TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure, in general, relates to clutch lever system for a vehicle and, more particularly, to self-adjustment structure for clutch cable with free-play provision.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] Clutch pedal is provided in the vehicle cabin so that driver can shift the gears by pressing clutch pedal. Clutch pedals are of two types one is hydraulic and other is mechanical. With the use of the clutch pedal, the clutch pedal sinks and obstruct smooth selection and shifting of gears. With the use, the clutch cable must be adjusted so that the driver applies same stroke on the clutch pedal to avoid slipping of clutch plate.
[0004] The mechanical clutch cables are adjusted manually by locknut and adjuster nut. In the mechanical clutch pedals, to adjust the clutch cable, adjustment screw with pawl are provided. Based on the defect in the structure of the clutch, the pawl engages with teeth of the screw to adjust clutch pedal.
[0005] The existing adjustment structure cannot be applied to achieved free-play movement in the clutch pedal.
[0006] Technical problem can be formulated as self-adjustment of clutch pedal with free-play movement.
[0007] Therefore, there is a need in the art to provide a technical solution that can provide self-adjustment of the clutch cable with free play movement.
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OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0008] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfy, are listed hereinbelow.
[0009] The principal object of the present invention is to provide a clutch cable self-adjusting structure with free play movement.
[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a free-play plate is provided in rack and pawl system to maintain free-play movement of the clutch pedal.
[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a self-adjustment structure having a spring load pawl pivot from substantially middle portion to casing of clutch pedal.
[0012] These and other objects and advantages will become more apparent when reference is made to the following description and accompanying drawings.
SUMMARY
[0013] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to a self- adjustment of clutch cable with free-play movement of a vehicle. The concepts are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0014] In an embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a clutch cable self-adjusting structure for adjusting clutch cable and maintaining free play while eliminating idle stroke in clutch pedal. The clutch cable self-adjusting structure includes a linear rack having a plurality of teeth on both sides and a pair of pawls provided opposite to the plurality of teeth of the linear rack. Each of pawl from the pair of pawls has teeth end and curved end. Further, a free-play plate provided at end after the curved end of the pair of pawls. The free-play plate has two free-play guided profiles projecting towards curved end of the pawl and a central hole provided in between the two free-play guided profiles to allow movement of the liner rack through the plate. The two free-play guided profiles are curved profiles
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opposite to curved profile of the curved end of the pawl. The curved ends of the pair of pawls slides over the two free-play guided profiles of the free-play plate to provide free-play movement to the clutch pedal.
[0015] In an aspect, the teeth end of the pair of pawls engages with the plurality of teeth of the linear rack.
[0016] In an aspect, the pair of pawls are spring loaded pawls to keep the teeth end in engage and dis-engage position.
[0017] In an aspect, height (h) of the two free-play guided profiles defines free-play distance of the clutch pedal.
[0018] In an aspect, the pair of pawls are pivoted with casing of the clutch pedal near the teeth end.
[0019] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and methods that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
[0021] Fig. 1 illustrates self-adjustment structure with clutch pedal, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0022] Fig. 2 illustrates free-play movement in the self-adjustment structure of fig. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
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[0023] Fig. 3 illustrates engagement of pawl with linear rack for stroke of clutch pedal after free-play movement in the self-adjustment structure of fig. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0024] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided herein is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0026] It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[0027] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a",” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the tennis “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes” and/or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence
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or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
[0028] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may, in fact, be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
[0029] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
[0030] These and other advantages of the present subject matter would be described in greater detail with reference to the following figures. It should be noted that the description merely illustrates the principles of the present subject matter. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter and are included within its scope.
[0031] Fig. 1 illustrates a self-adjustment structure 300 for clutch cable with clutch pedal 100 and clutch pedal casing 200. The clutch pedal 100 is pivoted with the casing 200 at point 101. Further, two arms 102 of the clutch pedal 100 extend and connect with the self-adjustment structure 300. A rod and spring structure 400 are connected with the self-adjustment structure 300 to allow movement based on the clutch structure. Other end of the rod and spring structure 400 is connected to clutch cable.
[0032] Figure 2 illustrate self-adjustment structure for clutch cable with free-play to eliminate idle stroke in the clutch pedal. The self-adjustment structure 300
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consist a linear rack 301 having a plurality of teeth 301a on both sides. One end of the linear rack 301 is connected with the rod and spring structure 400. The self-adjustment structure 300 has a pair of pawls 303 which are spring loaded. Further, a pawl 303 is provided opposite to the plurality of teeth 301a of the linear rack 301 on both sides. The pawl 303 has a teeth end 303a and a curved end 303c. The pawl 303 is pivoted with casing of the clutch pedal 100 proximal to the teeth end 303a that is provided at upper side. A spring 303ba is provided with a pin 303bb of the pivot joint 303b of the pawl 303 and the casing 103. The spring 303ba applies constant force on the pawl 303 about the pivot joint 303b. As the pawl 303 is pivoted on the casing 103 of the clutch pedal 100, the pawl 303 moves along with the clutch pedal 100.
