GB417804A - Improved means for coupling driving and driven elements together - Google Patents

Abstract

417,804. Positive clutches. JENKINS, H. G., Leigh Vicarage, Sherborne, Dorset. May 23, 1933, No. 14895. [Class 80 (ii).] In order to synchronize the two members of a positive clutch, which is provided with means for preventing engagement except at synchronism, two of the elements of a differential gear are driven from the clutch members while the third element of the gear is connected to means regulating the speed of one of the clutch members, means being provided in the driving connection from one of the clutch members for rendering the synchronizer operative only while engagement is being attempted. As applied to the tail clutch of a motor vehicle gear-box, engagement of the clutch being prevented except at synchronism by means of pivoted pawls 5, Fig. 1, as described in Specification 402,723, the movable driven member 3 of the clutch is geared to one crown wheel 8 of the differential gear, while the driving member 2 of the clutch is connected to the other crown wheel 9 by gearing and a pair of dog clutches 24, 25. The planet wheels 10 of the gear are carried by a shaft 10<a> which carries, through a spring-loaded friction coupling, a pinion 17 meshing with a gear quadrant 18, Fig. 2, on a shaft 18<a> connected by arm 18b, Fig. 6, and link 19 to the accelerator pedal 20<a>. The clutch operating shaft 28 carries an arm 28<a>, coacting with a projection 26<a> on a member 26 which partakes of the axial movement of member 3 and controls clutch 25, and a bifurcated arm 28<b> engaging a pin 29 which is carried by a sleeve 30 guided on a pin 26<b> projecting from the member 26 and which controls clutch 24. Thus, in the disengaged position of clutch 2, 3, the clutch 25 is engaged but clutch 24 is disengaged, and the accelerator is free from control by the synchronizer. If engagement of the clutch 2, 3 is attempted, by depression of the pedal 31 connected to shaft 28 by link 34 and arm 35, clutch 24 is engaged and, unless the members 2, 3 are running in synchronism, clutch 25 remains engaged. Thus shaft 10<a> is rotated in one direction or the other, according to whether member 2 or member 3 is overrunning, to reduce or increase the throttle opening. Upon synchronism being thus attained, clutch 2, 3 engages under the action of its spring 27 and clutch 25 disengages, the accelerator being again freed from control. The pedal 31 carries an abutment 31<a> whereby the engine clutch pedal 32 is operated simultaneously therewith, while leaving the pedal 32 free for separate operation. Specifications 331,346, [Class 80 (ii)], and 401,447 also are referred to. According to the Provisional Specification, the two crown wheels of a differential gear are driven from the driving and driven members of the clutch, the planet wheels are carried by a threaded shaft carrying a nut which is held against rotation, and means are provided whereby when the clutch is disengaged the nut is connected to the throttle valve and the latter is disconnected from the accelerator, while when the clutch is engaged the accelerator is connected to the throttle and the latter is disconnected from the nut; an additional clutch may be interposed in one of the drives between the synchronizer and the synchronous clutch, which additional clutch is engaged at all times except when the clutch pedal is depressed.