DESC:SYSTEM FOR ASSISTING OPERATION OF CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY OF VEHICLE

Field of the invention:

The present invention relates to clutch pedal of a motor vehicle, and more particularly provides a system for assisting operation of the clutch pedal assembly for reducing vehicle operator’s fatigue during operation of the clutch pedal.

Background of the invention:

In conventional clutch operation of a four-wheeled vehicle, the level of efforts required to depress the clutch pedal to disengage a clutch plate from power is high, especially in case heavy vehicles. Conventionally, a spring is used to return the clutch pedal to its normal position. Thus, in case of heavy vehicles, sufficient amount of force is needed as against force of the spring for operation of the clutch pedal, thereby increasing the vehicle operator’s efforts for clutch operation. In addition, greater efforts in the initial stage of the pedal operation negatively affect health of the vehicle operator leading to a back pain that may get severe with passage of time. This situation becomes worst during driving in traffic and stop and go operations, as pedal is required to be pressed continuously which exerts reactive pressure to the high pain/cramp/hip joint pain/back pain. This is same experience for majority of self-driven vehicles irrespective of brand of the vehicles.

Therefore, there exists a need to provide a system that reduces the efforts necessary to operate the clutch pedal of a motor vehicle and returns the pedal to its normal position.

Objects of the invention:
A primary object of the present invention is to reduce efforts necessary for operating the clutch pedal of a motor vehicle and have a comfortable driving.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a system for assisting the vehicle operator to operate the clutch pedal of the motor vehicle while travelling.

Summary of the invention:

Accordingly, the present invention provides a system for assisting operation of clutch pedal assembly of a vehicle. The clutch pedal assembly includes a clutch pedal, a spring and a master cylinder. The system comprises a clutch pedal extension, a counterbalance pneumatic (CBP) cylinder, a pilot control valve, a micro compressor, an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) and a stopper. The clutch pedal extension is arranged at one end of the clutch pedal of the vehicle. The CBP cylinder is pivotably connected to the clutch pedal extension using a pivot pin thereby facilitating movement of the clutch pedal extension. The pilot control valve is arranged in operable communication with the CBP cylinder for operating thereof. The pilot control valve controls movement of the CBP cylinder by supplying or relieving air pressure to the CBP cylinder depending upon the movement of the clutch pedal. The micro compressor is arranged in operable communication with the pilot control valve. The ECU is provided for operating the pilot control valve to assist the operation of the clutch pedal. The stopper includes an upper stopper and a lower stopper arranged at a base of the clutch pedal for controlling respective upward and downward movement of the clutch pedal during the operation thereof.

When the clutch pedal is depressed by a vehicle operator, the master cylinder gets operated thereby activating/signaling the ECU. Thereafter, upon activation, the ECU activates operation of the pivot control valve. The pilot control valve is in operable communication with the micro compressor. Upon activation, the micro compressor generates air pressure for injecting into the CBP cylinder for operation thereof. Thereafter, the CBP cylinder due to force created by the air pressure, assists in depressing of the clutch pedal thereby reducing efforts of the vehicle operator. Further, when the clutch pedal is completely depressed, for example, during gear change, force required to neutralize the clutch pedal force will be equal to the force exerted by the spring provided for retraction of the clutch pedal. This force requirement is calculated by the ECU depending upon the input signal received from the master cylinder. Thereafter, the ECU provides a proportionate signal to the pivot control valve for indicating the CBP cylinder to apply an equal and opposite force for neutralizing the force of the clutch pedal. The system reduces the efforts of the vehicle operator to depress the clutch pedal and to restore the clutch pedal to its undepressed position. Thus, the system assists the vehicle operator in operation of the clutch pedal.

Brief description of the drawings:

Figure 1 shows a system for assisting operation of clutch pedal assembly of a vehicle, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 shows the clutch pedal pressing in traffic condition using the system of the figure 1, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 3 shows the clutch pedal being pressed for change of gear of the vehicle using the system of the figure 1, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a vehicle clutch pedal assembly used conventionally, in accordance with the prior art; and

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a vehicle clutch pedal assembly incorporating the system of the present invention.