[0033] As shown in the figure 2, the teeth end 303a is provided at upper side and the curved end 303c is provided at lower side. The teeth end 303a is provided proximal to the plurality of teeth 301a of the linear rack 301. The teeth end 303a defines teeth that are opposite to the plurality of teeth 301a of the linear lack 301. The teeth of the teeth end 303a engage with the teeth of the linear rack 301 to restrict movement of the linear rack 301 in downward direction Y.
[0034] Referring to figure 2 and 3 together, a plate 302 is provided below the curved end 303c of the pawl 303. This plate 302 can be referred as free-play plate 302 as it allows free-play movement in the clutch pedal 100. The free play plate 302 has two free-play guided profiles 302b projecting upwards in direction X toward the curved end 303c of the pawl 303. A central hole 302a is provided in between the two free-play guided profiles 302b to allow movement of the linear rack 301 through the free-play plate 302. The two free-play guided profiles 302b have curved profile from top edge to bottom plate towards the center hole 302a. The curved profile of the two free-play guided profiles 302b is opposite to curved profile of the curved end 303c of the pawl 303.
[0035] The two free-play guided profiles 302b has height ‘h’ which defines the stroke of free-play in the clutch pedal or distance of free-play in the clutch pedal 100. As shown in the figure, the free-play plate 302 is connected with outer
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casing 200 of the clutch pedal 100. The curved ends 303c of the pair of pawls 303 slides overs the two free-play guided profiles 302b of the free-play plate to provide free-play movement to the clutch pedal 100.
[0036] As shown in the figure 2, when the curved ends 303c of the pawls 303 are engaged with the two free-play guided profiles 302b of the free-play plate 302, the teeth end 303a is in dis-engaged position with the plurality of teeth 301a of the linear rack 301. The curved ends 303c of the pawls 303 pushes the teeth end 303a away from the plurality of teeth 301a due to the spring 303ba. With the engagement, the curved end 303c moves toward the center hole 302a and the teeth end 303a moves away from the plurality of teeth 301a.
[0037] Referring to figure 3 that illustrate engagement of teeth end 303c with the plurality of teeth 301a after free-play movement of the clutch pedal 100. The curved end 303c and the two free-play guided profiles 302b remain in contact till end of the free-play stroke in the clutch pedal 100, once the free-play stroke is over, there is no contact of the curved end 303c with the two free-play guided profiles 302b. The spring 303ba pushes the teeth end 303a toward the plurality of teeth 301a of the linear rack 301. The teeth end 303a engages/meshes with the teeth of the linear rack 301 to apply force of the clutch pedal 100 on the clutch cable.
[0038] As per the present structure, the clutch cable adjusts the distance by engaging the teeth end 303a with teeth of the linear rack 301. Further, the present structure provide predefine free-play with all adjustment, there is no need to set free-play with every adjustment. Accordingly, it reduces manual efforts to adjust the free-play during adjustment of the clutch cable.
[0039] 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
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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 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 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
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both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
[0040] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

We claim:
1. A clutch cable self-adjusting structure (300) for adjusting clutch cable and maintaining free-play while eliminating idle stroke in clutch pedal (100), the clutch cable self-adjusting structure (300) comprising:
a linear rack (301) having a plurality of teeth (301a) on both sides;
a pawl (303) provided opposite to the plurality of teeth of the linear rack (301) on both sides, the pawl (303) has teeth end (303a) and curved end (303c); and
a free-play plate (302) has two free-play guided profiles (302b) projecting towards curved end (303c) of the pawl (303) and a central hole (302a) provided in between the two free-play guided profiles (302b) to allow movement of the linear rack (301) through the free-play plate (302), curved profile of the two free-play guided profiles (302b) are opposite to curved profile of the curved end (303c) of the pawl (303),
wherein the curved ends (303c) of the two pawls (303) slides over the two free-play guided profiles (302b) of the free-play plate (302) to provide free-play movement to the clutch pedal (100).
2. The clutch cable self-adjusting structure (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the teeth end (303a) of the pawl (303) engages with the plurality of teeth (301a) of the linear rack (301) to restrict movement of the linear rack (301) in one direction.
3. The clutch cable self-adjusting structure (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pawl (303) is spring loaded pawl (303) to keep the teeth end (303a) in engage and dis-engage position.
4. The clutch cable self-adjusting structure (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the free-play plate (302) is connected with outer casing (200) of the clutch pedal (100).
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5. The clutch cable self-adjusting structure (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein height (h) of the two free-play guided profiles (302b) defines free-play distance of the clutch pedal (100).
6. The clutch cable self-adjusting structure (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pawl (303) is pivoted with casing (103) of the clutch pedal (100) proximal to the teeth end (303a).
7. The clutch cable self-adjusting structure (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein one end of the linear rack (301) connected with rod and spring structure (400) of clutch to adjust engagement of the pawl (303) with the linear rack (301) to adjust the clutch cable.
8. The clutch cable self-adjusting structure (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the clutch pedal (100) is pivoted with casing (200).
9. The clutch cable self-adjusting structure (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of teeth (301a) are define opposite to the teeth end (303a) of the pawl (303).
10. The clutch cable self-adjusting structure (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein engagement of the two free-play guided profiles (302b) of the free-play plate (302) with curved ends (303c) of the pawls (303) permits dis-engagement of the teeth end (303a) with the plurality of teeth (301a) the linear rack (301).