TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The field to which the disclosure generally relates to includes clutches.

BACKGROUND

[0002] A vehicle may include an automated manual transmission clutch system.

SUMMARY OF ILLUSTRATIVE VARIATIONS

[0003] A number of variations may include a hydraulic control system for automating the control of a clutch in a manual transmission vehicle comprising: a clutch for engaging and disengaging an engine from a transmission; an actuation piston operatively connected to the clutch constructed and arranged to actuate the clutch; a hydraulic pump constructed and arranged to supply oil to the system; an accumulator operatively connected to the hydraulic pump constructed and arranged to store a volume of oil under pressure; and a solenoid valve operatively connected to the actuation piston constructed and arranged to control a flow of oil to and from the actuation piston.

[0004] A number of variations may include a method for automating the control of a clutch in a manual transmission comprising: providing a hydraulic pump operatively connected to an accumulator and a solenoid, a piston operatively connected to the solenoid and a clutch; supplying oil from the hydraulic pump; storing oil under pressure in the accumulator; controlling a flow of the oil to and from the piston to engage and disengage the clutch; and increasing an actuation speed of the piston and the clutch using the

accumulator to allow for an increased instantaneous flow of oil.

[0005] Other illustrative variations within the scope of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while disclosing variations within the scope of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Select examples of variations within the scope of the invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawing, wherein:

[0007] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic of an automated manual transmission clutch system according to a number of variations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE VARIATIONS

[0008] The following description of the variations is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the scope of the invention, its application, or uses.

[0009] Referring to FIG. 1 , in a number of variations, an automated manual transmission vehicle may include one or more automated manual transmission clutch systems 1 0. In one variation, an automated manual transmission clutch system 10 may include a no-pedal manual transmission clutch. A no-pedal manual transmission clutch may include a series of electronics to automatically trigger a clutch system 10 or may allow a driver to manually trigger the clutch system 10 using a shifter 16 so that a driver may manually change gears without the driver having to manually depress a clutch pedal while changing the gears.

[0010] In another variation, an automated manual transmission clutch system 10 may include an electronic clutch pedal 16 which may eliminate the typical hydraulic connection between the pedal and clutch itself. In this variation, the electronics sense the pedal position and communicate that information to an ECU 14 for use in controlling the automated manual clutch 12. This variation allows for the vehicle to be driven as a traditional manual transmission, wherein the driver has full control of the clutch 12 through the electronic pedal 16 or as an automated manual transmission clutch 12 wherein the ECU 14 has control of the clutch 12.

[0011] In a number of variations, an automated manual transmission clutch system 1 0 may be used to transmit or prevent the flow of power from the engine of the vehicle to the transmission of the vehicle. In a number of variations, a clutch 1 2 may comprise a single plate clutch, a variation of which is illustrated in FIG. 1 , or a multi-plate clutch. In a number of variations, the clutch 1 2 may be in an "ON" mode, an OFF" mode, or a "transitional" mode. In a number of variations, when the clutch 12 is in an ON mode, the engine and the transmission may be engaged which may allow torque to be applied from the engine to the wheels of the vehicle. When the clutch 12 is in an OFF mode, the clutch 12 may disconnect the engine from the transmission and wheels which may allow the driver to shift gears. In a number of variations, when the clutch 12 is in a transitional mode, the clutch 12 may be in a condition which is neither in a fully ON or OFF mode and may transmit partial power between the engine and the transmission in order to comfortably match the speed of the engine and transmission and smoothly begin transmitting torque from the engine to the wheels after shifting gears. In a number of variations, the automated manual transmission clutch system 1 0 may be controlled automatically by an electronic control unit (ECU) 14 and may be triggered automatically by control logic or may be manually triggered by the driver using a shifter or electronic pedal 16.

[0012] In a number of variations, the ECU 14 may be operatively attached to the automated manual transmission clutch system 10. In a number of variations, the ECU 14 may receive and process input from various sensors in light of stored instructions and/or data, and transmit output signals to various actuators. In a number of variations, the ECU 14 used may be dedicated to control the automated manual transmission clutch system 10 or the ECU 14 used may already exist in the vehicle and may be used for the automated manual transmission clutch system 10 as well as for other purposes.

[0013] Referring again to FIG. 1 , in a number of variations, the automated manual transmission clutch system 10 may include a hydraulic control system 18 which may be used to automate the control of the clutch 12. In a number of variations, the hydraulic control system 18 may include a hydraulic pump 20 which may be operatively connected to an accumulator 22. The accumulator 22 may be constructed and arranged to store a volume of oil under pressure. The accumulator may be constructed in any number of variations including, but not limited to, with a spring and piston, gas and bladder, or other combination. The hydraulic pump 20 may be constructed and arranged to charge the accumulator 22. Any number of hydraulic pumps 20 may be used. In one variation, the hydraulic pump 20 may be driven by an electric motor 24. A flow control solenoid 26 may be operatively connected to the accumulator 22 and may be constructed and arranged to draw flow and pressure from the accumulator 22 to control an actuation piston 28 which may be operatively connected to the clutch 12 of the automated manual transmission system 10. The clutch 12 may be a normally closed clutch. In a number of variations, the actuation piston 28 may engage a mechanical linkage 34 which may open or release the clutch 12 to disengage the clutch 12. In a number of variations, a check valve 30 may be operatively connected to the hydraulic control system 1 8 and may be located between the accumulator 22 and the flow control solenoid 26. Any number of check valves 30 may be used including, but not limited to, a ball check valve. The check valve 30 may be constructed and arranged to prevent back flow from the accumulator 22 and/or the actuation piston 28 to the hydraulic pump 20. In a number of variations, the hydraulic control system 18 may also include a pressure sensor 32 which may be operatively connected to the accumulator 22. The pressure sensor 32 may be constructed and arranged to monitor the fill status of the accumulator 22. Because the pressure in the accumulator 22 is higher as it fills and compresses the spring member, it provides a good indication of the fill state of the accumulator 22. The pressure sensor 32 may relay the fill status of the accumulator 22 to the ECU 14. In a number of variations, the hydraulic pump 20, the electric motor 24, and/or the solenoid may also be operatively connected to the ECU 14 so that the ECU 14 may control actuation of the clutch 12. In one variation, the ECU 14 may automatically control the actuation of the clutch 1 2. In another variation, a shifter or electronic pedal 16 may be operatively connected to the ECU 14 and may allow a driver to manually trigger actuation of the clutch 1 2.

