DEVICE FOR ACTUATING A DIAPHRAGM SPRING CLUTCH
FOR VEHICLES
The invention concerns a device for actuating a diaphragm spring clutch for vehicles pursuant to the preamble of patent claim 1.
Diaphragm spring clutches are frequently used as starting clutches in connection with automatic transmissions in motor vehicles. A diaphragm spring frequently serves to deliver that contact pressure with which the clutch pressure plates and clutch disks, provided with a friction lining, are brought into frictional engagement with each other. In order to disengage the clutch, the pressure plate must be lifted off the allocated clutch disk, for which reason the diaphragm spring, which loads the pressure plate, must be moved against the pressure force applied thereby. In practice, the clutch release elements, moved by an actuator, engage with the diaphragm spring, via a suitable lever arm, so that the releasing force to be applied by the clutch release elements is, in any case, smaller than the pressure force to be applied by the diaphragm spring.
The actuator is controlled by a controller connected upstream thereof, which delivers the control variables for the actuator. The differences between single-disk, dry clutches and multi-disk, dry clutches, as well as drawn and pressed clutches, are not discussed in detail herein, since the functional principle is the same in all of these clutch types and the disadvantages, which will be described below, occur in equal measure. Basically pneumatic, hydraulic or electric actuators are taken into consideration as actuators, even though pneumatic or hydraulic actuators are predominantly used in automotive technology.
A basic disadvantage of the diaphragm springs in connection with vehicle clutches is their strongly non-linear releasing force characteristic, i.e., the curve of the releasing force over the releasing stroke. This releasing force characteristic is marked by very steep curves, with which the releasing force changes very strongly over a predetermined releasing stroke, alternating with very flat curves, with which essentially no force change occurs over a large releasing stroke.

The releasing force is non-linearly dependent on the releasing stroke according to this releasing force characteristic. This non-linear releasing force leads to a change of the travel amplification depending on the releasing stroke or the release position of the clutch release elements and the actuator. Herein the term "travel amplification" is understood as the reaction of the controlled system to a predetermined actuating variable of the actuator. The controlled system comprises for-example a diaphragm spring, release bearing, release fork and actuator. This reaction of the controlled system to a predetermined adjustment variable can be accordingly changed depending on the position.
If this fact is not taken into consideration (for example, during the configuration of the controller), this leads to a very sluggish controller behavior (the times required to reach the desired position are very long) in areas with low travel amplification or the controller tends to vibrate in areas with a high travel amplification.
Against this background, the invention has the goal of creating a device for actuating a diaphragm spring clutch for vehicles in which the travel amplification is at least approximately identical over the entire releasing stroke and has a value at which the controller behavior is neither sluggish nor tends to vibrate.
This goal is attained with the features of the main claim, while advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention can be drawn from the dependent claims.
The invention is based on the realization that the travel amplification, that is, the reaction of the controlled path to an actuating variable, depends, upon the respective releasing force at a specific point of the releasing stroke, but also upon the actuating variable of the actuator active at this point so that it is possible to influence or purposefully select the travel amplification by way of a corresponding modification of the adjusting force for the purpose of the above-mentioned object.
Accordingly, the invention is based on a device for actuating a diaphragm spring clutch for vehicles by way of a pneumatic, hydraulic or electric actuator

comprising a controller connected upstream of the actuator, whose output control value controls the actuator.
In order to attain the above-mentioned goal, the use of a controller is envisioned, whose characteristic curve (output control variable over input desired value) is plotted in such a way that the non-linear curve of the releasing force (releasing force over releasing stroke) particular to the diaphragm spring is compensated for to such an extent that the travel amplification remains at least approximately identical and the controller behavior is neither sluggish nor tends to vibrate.
Since it is technically possible to design controllers in such a way that they have a desired characteristic curve, it is possible in this way by overlapping the releasing force characteristic of the diaphragm spring and a suitable characteristic line of the controller to compensate the non-linear curve of the releasing force characteristic and provide the travel amplification with the desired properties.
As was already mentioned above, the devices for the actuation of a diaphragm spring clutch are generally equipped with pneumatic or hydraulic actuators, which are controlled via inlet and outlet valve arrangements. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, this type of controller is designed in such a way that it outputs an actuating variable which corresponds to the predetermined characteristic to the valve arrangements of the actuator depending upon the releasing position of the clutch.
The control variable of the controller and the control variable of the actuator actuated by it are, therefore, provided in such a way at each point of the releasing stroke that the travel amplification resulting therefrom remains at least approximately identical over the entire releasing stroke and has the desired magnitude.
In order to create the greatest possible area for the fluid throughput with a device having a pneumatic or hydraulic actuator, which is actuated via controlled inlet and outlet valve arrangements, it is already known how to use valve arrangements with two or more valves which are arranged parallel to each other and can be switched on separately and which can be successively connected for an increase of the fluid throughput. In order to avoid an erratic change of the fluid

