Linked Dual Action Motorcycle Hydraulic Clutch Actuator

Abstract

Disclosed is a motorcycle clutch actuator, with hydraulically linked foot clutch lever and hand clutch lever, to be installed on motorcycles made with a hand activated gear selection lever or on motorcycles to be converted from a conventional configuration of hand activated clutch and foot activated gear selection lever, to a configuration of foot activated clutch and hand activated gear selection lever, providing optimal clutch control with either a foot clutch lever or a hand clutch lever, by means of innovative hydraulic and mechanical control linkage, releasing the rider's foot from the foot clutch lever, while holding the clutch in the disengaged position with a hand clutch lever, as the motorcycle is running while in gear, thereby enabling the rider to balance the motorcycle with both feet while modulating the clutch with the hand clutch lever.

Claims

1. A linked dual action motorcycle hydraulic clutch actuator on a motorcycle, having an engine and a clutch, comprising of two hydraulic actuators linked together by a bell crank and two hydraulic actuators which are actuated by a hand clutch lever and a foot clutch lever; wherein the first force transmitting structure is a hollow tube filled with hydraulic fluid that has the first end connected to a hydraulic actuator that is connected to a hand lever and the second end connected a hydraulic actuator that is connected to the first end of the bell crank; wherein the second force transmitting structure is a hollow tube filled with hydraulic fluid that has the first end connected to a hydraulic actuator that is connected to the second end of the bell crank and the second end connected to a hydraulic actuator that is connected to the clutch; and a foot lever that is connected to a center pivot of the bell crank whereby either the hand lever or the foot lever would pivot the bell crank to actuate the clutch.

2. A linked dual action motorcycle hydraulic clutch actuator according to claim 1 wherein the second force transmitting structure is a hollow tube filled with hydraulic fluid that has the first end connected to a hydraulic actuator that is connected to the second end of the bell crank and the second end connected to a hydraulic actuator that is connected to the clutch; wherein the hollow tube from the hydraulic actuator that is connected to the second end of the bell crank can be routed in front of, under, over, behind or through the engine or motorcycle frame to the hydraulic actuator that is connected to the clutch.

3. A linked dual action motorcycle hydraulic clutch actuator according to claim 1 comprising: a motorcycle clutch actuator for installation on a motorcycle; a clutch linkage that is foot actuated and hand actuated; a foot clutch actuator linked to a hand clutch actuator.

4. A linked dual action motorcycle hydraulic clutch actuator according to claim 1 comprising: hydraulic actuators of the invention to redirect the force originating from the foot clutch lever or the hand clutch lever to the final element in the clutch actuation system; hollow tubes filled with hydraulic fluid, said hollow tubes that will transfer the force originating from the foot clutch lever or hand clutch lever to hydraulic actuators and the final element in the clutch actuation system.

5. A linked dual action motorcycle hydraulic clutch actuator according to claim 1 comprising: a bell crank, attached to the center pivot of the bell crank which links the hand clutch lever to the foot clutch lever.

6. A linked dual action motorcycle hydraulic clutch actuator according to claim 1 comprising: a foot clutch lever attached to the center pivot of the bell crank to enable clutch actuation with the foot.

7. A linked dual action motorcycle hydraulic clutch actuator according to claim 1 comprising: a hand clutch lever to enable clutch actuation with the hand.

8. A linked dual action motorcycle hydraulic clutch actuator according to claim 1, which links the hand clutch lever to the foot clutch lever to enable the actuation of the clutch with either a hand clutch lever or a foot clutch lever.

9. A linked dual action motorcycle hydraulic clutch actuator according to claim 1, which provides a hand clutch lever, to hold the clutch in the disengaged position, with the motor running and the transmission in gear.

10. A linked dual action motorcycle hydraulic clutch actuator according to claim 1, which provides a foot clutch lever, to hold the clutch in the disengaged position, with the motor running and the transmission in gear.

11. A linked dual action motorcycle hydraulic clutch actuator according to claim 1, which provides a hand clutch lever, to engage the clutch through the release of positive pressure from a hand clutch lever.

12. A linked dual action motorcycle hydraulic clutch actuator according to claim 1, which provides a foot clutch lever, to engage the clutch through the release of positive pressure from a foot clutch lever.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] FIG. 1 is a left hand view of a motorcycle with indications showing the location of the hand clutch lever 1, the hand clutch master cylinder 2, hydraulic line 15, and the assembly comprising of the hydraulic foot clutch lever and the mechanical arrangement linking the hydraulic hand clutch and foot clutch actuators according to the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 2 is a right side view of a motorcycle indicating the location of the hand clutch lever 1, the hand clutch master cylinder 2, hydraulic line 15, hydraulic line 16, and hydraulic actuator 9 that acts directly on the final element in the clutch actuation system according to the present invention.

