ACTUATION SYSTEM FOR A CLUTCH-BY-WIRE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CUSTOMIZING AN ACTUATION SYSTEM FOR A CLUTCH-BY-WIRE SYSTEM

• US 20110226086A1
• Filed: 09/23/2009
• Published: 09/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Kirchner, Eckhard
• Application Number:
  US13/131,685
• Publication Number:
  US 20110226086A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 74/514
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/38 comprising means to continuously detect pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 5/03 Means for enhancing the operator's awareness of arrival of the controlling member at a command or datum position; Providing feel, e.g. means for creating a counterforce arrangements for indicating the position of the controlling member G05G1/015
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2054 Signal

Abstract

An actuation system for a clutch-by-wire system includes, but is not limited to a clutch pedal, at least one position sensor sensing the actual position of the clutch pedal and providing a position signal, and at least one spring providing a load, against which the clutch pedal is movable. The spring characteristic of the at least one spring is adjustable.

Claims

1. An actuation system for a clutch-by-wire system, comprising:

a clutch pedal;

a position sensor configured to sense an actual position of the clutch pedal and provide a position signal; and

a spring configured to provide a load against which the clutch pedal is movable,

wherein

a spring characteristic of the spring is adjustable.

2. The actuation system according to claim 1,

wherein

the spring characteristic is adjustable by exchanging the spring.

3. The actuation system according to claim 2,

wherein

the spring is contained in an exchangeable cartouche.

4. The actuation system according to any of claim 1,

wherein

the spring characteristic is adjustable by changing a travel of the spring.

5. The actuation system according to claim 4,

wherein

the travel is reduced by inserting a bolting element that disables a part of the travel.

6. The actuation system according to any of claim 1,

wherein

the spring characteristic is adjustable by changing a position of a pivot point of the spring.

7. The actuation system according to claim 6,

wherein

the spring is fixed in the pivot point by a frictional locking.

8. The actuation system according to claim 7,

wherein

a finite number of pivot points is provided by a perforated plate in whose perforations the spring is fixed by a fastening element.

9. The actuation system according to claim 7,

wherein

a number of pivot points are provided by at least one slot, in which the spring is fixed by a fastening element.

10. The actuation system according to any of claim 1,

wherein

the spring characteristic is adjustable by changing a pre-load of the spring.

11. The actuation system according to claim 1,

further comprising a first spring and a second spring, the first spring configured as an over center spring and the second spring configured as a retaining spring,

wherein

the position of the pivot point of the over center spring, and

either the spring constant or the spring travel or both the spring constant and the spring travel of the retaining spring

are adjustable.

12. A method for customizing an actuation system for a clutch-by-wire system, comprising:

providing a load with a spring characteristic of a spring against which a clutch pedal of the clutch-by-wire system is movable; and

adjusting the spring characteristic of the spring.

13. The method according to claim 12,

wherein the adjusting the spring characteristic of the spring comprising

exchanging the spring.

14. The method according to claim 12,

wherein the adjusting the spring characteristic of the spring comprises

changing the position of a pivot point of the spring.

15. The method according to claim 14,

wherein the changing the position of the pivot point of the spring comprises:

loosening a fastening of the spring in the pivot point;

choosing a different position for the pivot point; and

fastening the spring in the different position.