Patent GB-407991-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to clutch-controlling devices for motor vehicles
IPC: B60K23/02
Filed: 1932-09-19
Abstract: 407,991. Operating motor - vehicle clutches and variable-speed gears. MORGAN, A., 8A, West Halkin Street, London.-(Assignee of Pfeiffer, M. ; 8, Pasewalkerstrasse, Berlin.) Sept. 19, 1932, No. 26041. Convention date, Sept. 18, 1931. [Class 80 (ii).] In valve-controlled engine-suction devices for operating motor-vehicle clutches, movement of the servomotor piston is damped at an adjustable point in its clutch-engaging stroke by automatic closure of a passage admitting air to the working end of the cylinder, whereafter air can enter only through a small adjustable vent. The end 18, Fig. 2, of the cylinder 12 communicates, under control of a double-seated valve 24, with the induction manifold 2 or, through a passage 27, with the opposite end of the cylinder, which is constantly open to atmosphere at 21. The piston 13, coupled by a chain &c. 15 to the clutch pedal 9, displaces a spring- pressed rod 35 carrying an adjustable collar 38, which thus releases a lever 33 to allow closure of a valve 29, after which air enters the space 18 only through an adjustable vent 47, unless a valve 43 is opened by a pedal 46 adjacent to the accelerator-pedal 5, as when it is desired to cut out the damping effect during gear changing. The pedal 5 has lost-motion connection at 7 with the throttle controlrod 6 and Bowden &c. connection 39, also allowing lost motion at 40, with the valve 24. A supporting-screw 50 and bolt 51 allow horizontal and vertical angular adjustments of the cylinder 12 on the chassis to suit the lay-out and give a substantially straight run to the cable 39, the cylinder being clamped by tightening the bolt 51 and supported at its other end by a screw 52. The Specification as open to inspection under Sect. 91 comprises also a modification, Fig. 4 (Cancelled), in which the clutch pedal 71 is operated by movement of the gearlever 86. The gate 88 has depressions 100 corresponding to the various speed and neutral positions, so that the coned end 101 of a spring- pressed sleeve 93 is cammed up at each change. This sleeve is connected by a rod 95, bell-crank lever 98, 96, sliding sleeve 83, bell-crank lever 81, 78, rod 77, slotted block 76, and cross-bar 80 to the stem 73 of the servomotor control valve 74. The selector arm (not shown), extending below the ball-joint 87 of the lever 86, has angular lost motion to ensure declutching prior to gearshifting. A valve for suppressing damping may be interconnected with the gear-lever linkage. The valve 74 may also be actuated for declutching when the engine speed falls below a predetermined limit by a forked lever 113 coacting with the cross-bar 80 and acted on by a centrifugal or other speed-responsive device coupled to the crankshaft &c. by a flexible shaft 104. As shown, the device comprises a flywheel 108, which is mounted on a screwthreaded part 107 of a shaft 105 and is stated to move axially in its casing 106 under the pressure of a spring 110 to bring its hub 111 into contact with the lever 113 when the speed falls. Accelerator-pedal control may be combined with the gear-lever and governor controls, in which case manual means may be provided for connecting and disconnecting the valve from the pedal. This subject-matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.