Assessment of Operation Speed and Precision of Electropneumatic Actuator of Mechanical Transmission Clutch Control System

This article describes experimental research results of the electropneumatic clutch control device for the mechanical transmission. The aim is to assess electropneumatic clutch control device characteristics to regulate both mechanical and robotic transmission. The feature of the clutch control system having the electropneumatic actuator on the basis of a power cylinder is the use of a control module that consists of an acceleration valve and two electropneumatic valves. A new structural relationship between the electropneumatic clutch control device elements on the basis of the new acceleration valve design is suggested. The assessment of mass and dimension parameters of well-known devices and this electropneumatic clutch control device is provided. A new approach to choose automated clutch control system parameters taking into account the relay electropneumatic control system operation features is suggested. The experimental data that enable us to determine the clutch control actuator rational parameters are given. Using mathematical modelling methods, the automated clutch control system rational parameters are determined. The comparative experimental research results allow us to determine the factors that give competitive advantages in comparison with clutch control electromechanical devices existing diagrams. Analysis of the comparative research of clutch control systems indicates that the system operation speed and precision with the suggested electropneumatic actuator are at the level of production systems. At the same time, the use of the control module, which consists of an acceleration valve and two electropneumatic valves, considerably simplifies the proposed design and reduces its cost.