10 quick response and comfort. , Description:BACKGROUND
Technical Field
[0001] The embodiments herein generally relate to a clutch actuation valve assembly, more particularly to the clutch actuation valve assembly with pressure modulation control for improving 5 a clutch performance.
Description of the Related Art
[0002] Clutches in an automobile vehicle are widely used to engage and disengage to change gear ratios and to alter speed of the automobile vehicle. Hydraulic valves are mostly used to control the engagement and disengagement of a clutch in the automobile vehicle. 10
[0003] These types of clutch actuation systems transfer hydraulic fluids through valves for clutch actuation, which may reduce life of the clutch assembly as the transmission of fluid temperature ramp up very high. The clutches may demonstrate a smooth transition between the engagement and disengagement of the clutch actuation. For off-road vehicles, the engagement and the disengagement of the clutch may generate a lot of heat which impact the clutch actuation valve 15 assembly and the heat generated may reduce the performance of the clutch.
[0004] Accordingly, there remains a need for a clutch actuation valve assembly with pressure modulation control for improving the clutch performance.
SUMMARY
[0005] In view of the foregoing, an embodiment herein provides a clutch actuation valve 20 assembly with pressure modulation control for improving a clutch performance. The clutch actuation valve assembly includes a flow control valve, a relief valve, and a modulation valve. The flow control valve regulates a flow of a fluid when the clutch actuation valve assembly receives
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the fluid from an oil pump. The relief valve is attached to the flow control valve to regulate pressure of the fluid and releases a pressurized fluid. The modulation valve receives the pressurized fluid to (i) absorb fluid shock force from the pressurized fluid and (ii) control the amount of fluid flow to a clutch input port, to maintain an engagement time of a clutch by preventing shock occurrence during clutch actuation, thereby improving the clutch performance with quick response and 5 comfort.
[0006] In some embodiments, the clutch actuation valve assembly includes a solenoid direction control valve that controls the direction of the fluid flow in the clutch actuation valve assembly.
[0007] In some embodiments, the clutch actuation valve assembly includes a valve 10 manifold block that connects the flow control valve, the relief valve, the modulation valve, and the solenoid direction control valve using one or more ports.
[0008] In some embodiments, the solenoid direction control valve includes an electrical actuation of spool movement that changes the direction of the fluid flow using the one or more ports. The solenoid direction control valve may control the direction of the fluid flow by opening 15 and closing of a solenoid valve spool movement.
[0009] In some embodiments, the valve manifold block integrates the flow control valve, the relief valve, the modulation valve, and the solenoid direction control valve with a single hydraulic system to regulate the flow and pressure of the fluid in the clutch actuation valve assembly. 20
[0010] In some embodiments, the relief valve regulates the pressure of the fluid with determined pressure data by spring force adjustment. The determined pressure data is in a range of 15 bar to 25 bar.
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[0011] In some embodiments, the modulation valve controls the amount of fluid flow to maintain a fluid flow response time based on internal spring force and diameter of holes provided in a piston and sleeve body of the clutch actuation valve assembly.
[0012] In some embodiments, the fluid flow allows to the modulation valve when the solenoid direction control valve in an ON condition and the fluid flow path closes when the 5 solenoid direction control valve in an OFF condition. The pressurized fluid from the flow control valve flows into the modulation valve, when the solenoid direction control valve is in the ON condition. The pressurized fluid from the flow control valve flows into an oil tank directly when the solenoid direction control valve is in the OFF condition.
[0013] In an aspect, a method for improving a clutch performance using a clutch actuation 10 valve assembly of a vehicle is provided. The method includes (i) receiving fluid in a clutch actuation valve assembly from an oil pump, (ii) regulating a flow of a fluid when the clutch actuation valve assembly receives the fluid using a flow control valve, (iii) regulating pressure of the fluid and releases a pressurized fluid using a relief valve, (iv) absorbing a fluid shock force from the pressurized fluid using a modulation valve, and (v) controlling the amount of fluid flow 15 to a clutch input port, to maintain an engagement time of a clutch using the modulation valve, thereby improving the clutch performance with quick response and comfort.
[0014] The clutch actuation valve assembly enables smooth engagement and disengagement of the clutch by absorbing the shock loads and by maintaining to the working pressure of the vehicle, that also provides comfort to a user. The clutch actuation valve assembly 20 provides pressure ramp up with in the specific time period to improve the clutch performance. The clutch actuation valve assembly can be easy to assemble and can be directly mounted to the manifold block assembly.
