Bosch develops new electronic clutch

accelerate89 · 28th August 2013, 16:03

Quote:

Global component supplier Bosch has developed an electronically-controlled clutch that closes the gap between manual and automatic transmissions. In stop-and-go traffic, the Bosch eClutch allows drivers using manual transmission to use first gear without using the clutch. They can simply use the brake and gas pedal, just like in an automatic transmission. In addition, the eClutch makes the coasting function possible, which saves fuel. The clutch decouples the engine from the transmission if the driver is no longer accelerating. The engine then stops, and the company claims this results in fuel savings of up to 10 percent on average.

Link to the article on ACI: http://www.autocarindia.com/auto-new...ch-355000.aspx

Lalvaz · 28th August 2013, 16:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by accelerate89

The clutch decouples the engine from the transmission if the driver is no longer accelerating. The engine then stops, and the company claims this results in fuel savings of up to 10 percent on average.

The principle behind the start-stop coasting function is simple. The Bosch system detects the driver’s easing of pressure on the gas pedal, decouples the engine from the transmission

Innovative and useful invention, but one disadvantage is that even the manual car won't be able to use engine breaking in such a situation.

tsk1979 · 28th August 2013, 17:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lalvaz

Innovative and useful invention, but one disadvantage is that even the manual car won't be able to use engine breaking in such a situation.

I think its only for first gear. The major fatigue in manual transmission occurs when you crawl slowly in bumper to bumper traffic, using the clutch. This will take away that pain!

accelerate89 · 28th August 2013, 17:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lalvaz

Innovative and useful invention, but one disadvantage is that even the manual car won't be able to use engine breaking in such a situation.

But I would say the advantage far outweighs the disadvantages if any, and the situations where we use 1st gear engine braking would be negligible in normal driving.

condor · 28th August 2013, 18:23

Good idea, though I hope coasting is disabled as soon as the accl is pressed ?

msaudf · 28th August 2013, 19:19

Wow, This is certainly a complicated kit,

BUT

Quote:

The clutch decouples the engine from the transmission if the driver is no longer accelerating. The engine then stops,

I hope the engine is shut off when the car is stationary and not while on the move.

Now, I know that it is understood that is it will be designed to shut off the engine only at stand still for but no one mentioned it.

its Bosch right, they cant go wrong.

Jeroen · 28th August 2013, 19:55

I think it just the application of some existing components. The VW DSG has what is essentially an "electronic" clutch" as well. But of course, there it works on all gears!

Still, it's a new gimmick. Might appeal to some.

Jeroen

Sutripta · 28th August 2013, 21:31

Am sure there is far more to it than the Autocar article. As described in the article, fail to see anything really innovative or radical.

Our auto magazines used to carry an ad for a Taiwanese (I think) kit where the clutch linkage was operated by an electric motor.

Check out say the NSU Ro80.

Regards
Sutripta

Guna · 28th August 2013, 21:41

I always wished something like this was available on MT cars. Hope there would be a version which can be retrofitted on all cars (as aftermarket fitment)

DerAlte · 29th August 2013, 10:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sutripta

... Taiwanese (I think) kit where the clutch linkage was operated by an electric motor. ...

There is also a similar Korean kit. My friend had been using it for 5 years in a Swift, till one fine night last year the motor assembly fell off (bad installation). Easy to install in any MT car, as it has a Bowden cable hooking on to the clutch activation arm. The other end of the cable is spooled around a disc driven by a tangential motor. Cheap enough alternate to an autobox.

Activation is by a pushbutton mounted on the gear lever - each press disengages and then engages clutch, based on time set during configuration. Press PB, shift and leave PB. One can still drive the car by manually depressing clutch pedal as usual.

Rehaan · 29th August 2013, 15:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by accelerate89

Quote:

In addition, the eClutch makes the coasting function possible, which saves fuel. The clutch decouples the engine from the transmission if the driver is no longer accelerating. The engine then stops, and the company claims this results in fuel savings of up to 10 percent on average.

