FORM 2
The Patent Act 1970
(39 of 1970)
AND
THE PATENT RULES, 2005
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (See Section 10; Rule 13)
TITLE OF THE INVENTION
REVERSIBLE CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY FOR MOTOR VEHICLE
APPLICANT(S)
TATA MOTORS LIMITED
An Indian Company Bombay House, 24 Homi Mody Street,
Hutatma Chowk, Mumbai 400 001,
Maharashtra, India.
PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
The following specification particularly describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:-

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a clutch pedal assembly for motor vehicle, and more particularly relates to reversible clutch pedal assembly design to optimize clutch effort with respect to pedal graduation to ensure comfort of driver of the motor vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Clutch pedal characteristics plays vital role in driver comfort. Improper clutch actuation characteristic leads to fatigue driving. Especially when driving in high density traffic (bumper to bumper traffic) condition where multiple clutch applications are required. FIGS. 1a-1c illustrates conventional clutch pedal assembly. The conventional assembly comprises a support bracket (1) connected to a pedal arm (2) using a return spring (3) as shown in the FIG. 1a. The conventional clutch pedal assembly comprises a sleeve (4), a blot (5), a stopper bracket (6), a think nut (7), a stopper screw (8), a washer (9), and a Nyloc nut (10). In the conventional clutch pedal design, the return spring (3) is wound tightly like an extension or compression spring, although the ends of the return spring (3) typically extend away from the spring in a non-helical shape. One of the ends are located in hole provided on clutch pedal arm (2) and other is in hole provided on the support bracket (1). Instead of being compressed or extended, the return spring (3) is twisted to store potential energy. This energy is consume to assist or return the pedal arm (2). Limitation of using the conventional clutch pedal design illustrated in the FIGS. 1a-1c is that it can control only one side of clutch characteristics i.e., either forward or return of the clutch. For example, if reduce the clutch effort needs to be reduced then there will be compromise in terms of sluggish behavior during the pedal return. Sometime with unproportioned reduction of forward load may cause pedal

stuck issue during diving in uphill as illustrated in FIG. 2. Further, if the clutch return behavior is improved then the clutch pedal effort will increase.
[0003] Therefore, there remains a need of a clutch pedal assembly design to improve the pedal characteristic in both forward and reverse direction.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The principal object of the embodiments herein is to provide a clutch pedal assembly design to improve the pedal characteristic in both forward and reverse direction by reducing effort and tune the reverse characteristic respectively.
[0005] Another object of the embodiments herein is to reversible clutch pedal assembly design to optimize clutch effort with respect to pedal graduation to ensure comfort of driver of the motor vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In one aspect object is satisfied by providing a support bracket comprising a toggle spring, a pedal arm comprising a toggle spring, and a reversible spring connected at one end to the toggle spring of the support bracket and operably connecting other end of the reversible spring to toggle spring of the pedal arm. The reversible spring provides assistance during an onward stroke of the pedal arm and resistance during a return stroke of the pedal arm.
[0007] In an embodiment, during the onward stroke of the pedal arm, the reversible spring off-center with respect to an axis of a joint of the toggle spring

of the support bracket and the toggle spring of the pedal arm to provide assistance for clutch engagement.
[0008] In an embodiment, during the return stroke of the pedal arm, the reversible spring provides off-center with respect to an axis of a joint of the toggle spring of the support bracket and the toggle spring of the pedal arm to provide resistance for clutch disengagement.
[0009] In an embodiment, the assistance is provided till a toggle point is reached for the clutch engagement.
[0010] In an embodiment, the resistance is provided to reduce a peak return load after a peak point is passed while clutch disengagement.
[0011] 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 embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0012] This connector is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0013] FIGS. 1a-1c illustrates conventional clutch pedal assembly, according to prior art;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a graph illustrating pedal load vs pedal travel, according to prior art;
[0015] FIGS. 3a-3c illustrates proposed clutch pedal assembly, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein; and
[0016] FIG. 4 illustrates a graph representation of clutch characteristics with reversible and existing clutch pedal assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] 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 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. Also, the various embodiments described herein are not necessarily mutually exclusive, as some embodiments can be combined with one or more other embodiments to form new embodiments. The term “or” as used herein, refers to a non-exclusive or, unless otherwise indicated. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein can be practiced and to further enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0018] The accompanying drawings are used to help easily understand various technical features and it should be understood that the embodiments presented herein are not limited by the accompanying drawings. As such, the present disclosure should be construed to extend to any alterations, equivalents

