WO2018020088A1

WO2018020088A1 - Clutch control

Info

Publication number: WO2018020088A1
Application number: PCT/FR2017/051141
Authority: WO
Inventors: Benoit SOUDRY; Benjamin Petit
Original assignee: Psa Automobiles S.A.
Priority date: 2016-07-29
Filing date: 2017-05-11
Publication date: 2018-02-01
Also published as: FR3054624A1; FR3054624B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a clutch control assembly comprising a fixed support, a clutch bearing, a ball joint (1), a lever (2) that is movable about the joint (1), the joint (1) comprising a ball joint head (3) that cooperates with a complementary surface (4) of the lever (2), the ball joint head (3) being held in permanent contact with the complementary surface (4), the joint (1) also comprising a ball joint stud (5) that is integral with the ball joint head (3) and mounted fixedly on the fixed support, and having at least one rigid mechanical interference (6) between the lever (2) and the joint (1) so as to limit angular travel (7) of the lever (2) between two of the extreme positions (8, 9) thereof.

Description

CLUTCH CONTROL

The invention relates to a clutch control. The invention also relates to a clutch housing comprising the clutch control.

The invention aims including, but not limited to, applications in the field of motor vehicle transmission systems and in particular articulated lever clutch controls of these vehicle transmissions.

In this area, the reaction force at a pedal of the clutch control is a parameter influencing the comfort or discomfort felt by the driver, or the person operating the command. This effort depends on the stroke of the clutch control, and an over-stroke of the clutch control beyond a predetermined disengaged position is generating additional forces at the pedal.

In addition, a clutch mechanism is dimensioned to be used with a predetermined control stroke, this control stroke being caused by the translation of a clutch abutment itself actuated by the clutch control, if although the override of the clutch control causes deterioration of the internal components of the clutch mechanism.

In particular, the clutch mechanisms with a wear-compensating device are particularly sensitive to the over-stroke of the clutch control and can be disrupted, forcing a replacement of the clutch mechanism. For a disengagement control comprising a movable lever about a hinge according to an angular movement between a disengaged end position and a rest position engaged, it is known to use a ball joint. This allows automatic adjustment of the position of the lever on the clutch stop, and a large contact area for the joint. It will be understood throughout this document by clutch abutment, the axial abutment bearings or friction rings transmitting a disengagement control force to a rotating diaphragm, or any part having this function, thus releasing the rotation between a pressure plate and a clutch disc. For example, the patent document FR-A-2 791 100 discloses a swivel joint consisting of a ball joint having a ball tail fixedly mounted on a fixed part and a spherical ball joint head cooperating with the lever. .

A disadvantage of this assembly is that it does not prevent over-travel of the control beyond a disengaged position, and also does not control the engaged position of rest, so that the angular deflection variable can create a non-repeatability of the reaction force at the pedal of the clutch control and wear of the clutch mechanism.

The patent document JPH-U-0 659 632 discloses a clutch assembly comprising a clutch control with a pivot joint of a disengagement control lever, and comprising a pair of stops, one of which being on the lever, the other being on a mounting plate of a guide tube, itself mounted on a clutch housing supporting the axis of the pivot.

[001 1] A disadvantage of the solution of this document is that the joint is a pivot joint, which does not allow automatic adjustment of the position of the lever on the clutch abutment, and causes wear of the mechanism of 'clutch.

In addition, the pair of stops does not prevent over-travel of the control beyond the disengaged position because of the stack of many parts to achieve the stop function of the lever. Indeed, each piece provides an additional dispersion on the chain of dimensions determining the position in abutment of the lever. In addition, the closed angle formed between the two stops is a wedging angle which has an amplifying effect on the inaccuracy of the disengaged position of the disengagement control, an effect further accentuated by the wear of the joint or the stops. .

The object of the invention is to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks. For this purpose, the invention relates to a disengagement control assembly comprising a fixed support, a clutch abutment, a ball joint, a movable lever around the joint, the joint comprising a head ball joint cooperating with a complementary surface of the lever, the ball head being kept in permanent contact with the complementary surface, the hinge further comprising a ball tail integral with the ball head and fixedly mounted on the fixed support, and comprising at least one rigid mechanical interference between the lever and the articulation, so as to limit an angular movement of the lever between two of its extreme positions.

It will be understood throughout the text of this document the expression rigid mechanical interference, in that two rigid parts in relative movement abut one on the other in position or extreme movement, opposing each a rigid surface substantially parallel to the other and substantially orthogonal to the direction of movement of the two parts. These two rigid surfaces then form a pair of free stops.

It will be understood by extreme positions of the lever, a limit position of the lever abutting the side which pushes the clutch stop to a clutch, and a rest position of the lever abutting the opposite side.

