Patent GB-410172-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to power operated clutch and brake mechanism
IPC: B60K23/02
Filed: 1932-11-10
Abstract: 410,172. Operating clutches and brakes. FORD MOTOR CO., Ltd., 88, Regent Street, London. Nov. 10, 1932, No. 31829. Convention date, July 27. [Class 80 (ii).] In a motor vehicle, a lever 22 connected by a rod 16 to a servomotor piston 14 is connected to the engine clutch through an arm 29 journalled on the hub of the lever 22, the parts 22, 29 being coupled by a helical spring 33 and being adapted to be positively connected by a manually-operable claw clutch 31, and has also a lost-motion connection with the brake rod 44, the piston being caused to move through a portion of its stroke upon release of the accelerator pedal 42, so as either to disengage the engine clutch or to stress the spring 33 in such a way as considerably to reduce the manual effort required to cause declutching, and being thereafter caused to move further under the control of the brake pedal 23 so as to apply the brakes. Upon release of the brake pedal, the piston returns to its intermediate position, and upon subsequent depression of the accelerator returns to its inoperative position. The servomotor may be operated by suction, pressure, or electric power. As shown, a valve 15, operated by a rod 43 having a one-way connection with the accelerator 42, is adapted, in one position, to connect the underside of the piston 14, through a tube 18, to the engine intake manifold, and, in another position, to the atmosphere, while in an intermediate position neither suction nor atmosphere is effective. The lever 22, pedal 23, and clutch pedal 24 are pivotally mounted on a cross-shaft 21. The arm 29 is connected through a link 39 to a lever 37 pivoted on an arm 36 on a cross-shaft 34, the inner end of the lever 37 coacting with an adjustable screw 38 in the arm 36 so that downward movement of the piston 14 turns the shaft 34 to cause a fork 35 thereon to throw out the engine clutch. For manual operation of the clutch, the pedal 24 is adapted to engage a projection 40 on the arm 29. The forward end of the brake rod 44 carries a pin 48 which engages with considerable clearance in a hole 49 in the brake pedal 23. A member 51 is pivoted on the pedal 23 at 52 and also on the pin 48, the free end of this member being connected through a rod 53 to a pivoted arm 54 which has a one-way adjustable connection with tho rod 43. A plunger 57 arranged within a sleeve 56 on the member 51 is urged outwards by a spring 58. When, on the release of the accelerator and consequent application of suction beneath the piston 14, the latter reaches its intermediate or declutching position, an offset part 27 of the lever 22 bears against the plunger 57 and tilts the member 51 outwardly so as to move the valve 15 to intermediate position, thereby retaining the piston 14 in that position. At this time, also, the lever 22 engages a head 50 on the pin 48. If the brake pedal is now depressed, the member 51 is tilted against the resistance of the spring 58, the valve 15 is again moved to suction position, and the lever 22 follows-up the pedal, when the valve again moves into intermediate position. In this movement, the lever 22 acts on the head 50 so as to apply the brakes, the only manual effort necessary being that required to compress the spring 58. If the servomotor is rendered inoperative by actuation of a cut-out valve 63, no compression of the spring 58 occurs during manual application of the brakes.