Process and device for monitoring the operation of a clutch moved by an actuator into the closed position and automatically moving into the open position

Abstract

In a clutch which is impelled by an actuator into the closed position and which automatically moves into the open position by an opening spring, the movement of the clutch into the open position is monitored and any malfunction is displayed.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be explained in the following with the aid of schematic drawings, by way of example, and with additional details, in which:

FIG. 1 represents an example of an actuation device for a clutch; and,

FIG. 2 represents a flow chart to explain the invention.

Claims

1. A process for monitoring the operation of a clutch moved by an actuator into the closed position and automatically moving into the open position, in which process the reaching of the opening position of the clutch in the absence of energization of the actuator is monitored.

2. The process recited in claim 1, where the reaching the open position of the clutch is monitored by the fact that a component located in a predetermined position reaches that predetermined position on the reaching of the open position of the clutch.

3. The process recited in claim 1, where the speed of a component moving when the clutch is moving from the closed position into the open position is detected and compared to a theoretical speed.

4. The process recited in claim 1, where the clutch is moved by means of an emergency actuator if it has not reached the open position within a predetermined period of time after shutdown of the energization of the actuator.

5. A device for monitoring the operation of a clutch (10) moved by an actuator into the closed position and automatically moving into the open position, where the actuator is an electric motor (14) whose output shaft (26) moves, via a gear mechanism, an actuation element (16) of the clutch, the actuation element can be moved, against the force of an opening spring initially urging the clutch into the open position, by the electric motor turning in the closing rotational direction in such a manner that the clutch closes, and the gear mechanism is formed in such a manner that the electric motor, in the absence of energization, turns, due to the force of the opening spring, opposite to the closing rotational direction until the clutch reaches its open position, which device comprises a monitoring device (30, 32) for monitoring whether the clutch, after shutdown of energization the electric motor to drive it in the opening rotational direction, reaches its open position.

6. The device recited in claim 5, where the monitoring device (30, 32) monitors whether the clutch (10) reaches its open position within a predetermined period of time after shutdown of the energization of the electric motor (14) to drive it in the opening rotational direction.

7. The device recited in claim 5, where the monitoring device (30) detects the reaching of the open position by actuating a switch (40).

8. The device recited in claim 5, where the monitoring device (30, 32) detects the rotary speed of the electric motor (14) when it is driven by the opening spring and triggers a fault message if this rotary speed deviates from a predetermined rotary speed by more than a threshold value.

9. The device recited in claim 5, where the monitoring device on determination of a fault in the automatic movement of the clutch (10) from the closed position into the open position, activates an actuator (14) for moving the clutch (10) from the closed position into the open position.

10. The device recited in claim 5, where the clutch is a clutch (10) of a parallel shift gearbox.