[0038] FIG. 3 is a left side view of the assembly comprising a foot clutch lever 11 that is connected to a center pivot 13 of the bell crank 3 which links slave cylinder 5 and master cylinder 7 there by linking the hand clutch and foot clutch actuators according to the present invention.

[0039] FIG. 4 is a top view of the invention according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

1. Definitions According to the Present Invention

[0040] Center pivot of the bell crank [FIG. 3, 4]: Specific to the present invention, the center pivot of the bell crank 13 is a shaft for transmitting torque and rotational motion from foot clutch lever 11 to the bell crank 3.

[0041] Bell crank [FIG. 3, 4]: Specific to the present invention, the bell crank 3 links hydraulic actuator 5 to hydraulic actuator 7. The bell crank 3 converts the rotary force of the rotating shaft that is the center pivot of the bell crank 13 and is activated by the foot clutch lever 11 or hand clutch lever 1 to linear motion of the hydraulic actuators 5, 7. The bell crank contains a first 17 end and a second 19 end.

[0042] Hydraulic actuator [FIG. 3, 4]: Specific to the present invention, a hydraulic actuator 2, 5, 7, 9 consists of cylinder closed on one end, in which pressurized hydraulic fluid moves a piston connected to a piston rod, or non-hydraulic force moves a piston in a cylinder to pressurize and flow hydraulic fluid.

[0043] Master Cylinder [FIG. 3, 4]: Specific to the present invention a master cylinder 2, 7 is a hydraulic actuator that converts non-hydraulic force from the foot clutch lever or the hand clutch lever into hydraulic pressure that transfers the force via hydraulic fluid through tubular hydraulic lines to a slave cylinder. This results in displacement of a piston in the slave cylinder to actuate other elements of the clutch linkage.

[0044] Slave Cylinder [FIG. 3, 4]: Specific to the present invention, a slave cylinder 5, 9 is a hydraulic actuator that converts hydraulic force from a master cylinder 2, 7 where in the piston is displaced by pressurized hydraulic fluid and in turn actuates other elements of the clutch linkage.

[0045] Hydraulic control system [FIG. 3, 4]: Specific to the present invention, a master cylinder 2, 7 transmits the force of the foot clutch lever 11 or the hand clutch lever 1 by pressurizing and flowing hydraulic fluid through tubular hydraulic lines 15, 16. The flow and pressure of the hydraulic fluid redirects the force of the foot clutch lever 11 or the hand clutch lever 1 to actuate a piston within a slave cylinder 5, 9 which moves other elements of the clutch linkage.

[0046] Clutch actuation by foot clutch lever [FIG. 3, 4]: Specific to the present invention, by positive pressure from the foot, the foot clutch lever 11 is depressed thereby rotating the bell crank 3 about the center pivot of the bell crank 13. In turn the bell crank 3 pivots and actuates the master cylinder 7 which is connected to the second end 19 of the bell crank 3. This in turn actuates slave cylinder 9 for effective displacement of the final element in the clutch actuation system.

[0047] Clutch actuation by hand clutch lever [FIG. 3, 4]: Specific to the present invention, by positive pressure from the hand, the hand clutch lever 1 is depressed thereby actuating the hand clutch master cylinder 2 which in turn actuates the slave cylinder 5 which is connected to the first end 17 of the bell crank 3. This action in turn rotates the bell crank 3 about the center pivot of the bell crank 13 which actuates the master cylinder 7 which is connected to the second end 19 of the bell crank 3 which in turn actuates slave cylinder 9 for effective displacement of the final element in the clutch actuation system.

2. Best Mode of the Invention

[0048] FIG. 3, 4 show the side and top views of the best mode contemplated by the inventor of the linked dual action motorcycle hydraulic clutch actuator.

3. How to Make the Invention

[0049] The following will explain the means of making the invention.

[0050] The foot clutch lever 11 is connected to the center pivot of the bell crank 13 which is connected to the bell crank 3. Slave cylinder 5 is attached to the first end 17 of the bell crank 3. Master cylinder 7 is attached to the second end 19 of the bell crank 3.

[0051] Slave cylinder 5 is connected to master cylinder 2 via hydraulic tubing 15. Master cylinder 2 is actuated by hand clutch lever 1. Master cylinder 2 actuates slave cylinder 5 by flowing hydraulic fluid through hydraulic tubing 15.

