DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to electronically controlled gear system, particularly clutch life enhancement through electronically controlled high gear launch inhibitor(e-HGLI). and a method of manufacturing thereof.
BACKGROUND
[002] Clutch is an important and crucial component of automobile power transmission system, which is placed in between engine and gearbox to transfer the engine torque to gearbox.
[003] In existing vehicles, there is a limitation of clutch wear, especially in the heavy-duty commercial vehicles, which considered to be the biggest pain of automobile industry. Further due frequently changing or shifting the position of gear into 2nd or 3rd directly manipulating the vehicle momentum through partial clutch engagement, its “slips” excessively, resulting in premature wear, tear and damage to the clutch.
[004] In response to resolve this issue of premature clutch wear, there is an unmet need of high gear launch inhibitor system that automatically identified the engaged gear during gear launch and if it is not as per defined state, the vehicle will not launch, hence reducing the amount of wear and tear on clutch.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[005] The electronically controlled high gear launch inhibitor(e-HGLI) system of present invention assist engine EMS to automatically detects the engaged gear during vehicle launch and if it is not meeting the pre-define conditions, engine EMS restricts the torque delivery and didn’t allow driver to launch the vehicle. Also, it is a user friendly, safe, economic and easy to install on vehicle.
[006] In one embodiment, the present subject matter discloses an electronically controlled gear system to enhance the life of the clutch of the vehicle comprising an electronically controlled high gear launch inhibitor(e-HGLI) system to identify/detect the engagement and/or disengagement of the gear system in the manual gearbox transmission system in the commercial vehicle to reduce the wear and tear on the clutch of the vehicle.
[007] It is very difficult to identify or detect the engagement and/or disengagement of the gear system in the manual gearbox transmission system in the commercial vehicle. Since there is no provision to identify, which gear has been engaged during gear launch and due to this driver engaged 2nd or 3rd gear during launch and resulting in clutch slippage and premature clutch failure. In such scenario, the electronically controlled high gear launch inhibitor(e-HGLI) system of the present subject matter comprising an electronic switch and an operation system to assist in the operation of the electronically controlled gear system automatically, thereby enhancing the life of the clutch of the vehicle
[008] The electronically controlled high gear launch inhibitor(e-HGLI) system of present invention detect and identify the position of 2nd and 3rd gear at the launching position of the vehicle. The electronic switch has been installed on top of gearbox, which interface with unique detent block inside the gearbox. Therefore, when driver engaged 2nd gear or 3rd gear, this switch gives signal to engine EMS. The engine EMS software logic has been built in such a way, that, if vehicle speed is between “0 to 3” kmph, then EMS restricts torque delivery and there is no response to accelerator pedal of the vehicle. Hence without any response to accelerator pedal, it would be difficult to the vehicle to launch, even with partial clutch engagement. The present system works automatically, and there is no scope to launch the vehicle in 2nd or 3rd gear.
[009] In one embodiment, the present invention discloses the working of electronically controlled high gear launch inhibitor(e-HGLI) system. The gear neutral switch being mounted on top of gearbox cover and configured to engage with engine ECU. In neutral position, the switch remains in open position and no signal passes to engine ECU till the time driver shift to 1st gear. In other word, the switch still remains in open condition, even if driver shift 1st gear. The vehicle launches as normal operation and the moment driver shifts to 2nd gear in stand still condition or less than predefined speed, then switch pressed and provide signal to engine ECU for torque limitation resultant vehicle is not able to launch. The same methodology or operation is applicable for 3rd gear and so on, where switch pressed and provide signal to engine ECU.
[0010] It is pertinent to note that the e-HGLI system with logic is not applicable from 4th gear onwards and vehicle is running as normal operation. All these functions of gear identification, switch press and engine ECU action, are performing automatically, and there is no need of human intervention to operate the system. It is preferably called as 2nd and 3rd gear launch inhibitor, avoids abuse load on clutch during launch, and increases clutch life drastically.
[0011] Another embodiment demonstrates the working logic of the system. A 2nd gear and 3rd gear switch are being implemented and configured to engage with IECU as hardwired pin. Further based on switch status & vehicle speed under Set Vehicle Speed limit X, the IECU start sending engine Torque Limit Request of Y% by TSC CAN Message. The X & Y values can be Calibrated during vehicle trials. The information pertaining to 2nd gear and 3rd gear switch be available on CAN. Here it is important to note that the X & Y can be calibrated as per the requirements.
[0012] The present subject matter solves the problems or issues commonly faced by driver dependent manual vehicle transmission system.
[0013] The advantages of -HGLI system of the present invention is that the -HGLI system comprises reasonable parts to operate the -HGLI system. Therefore, it is user friendly and cost effective in nature and easy to install on vehicle
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0014] The present invention relates to relates to an electronically controlled gear system, particularly clutch life enhancement through electronically controlled high gear launch inhibitor(e-HGLI) and a method of manufacturing thereof.
[0015] FIG. 1 describes the electronically controlled high gear launch inhibitor(e-HGLI) of the present subject matter.
[0016] FIG. 2 show the working principle of the e-HGLI.
[0017] FIG. 3 demonstrate the working logic-flow diagram of the e-HGLI
[0018] The FIG. 1 relates electronically controlled high gear launch inhibitor(e-HGLI), which assist engine EMS to automatically detects the engaged gear during vehicle launch and if it is not meeting the pre-define conditions, engine EMS restricts the torque delivery and didn’t allow driver to launch the vehicle. Also, it is a user friendly, safe, economic and easy to install on vehicle.
