Patent GB-452602-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in clutch control mechanism for vehicles
Filed: 1935-05-16
Abstract: 452,602. Operating clutches. BENDIX AVIATION CORPORATION, 105, West Adams Street, Chicago, U.S.A. May 16, 1935, No. 14378. Convention date, May 17, 1934. Addition to 429,264. [Class 80 (ii)] [See also Group XXXI] The fluid-pressure servomotor clutch control forming the subject of the parent Specification is provided with means for opening the engine throttle when the clutch members are engaged or loaded to a predetermined degree, the throttle-controlling means also serving as a dashpot for controlling the rate of engagement of the clutch. In the construction shown, the clutch 12 is disengaged by a pedal 14 operated by a piston 16 working in a cylinder 18 connected by pipe 20 to the engine induction pipe. A valve 34 controlling the connection of the cylinder 18 to the induction pipe and to the atmosphere is operated by the accelerator pedal 46 which controls the throttle 24 through linkage 54 and a lost-motion connection 58, 76. When the accelerator pedal is released to close the throttle, the valve 34 is moved to the position shown in Fig. 3 in which a recess 40 connects the cylinder 18 to the induction pipe so that a vacuum is formed behind the piston 16 and the clutch is disengaged. When it is desired to re-engage the clutch the accelerator pedal is depressed and the valve 34 is operated before the lost-motion 58, 76 in the throttle connection is taken up. The valve 34 then closes the connection to the induction pipe and connects the cylinder 18 to the atmosphere through a vent 42 so that the piston 16 is moved to the right by the clutch springs. At first this movement is relatively rapid since the compression of the clutch springs by the piston 16 compresses a weaker adjustable spring 88 and connects the right-hand side of the piston to the atmosphere through the hollow piston rod and a valve 94. When the clutch plates contact at a load determined by the adjustment of spring 88, the valve 94 closes and the piston 16 then forces air through a pipe 84 to a cylinder 66, Fig. 2, containing a piston 68. As this piston, which may be loaded by a spring 106, rises its plunger 70 acts on an arm 72, Fig. 1, fixed to the throttle shaft and opens the throttle. The extent to which the throttle is opened is limited by an adjustable stop 78 in the cylinder 66, and the rate at which the piston moves to open the throttle is adjusted by a screw 86 which partially closes the inlet to cylinder 66. The cylinder and piston 66, 68 act as a dashpot for cushioning the engagement of the clutch. When the accelerator pedal has been depressed sufficiently to take up the lost-motion at 58, 76 and open the throttle directly, the valve 34 is moved sufficiently far to the left for a tapered slot 44 thereon to register with a port 62, Fig. 1, connected by a pipe 64 with the far end of cylinder 18 so that the latter is vented to the atmosphere through the slot 44 at a rate dependent on the depression of the accelerator pedal. According to the relative adjustment of the parts the engagement of the clutch may be determined either by the dashpot cylinder 66 or the venting slot 44 or by both. The clutch servomotor may be rendered inoperative by means of a valve 32 controlled from the dash.