Patent GB-546237-A (GB)
Title: Multimotored vehicle driving unit
IPC: B62D49/00
Filed: 1940-11-25
Abstract: 546,237. Motor vehicles. JACKSON, L. MELLERSH-. (Gear Grinding Machine Co.). Nov. 25, 1940, No. 16891. [Classes 79 (iii) and 79 (v)] [Also in Groups XXIV and XXXV] A vehicle having a plurality of motors each driving through a separate change-speed gear is provided with selective control means for starting and stopping any of said motors at will and a common control member or gear lever for controlling any or all of the change-speed gears, connecting means being provided between tne said selective control means and the gear lever whereby the latter acts only on the gear of any motor that is running. In the construction shown one engine D drives an axle C through a gear-box E and propeller shaft F, and a second engine L drives an axle K through a gear-box M and propeller shaft N. The axles C, K are connected to the frame A by springs Z, and the frame is provided with an extension A<SP>1</SP> over the axle K. The radiators 7 for the second engine L is behind the drivers cab G and is cooled by air deflected by. a hood 8. A common water circulating system may be provided for both engines, so that when one engine is idle it will be heated sufficiently to work satisfactorily immediately it is started. A single hand lever P, Figs. 4, 6 and 7, selectively controls the starting motors O, O<SP>1</SP> of the engines D, L separately or together, this hand lever being fixed to a setting disc Q<SP>1</SP> having notches 1, 2, 3, and a disc Q<SP>3</SP> carrying contacts R, R<SP>1</SP>, R<SP>2</SP>. In the position shown in Fig. 4, a spring-loaded catch or plunger Q<SP>2</SP> engages notch 1 in disc Q<SP>1</SP>, both engines D, L are stopped, and the circuits of both motors O, O<SP>1</SP> are open. To start engine D the lever P is moved clockwise against a stop P<SP>1</SP> so that a contact S' on the disc Q<SP>3</SP> bears against a fixed contact S<SP>4</SP> and completes the circuit of the starting motor O<SP>1</SP> from battery V<SP>1</SP> through conductor V<SP>1</SP>, closed contacts S<SP>6</SP>, S<SP>5</SP>, contacts S<SP>4</SP>, S<SP>2</SP> and conductor V<SP>2</SP>. At the same time the ignition circuit of engine D is completed through dashboard switch V<SP>3</SP>, line V<SP>4</SP>, contacts S, R<SP>1</SP> and line V<SP>5</SP>, so that the engine D is started. To start engine L the lever P is moved counterclockwise until latch Qt engages notch 2. The movement of the latch causes a button T to close contacts T<SP>1</SP>, T<SP>2</SP> to complete the circuit of starter motor O<SP>1</SP>. At the same time contact R will move into connection with contact S and the ignition circuit for engine L will be completed so that this engine starts up. To use engine L alone the lever P is moved until catch Q<SP>2</SP> engages notch 3; this will move contact R<SP>1</SP> clear of contact S to break the ignition circuit of engine D. To re-start engine D while L is running lever P is moved until catch Q<SP>2</SP> engages notch 2; this re-establishes connection between contacts R<SP>1</SP>, S and also between R<SP>2</SP> and S<SP>1</SP> so that the starting circuit for engine D is completed through contacts S<SP>4</SP>, S<SP>1</SP>, R<SP>2</SP>, S<SP>2</SP>. When either engine has started running the circuit of the corresponding starter motor is automatically broken at contacts S<SP>5</SP>, S<SP>6</SP>, or T<SP>1</SP>, T<SP>2</SP> by means of a vacuum motor U or U<SP>1</SP> connected to the engine manifold. When either engine is not being used it can be disconnected from its axle either by hand or automatically. In the latter case a clutch 6, Fig. 4, is controlled by a vacuum motor 5 so that this clutch is only engaged when the engine is running. Controlling two change-speed gears by a single lever. The two change-speed gears E, M of the engines D, L are controlled by a common gear lever W<SP>2</SP> mounted on a pivot W<SP>1</SP> which is shifted vertically in accordance with the setting of lever P so that when lever P has started one engine but not the other, the gear lever acts only on the gear of the running engine, but when lever P has started both engines the gear lever acts simultaneously and similarly on both sets of gears. The gear box E is controlled by two selector arms X<SP>6</SP>, X<SP>7</SP>, having upward extensions X, X<SP>1</SP> adapted to be engaged by the lower end W<SP>4</SP> of the gear lever The gear box M is controlled by links Yt, Yt and arms Y, Y' on concentric shafts X<SP>4</SP>, X<SP>5</SP> respectively provided with arms X<SP>2</SP>, X<SP>3</SP> adapted to be engaged by the gear lever. In the lower position shown in Fig. 6 the lever P is in position 1 in which engine D is running and the gear lever can engage only the arms X, X<SP>1</SP> to control gear box E; if the lev is moved to position 2 in which both engines are running the gear lever is raised and engages both sets of arms X, X' and X<SP>2</SP>, X<SP>3</SP> so that both gearboxes are similarly controlled; and finally, if the lever P is moved to position 3 in which only engine L is running the gear lever is raised until it can engage only the arms X<SP>2</SP>, X<SP>3</SP> to control gear box M belonging to engine L. The raising and lowering of the gear lever pivot W<SP>1</SP> is effected by a pinion Q' on the shaft Q of lever P, this pinion engaging a rack Q<SP>5</SP> carrying the pivot W<SP>1</SP>. The gear lever and its pivot are carried by a casing W rocking on the shaft X<SP>4</SP>, X<SP>5</SP> with the lever to operate the selector arms. The lever P and its shaft Q are also mounted on the casing W so as to rock with the gear lever W<SP>2</SP>. The main clutches for the two engines are operated simultaneously by a single pedal Y<SP>8</SP>.