The rigid mechanical interference between the lever and the ball joint makes it possible to achieve a precise stop and a repeatability of the extreme positions. In addition, the interference being made directly between the lever and the joint, it increases the accuracy and repeatability of the travel of the lever and the extreme positions in that the chain of dimensions connecting the extreme positions of the lever is very short. This repeatability gives a repeatable actuation force, satisfactory for the comfort of a driver.

In addition, this arrangement allows to use a ball joint, favorable to an automatic adjustment of the position of the lever on the clutch abutment, which, combined with the rigid mechanical interference, gives a synergy significantly reducing the phenomena of wear of a clutch mechanism.

[0019] Preferably, the lever comprises an anti-friction pad between the complementary surface and the ball head. Indeed, always in order to control the repeatability of the movement of the lever and its extreme positions, it is advantageous to use a pad which has the effect of limiting the wear of the joint, and therefore to limit geometric variations of the ball or lever that can change the extreme positions of the lever to use.

In a variant, the lever comprises a holding cap encircling the ball head and maintaining the ball head in permanent contact with the surface complementary, and is such that rigid mechanical interference is achieved between the holding cap and the joint.

In a variant, the rigid mechanical interference is made between the anti-friction pad and the joint.

In a variant, the rigid mechanical interference is made between the lever and the ball head.

Preferably, the rigid mechanical interference is formed by at least one annular surface centered on the point of articulation of the ball head against at least one stop forming a point support.

Indeed, the hinge being ball joint, the lever has three possible axes of rotation: a first axis of rotation for pivoting the lever in a direction of control, a second and third axis orthogonal to each other and to the first axis, the second axis being in a direction close to the axis of the ball shank, the latter two axes allowing the lever to adapt to the position, or to the position defect, of the clutch abutment by a movement of bagotement. These three axes are sequential at one point, which is the point of articulation of the ball head. However, when the lever is on one of its extreme positions, and therefore in rigid mechanical interference, this pad can cause a geometric variation of these extreme positions by causing a displacement of the rigid surfaces in mechanical interference forming the pair of free stops.

Thus, the rigid annular surface centered on the hinge point of the ball head, and coupled to a point support in a plane of the pivoting lever allows to numb the extreme positions to this bagotement: while remaining in rigid mechanical interference, the annular surface allows the rotation of the lever along the second axis without changing the extreme position of the lever, while the stop forming the point support on the annular surface allows the rotation of the lever along the third axis without changing the position extreme of the lever.

Preferably, the hinge comprises the annular surface, and the lever comprises the abutment forming a punctual support. Indeed, the ball and / or the ball shank is naturally circular in shape, for the sake of simplification means, it is advantageous that it is carried by the joint, including the ball head. Conversely, the lever being of specific shape, it can integrate the stop forming point support without complicating the lever or its manufacturing means.

Preferably, the clutch control assembly comprises an elastic member at the level of rigid mechanical interference between the lever and the hinge.

Indeed, to avoid a slamming noise when the lever is in the extreme position, it is advantageous to provide this elastic element to the rigid mechanical interference.

The invention also relates to a clutch housing comprising a clutch mechanism and a disengagement control assembly as previously described, the clutch mechanism comprising a wear-compensating mechanism of the mechanism. clutch. Indeed, the wear-compensating devices of the clutch mechanism have a high sensitivity to the extreme positions of the lever and function ideally when these extreme positions are repeatable. Otherwise, this may cause adjustment of the wear compensating devices. This invention is therefore particularly adapted to this configuration. The invention also relates to a clutch housing comprising a clutch control assembly as previously described, the fixed support being the clutch housing.

Indeed, in order to limit the number of parts, and to control assembly dispersions, it is advantageous not to create an additional interface between the fixed support and the clutch housing.

The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising a clutch housing as described above.

Other features, objects and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the description of the nonlimiting embodiments which will follow, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7, which show: - Figure 1: schematic view of a disengagement control assembly according to the invention.

- Figure 2: perspective view of a clutch control assembly according to the invention.

- Figure 3: sectional view of Figure 2. - Figure 4: perspective view of a clutch control assembly according to a variant of the invention.

- Figure 5: sectional view of Figure 4.

- Figure 6: sectional view of a disengagement control assembly according to one embodiment of the invention. - Figure 7: sectional view of a release control assembly according to a variant of the invention.