and substitutes in addition to those which are particularly set out in the accompanying drawings. Although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are generally only used to distinguish one element from another.
[0019] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 3-4, there are shown preferred embodiments.
[0020] FIGS. 3a-3c illustrates proposed clutch pedal assembly, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. The proposed assembly comprises a support bracket (11) comprises a toggle spring (12), a pedal arm (13) comprising a toggle spring (14), and a reversible spring (15) connecting the support bracket (11) and the pedal arm (13) as shown in the FIG. 3a. The proposed clutch pedal assembly comprises a sleeve (16), a blot (17), a stopper bracket (18), a stopper screw (19), a think nut (20), a Nyloc nut (21), and a washer (22).
[0021] The reversible spring (15) connected at one end to the toggle spring (12) of the support bracket (11) and operably connecting other end of the reversible spring (15) to the toggle spring (14) of the pedal arm (13). The reversible spring (15) provides assistance during an onward stroke of the pedal arm (13) and resistance during a return stroke of the pedal arm (13).
[0022] In an embodiment, while pressing the pedal arm (13) during the onward stroke, the reversible spring (15) off-center with respect to an axis of a joint of the toggle spring (12) of the support bracket (11) and the toggle spring (14) of the pedal arm (13) to provide assistance for clutch engagement. Similarly, during the return stroke of the pedal arm (13), the reversible spring

(15) provides off-center with respect to an axis of a joint of the toggle spring (12) of the support bracket (11) and the toggle spring (14) of the pedal arm (13) to provide resistance for clutch disengagement. Unlike the conventional clutch pedal assembly, the proposed pedal reversible loading mechanism is designed where the direction of the load is modulated based on the clutch disc characteristic. The reversible spring (15) along with the modified pedal mechanism perform dual function of assistance and resistance during the onward and the return stroke respectively.
[0023] Further, the assistance is provided till a toggle point is reached for the clutch engagement while pressing the clutch arm (13). After passing of a peak point, the mechanism modulate and resist the pedal travel. During clutch engagement (returning from bottom), the mechanism assist the pedal upward till engagement point.
[0024] After the engagement point, the mechanism helps to reduce the peak return load as shown in the FIG. 4. The FIG. 4 illustrates a graph representation of the clutch characteristics with reversible and existing clutch pedal assembly. Unlike the conventional clutch pedal assembly, the proposed clutch pedal assembly is used to reduce the pedal effort of driver of the motor vehicle and possibility of clutch judder. The proposed clutch pedal assembly is used to improve the clutch return feel and driving comforts in bumper to bumper traffic. Further, the proposed clutch pedal assembly is used to increase clutch plate life and avoid walk home fail condition due to pedal stuking.
[0025] 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 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 embodiments as described herein.

We Claim:
1. A clutch pedal assembly for motor vehicle, comprising:
a support bracket (11) comprising a toggle spring (12);
a pedal arm (13) comprising a toggle spring (14); and
a reversible spring (15) connected at one end to the toggle spring (12) of the support bracket (11) and operably connecting other end of the reversible spring (15) to the toggle spring (14) of the pedal arm (13),
wherein the reversible spring (15) provides assistance during an onward stroke of the pedal arm (13) and resistance during a return stroke of the pedal arm (13).
2. The clutch pedal assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein during the onward stroke of the pedal arm (13), the reversible spring (15) off-center with respect to an axis of a joint of the toggle spring (12) of the support bracket (11) and the toggle spring (14) of the pedal arm (13) to provide assistance for clutch engagement.
3. The clutch pedal assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein during the return stroke of the pedal arm (13), the reversible spring (15) provides off-center with respect to an axis of a joint of the toggle spring (12) of the support bracket (11) and the toggle spring (14) of the pedal arm (13) to provide resistance for clutch disengagement.
4. The clutch pedal assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the assistance is provided till a toggle point is reached for the clutch engagement.

5. The clutch pedal assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the resistance is provided to reduce a peak return load after a peak point is passed while clutch disengagement.