Not sure about this coasting function, taking into account DFCO, i guess it only makes sense if the engine it turned off whilst cruising. But then, how much of an advantage is that really, and what about the brake booster vaccuum?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sutripta

Our auto magazines used to carry an ad for a Taiwanese (I think) kit where the clutch linkage was operated by an electric motor.

Yep. Though i guess the difference is that this time it'll have the Bosch stamp on it!

Wasn't there also another device that was more like a torque converter for manual cars (kinda like the old dodge fluid-drive system)?

cya
R

Sutripta · 29th August 2013, 20:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rehaan

Wasn't there also another device that was more like a torque converter for manual cars (kinda like the old dodge fluid-drive system)?

No such recollection. But if there was would be very interested in knowing well the conventional (dog operated layshaft) gearbox worked with it.

Regards
Sutripta

Mpower · 29th August 2013, 20:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by DerAlte

There is also a similar Korean kit. My friend had been using it for 5 years in a Swift, till one fine night last year the motor assembly fell off (bad installation). Easy to install in any MT car, as it has a Bowden cable hooking on to the clutch activation arm. The other end of the cable is spooled around a disc driven by a tangential motor. Cheap enough alternate to an autobox.

Activation is by a pushbutton mounted on the gear lever - each press disengages and then engages clutch, based on time set during configuration. Press PB, shift and leave PB. One can still drive the car by manually depressing clutch pedal as usual.

That's very interesting DA. Have you driven it? How well does it work in B2B traffic? Any change you can arrange for some pics?

Rehaan · 17th September 2013, 15:22

Found this video which seems to answer a few questions!

ESC eClutch

- There's no mechanical connection
- It's a clutch by wire system
- The clutch pedal is just a sensor (made to feel like a clutch)
- Separate clutch actuator is placed near the tranny
- Traffic-jam assist (1st gear, brake + accelerator only) - clutch modulated automatically

Watch from 3:55 onwards:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnDTN18dOts

cya
R

DerAlte · 17th September 2013, 15:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rehaan

Found this video which seems to answer a few questions! ...

A-ha! O-ho!

Clutch-by-wire.

Simple to imagine for people who have hydraulic-actuated clutch - they have replaced the pedal with something similar to the Acc pedal (lever coupled to a potentiometer), and replaced the master cylinder with a pump + valves (controlled by an ECU) which is coupled to the "slave cylinder" - a hydraulic servo actuator like hydraulic power steering.

This has to be OE, and can't be retro-fitted - unless they give the potentiometer pedal as an aftermarket attachment which would also couple to the Master Cylinder. I would be too happy to give my Safari as a test vehicle if they bring this to India.

28th August 2013, 18:23	#5
condor Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Speed-brkr City Posts: 16,241 Thanked: 16,893 Times View My Garage	Re: Bosch develops new electronic clutch Good idea, though I hope coasting is disabled as soon as the accl is pressed ?
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28th August 2013, 19:55	#7
Jeroen Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Delhi Posts: 8,913 Thanked: 61,587 Times View My Garage	Re: Bosch develops new electronic clutch I think it just the application of some existing components. The VW DSG has what is essentially an "electronic" clutch" as well. But of course, there it works on all gears! Still, it's a new gimmick. Might appeal to some. Jeroen
	(1) Thanks

28th August 2013, 21:31	#8
Sutripta Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Calcutta Posts: 4,668 Thanked: 6,233 Times	Re: Bosch develops new electronic clutch Am sure there is far more to it than the Autocar article. As described in the article, fail to see anything really innovative or radical. Our auto magazines used to carry an ad for a Taiwanese (I think) kit where the clutch linkage was operated by an electric motor. Check out say the NSU Ro80. Regards Sutripta
	(1) Thanks

28th August 2013, 21:41	#9
Guna Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 4,189 Thanked: 4,636 Times	Re: Bosch develops new electronic clutch I always wished something like this was available on MT cars. Hope there would be a version which can be retrofitted on all cars (as aftermarket fitment)
	() Thanks