The assembly shown in Figure 1 and a very schematic view of a clutch control according to the invention. It comprises a clutch abutment 15, a ball joint 1, a movable lever 2 around the hinge 1 and shown in an intermediate position when it is actuated, the hinge 1 comprising a ball head 3 cooperating with a complementary surface 4 of the lever 2, the ball head 3 being kept in permanent contact with said complementary surface 4, the hinge 1 further comprising a ball end 5 secured to the ball head 3 and fixedly mounted on a fixed support not shown, and two rigid mechanical interference 6 between the lever 2 and the hinge 1, so as to limit an angular displacement 7 of the lever 2 between two of its extreme positions 8, 9. The extreme positions 8, 9 of the lever 2 are shown by two dotted lines representing the inclination of the lever 2 in its extreme positions 8, 9.

The two rigid mechanical interferences 6 are formed between the movable lever 2 and the ball joint 1 fixed abutting one another 8, 9 or 7 extreme displacement, opposing each other two rigid contact surfaces substantially parallel to each end position 8, 9, and then forming a pair of clear stops 32, 13, 34, 12. The extreme positions 8, 9 of the lever are in this example an end position of the lever 2 pushing the clutch abutment 15 towards a diaphragm (not shown), and a rest position of the lever 2 in abutment on the side opposite. It will be understood by rest position, the position occupied by the lever 2 when it is not actuated.

The lever 2 further comprises a first end 16 in contact with a fixed ring of the clutch abutment 15, which has the shape of a fork, and a second end 17 receiving a clutch control actuator. This actuator (not shown) may be a cable, a hydraulic receiver, an electric cylinder, or any actuator that can be controlled. The actuator exerts a control force 21 on the second end 17, force retransmitted and amplified by the lever 2 on the clutch abutment 15, creating a clutch abutment force 20 applied to the second end 16. The balance forces forces a reaction force 22 of the ball head 3 on the complementary surface 4 which tends to maintain the ball head 3 bears on the complementary surface 4. When the lever 2 bears on its end stops 13, 12 a reaction force of the articulation 30, 31 then appears on the lever 2, thus blocking the movement of the lever 2. [0040] FIG. 1 further shows the free stops of the articulation 32, 34 positioned on the ball tail 5.

Alternatively, these frustal stops of the joint 32, 34 may be on the ball head 3.

In one embodiment, the lever 2 comprises an anti-friction bearing (not shown) between the complementary surface 4 and the ball head 3. This pad makes it possible to reduce the friction forces, and therefore the wear, between the 3 and the lever 2. The free stops of the lever 13, 12, can be positioned on this pad.

In an alternative embodiment, this pad can be replaced by a simple antifriction coating projected or adhered to the complementary surface 4 of the lever 2. [0044] FIGS. 4 and 5 describe a disengagement control according to an embodiment of FIG. the invention, the lever 2 comprising a holding cap 10 encircling the ball head 3 by keeping it in permanent contact with the complementary surface 4. This holding cap 10 makes it possible to hold the articulation 1 in place on the lever 2, regardless of the presence or absence of the control forces 21, clutch abutment 20, reaction 22, especially when assembling this clutch control. The holding cap 10 is clipped or screwed or crimped on the lever 2, and serves also fastening means for the anti-friction pad. FIGS. 4 and 5 also show the free stop of the lever 13 integrated in the holding cap 10. The frustums of the hinge 32, 34 are formed in this example by an annular surface 11 centered on the articulation point of FIG. the hinge head 3. The hinge 1 is here represented in mechanical interference with the free stop of the lever 13, that is to say that the annular surface 1 1 is in contact with the rigid surface of the free stop of the lever 13.

This annular surface 1 1 may be segmented: the hinge 1 being ball joint, the lever 2 has a first axis of rotation for pivoting the lever 2 in a direction of control, a second and third axis orthogonal to each other and at the first axis, the second axis being in a direction close to the axis of the ball shank 5, the latter two axes allowing the lever 2 to adapt to the position of the clutch abutment 15. The annular surface 1 1 makes it possible to achieve the free stops of the joint 32, 34, over a sector of 360 ° around the second axis. But the lever 2 has a rotation or, more exactly, a padding of a few degrees around the second axis, of the order of 6 °, ie 3 ° on each side of a nominal position of the lever 2. If this annular surface 1 1 is easy to manufacture in a single phase with the ball head 3, it represents a mass that can be reduced by segmenting the annular surface January 1, for example in two sectors of at least 6 ° and diametrabment opposite.

Alternatively, not shown, these two diametrically opposed sectors may each be in a different plane.

Figures 2 and 3 describe a release control assembly according to one embodiment of the invention. The rigid mechanical interference 6 is formed by the annular surface 1 1 of the ball head, and coming against two free stops of the lever 12, 13, forming a point support. The one-off support is achieved by reducing the rigid contact surfaces of the free stops of the lever 12, 13.