' throughput and thus of the actuating variable of the adjusting mechanism in the changeover points, a valve arrangement actuates the respectively active valves. Their throughput is actuated byway of a correspondingly plotted characteristic line of the controller in such a way during the switching on and off of the individual valves, according to a further embodiment of the invention, that the resulting travel amplification does not change at the switchover point. •
[021] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, each valve
arrangement comprises a first valve with a larger orifice diameter and a second valve with a smaller orifice diameter, whereby both valves are active above a predetermined control variable of the controller and only the second valve is active below this control variable. The value by which the valve control must be changed during the switchover can be calculated from the physical valve parameters (orifice diameter, etc.). Because only the valve with the small orifice diameter is actuated with small control variables (below the predetermined control variable of the controller), considerably more accurate positioning is made possible without negatively influencing the controller coordination.
[022] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the valves of a valve
arrangement can be two-position valves with a controllable pulse frequency. The throughput of the valves is accordingly controlled, not by means of a change of the valve passage cross-section, but byway of the number of opening/closing cycles in the time unit. Such valves, with a simple construction and ease of control handling, manifest a high functionality and functional accuracy.
[023] The resulting travel amplification of the system can also be influenced by
a varying supply pressure of the inlet vafve arrangement. In this case, according to a further embodiment of the invention, the characteristic curve of the controller can be plotted in such a way that the supply pressure of the inlet valve arrangement, which varies over the release stroke of the clutch, is likewise compensated for the purpose of a travel amplification that remains identical so the control variable of the controller is thus modified depending on the supply pressure,
[024] The characteristic line for the compensation of the non-linearity of the
diaphragm spring can also have a direct effect on the controller parameters,

. according to another embodiment of the invention, and can change the latter for the purpose of a travel amplification which remains identical over the release stroke of the clutch.
[025]
[026] The invention can be further explained on the basis of an exemplary
embodiment. The description of the drawings is enclosed for this purpose. Shown
in the drawings:
[027] FIG. 1 shows a conventional diaphragm spring clutch for vehicles in
engaged condition;
[028] FIG. 2 shows the diaphragm spring clutch of FIG. 1 in disengaged condition;
[029] FIG. 3 shows a diagram of a release characteristic line for a diaphragm
spring clutch according to FIGS. 1 and 2, and
[030] FIG. 4 shows a schematic of the circuit diagram of a device for actuating a
diaphragm spring clutch by means of a pneumatic actuator.
[031]
[032] FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal section of a diaphragm spring clutch 2 with a
conventional design. The diaphragm spring clutch 2 comprises a flywheel 4 connected to a crankshaft 3, which supports a diaphragm spring 8 by way of a basket-shaped connecting part 6. The diaphragm spring 8 has an approximately annular-shaped configuration. It is connected at its periphery to the connecting part 6. A pressure ring 10 is affixed on the diaphragm spring 8 radially inwardly from the periphery and abuts on the clutch disk 12 in the engaged position of the clutch, shown in FIG. 1, and presses the latter on the flywheel 4 and produces a frictional engagement, between the pressure ring 10 connected to the flywheel 4 and the clutch disk 12. The clutch disk 12 is rigidly connected to a transmission input shaft 14 so that the transmission input shaft 14 is rotationally connected to the crankshaft 3 in the engaged position of the clutch, shown in FIG. 1.
[033] The diaphragm spring 8 has a central opening 16 through which a dutch
release element 18 engages with an actuator (not depicted), which serves to disengage the clutch, as is depicted in FIG. 2,

FIG. 2 shows the diaphragm spring clutch .2 in a disengaged condition. The clutch release element 18 has been moved to the right by the releasing stroke a and has taken with it the diaphragm spring 8, as well as the pressure ring 10 connected to it, to such an extent that there is no longer frictional engagement between the pressure ring 10 and the clutch disk 12 so that the clutch 2 is disengaged.
A releasing force F is applied by an actuator (not depicted) to displace the clutch release element 18 from the position depicted in FIG. 1 into the position depicted in FIG, 2.
FIG. 3 shows the curve of the releasing force F over the releasing stroke a and corresponds (from left to right) to the movement of the clutch release element 18 during the engagement of the clutch 2. Point P1 corresponds accordingly to the condition depicted in FIG, 1, that is, the engaged condition in which the clutch release element 18 does not transfer a force to the diaphragm spring 8, while point P2 of progression curve k corresponds to the condition in FIG. 2 which the clutch release element 18 has to apply a high releasing force.
The progression curve k is visibly very non-linear which is typical of diaphragm springs. Without suitable compensation, such a progression curve can result in the travel amplification, that is, the reaction of the controlled path to an actuating variable of the actuator which remains identical, varying over the releasing stroke, which was already explained in detail above.
A compensation for the purpose of a travel amplification, which remains identical over the releasing stroke, occurs via a controller connected upstream of the actuator,
FIG. 4 shows a schematic of a diaphragm spring clutch 20 with a diaphragm spring 22, which can be actuated via a pneumatic actuator 24, as already described in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2. The pneumatic actuator 24 is actuated via a controllable inlet valve arrangement 26 and £ controllable outlet valve arrangement 28.
The inlet valve arrangement 26 includes two two-position valves 30 and 32, whose opening/closing frequency is controllable. The valve 30 has a small orifice diameter and the valve 32 has a larger orifice diameter.