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[0015] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the 5 embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following detailed description with reference to the drawings, in which: 10
[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary view of a clutch actuation valve assembly to improve clutch performance according to some embodiments herein;
[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates a hydraulic circuit of the clutch actuation valve assembly of FIG. 1 according to some embodiments herein;
[0019] FIG. 3 illustrates a vehicle assembly with the clutch actuation valve assembly of 15 FIG. 1 according to some embodiments herein;
[0020] FIG. 4 illustrates a graphical representation of experimental data of the clutch actuation valve assembly of FIG. 1 according to some embodiments herein; and
[0021] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a method for improving the clutch performance using the clutch actuation valve assembly of a vehicle according to some embodiments herein. 20
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the
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accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as 5 limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0023] As mentioned, there remains a need for a clutch actuation valve assembly with pressure modulation control for improving the clutch performance. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 5, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, preferred embodiments are shown. 10
[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary view of a clutch actuation valve assembly 100 to improve clutch performance according to some embodiments herein. The clutch actuation valve assembly 100 is associated with a vehicle. In some embodiments, the vehicle is an Off-road vehicle. The clutch actuation valve assembly 100 includes a flow control valve 102, a relief valve 104, a solenoid direction control valve 106, and a modulation valve 108. The flow control valve 15 102 regulates a flow of a fluid when the clutch actuation valve assembly 100 receives the fluid from a pump. The pump may be any of an oil pump or a gear pump that differs based on a vehicle design. In some embodiments, the pump is associated with the vehicle. The relief valve 104 regulates pressure of the fluid from the pump and releases a pressurized fluid. In some embodiments, the relief valve 104 is attached to the flow control valve 102. The relief valve 104 20 regulates the pressure of the fluid with determined pressure data by spring force adjustment. The determined pressure data may be in a range of 15 bar to 25 bar.
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[0025] The solenoid direction control valve 106 controls the direction of the fluid flow in the clutch actuation valve assembly 100. In some embodiments, the solenoid direction control valve 106 includes an electrical actuation of spool movement that changes the direction of the fluid flow using one or more ports. The solenoid direction control valve 106 may control the direction of the fluid flow by opening and closing of a solenoid valve spool movement. The modulation 5 valve 108 receives the pressurized fluid to (i) absorb fluid shock force from the pressurized fluid and (ii) control the amount of fluid flow to a clutch input port, to maintain an engagement time of a clutch. The clutch actuation valve assembly 100 prevents shock occurrence during clutch actuation to improve the clutch performance with quick response and comfort.
[0026] The modulation valve 108 may control the amount of fluid flow to maintain a fluid 10 flow response time based on internal spring force and diameter of holes provided in a piston and sleeve body of the clutch actuation valve assembly 100. In some embodiments, the modulation valve 108 avoids jerk movement of the vehicle while applying clutches and prevents output spline shaft shock load. The pressurized fluid from the flow control valve flows into the modulation valve 108 when the solenoid direction control valve 106 is in an ON condition. In some embodiments, 15 the pressurized fluid from the flow control valve 102 flows into an oil tank directly when the solenoid direction control valve 106 is in an OFF condition.
[0027] In some embodiments, the clutch actuation valve assembly 100 includes a valve manifold block that connects the flow control valve 102, the relief valve 104, the solenoid direction control valve 106, and the modulation valve 108 using the one or more ports. The valve manifold 20 block may integrate the flow control valve 102, the relief valve 104, the solenoid direction control valve 106, and the modulation valve 108 with a single hydraulic system to regulate the flow and pressure of the fluid in the clutch actuation valve assembly 100.
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[0028] FIG. 2 illustrates a hydraulic circuit of the clutch actuation valve assembly 100 of FIG. 1 according to some embodiments herein. The hydraulic circuit includes a clutch assembly 202, the flow control valve 102, the relief valve 104, the solenoid direction control valve 106, the modulation valve 108, and one or more fluid lines 204A-N. Normally the fluid receives from the pump when an engine of the vehicle is started through a fluid line 204A & passes to the clutch 5 actuation valve assembly 100. Based on the solenoid direction control valve 106, the fluid passes to at least one of the modulation valve 108 or the clutch input port for applying the clutch. In some embodiments, the solenoid direction control valve 106 can be manually operated with switches to change the direction of the fluid flow. The solenoid direction control valve 106 may be mechanically operated by applying forces with any of: cams, wheels, and rollers to change the 10 direction of the fluid flow. In some embodiments, the solenoid direction control valve 106 directly passes the fluid to the clutch input port through a fluid line 204E. The solenoid direction control valve 106 may change the direction of the flow of fluid to the relief valve 104 through a fluid line 204C.
