AUTO-CLUTCH SYSTEM SAVING FUEL-ENERGY FOR ALL TYPES OF
MOTOR VEHICLES
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to an Auto-Clutch system saving fuel-energy that can be attained at the internal combustion or electrical engines that are specifically mountable to motor vehicles.
The invention is a system that separates the engine from the wheels by automatic clutch effect and causes the engine to reduce down to the idle condition or stops the electrical motor when the accelerator is not in use and the motor vehicle is cruising with a certain speed (loaded with a certain amount of kinetic energy).
This idle condition continues until the acceleration is needed i.e. until the driver steps down on the accelerator.
The fuel saving is attained during this period of kinetic energy usage.
BACKGROUND ART
Important researches have been conducted to attain the maximum efficiency with the minimum fuel-energy at the engine technology. At this moment, the industry has reached almost at the maximum technical efficiency, technology allows so.
R&D departments work with outstanding efforts in order to save fuel. The studies conducted focus on a broad range vehicle features including weight reduction to aerodynamic structure, in order to manipulate the fuel consumption. Combustion chambers, valves, fuel injection systems, etc. are the favorite areas where the studies are concentrated on.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
This invention offers a solution that reduces the fuel-energy consumption at this state of the technology.
A motor vehicle consumes a certain amount of fuel (energy) during cruising, depending on the speed of the vehicle. The vehicle, again, gains certain kinetic energy in the course of the vehicle is in operation, depending on the conditions of the road.
Following the acceleration, as the vehicle is cruising on a plane or downhill road, it is loaded with this kinetic energy.
This kinetic energy acquired and stored is not utilized at the moment due to the state of the technology used today i.e. so called Cut-Off system provides partial savings only at downhill roads.
It is simply possible to use this energy by stepping on the clutch pedal or taking the gears into neutral position. However, this method is not compatible neither with the habits, nor the times, nor the security matters and nor the physical strengths of the drivers.
Instead, it is possible to utilize this kinetic energy without risking the vehicle and cruising safety by implementing a new system.
If the engine is disconnected from the wheels when the driver does not use the accelerator during cruising on a plane or downhill road with stored kinetic energy (as in the case of stepping on clutch pedal), the vehicle will continue cruising, using the stored kinetic energy without an engine break condition. In such case, the engine rate will be reduced down to 600 rpm's from 3000 rpm's or the electrical motor will reduce down to 0 rpm.
At that moment, an energy savings is attained while using the stored kinetic energy at the vehicle.
Fig.1 illustrates the working principles of the present invention.
REFERENCE NUMBERS
1. Engine
2. Flywheel 3. Clutch, clutch plate
4. Gear Box
5. Clutch fork
6. Clutch fork bracket
7. Pushing Unit 10. Ignition switch
11. Gear sensors
12. Main terminal of the Auto-clutch system
13. Clutch pedal
14. Break pedal 15. Gas pedal
16. Clutch pedal sensor
17. Break pedal sensor
18. Gas pedal sensor 20. Kilometer gauge 21.Cut-Off system Terminal
22.Cut-Off Switch
23. Slope sensor
24. Steering box, rod
25. Steering sensor 26. Speed meter sensor
27. Engine oil pressure sensor
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Figure 1 indicates the principles of the present invention. An automatic clutch system (Auto-Clutch system) that activates when the gas pedal is not released and shuts off when gas pedal (break, clutch pedals are used, gear shift is taken to neutral from 3., 4. or 5th gear, when the vehicle speed is below 40 km/h or when the ignition switch is turned off) is provided.
A bracket (6) is attached to the end of the clutch fork (5) and a pushing unit (7) is attached in front of the bracket.
Pushing unit (7) of the Auto-Clutch system manipulates the same part as the clutch pedal controls at vehicles with hydraulic clutch system.
When the gas pedal (15) is released, a sensor (18) attached to the gas pedal activates the pushing unit (7) and the pushing unit pushes the clutch fork (5,6) forward and separates the flywheel (2) and the clutch plate (3). By doing so, the clutch is operated automatically.
The pushing unit (7) is selected from the group consisting of an electric-based actuator, a hydraulic-based actuator or a pneumatic-based actuator.
At this state, the vehicle cruises with the stored kinetic energy on the vehicle.
While arriving at this state, the following activities are performed:
1. The ignition switch (10) provides the necessary energy to the system. The system is not activated unless the ignition switch is turned on in order to activate the vehicle.
