WO2018193459A1

WO2018193459A1 - The method of disengagement and engagement of auxillary devices with engine drive unit

Info

Publication number: WO2018193459A1
Application number: PCT/IN2017/000123
Authority: WO
Inventors: Krishnan B. HARI; P. J. Radhakrishnan; Hussam; SATHISH Kumar R.
Original assignee: Hari Krishnan B; Radhakrishnan P J; Hussam; R Sathish Kumar
Priority date: 2017-04-17
Filing date: 2017-10-17
Publication date: 2018-10-25

Abstract

The invention relates to engagement and disengagement of auxiliary device connected to the engine. i.e. air Compressor, alternator, hydraulic pumps, radiator fans, superchargers. These devices are positive drive components which cannot be disengaged without a clutch. This invention is about an electron-mechanical clutch which engages and disengages the above mentioned components whenever needed. This clutch comprises a locking mechanism actuated with help of electrical devices like solenoids, servo motors, stepper motors or geared motor drivers. This invention ensures increase in overall efficiency, better power output and higher component lifetime.

Description

The method of disengagement and engagement of auxiliary devices with engine drive unit.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Objective

The Objective of this invention is to increase the power transmission proportion to the wheels by disengaging front end auxiliary devices.

Field of invention

This invention relates to disengagement of engine auxiliary components and various methods of disengaging it.

Prior art

Devices attached to the engine/motor in a vehicle consume power that could otherwise be directed to motoring the vehicle. Typical auxiliary devices may include a power steering pump, water pump, alternator, air conditioning compressor, air compressor, air for an induction blower, or a supercharger, for example. Various engine/motor accessories may be engaged/disengaged based on a request from the vehicle electronic control unit and vehicle operating conditions. However, each device is generally controlled independently of the state of other devices. In automotive applications, electromagnetic friction clutches are often used to selectively engage air conditioning compressor. During engagement these clutches use an electrically controlled magnetic field to bring opposing frictional disks or plates into contact, which creates a rapid transfer of angular velocity to the driven clutch plate(s) that may result in undesirable noise, vibration, and harshness. In addition, the rapid transfer of torque to the engaged device often creates a rapid and noticeable diversion of torque from powering the engine and transmission. In addition, wearing of the frictional surfaces during engagement will eventually reduce the torque transfer capacity of the device.

More recently, magnetic powder or magnetorheological (MR) fluid clutches have been used in various automotive applications as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,290,043 (air conditioning compressor); U.S. Pat. No. 6,619,413 (supercharger); and U.S. Pat. No. 6,173,823 (cooling fan). Magnetic powder or MR fluid clutches U.S. Pat. No. 7,467,697 have various advantages over electromagnetic friction clutches including the ability to operate in a slip or partial engagement condition, particularly during engagement and disengagement.

This Electro Mechanical Clutch (EMC) have advantages both over electromagnetic friction clutches and MR fluid clutches which includes less complexity in design, easy maintenance, easy serviceability, durability and cost effective. SUMMARY OF INVENTION

This Electro Mechanical Clutch (EMC) disengages the front end auxiliary devices like alternator, air compressor, hydraulic pump, air conditioning compressor, superchargers etc. These devices are positive driven components. As the auxiliary devices consumes major part of the engine's power only the remaining power is transmitted to the wheels. Because of this there is power loss and efficiency loss, so we can incorporate this invention to overcome the above mentioned problems.

This EMC consists of two major drive components hub and ratchet. The hub and the ratchet are disengaged and engaged by plunger and/or key. When the plunger or key is in engaged position, hub receives power from engine crank shaft and transmitted to the auxiliary device through ratchet. The plunger is actuated either by solenoid or electrical motor. When the solenoid is energized the solenoid core attracts the plunger towards the core by right hand curl, thereby the ratchet disengages from the hub. The solenoid receives electrical signal from the auxiliary devices. Similarly, when electrical motor receives electrical signal, the ratchet engages or disengages by the rotation of cam or bell crank. In case of air compressors, the solenoid gets signal when the reservoir is full. The pressure switches can be used for detecting the signal, when the set pressure is reached the solenoid gets energized and attracts the plunger and/or key. Similarly, for other auxiliary devices respective sensors are used. Since EMC is a rotating component, the power is supplied through the carbon brushes and copper strips fixed over either sides of the component.

