Patent GB-367697-A (GB)
Title: Regulable damping mechanism for an automatically operated clutch releasing device for automobiles
IPC: B60K23/02
Filed: 1931-07-03
Abstract: 367,697. Controlling motor vehicle clutches. JANDER, H., 51, Emdenerstrasse, Berlin. July 3, 1931, No. 19207. Convention date, July 4, 1930. [Class 79 (v).] The clutch of a motor vehicle is operated by a servomotor having a damping device the area of flow of which is varied by means arranged on the cylinder of the servomotor, the said means being connected to a switch on the gear lever and to a switch responsive to the speed of the engine or the vehicle, and the connections being such that the clutch engages smoothly when the vehicle is set in motion but engages sharply when the gear is being changed. In the construction shown the clutch pedal 1 is depressed to disengage the clutch by means of a servomotor 7 having a piston or vane 8 and two chambers 9, 10. The chamber 9 is adapted to be connected either to the induction qr inlet pipe 15 or to the atmosphere. at 16 by a rocking valve 22, 23. The chamber 10 is connected to the atmosphere by a valve 26 controlled by a lever 29 pivoted at 28 and operated by magnets 37, 38. When in the position shown the valve 26 is nearly closed and the piston 8, if moving to the right, can only do so slowly ; when the lever 29 is rocked to its other limiting position by the magnet 37 the valve 26 is wide open and the piston 8 can move freelv. The atmospheric connection 16 is formed as a magnet with a coil 30 the circuit of which from a battery 33 and switch 32 can be completed through either of the magnets 37, 38. When the magnet 16 is energized the valve 23 is attracted and closed and valve 22 is opened, so that the chamber 9 is in communication with the induction pipe 15, the piston 8 is moved to the left and the clutch is disengaged. In the position shown the accelerator 21 is released and the engine is running slowly so that the circuit of coil 30 is completed through wires 34, 36, magnet 38, wire 46, switch 57 controlled by the accelerator, magnet 47, contact 49 and movable contact 56 of a centrifugal switch 50 driven in accordance with engine or vehicle speed. The magnet 16 is thus energized and the clutch is disengaged. At the same time the magnet 38 is energized and the lever 29, if not in its present position, is brought into that position by the magnet. When the accelerator pedal is depressed to open the throttle 17 the switch 57 is opened, the magnet 16 is de-energized, valve 22 closes and 23 opens and the piston 8 moves smoothly to the right to engage the clutch, the valve 26 being nearly closed. As the engine speed rises the contact 56 of the centrifugal switch moves away from the fixed contact 49, so that even when the accelerator is released and the switch 57 is closed the magnet 16 is not energized to disengage the clutch until the engine or vehicle speed has fallen to the idling limit at which the centrifugal switch closes. When the gear is being changed a small lever 43 on the gear lever 44 is gripped and a contact 42 is earthed at 45 so that the. circuit of the magnets 16, 37 is completed through wire 41 and contacts 42, 45. The magnet 16 is thus energized to disengage the clutch and the magnet 37 to rock the lever 29 into its other position in which the valve 26 is wide open. After the gear change has been made the lever 43 is released, the magnets 16, 37 are de-energized, and the clutch is engaged sharply since the valve 26 is open. The lever 29 is retained in either of its set positions by a friction device.