Detailed description of the invention:

The foregoing objects of the present invention are accomplished and the problems and shortcomings associated with the prior art, techniques and approaches are overcome by the present invention as described below in the preferred embodiments.

The present invention provides a system for assisting operation of a clutch pedal assembly. The system helps in reducing the vehicle operator’s efforts to depress a clutch pedal and to restore the clutch pedal to its undepressed position. The system is integrated into an existing clutch pedal assembly of the motor vehicle to assist and simplify the operation of the clutch pedal with reduced efforts from the vehicle operator.

This present invention is illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, throughout which reference numbers indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. These reference numbers are shown in bracket in the following description.

Referring to figures 1 to 3, disclosed is a system (100) for assisting operation of clutch pedal assembly of a vehicle (hereinafter referred to as “the system (100)”). The system (100) is integrated within an existing clutch pedal assembly of a motor vehicle. As used herein, the term “motor vehicle”, alternatively referred to as “the vehicle” throughout the specification, has common meaning in the art, and includes automobiles, buses, taxis, tractors, construction vehicles, and the like. The clutch pedal assembly of the vehicle includes a clutch pedal (3), a spring (7) and a master cylinder (6).

According to the present invention, the system (100) includes a clutch pedal extension (4), a counterbalance pneumatic (CBP) cylinder (1), a pilot control valve (12), a micro compressor (14), Electronic Control Unit (ECU) (13) and a stopper. The above mentioned components are operably connected with each other and to the clutch pedal assembly of the vehicle.

The clutch pedal extension (4) is arranged at one end of the clutch pedal (3) of the vehicle. The CBP cylinder (1) is pivotably connected to the clutch pedal extension (4) using a pivot pin (5). The CBP cylinder (1) facilitates movement of the clutch pedal extension (4) to assist effortless movement of the clutch pedal (3) during operation thereof by the vehicle operator. A mounting structure (2) is further provided for mounting of the CBP cylinder (1) within the clutch pedal assembly of the vehicle.

The pilot control valve (12) is in operable communication with the CBP cylinder (1) for operating thereof. Particularly, the pilot control valve (12) controls the movement of the CBP cylinder (1) by injecting air pressure inside or by releasing air pressure outside depending upon the movement of the clutch pedal (3) by the vehicle operator. The pilot control valve (12) is in operable communication with the micro compressor (14). The ECU (13) is provided for operating the pilot control valve (12) to assist the operation of the clutch pedal (3).

The stopper includes an upper stopper (8) and a lower stopper (9) configured at base of the clutch pedal (3) for controlling respective upward and downward movement of the clutch pedal (3) during operation. In an embodiment, the clutch pedal assembly embodying the system of present invention is mounted on a mounting bracket assembly (10, 11).

Working of the invention:

When the clutch pedal (3) is depressed by the vehicle operator, as shown in figure 3, the master cylinder (6) gets operated thereby activating/signaling the ECU (13). Thereafter, upon activation, the ECU (13) activates operation of the pivot control valve (12). The pilot control valve (12) is in operable communication with the micro compressor (14). Upon activation, the micro compressor (14) generates air pressure for injecting into the CBP cylinder (1) for operation thereof. In an embodiment, the pilot control valve (12) controls movement of the CBP cylinder (1) by supplying or relieving air pressure to the CBP cylinder (1) depending upon the movement of the clutch pedal. Thereafter, the CBP cylinder (1) due to force created by the air pressure, assists in depressing of the clutch pedal (3) thereby reducing efforts of the vehicle operator.

