Abstract:
The present invention employs an electronic control device which controls the extent of engagement of a friction clutch on a motor vehicle. The control device includes a variable controller which enables the operator of the motor vehicle to pre-select the extent or degree of engagement of the friction clutch. A switch, preferably located on the handle bars of the motor vehicle, enables the operator to activate the present invention and bypass the clutch lever which would normally be used to operate the friction clutch. A gauge indicates the degree of engagement of the friction clutch and a second switch enables the operator to disconnect the electronic control from operation of the clutch.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to an assist system for operating a vehicle clutch mechanism wherein the clutch mechanism can be normally activated by a clutch lever, or the assist system can selectively activate the clutch mechanism under different criteria. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    A vehicle, in particular a motorcycle, is provided with a clutch mechanism which operatively connects the output of an engine to a transmission. The clutch mechanism permits the transmission to be disengaged from the engine when the vehicle is not moving. The clutch mechanism also temporarily disengages the engine from the transmission when the transmission is shifted through the gears. Conventional clutch mechanisms provide an adequate device to transfer power from the engine to the transmission. However, the conventional clutch mechanisms do not allow the operator of the motorcycle, or other vehicle, to recognize the exact point at which the clutch is engaged or to “slip” the clutch to permit the vehicle to be moved at a very slow rate. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
       [0003]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,413,200 discloses a power assist system for operation of a clutch mechanism on a motorcycle. When the motorcycle operator activates clutch lever  15 , an on/off switch  58  is activated. The on/off switch controls operation of an electric motor. The electric motor moves a clutch cable  16  which engages and disengages the clutch. While this system does not require the same effort to operate a clutch that a conventional clutch lever requires, it is not a simple push button operation as the present invention is. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention employs an electronic control device which controls the extent of engagement of a friction clutch on a motor vehicle. The control device includes a variable controller which enables the operator of the motor vehicle to pre-select the extent or degree of engagement of the friction clutch. A switch, preferably located on the handle bars of the motor vehicle, enables the operator to activate the present invention and bypass the clutch lever which would normally be used to operate the friction clutch. A gauge indicates the degree of engagement of the friction clutch, and a second switch enables the operator to disconnect the electronic control from operation of the clutch. 
         [0005]    Accordingly, it is an objective of the instant invention to provide an electronic device which can be used in place of a clutch lever on a vehicle. 
         [0006]    It is a further objective of the instant invention to provide an electronic device which controls the extent of engagement of a friction clutch on a motor vehicle. 
         [0007]    It is yet another objective of the instant invention to provide an electronic device which enables the operator of a motor vehicle to pre-select the extent of engagement of a friction clutch on the motor vehicle. 
         [0008]    It is a still further objective of the instant invention to provide an electronic device which partially engages the clutch of a motor vehicle and therefore enables the motor vehicle to “creep” along in traffic. 
         [0009]    It is a still further objective of the invention to provide an electronic device which controls the extent of engagement of a friction clutch and further includes a switch to override the device. 
         [0010]    Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with any accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. Any drawings contained herein constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0011]      FIG. 1A  is a schematic view of the present invention on a motor and transmission; 
           [0012]      FIG. 1B  is a view of a portion of a handlebar of a motor cycle incorporating the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2A  is a view of a first embodiment of a clutch engagement sensor of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2B  is a view of a clutch position selector; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a side view of a motor and transmission including a brake pedal and control switch; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a view of the first embodiment of the control mechanism mounted on a motorcycle; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of a second embodiment of the clutch engagement sensor. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described a presently preferred, albeit not limiting, embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. 
         [0019]    The present invention will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 1-5 . A transmission  10  is designed to deliver the power output from an engine  12  to the wheel or wheels, not shown, of a vehicle. A friction clutch  14  is operatively connected to the power output shaft of the engine  12 . The friction clutch  14  is employed when the vehicle begins to move from a stopped position. The friction clutch enables the power output from the engine to be transferred to the transmission  10  and the wheels without stalling the engine. After the vehicle begins to move, the clutch is employed to enable the operator of the vehicle to shift up and down the gears in the transmission easily and without damage to the engine. 
         [0020]    During the normal operation of the clutch, a lever  16  is activated by the operator of the vehicle. When the lever is pulled in or toward the operator, the cable  18  moves relative to the clutch housing  15 . This movement disengages the clutch from the transmission  10 . When the clutch is disengaged from the transmission, the transmission can be shifted up or down through the gears. Also, the clutch is disengaged when the vehicle is stopped and just prior to the vehicle beginning its forward motion. In addition, whenever the speed of the vehicle needs to be lowered below the idle speed of the engine, the clutch must be disengaged. This occurs most often when traveling in heavy stop and go traffic. 
         [0021]    If the operator is not proficient in operating the clutch lever, the clutch will be engaged at the incorrect time and stall the engine. In addition, when the vehicle is in heavy stop and go traffic, the constant operation of the clutch can lead to fatigue of the operator&#39;s hand. This fatigue will result in incorrect operation of the clutch and stalling of the vehicle&#39;s engine. The present invention overcomes these problems by eliminating the need to use the clutch lever  16  to operate the clutch. 
         [0022]    The present invention utilizes a plurality of switches, buttons, servomechanisms and controls to operate the clutch of a vehicle in place of a mechanical lever. The controls can be preset to operate the clutch differently in different situations, such as slowly moving through traffic. These controls are illustrated in  FIG. 1  and will be described in detail herein after. 