Similarly, the valve arrangement 28 has two two-position valves 34 and 36, wherein the valve 34 has a smaller orifice diameter and the valve 36 has a larger orifice diameter.
The inlet valve arrangement 26 is connected to a compressed air source 38, which delivers supply air with a specific supply pressure required for the displacement of the pneumatic actuator 24.
As already explained above, the actuator 24 is displaced against the force of the diaphragm spring 22 in order to release the diaphragm spring dutch 20, that is, the cylinder of the actuator 24 is supplied with compressed air via the inlet valve arrangement 26. If the control variable of the controller is above a predetermined limit, both valves 30, 32 are actuated. If the control variable is below this limit, only valve 30 with the smaller orifice diameter is actuated.
In order to prevent an erratic change of the travel amplification in this phase, the valve actuating variable, in this case the valve frequency of the valve 30 corresponding to the throughput of the valve 32 which is discontinuing, is modified so that the throughput continuously follows the previous throughput achieved with the two valves. The value by which the valve actuation must be changed during the changeover can be calculated from the physical valve parameters (orifice diameter, etc.).
Because only the valve with the small orifice diameter is actuated when the control variables are small (control variable below the predetermined limit), a considerably more accurate positioning is made possible without negatively influencing the controller coordination.
In order to engage the diaphragm spring clutch 20, the compressed air located in the cylinder of the pneumatic actuator 24 is similarly discharged in a controlled manner via the outlet valve arrangement 28.

• Reference numerals
2 diaphragm spring clutch
3 crankshaft
4 flywheel
6 connecting part
9 diaphragm spring
10 pressure ring
12 clutch disk
14 transmission input shaft
16 central opening
18 clutch release element
20 diaphragm spring clutch
22 diaphragm spring
24 pneumatic actuator
26 inlet valve arrangement
28 outlet valve arrangement
30 two-position valve
32 two-position valve
34 two-position valve
36 two-position valve
38 compressed air source
a releasing stroke
F releasing force
k progression curve
P1 point on k
P2 point on k

CLAIMS
1. A device for actuating a diaphragm spring clutch (2) for vehicles by means of a pneumatic, hydraulic or electric actuator, comprising a controller connected upstream of the actuator, whose output control variable controls the actuator, characterized in that a controller is used, whose characteristic curve (output control variable over input desired value) is plotted in such a way, that the nonlinear curve (k) of the releasing force (F) (releasing force over releasing stroke) particular to the diaphragm spring (8) is at least approximately compensated via a correspondingly coordinated actuation of the actuator.
2. The device of claim 1, comprising a pneumatic or hydraulic actuator, which is actuated via controlled inlet and outlet valve arrangements, characterized in that the controller is designed in such a way that it outputs a control variable corresponding to the predetermined characteristic line to the valve arrangements (26, 28) of the actuator (24), respectively, depending on the releasing position of the clutch (2).
3. The device of claim 2, in which the valve arrangements have two or more valves, respectively, which are arranged parallel to each other and can be switched on separately, characterized in that the respectively active valves are actuated in such a way when individual valves (30, 32; 34, 36) of a valve arrangement (26; 28) are switched on and off, that the travel amplification resulting therefrom does not change at the switchover point,
4. The device of claim 3, characterized in that each valve arrangement (28; 30) comprises a first valve (32; 36) with a larger orifice diameter and a second valve (30; 34) with a smaller orifice diameter, in which both valves (30, 32; 34,36) are active above a predetermined control variable of the controller, and only the second valve (30; 34) is active below this control variable.

5. The device of one of the claims 2 to 4t characterized in that the valves (30, 32; 34, 36) are, respectively, two-position valves with a controllable opening/closing frequency,
6. The device of one of the claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the characteristic curve of the controller is plotted in such a way that a supply pressure

• of the inlet valve arrangement (26) which varies over the releasing stroke of the clutch (20) is compensated for the purpose of a travel amplification which remains identical.
7. The device of one of the claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the characteristic line of the controller has a direct effect on the controller parameters.