GB843921A - Improvements in clutch control devices for automobile vehicle transmission - Google Patents

Abstract

843,921. Clutch control mechanisms. FRANCAISE DU FERODO S.A. Oct. 2, 1956 [Oct. 5, 1955; Dec. 17, 1955], No. 30044/56. Class 80 (2). In an automotive vehicle comprising an engine 11 having a driver-actuated throttle, a clutch 10, a gear-box 12 with a driver-actuated lever 25 there is provided (1) a first declutching device sensitive to the engine speed and operative to declutch when the engine is idling; (2) a second declutching device having an electric circuit and a switch 24 actuated by the gear-box lever 25 to declutch when changing gear; (3) a further control of one of the two declutching devices comprising a second electric circuit including a switch 31 actuated by the position of the gears in the gear-box 12. As shown, the vehicle dynamo 15, Fig. 2, is connected to a clutch coil 13 so that the clutch 10 is disengaged at idling engine speeds. The circuit including the gear lever switch has a relay coil 18 connected to a battery 19. When the coil 18 is energized the circuit to the clutch coil 13 is broken and the clutch 10 disengages. The switch 31 is open only when the gear-box is in the neutral position. Earthed leads 22, 23, connected to the switch 31 have switches 26, 29 respectively. Switch 26 is closed when the engine bonnet 27 is raised and switch 29 is closed or open depending on whether the weight applied to the driver's seat 30 is less or greater than a predetermined amount. Thus, if the bonnet 27 is raised or the driver's seat 30 is empty or occupied by a child the relay coil 18 is energized, the clutch coil 13 is deenergized and it is not possible to drive the vehicle. In a modification the switches 26, 29 are in series. In another modification the clutch is of the centrifugal type disengageable electrically. As shown in Fig. 5, the circuit including the gear-box switch 31 has a switch 36 closed at low speeds of the gear-box output shaft 12b, and a warning lamp 37. The switch 31 is only open at first, second, and reverse gears. If therefore the vehicle is running in third or higher gear and the vehicle speed is insufficient for that gear the switch 36 closes, the clutch 10 is disengaged and the lamp 37 indicates to the driver that a gear change down is required. In a further modification the circuit including the gear-box switch 31, Fig. 6, has an electromagnet coil 41 the plunger 42 of which is connected to the lever 43 of the carburetter valve 44. The accelerator pedal 45 is connected to the lever 43 by a spring 47. Thus, if the vehicle is running at a speed insufficient to keep the switch 36 open the coil 41 is energized and the valve 44 is closed irrespective of the position of the accelerator pedal 45. The engine speed thus drops and the clutch disengages automatically.