In a variant, not shown, the point support is formed by creating a curve on the rigid contact surfaces of the free stops of the lever 12, 13 and / or the free stops of the joint 32, 34, or free stops of the lever 12, 13 and / or the annular surface 1 1. In a variant, not shown, the annular surface 1 1 is carried by the lever 2, while the free stops 12, 13 are carried by the ball head 3 or the tail ball 5. Figure 6 shows a release control assembly according to one embodiment of the invention and comprising an elastic member 14 at the level of rigid mechanical interference 6, between said lever 2 and said hinge 1, for example between the surface annular 1 1 carried by the ball head 3 and the rigid abutment contact surface of the lever 13 carried by the holding cap 10. The elastic element 14 is shown in the form of a lip or a flexible lamella having a base fixed by any fastening means on the holding cap 10, and a free end so as to interpose between the annular surface 1 1 and the rigid abutment contact surface of the lever 13. When the lever 2 will progressively go into mechanical interference 6, the annular surface 1 1 will approach the elastic element 14, then push this elastic member 14 abuts against the rigid abutment contact surface f rip the lever 13 by bending it.

Alternatively, the elastic member 14 and the holding cap 10 can be made in one piece in a material for elastic bending of the lip or the blade, such as a plastic material. But the elastic deflection of the lip or lamella may also be obtained by using a metallic material with a thickness of the lip or the sufficiently thin lamella.

Figure 7 shows a disengagement control assembly according to an embodiment of the invention comprising a mechanical interference 6 between the ball head 3 and the lever 2. This mechanical interference 6 is formed between a protrusion of the head 3 and the lever 2.

The clutch control assembly as described above can be applied to any field using a lever control pivoting about a ball joint. But a preferred application relates to the field of vehicles, including motor vehicles including a clutch housing includes the clutch control described above and a clutch mechanism to make up for wear. This clutch mechanism to take up wear includes a pressure plate, intended to bear against a friction disk, a diaphragm for actuating the pressure plate between a fully engaged position in which said pressure plate is pushed against the friction disk, and a fully disengaged position in which said pressure plate is moved away from the friction disk by means of return means of the pressure plate, a member for compensating for the wear of the friction disc, interposed between the diaphragm and the pressure plate, so to adjust the distance between the diaphragm and the pressure plate and to compensate the wear of the friction disk, the diaphragm itself being controlled by the clutch abutment 15 pushed by the lever 2. The fully disengaged position is given by the position extreme 8 of the lever 2, end position of the lever 2 pushing the clutch stop 15 towards the diaphragm. The fully engaged position is given by the extreme position 9 of the lever 2, the rest position of the lever 2 in abutment on the opposite side.

This clutch housing can be the housing of a gearbox if it is made in one piece with the clutch housing. More particularly, the fixed support is the clutch housing.

Claims

Disengagement control assembly comprising a fixed support, a clutch release bearing, a ball joint (1), a lever (2) movable around said joint (1), said joint (1) comprising a ball head (3 ) cooperating with a complementary surface (4) of said lever

(2), said ball head

(3) being maintained in permanent contact with said complementary surface

(4), said articulation (1) further comprising a ball joint tail

(5) integral with said ball head (3) and fixedly mounted on said fixed support, characterized by the presence of at least one rigid mechanical interference (6) between said lever (2) and said articulation (1), so as to to limit an angular movement (7) of said lever between two of its extreme positions (8, 9).

Clutch release control assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that said lever (2) comprises an anti-friction bearing between said complementary surface (4) and said ball head (3).

Disengagement control assembly according to one of the preceding claims, said lever (2) comprising a retaining cap (10) encircling said ball head (3) keeping it in permanent contact with said complementary surface (4), characterized in what the rigid mechanical interference (6) is produced between said retaining cap (10) and said articulation (1).

Clutch control assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that the rigid mechanical interference (6) is produced between said anti-friction bearing and said articulation (1).

Clutch release control assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rigid mechanical interference (6) is produced between said lever (2) and said ball head (3).

Clutch control assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said rigid mechanical interference

(6) is produced by at least one annular surface (1 1) centered on the point articulation of said ball head (3) against at least one stop forming a point support (12, 13).

7. Clutch release control assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that said articulation (1) comprises said annular surface (1 1), and in that said lever (2) comprises said stop forming a point support (12, 13 ).

8. Clutch control assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises an elastic element (14) at the level of said rigid mechanical interference (6), between said lever (2) and said articulation (1).

9. Clutch housing comprising a clutch mechanism, characterized in that it further comprises a clutch control assembly according to one of the preceding claims, and in that said clutch mechanism comprises a catch-up device wear of said clutch mechanism.

10. Clutch housing characterized in that it comprises a clutch control assembly according to one of claims 1 to 8, and in that said fixed support is said clutch housing.