BRIEF DISCUSSION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is the drawing of Electro Mechanical Clutch with dual plunger and key with solenoid mechanism invention.

Fig. 2 is the drawing of Electro Mechanical Clutch with single sided plunger and key with solenoid mechanism invention.

Fig. 3 is the drawing of Electro Mechanical Clutch with single sided plunger with solenoid mechanism invention.

Fig. 4 is the drawing of Electro Mechanical Clutch with double sided plunger with solenoid mechanism invention.

Fig. 5 is the drawing of Electro Mechanical Clutch with the help of stepper motor with linkage mechanism invention.

Fig. 6 is the drawing of Electro Mechanical Clutch with stepper motor and cam lift mechanism invention.

Fig. 7 is the drawing of Electro Mechanical Clutch of all the above designs with output drive in the ratchet and input drive in the hub.

Fig. 8 is the process flow diagram of Electro Mechanical Clutch. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description of the invention like numerals and characters designated like elements through figures of the drawings.

Referring generally to the drawings and more particularly to figure 1 an Electro Mechanical Clutch also referred to as EMC. Figure 1 contains an EMC which is a clutch operated through solenoid. This solenoid contains a metallic core 7 which is energized with the help of copper coil 6 with n number of terms according to the applicant's requirements. The coil is wounded over insulated material 2. Two plungers 5 is placed inside a guide way tube 3. The plunger 5 and the core 7 is separated by an air gap 8. The air gap 8 is for the retraction of plunger 5 inside the guide tube 3. A spring 4a is used to return the plunger to its original position during its off position. The notation 4 is to show the contour of the plunger 5 head. The contour 4 is designed in such a way that it mates with the key 13. The key 13 is hinged on a bore 12. A pulley with width 10 and wall thickness 11 is fixed over the ratchet 1. An extension 9 for the auxiliary devices is taken from the hub 14.

Now Referring figure 2, it contains an EMC which operates through solenoid. This solenoid contains a metallic core 25 which is energized with the help of copper coil 19 with n number of terms according to the applicant's requirements. The coil is wounded over insulated material 20,22. A single plunger 17 is placed inside a guide way tube 23. The plunger 17 and the core 25 is separated by an air gap 18. The air gap 18 is for the retraction of plunger 17 inside the guide tube 23. A spring 15a is used to return the plunger to its original position during its off position. The notation 15 is to show the contour of the plunger 17 head. The contour 15 is designed in such a way that it mates with the key 27. The key 27 is hinged on a bore 26. A slot 24 is provided on the ratchet 16 to accommodate the dummy end 23. The hub 21 drives the ratchet 16 through plunger 17.

Now referring to figure 3, it contains an EMC which operates through solenoid. This solenoid contains a metallic core 32 which is energized with the help of copper coil 31 with 'n' number of terms according to the applicant's requirements. The coil is wounded over insulated material 35. A single plunger 34 is placed inside a guide way tube 30. The plunger 34 and the core 32 is separated by an air gap 33. The air gap 33 is for the retraction of plunger 34 inside the guide tube 23. A spring 37a is used to return the plunger to its original position during its off position. The notation 37 is to show the contour of the plunger 34 head. The contour 37 is designed in such a way that it mates with the ratchet teeth 36a. A slot 28 is provided on the ratchet 36 to accommodate the dummy end. The hub 29 drives the ratchet 36 through plunger 34.

Now Referring figure 4, it contains an EMC which operates through solenoid. This solenoid contains a metallic core 42 which is energized with the help of copper coil 44 with 'n' number of terms of wire 47 according to the applicant's requirements. The coil is wounded over insulated material 46. Dual opposing plungers 40 is placed inside a guide way tube 41. The plungers 40 and the core 42 is separated by an air gap 48. The air gap 48 is for the retraction of plungers 40 inside the guide tube 41. Springs 45 is used to return the plunger to its original position during its off position. The notation 43 is to show the contour of the plunger 43 head. The contour 43 is designed in such a way that it mates with the ratchet teeth. The hub 39 drives the ratchet 38 through plunger 40.