[0019] It is very difficult to identify or detect the engagement and//or disengagement of the gear system in the manual gearbox transmission system in the commercial vehicle. Since there is no provision to identify which gear has been engaged during gear launch and due to this driver engaged 2nd or 3rd gear during launch and resulting in clutch slippage and premature clutch failure.
[0020] The e-HGLI system of present invention detect and identify the position of 2nd and 3rd gear at the launching position of the vehicle. The electronic switch has been installed on top of gearbox, which interface with unique detent block inside the gearbox. Therefore, when driver engaged 2nd gear or 3rd gear, this switch gives signal to engine EMS. The engine EMS software logic has been built in such a way, that, if vehicle speed is between “0 to 3” kmph, then EMS restricts torque delivery and there is no response to accelerator pedal of the vehicle. Hence without any response to accelerator pedal, it would be difficult to the vehicle to launch, even with partial clutch engagement. The present system works automatically, and there is no scope to launch the vehicle in 2nd or 3rd gear.
[0021] The FIG. 2 show the working principle of the e-HGLI. As shown in FIG. 2, the gear neutral switch being mounted on top of gearbox cover and configured to engage with engine ECU. In neutral position, the switch remains in open position and no signal passes to engine ECU till the time driver shift to 1st gear. In other word, the switch still remains in open condition, even if driver shift 1st gear. The vehicle launches as normal operation and the moment driver shifts to 2nd gear in stand still condition or less than predefined speed, then switch pressed and provide signal to engine ECU for torque limitation resultant vehicle is not able to launch. The same methodology or operation is applicable for 3rd gear and so on, where switch pressed and provide signal to engine ECU.
[0022] It is pertinent to note that the e-HGLI system with logic is not applicable from 4th gear onwards and vehicle is running as normal operation. All these functions of gear identification, switch press and engine ECU action, are performing automatically, and there is no need of human intervention to operate the system. It is preferably called as 2nd and 3rd gear launch inhibitor, avoids abuse load on clutch during launch, and increases clutch life drastically.
[0023] The FIG. 3 demonstrate the working logic-flow diagram of the e-HGLI. A 2nd gear and 3rd gear switch are being implemented and configured to engage with IECU as hardwired pin. Further based on switch status & vehicle speed under Set Vehicle Speed Limit X, the IECU start sending engine Torque Limit Request of Y% by TSC CAN Message. The X & Y values can be Calibrated during vehicle trials. The information pertaining to 2nd gear and 3rd gear switch be available on CAN. Here it is important to note that the X & Y can be calibrated as per the requirements.
[0024] The present subject matter solves the problems or issues commonly faced by driver dependent manual vehicle transmission system.
[0025] Although the present disclosure is described in terms of certain preferred embodiments and examples, other embodiments and examples will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, given the benefit of this disclosure, including embodiments and examples that do not provide all of the benefits and features set forth herein, which are also within the scope of this disclosure. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized, without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0026] It is to be understood that other embodiments of the present disclosure will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, wherein it is shown and described only various embodiments of the disclosure by way of illustration. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
[0027] It would become abundantly clear to a person in the art, after reading this specification that the present subject matter also provides an electronically controlled gear system to enhance the life of the clutch of the vehicle and method of manufacturing thereof. More specifically, the present subject matter discloses an electronically controlled gear system to enhance the life of the clutch of the vehicle comprising an electronically controlled high gear launch inhibitor(e-HGLI) system to identify/detect the engagement and/or disengagement of the gear system in the manual gearbox transmission system in the commercial vehicle to reduce the wear and tear on the clutch of the vehicle without departing from the spirit of the present subject matter. While the subject matter may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and have been described herein. Alternate embodiments or modifications may be practiced without departing from the spirit of the present subject matter. The drawings shown are schematic drawings and may not be to the scale. While the drawings show some features of the subject matter, some features may be omitted. Alternatively, in some other cases some features may be emphasized while others are not. Further, the methods disclosed herein may be performed in manner and/or order in which the methods are explained. Alternatively, the methods may be performed in manner or order different than what is explained without departing from the spirit of the present subject matter. It should be understood that the subject matter is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the subject matter is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the subject matter.

Yours Faithfully

ANIL KUMAR PANDEY
(IN P/A 2359)
AGENT FOR THE APPLICANT(S)

,CLAIMS:We claim:

1) An electronically controlled gear system to enhance the life of the clutch of the vehicle comprising an electronically controlled high gear launch inhibitor(e-HGLI) system to identify/detect the engagement and/or disengagement of the gear system in the manual gearbox transmission system in the commercial vehicle to reduce the wear and tear on the clutch of the vehicle.
2) The electronically controlled high gear launch inhibitor(e-HGLI) system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said electronically controlled high gear launch inhibitor(e-HGLI) system comprising an electronic switch and an operation system to operate the said system
3) The electronically controlled high gear launch inhibitor(e-HGLI) system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said electronically controlled high gear launch inhibitor(e-HGLI) system with logic is not applicable from 4th gear onwards and vehicle is running as normal operation.
4) The electronically controlled high gear launch inhibitor(e-HGLI) system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said electronically controlled high gear launch inhibitor(e-HGLI) system operates automatically without human intervention.

Yours Faithfully

ANIL KUMAR PANDEY
(IN P/A 2359)
AGENT FOR THE APPLICANT(S)