[0052] Slave cylinder 5 which is connected to the first end 17 of the bell crank 3 actuates master cylinder 7 which is connected to the second end 19 of the bell crank 3 by rotating the bell crank 3 which is connected to the center pivot of the bell crank 13.

[0053] Slave cylinder 9 is connected to master cylinder 7 via hydraulic tubing 16. Master cylinder 7 is connected to the second end 19 of the bell crank 3 which is actuated by rotation of the bell crank 3, said rotation which is induced by actuating foot clutch lever 11 which in turn is connected to the bell crank 3 via the center pivot of the bell crank 13. Master cylinder 7 actuates slave cylinder 9 by flowing hydraulic fluid through hydraulic tubing 16. Slave cylinder 9 actuates the final element in the clutch actuation system.

[0054] Hydraulic tubing 16 connects master cylinder 7 to slave cylinder 9. Hydraulic tubing 16 can be routed from master cylinder 7 front of, under, over, behind or through the engine or motorcycle frame to slave cylinder 9.

4. How to Use the Invention

[0055] The problems remediated by the linked dual action motorcycle hydraulic clutch actuator FIG. 1-4 become easily apparent by those skilled in the art. For motorcycles made with a hand activated gear selection lever or have been retrofitted from a configuration of a hand lever activated clutch and foot activated gear selection lever, to a configuration of a foot lever activated clutch and hand activated gear selection lever, the linked dual action motorcycle hydraulic clutch actuator FIG. 1-4 prevents motorcycle accidents for motorcycles with hand gear selection levers that have been retrofitted with this invention. The linked dual action motorcycle hydraulic clutch actuator FIG. 1-4 prevents injury to the motorcycle operator and passenger. The linked dual action motorcycle hydraulic clutch actuator FIG. 1-4 saves the lives of the motorcycle operator and passenger. The linked dual action motorcycle hydraulic clutch actuator FIG. 1-4 prevents injury to pedestrians and bystanders. The linked dual action motorcycle hydraulic clutch actuator FIG. 1-4 saves the lives of pedestrians and bystanders. The linked dual action motorcycle hydraulic clutch actuator FIG. 1-4 prevents damage to the motorcycle that has been retrofitted with this invention. The linked dual action motorcycle hydraulic clutch actuator FIG. 1-4 prevents damage to other motorcycles, automobiles, and property. The linked dual action motorcycle hydraulic clutch actuator FIG. 1-4 prevents injury to passengers in other automobiles. The linked dual action motorcycle hydraulic clutch actuator FIG. 1-4 saves the lives of passengers in other automobiles. The linked dual action motorcycle hydraulic clutch actuator FIG. 1-4 reduces danger by preventing the motorcycle from stalling in the middle of traffic. The linked dual action motorcycle hydraulic clutch actuator FIG. 1-4 reduces danger by preventing uncontrolled surging of the motorcycle into to other motorcycles, automobiles, property, pedestrians and bystanders. The linked dual action motorcycle hydraulic clutch actuator FIG. 1-4 reduces danger to other motorcycles, automobiles, property pedestrians and bystanders by preventing the motorcycle from falling over during slow speed maneuvers. The linked dual action motorcycle hydraulic clutch actuator FIG. 1-4 reduces danger to other motorcycles, automobiles, property, pedestrians and bystanders by enabling sudden emergency stops from high speed while the motorcycle is in gear with the engine running. The linked dual action motorcycle hydraulic clutch actuator FIG. 1-4 allows less initiated motorcycle riders to engage in riding and enjoying modern motorcycles resembling vintage motorcycles. The linked dual action motorcycle hydraulic clutch actuator FIG. 1-4 allows disabled motorcycle riders on three wheeled motorcycles (trikes) and motorcycles equipped with a side car, to enjoy the sport of motorcycling. The linked dual action motorcycle hydraulic clutch actuator FIG. 1-4 provides the means to accomplish precise clutch control of the motorcycle equipped with a hand gear shift lever.

[0056] The linked dual action motorcycle hydraulic clutch actuator FIG. 1-4 will find wide spread use within the custom motorcycle parts industry, custom motorcycle manufacturing industry, among individual custom motorcycle builders/enthusiasts, and among disabled motorcycle riders. The linked dual action motorcycle hydraulic clutch actuator FIG. 1-4 will be capable of being installed by one individual with minimal mechanical skills. Much time, labor and expense will be saved by preventing frequent replacement of damaged and frayed clutch control cables. Much time, labor and expense will be saved by preventing accidents. The savings in collision and liability insurance claims and premiums would be considerable. Private industry would employ many workers to manufacture, distribute, sell and install many units.