[0014] In a number of variations, the use of the accumulator 22 may allow for a higher instantaneous flow of oil than a pump alone may provide which may allow for accelerated clutch 12 disengagement. This may be desirable in a vehicle system where shifting is accomplished without a clutch pedal or in a system having a clutch pedal, when the clutch pedal is disabled or inadvertently neglected by an inexperienced manual transmission driver.

[0015] The following description of variants is only illustrative of components, elements, acts, products and methods considered to be within the scope of the invention and are not in any way intended to limit such scope by what is specifically disclosed or not expressly set forth. The components, elements, acts, products and methods as described herein may be combined and rearranged other than as expressly described herein and still are considered to be within the scope of the invention.

[0016] Variation 1 may include a hydraulic control system for automating the control of a clutch in a manual transmission vehicle comprising: a clutch for engaging and disengaging an engine from a transmission; an actuation piston operatively connected to the clutch constructed and arranged to actuate the clutch; a hydraulic pump constructed and arranged to supply oil to the system; an accumulator operatively connected to the hydraulic pump constructed and arranged to store a volume of oil under pressure; and a solenoid valve operatively connected to the actuation piston constructed and arranged to control a flow of oil to and from the actuation piston.

[0017] Variation 2 may include a hydraulic control system as set forth in Variation 1 further comprising a check valve constructed and arranged to prevent back flow from at least one of the accumulator or the actuation piston to the hydraulic pump.

[0018] Variation 3 may include a hydraulic control system as set forth in any of Variations 1 -2 further comprising a pressure sensor constructed and arranged to monitor a fill condition of the accumulator.

[0019] Variation 4 may include a hydraulic control system as set forth in any of Variations 1 -3 further comprising an electric motor operatively connected to the hydraulic pump which drives the hydraulic pump.

[0020] Variation 5 may include a hydraulic control system as set forth in any of Variations 1 -4 wherein the clutch is a no-pedal automated manual transmission clutch.

[0021] Variation 6 may include a hydraulic control system as set forth in any of Variations 1 -5 further comprising an electronic control unit operatively connected to the clutch constructed and arranged to automatically control actuation of the clutch.

[0022] Variation 7 may include a hydraulic control system as set forth in any of Variations 1 -6 further comprising an electronic control unit operatively connected to the clutch constructed and arranged to control actuation of the clutch, and a shifter operatively connected to the electronic control unit constructed and arranged to manually trigger actuation of the clutch through the electronic control unit.

[0023] Variation 8 may include a hydraulic control system as set forth in any of Variations 1 -6 further comprising an electronic control unit operatively connected to the clutch constructed and arranged to control actuation of the clutch, and an electronic pedal operatively connected to the electronic control unit constructed and arranged to manually trigger actuation of the clutch through the electronic control unit.

[0024] Variation 9 may include a method for automating the control of a clutch in a manual transmission comprising: providing a hydraulic pump operatively connected to an accumulator and a solenoid, a piston operatively connected to the solenoid and a clutch; supplying oil from the hydraulic pump; storing oil under pressure in the accumulator; controlling a flow of the oil to and from the piston to engage and disengage the clutch; and increasing an actuation speed of the piston and the clutch by using the accumulator to allow for an increased instantaneous flow of oil.

[0025] Variation 10 may include a method as set forth in Variation 9 further comprising preventing back flow of oil from at least one of the accumulator or the piston to the hydraulic pump using a check valve.

[0026] Variation 1 1 may include a method as set forth in any of Variations 9-10 further comprising monitoring an oil fill condition of the accumulator using a pressure sensor.

[0027] Variation 12 may include a method as set forth in any of Variations 9-1 1 further comprising driving the hydraulic pump with an electric motor. [0028] Variation 13 may include a method as set forth in any of Variations 9-12 wherein the clutch is a no-pedal automated manual transmission clutch.

[0029] Variation 14 may include a method as set forth in any of Variations 9-13 further comprising controlling the clutch automatically with an electronic control unit.

[0030] Variation 15 may include a method as set forth in any of Variations 9-1 3 further comprising triggering the clutch manually with a shifter operatively connected to an electronic control unit.

[0031] Variation 16 may include a method as set forth in any of Variations 9-13 further comprising triggering the clutch manually with an electronic pedal.

[0032] The above description of select variations within the scope of the invention is merely illustrative in nature and, thus, variations or variants thereof are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.