GB1188893A - Self-Adjusting Clutch-Actuating Mechanism. - Google Patents

Abstract

1,188,893. Clutch control. FORD MOTOR CO. Ltd. 28 Aug., 1968 [30 Sept., 1967], No. 41025/68. Heading F2L. Automatic adjustment for wear is made in the control linkwork of a spring-applied clutch by decreasing the length of an adjustable link 25, the link comprising a push rod 10 received in a cylinder 34 and spring-biased away from the cylinder by a spring 15 stronger than a spring 21 acting on the throw-out lever 4, the cylinder communicating with a liquid reservoir 18 through bores in the reservoir and cylinder forming a valve 36, so that initial depression of the pedal 1 to move the lever 4 against the spring 21 to load the clutch thrust bearing 5 causes the push-rod 10 to move the cylinder 34 through spring 15 to close valve 36 prior to loading of the bearing 5 preventing relative movement between rod 10 and cylinder 34. On wear occurring in the clutch, the bearing 5 is loaded prior to valve 36 closing and, since the clutch engaging springs are stronger than spring 15, the rod 10 moves into cylinder 34 and a crank arm 12 pivoted on the rod and cylinder is turned, and the clutch disengaging force is transmitted from a stop 38 on the rod to a finger 11 on cylinder 34. On subsequently releasing the pedal, the rod 10 moves away from the cylinder 34 turning the crank-arm 12 back so that a pawl 13 thereon co-operates with ratchet teeth on an adjustment nut 14 screwed on the cylinder and abutting lever 4 to turn the nut and move it to the left to shorten the link. Again, Fig. 6 (not shown), the link includes a toggle lever arrangement (47) which, with the pedal released, is held in a partially collapsed position by a spring 55 and stop 70 but which, when the clutch is correctly adjusted, is moved by the spring (55), on depressing the pedal, to its fully extended position, to transmit thrust, prior to the clutch release bearing being loaded. Should wear occur, the load point is reached before the toggle lever is fully extended so that the lever collapses and the thrust is transmitted from the push-rod to the throw-out lever by a stop on the rod abutting directly the member operating on the throw-out lever. On subsequently releasing the pedal, a pawl on the toggle lever arrangement co-operates with ratchet teeth on an adjustment nut 73 to decrease the length of the link.