Now referring to figure 5, it contains an EMC which operates through electrical motor 55. The key 59 is actuated through link 62. This link is coupled with the key 59 on the joint 53. The key rests in a cavity 58. The links 62 are operated through a bell crank 61 rotated with the help of electrical motor 55. The bell crank 61 is coupled with electrical motor 55 by shaft 50 with spline 60. The electrical motor 55 receives electrical signal through wire 49. The electrical motor 55 is connected with the hub 57 through bolts 54. The hub 57 drives the ratchet 52 with the help of key 53. A dummy weight 56 is used to balance eccentric placement of the electrical motor 55. When key is actuated it rests on the ratchet cavity 51.

Now referring to figure 6, it contains an EMC which operates using electrical motor 73. The plunger 66 is actuated by the cam 72 rotation. The cam rotation moves the plunger 66 up which engages the ratchet 67 with the hub 71. The springs 64 are used for retracting the plunger 66 to original position. The spring 64 is placed over a stopper 65. The cam 72 is coupled with the electrical motor 73 by shaft 74 with spline 70. The electrical motor 73 is attached with the hub 71 with bolt 68. The bolt 68 is coupled with hub 71 through 69. The electrical motor 73 receives electrical signal through wire 63.

Now referring to figure 7, it shows the mounting techniques for the hub 77 and the ratchet 75. A spline 76 has been cut in the ratchet 75 casing for the mounting of auxiliary devices. A pulley with width 79 and thickness 78 has been fixed with the hub 77. This setup can be used for all the fig. 1-6.

Now referring to figure 8, it shows process flow where auxiliary devices 81 receives power from the engine 80. The sensors 82 gives signal to the ECU 83 based on the set parameters, actuates the EMC 84.

Claims

1. Here with we claim that the Electro Mechanical Clutch (EMC) developed helps to optimize energy consumption from various mechanical, electrical and electromechanical auxiliary devices integrated in an Internal Combustion (IC) engine, which can be Petrol/LPG/Diesel powered stationary and/or locomotive in nature whereby the application is used.

2. The claim on Electro Mechanical Clutch that is actuated electrically, and mechanically isolates the said auxiliary devices from the crank shaft of the engine; said electrical actuation is done by solenoid system or by stepper motor and said mechanical isolation is achieved by engaging or disengaging the ratchet using a plunger and/or key which operates by the appropriate sensors that triggers the electrical circuit which sends signals to Engine Control Unit (ECU) then to solenoid or stepper motor which then engages or disengages the ratchet from the hub which is the point of power from the engine leading to an optimized load on the Internal Combustion (IC) engine.

3. The Method of claim 2 where in the Electro Mechanical Clutch comprises a solenoid with a metallic core and two opposing plungers separated by air gap, the said plunger contoured to match the ratchet teeth, thus engaging the ratchet with the hub by the magnetic force caused by the solenoid and disengages by low stiffness spring.

4. The Method of claim 2 where in the Electro Mechanical Clutch comprises a solenoid with a metallic core and single sided plunger separated by air gap, the said plunger contoured to match the ratchet teeth, thus engaging the ratchet with the hub by the magnetic force caused by the solenoid and disengages by low stiffness spring.

5. The Method of claim 2 where in the Electro Mechanical Clutch comprises a solenoid with a metallic core and single sided plunger separated by air gap, the said plunger contoured to match the key, thus engaging the ratchet through the key with the hub by the magnetic force caused by the solenoid and disengages by low stiffness spring.

6. The Method of claim 2 where in the Electro Mechanical Clutch comprises a solenoid with a metallic core and dual plungers separated by air gap, the said plunger contoured to match the key, thus engaging the ratchet through the key with the hub by the magnetic force caused by the solenoid and disengages by low stiffness spring.

7. The Method of claim 2 where in the Electro Mechanical Clutch comprises an electrical motor with bell crank coupled with the splined motor shaft, the bell crank engages and disengages the key from the ratchet teeth by the linkages, a counter weight is used to balance the rotating mass.

8. The Method of claim 2 where in the Electro Mechanical Clutch comprises an electrical motor with plunger actuated by the cam which engages when the said cam reaches peak position and disengages from the ratchet teeth by the spring when said cam is in dwell position.

9. The Method of claim from 3-8 where in the Electro Mechanical Clutch comprises solenoid or electrical motor which receives electrical current through rotary current transmission system like electric conducting strip and carbon brushes fixed over the hub; any one of the said Electro Mechanical Clutch can be used for auxiliary devices individually like air compressor, air conditioning compressor, hydraulic pumps, super chargers, alternator (or) different Electro Mechanical Clutch can be used for different purpose of the auxiliary device.