Further, when the clutch pedal (3) is completely depressed, for example, during gear change, force required to neutralize the clutch pedal (3) force will be equal to the force exerted by the spring (7) provided for retraction of the clutch pedal (3). This force requirement is calculated by the ECU (13) depending upon the input signal received from the master cylinder (6). Thereafter, the ECU (13) provides a proportionate signal to the pivot control valve (12) for indicating the CBP cylinder (1) to apply an equal and opposite force for neutralizing the force of the clutch pedal (3). The system reduces the efforts of the vehicle operator to depress the clutch pedal (3) and to restore the clutch pedal (3) to its undepressed position.

Thus, the system (100) assists the vehicle operator in effortless operation of the clutch pedal (3) of the vehicle during travelling. The system can be fitted within the existing clutch pedal assembly of the vehicle for providing ease in operating the clutch pedal (3).

Advantages of the invention:

1. The system (100) helps in reducing efforts of the vehicle operator required for operating the clutch pedal (3) of the vehicle.
2. The system (100) helps for comfortable driving.
3. The system (100) is integrated into an existing clutch pedal assembly of the motor vehicle to assist and simplify the operation of the clutch pedal (3).
4. The system (100) can be actuated on requirement.
5. The system (100) is cost effective, thereby improving fuel economy.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omission and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the scope of the present invention. ,CLAIMS:We claim:

1. A system (100) for assisting operation of a clutch pedal assembly of a vehicle, the clutch pedal assembly having a clutch pedal (3), a spring (7) and a master cylinder (6), the system (100) comprising:
a clutch pedal extension (4) arranged at one end of the clutch pedal (3) of the vehicle;
a counterbalance pneumatic (CBP) cylinder (1) pivotably connected to the clutch pedal extension (4) using a pivot pin (5) thereby facilitating movement of the clutch pedal extension (4);
a pilot control valve (12) arranged in operable communication with the CBP cylinder (1) for operating thereof;
a micro compressor (14) arranged in operable communication with the pilot control valve (12);
an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) (13) provided for operating the pilot control valve (12) to assist the operation of the clutch pedal (3); and
a stopper having an upper stopper (8) and a lower stopper (9) arranged at a base of the clutch pedal (3) for controlling respective upward and downward movement of the clutch pedal (3) during the operation thereof;
wherein, when the clutch pedal (3) is depressed by a vehicle operator, the master cylinder (6) gets operated to activate the ECU (13) that operates the pivot control valve (12) to activate the micro compressor (14) that generates air pressure for injecting into the CBP cylinder (1) for the operation thereof, thereafter, the CBP cylinder (1) due to force created by the air pressure, assists in depressing of the clutch pedal (3) thereby reducing efforts of the vehicle operator, and
further wherein, when the clutch pedal (3) is completely depressed during gear change, the force required to neutralize clutch pedal force that is equal to the force exerted by the spring (7) provided for retraction of the clutch pedal (3) is calculated by the ECU (13) depending upon the input signal received from the master cylinder (6), thereafter, the ECU (13) provides a proportionate signal to the pivot control valve (12) for indicating the CBP cylinder (1) to apply an equal and opposite force for neutralizing the force of the clutch pedal (3), thereby reducing efforts of the vehicle operator to depress the clutch pedal (3) and restoring the clutch pedal (3) to an undepressed position thereof, in turn, assisting the vehicle operator in effortless operation of the clutch pedal (3) during travelling.

2. The system (100) as claimed in the claim 1, wherein the clutch pedal assembly embodying is mounted on a mounting bracket assembly (10, 11).

3. The system (100) as claimed in the claim 1, wherein a mounting structure (2) is further provided for mounting of the CBP cylinder (1) within the clutch pedal assembly of the vehicle.

4. The system (100) as claimed in the claim 1, wherein the pilot control valve (12) controls movement of the CBP cylinder (1) by any one of injecting air pressure inside and releasing air pressure outside depending upon the movement of the clutch pedal (3) by the vehicle operator.

Dated this 31st day of July 2018

Madhavi Vajirakar
Agent for the Applicant
(IN/PA-2337)