page_title: Daimler Twenty-Two
section_title: Chassis
hierarchical_section_title: Daimler Twenty-Two / New range / Chassis
caption_attribution_description: English: Cartoon of Percy Martin, managing director of Birmingham Small Arms Company and Daimler Company
context_page_description: Their new Daimler 22 horsepower full-size luxury car was first displayed by Daimler in April 1902 at The Automobile Club’s Exhibition in London's Agricultural Hall. Daimler had elected to drop their multiple old low powered designs and restrict themselves to this 22 horsepower and a pair of 9 or 12 horsepower cars to the same design as the 22 but more lightly constructed. The King’s not quite finished new Daimler 22 was reported to be the chief attraction of the show.
  The 22 horsepower cars were geared to run at about 40 to 50 miles per hour when the engine was running at normal speed.
  The following January 1903 Daimler, having earlier dropped the 9 hp, replaced their 12 with a 14-horsepower car making a range of just two vehicles.
  In January 1904 Daimler introduced a wholly new range of four cars including a 3.8-litre 18/22.
context_section_description: All four wheels were 36 inches diameter artillery style with steel axle boxes and thickened spokes to carry the chain drive sprocket wheels. Suspension was by "grasshopper" (semi-elliptical) springs 36" behind and 31" in front. Chassis weight under 22 cwt. Wheelbase 7’ 6" and the track or "gauge" 4’ 7½"
  The wheelbase of the King’s car had been increased to 9’ 0".
  The wooden main frame is strengthened by tapering steel fishplates along the inner faces of the longitudinal members. One of the transverse-members supports the change speed lever. From these transverse members an underframe is suspended and it supports the engine at a level below the main frame.
  The clutch and flywheel are mounted on the back of the engine block This part of the clutch is of aluminium and carries a friction surface of leather To make for a more gradual engagement a steel spring is set between the leather and the metal face. It is formed into a ring with projecting tongues which ac t as springs. The large spiral spring to hold the clutch in engagement is stationary. It acts on the fork  imparting a sliding motion to the propellor shaft. A ball bearing takes the thrust between fork and the shaft. A long propellor shaft runs from the clutch to the gearbox's first motion shaft. This propellor shaft carries a flexible coupling and is splined to allow longitudinal movement together with the clutch. The gearbox is mounted between the back axle and the sprocket shaft for the chain drive.
  When the handbrake is applied the (otherwise fixed) end of the spring is moved forward by a cam which releases the clutch and the car may stop without affecting the engine. Application of the footbrake has the same effect. This arrangement was deleted from the next model now the driver has control of the throttles and engine braking may be used to reduce the load on the brakes.
  The transverse casing of the countershaft the differential and the gearbox is of aluminium alloy and it covers the entire transmission gear. The change-speed lever is mounted on this casing. The transmission has eight ring-lubricator type bearings fed by pipes from feeders with gauge glasses visible from beneath the car. Power is transmitted from the transverse countershaft to each rear wheel by 1½ inch pitch roller chains. When necessary the complete gearbox may be removed downwards.
  Gearbox
  Four forward speeds separate lever for reverse
  Brakes
  The foot pedal operates by rod a transmission brake mounted on the rear end of the gearbox's second motion shaft. It is described as a powerful double-acting band brake. The brake's drum is surrounded by a water jacket. The hand lever operated side brakes (on the rear wheels) are also double-acting band brakes. These drums are fixed to the rear wheels. The operating lever is inside the car by the right hand of the driver. The system of rods and levers incorporates an equalising arrangement.
  Suspension
  There are two semi-elliptic springs on each axle. The back axle is located by a pair of distance rods fixed to the main frame by the same brackets as the final drive and gearbox. Used to tension the chains they are free to swing about the same centre but place no strain on the countershaft's bearings.
  Steering
  Steering is operated through a worm gear fixed to the steering column. It engages with teeth on a projecting arm which operates a rod in the usual manner. Ball sockets are fitted to the various knuckle joints.
caption: Percy Martin 1911
  designer and works manager
  Cartoon image from The Automotor Journal 30 December 1911
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