[0029] The fluid flow from the pump passes through the fluid line 204A line to the flow 15 control valve 102. The flow control valve 102 controls the flow of the fluid line 204A and directs the excess fluid flow to a fluid line 204N. In some embodiments, the fluid line 204N is a tank line. The fluid may pass through the solenoid direction control valve 106 and the pressure relief valve 104. The excess pressure in the fluid is directly released to the tank through the fluid line 204B. The pressurized fluid may not reach the modulation valve 108, when the solenoid directional 20 control valve 106 is in the OFF condition. In some embodiments, the fluid flows to the tank directly through the fluid line 204D, when the solenoid directional control valve 106 is in the OFF condition. The pressurized fluid from the flow control valve 102 flows into the modulation valve
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108 when the solenoid directional valve 106 is in the ON condition and the pressurized fluid reaches the clutch input port with the fluid line 204C. The modulation valve 108 receives the pressurized fluid to absorb the fluid shock force and controls the fluid flow to the clutch input port. In some embodiments, the modulation valve 108 protects from shock loads on account of shock primarily from an actuator. The modulation valve 108 may prevent shock occurrence by pressure 5 ramp-up primarily during the fluid pass to the clutch input port.
[0030] The flow control valve 102 regulates the flow of the fluid and the relief valve 104 regulates the pressure of the fluid with the determined pressure data. In some embodiments, the relief valve 104 regulates the pressure in the fluid by spring force adjustment and passes to the clutch input port. 10
[0031] FIG. 3 illustrates a vehicle assembly 300 with the clutch actuation valve assembly 100 of FIG. 1 according to some embodiments herein. The vehicle assembly 300 includes the clutch actuation valve assembly 100, one or more oil tanks 302A-N, one or more filter units 304A-N, a gear pump 306, a steering unit 308, a clutch assembly 310, and one or more fluid lines 312A-N. The one or more oil tanks 302A-N includes hydraulic transmission oil that may be sucked by 15 the gear pump 306 through a fluid line 312A. In some embodiments, the gear pump 306 is directly connected to an engine drive shaft. The gear pump 306 may increase the output flow based on the engine drive speed. The at least one filter unit 304A may be placed between the at least one oil tank 302A and the gear pump 306. The at least one filter unit 304A avoids entering of foreign materials in the fluid line 312A. A fluid line 312B from the gear pump 306 is connected to the 20 steering unit 308. In some embodiments, the fluid line 312B is connected to an input of the steering unit 308. The steering unit 308 may be used for hydraulic steering control unit of a left wheel and a right wheel. The clutch actuation valve assembly 100 receives the hydraulic transmission oil
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from the steering unit 308 through a fluid line 312C. In some embodiments, the at least one filter unit 304N is placed between the steering unit 308 and the clutch actuation valve assembly 100 to clean the hydraulic transmission oil. The clutch actuation valve assembly 100 controls the amount of hydraulic transmission oil to the clutch assembly 310 through a fluid line 312D. The clutch actuation valve assembly may be actuated by an electrical switch control and based on switch 5 control oil flow to the clutch assembly 310 with modulation and reaction time during clutch engagement time. In some embodiments, the clutch actuation valve assembly 100 includes a clutch lubrication line 314 for lubrication that removes excess oil from the clutch actuation valve assembly 100. In some embodiments, the vehicle assembly 300 includes a fluid line 312N that flows the excess oil from the clutch actuation valve assembly 100. 10
[0032] FIG. 4 illustrates a graphical representation of experimental data of the clutch actuation valve assembly 100 of FIG. 1 according to some embodiments herein. The graphical representation depicts a time is plotted in an X-axis and pressure on a Y-axis. The graphical representation depicts stability of the clutch actuation valve assembly 100 from a shock load to working pressure. The clutch actuation valve assembly 100 attains the engagement time of 1.75 15 seconds to prevent the shock load and to maintain the working pressure. The shock load may be a shock wave that travels at the speed of light in oil media and the valve may reduce pressure-related shock in the clutch actuation valve assembly 100, thereby improving the clutch performance with quick response and comfort.
[0033] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a method for improving clutch performance using the 20 clutch actuation valve assembly 100 of the vehicle according to some embodiments herein. At step 502, the fluid is received in the clutch actuation valve assembly 100 from the oil pump. At step 504, the flow of the fluid is regulated using the flow control valve when the clutch actuation valve
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assembly 100 receives the fluid. At step 506, the pressure of the fluid is regulated using the relief valve and the pressurized fluid is released. At step 508, the fluid shock force is absorbed from the pressurized fluid using the modulation valve. At step 510, the amount of the fluid flow is controlled to the clutch input port, to maintain the engagement time of the clutch, thereby improving the clutch performance with quick response and comfort. 5
[0034] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It 10 is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.