This is a security precaution. If and when a vehicle is parked and hand break is not used, the vehicle must be protected by the gears. Due to this fact, Auto-Clutch system must be off when the vehicle is in park position.
2. The system can be activated only at the 3rd, 4th and 5th gears levels by the gear sensors (11 ) provided with gear points in the gear box (4). No activation is achieved at "neutral", the 1st and the 2nd gear levels.
It is not necessary for the Auto-Clutch to be effective when the vehicle is neutral position. The 1st and the 2nd gear levels are the gears to regulate the speed of the vehicle for cruising. Therefore, until the vehicle reaches at the normal cruising speed, the system must be non operative.
3. When the speed of the vehicle is reduced below 40 km/h, the system shuts off by the help of a sensor (20) attached to the kilometer gauge.
Any speed below 40 km/h, means that the vehicle is out of the normal cruising speed range. At this range, smaller gears will be used and Auto- Clutch system must be off.
4. When the driver steps on the break pedal (14), the system becomes non operational for a certain period (i.e. 5 seconds) by the help of a break pedal sensor (17). The break pedal sensor (17) is responsive to pushing unit (7) i.e. Auto-Clutch system.
When it is necessary to break, engine break is also important. In this case, if break pedal is stepped on, the Auto-Clutch system becomes non operational for a brief period. In other words, "the engine break" becomes operational. This solution avoids the use of break pedal continuously.
5. If the engine shuts off due to any reason, a pressure sensor (27) attached to the engine oil pump or alternatively any other sensor, which senses the
engine is off, deactivates the pushing unit (7) i.e. Auto-Clutch system. This way the necessary functions to turn the engine on again are protected.
6. When the driver steps on the gas pedal (15) in order to accelerate the vehicle, a sensor (18) attached to the gas pedal turns the Auto-Clutch system off.
7. The Cut-Off system (21) becomes non operational at plane or downhill roads by the help of a slope sensor (23) responsive to the pushing unit (7) i.e. Auto-Clutch system. When the vehicle is in uphill road at a certain rate of slope, the slope sensor (23) turns the Auto-Clutch system off and Cut-Off system becomes operational. If the speed of the vehicle cruising on a slope reduced below a certain speed (i.e. 90 km/h), a speed meter sensor (26) attached to the kilometer gauge (20) deactivates the Cut-Off system and activates the Auto-Clutch system. This way the kinetic energy stored in the vehicle is saved.
There are several conditions where the Auto-Clutch system is deactivated i.e. where the engine shuts off, the gas pedal is stepped on, the break pedal is stepped on, the clutch pedal is stepped on, when the gear levels are changed, driving in a curve on the road, when the speed is reduced, when the Cut-Off system is activated.
In such situations, the pushing unit may release the clutch fork instantaneously. In such a case, connecting the slow rotating flywheel with the faster rotating clutch plate (in full accordance with the speed of the vehicle) causes the vehicle to jerk.
In order to avoid jerking, the valve connected to the return pipe of the cylinder must be a regulated valve, if pneumatic-based pushing unit (7) or hydraulic-based pushing unit (7) is used in the Auto-Clutch system. Reducing-regulating the pressure of the hydraulic or air to pull back (or push forward) the cylinder, causes a smooth connection of the flywheel with the clutch plate. This way, the rotational
speed of the engine becomes compatible with the speed of the wheel and trembling of the vehicle is avoided.
In case of vehicles using electro magnet, a small hydraulic shock absorber is placed to the other end of the clutch fork. This way, the smooth connection of the flywheel and the clutch plate is achieved.
In case of vehicles using actuator, no trembling is sensed because the return is smooth and always under control. However, under some circumstances, a potentiometer can be attached to the actuator.
In case of vehicles, employing the electronic program solutions, when the Auto- Clutch system is off, speed meter values are noted and are the engine rpm is increased to a compatible rate with the speed of the vehicle. By doing so, no trembling is sensed and smooth connection is achieved.
At curves, for security reasons, the wheels must have sufficient power. Therefore, the Auto-Clutch system must be off when the vehicle enters a curve on the road.
In order to achieve this, a steering sensor (25) is attached to the steering rod (24). This way, when the steering wheel is rotated, the steering sensor (25) deactivates the pushing unit (7) i.e. Auto-Clutch system.
The working principles of the Auto-Clutch system may also be incorporated into an electronic controller of the vehicle by introducing a controlling program.