         [0023]    In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a button  20  is positioned on the handle bars of a vehicle, such as a motorcycle. The button  20  is electrically connected to an auxiliary actuator  22 . A pin or small bar  24  is secured to one end of auxiliary actuator  22 . The auxiliary actuator is preferably an electrically activated servomechanism. A wire loop  26  is secured between both ends of the pin or bar  24 . The clutch cable  18  includes an inner wire  28  and an outer sheath  30 . The outer sheath is secured to the clutch housing  15  and enables the inner wire  28  to move relative to the clutch housing. A stop  32  is secured to the inner wire  28  so that movement of the stop  32  will cause the inner wire  28  to also move. 
         [0024]    When the operator desires to electrically operate the clutch, rather than use the clutch lever  16 , he/she pushes the button  20  on the handle bar. This activates the auxiliary actuator  22  which retracts plunger  34  in an upward direction. Fin  24  and wire loop  26  are secured to plunger  34  so that whenever the plunger moves upwardly, the wire loop  26  will engage the stop  32  and move the clutch inner wire  28  to activate or disengage the clutch. A linear encoder  36  is located adjacent auxiliary actuator  22  on the vehicle. The linear encoder measures the distance that the clutch cable has traveled and translates the distance into an electrical signal. A rod  38  extends from the pin  24  to the linear encoder which enables the linear encoder to measure the distance that the clutch cable has moved or traveled. When the operator wishes to engage the clutch, he/she releases button  20 . The actuator controls the degree of movement of the plunger  34  and thus the degree of engagement of the clutch. 
         [0025]    A rotary control switch  48  is electrically connecter to the actuator  22 . The operator of the vehicle determines the degree of engagement of the clutch by selecting one of the positions,  1 - 5 , on the dial of the rotary control switch. When the system is activated the actuator  22  will move the clutch cable  18  the correct distance to engage the clutch the degree pre set by the operator of the vehicle. Adjacent the button  20  on the handle bar is a resume button  21 . This is a momentary contact button which interrupts the electric circuit which controls activator  22  and thus permits the clutch to be fully engaged. This is used once the motorcycle has attained its normal speed to move up and down through the gears. 
         [0026]    Activation of switch  40  turns the system on or off. Activation of switch  42  turns on or off the “creeper” mode. Switch  42  has two positions, on and off. When switch  42  is set to “on” the “creeper” mode is on the clutch is not fully engaged which enable the motorcycle to move forward slowly. When the “creeper” mode is on the activator  22  does not allow plunger  34  to move downwardly completely, and thus the clutch is not completely engaged. When the operator activates the switch  20 , the clutch will “slip” a predetermined amount based on which position rotary switch was set to. In other words, activation of the switch  40  allows activator  22  to permit plunger  34  to move downwardly a greater distance than before, thus further engaging the clutch. The distances that actuator moves downward are preset by the rotary switch  48 . When the creeper mode is activated, by turning switch  42  to its on position, the motorcycle will move slowly on a level surface. This mode can be deactivated by turning switch  42  to its off position or by pushing the resume button  21 . Switch  44  is another control which can also be used to turn the creeper mode on or off. When the clutch is further engaged the motor vehicle will move faster for a given revolution per minute (rpm) of the engine. 
         [0027]      FIG. 3  illustrates a switch or button  25  which is mounted adjacent brake pedal  23 . Button  25  performs the same function as button  20  and can be used alternatively in place of button  20 . When the operator of the motorcycle is stopping the motorcycle he/she will apply the brake by activation of brake pedal  23 . The operator can then activate switch  25  which turns on the system so the operator will not have to use clutch lever  16 . 
         [0028]    Gauge  48 , which indicates the point of engagement of the clutch, is illustrated in  FIG. 5 . Gauge  48  has a cable  50  secured to a lower portion. Cable  50  is connected to pin  24 . The cable passes through a housing  52  and has an adjustment screw  54  attached to one end. Rotation of the adjustment screw  54  lengthens or shortens cable  50 . The distance that pin  24  moves, which is related to the degrees of engagement of the clutch, is transferred via cable  50  to gauge  48 . When the cable  50  moves within housing  52  it rotates indicator  56 . Indicator  56  is located above a scale  58 . The scale  58  includes colors such as green, yellow and red which indicate the degree of engagement of the clutch as described above. A baffle  60  is located above the scale  58 . Finally, a clear cover  62  closes an upper end of the housing. By seeing where the clutch engages relative to where is should engage, the operator of the motorcycle can determines if the clutch needs to be adjusted. 
         [0029]    Gauge  70  is electrically connected to encoder  36  ( FIG. 2A ). Gauge  70  also indicates the degree is engagement of the clutch. Rod  38  moved up and down dependent on the degree of engagement of the clutch. This movement is translated into electrical signals in encoder  26 . These signals are sent to gauge  70 . Gauge  70  includes a plurality of LEDs  72 . These LEDs are red or yellow or green. Preferably there are 10 LEDs. The first three LEDs on the left side of gauge are red. The next four LEDs, toward the right side, are yellow. The last three LEDs on the right side of the gauge are green. When only the red LEDs are illuminated, this is an indication that the clutch is slipping completely and is not engaged. When some or all of the yellow LEDS are illuminated, this is an indication of partial engagement of the clutch. The degree of engagement is dependent on the number of yellow LEDS which are illuminated. When the green LEDS are illuminated, this indicates that the clutch is fully engaged. While 10 red, yellow and green LEDs are shown in the preferred embodiment, any number of LEDS and any other colored LEDs can be employed. 
         [0030]    All patents and publications mentioned in this specification are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. All patents and publications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. 
         [0031]    It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and any drawings/figures included herein. 
         [0032]    One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.