GB2172953A - Clutch actuating mechanism - Google Patents

Clutch actuating mechanism Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2172953A
GB2172953A GB08514874A GB8514874A GB2172953A GB 2172953 A GB2172953 A GB 2172953A GB 08514874 A GB08514874 A GB 08514874A GB 8514874 A GB8514874 A GB 8514874A GB 2172953 A GB2172953 A GB 2172953A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
clutch
actuating mechanism
mechanical latch
clutch pedal
pedal
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB08514874A
Other versions
GB8514874D0 (en
Inventor
Christopher Graham Ward
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Automotive Products PLC
Original Assignee
Automotive Products PLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GB848415598A external-priority patent/GB8415598D0/en
Application filed by Automotive Products PLC filed Critical Automotive Products PLC
Priority to GB08514874A priority Critical patent/GB2172953A/en
Publication of GB8514874D0 publication Critical patent/GB8514874D0/en
Publication of GB2172953A publication Critical patent/GB2172953A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16D—COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES
    • F16D23/00—Details of mechanically-actuated clutches not specific for one distinct type
    • F16D23/12—Mechanical clutch-actuating mechanisms arranged outside the clutch as such
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K23/00—Arrangement or mounting of control devices for vehicle transmissions, or parts thereof, not otherwise provided for
    • B60K23/02—Arrangement or mounting of control devices for vehicle transmissions, or parts thereof, not otherwise provided for for main transmission clutches

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Operated Clutches (AREA)
  • Arrangement And Mounting Of Devices That Control Transmission Of Motive Force (AREA)
  • Hydraulic Clutches, Magnetic Clutches, Fluid Clutches, And Fluid Joints (AREA)

Abstract

A clutch actuating mechanism in which a mechanical latch (24, 25) is provided to hold the clutch in a disengaged position when the clutch pedal is fully depressed and the gearshift lever is moved to a neutral position. The mechanical latch (24, 25) may be connected to the clutch pedal or alternatively to the release lever by a link (21) and is preferably engageable by a solenoid (22) linked to a gear position sensor. To reengage the clutch, the pedal is fully depressed and a gear ratio selected. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Clutch actuating mechanism The invention relates to a clutch actuating mechanism for a mechanically operated clutch of a motor vehicle equipped with a multispeed gearbox.
It is known from EP0082893A to provide a clutch actuating mechanism with a means of holding the clutch in a disengaged position when the clutch pedal is fully depressed and the gear lever is moved to a neutral position.
It is an object of this invention to provide a clutch actuating system of simple construction and cost effective to manufacture.
According to the invention there is provided a clutch actuating mechanism for a mechanically operated clutch of a motor vehicle comprising a clutch pedal for mounting on the body of the vehicle, a release lever adapted to co-operate with the mechanically operated clutch thereby to selectively engage or disengage the clutch and a linkage connecting the clutch pedal to the release lever wherein the actuating mechanism includes a mechanical latch engageable by fully depressing the clutch pedal and selecting a neutral gear position to maintain the clutch in the disengaged state when the clutch pedal is released.
The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a motor vehicle clutch actuating mechanism according to the invention; Figure 2 is a front elevation of mechanical latch shown diagrammatically on Fig. 1.
Figure 3 is a side elevation of the mechanical latch shown in Fig. 2.
Figure 4 is a plan view of the mechanical latch shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3.
A vehicle engine 11 is drivingly connected to a multispeed gearbox 12 through a mechanically operated clutch situated in a bellhousing 13. Deperession of a clutch pedal 14 pivotally mounted on the vehicle bulkhead 15 pulls a clutch release cable 16 to disengage the clutch by moving a release lever 17 against the clutch. The gearbox 12 has a gearshift lever 18 connected to it to select the desired gear ratio, the position of the gearshift lever being monitored by a sensor 19. The sensor 19 is arranged to complete an electrical circuit only when the gearshaft lever 18 is moved to a neutral gear position.
A mechanical latch 20 is connected to the clutch pedal 14 by link 21 and is selectively engageable by a solenoid actuator 22. The mechanical latch comprises a mounting bracket 23 attached to the vehicle, a control rod 25 connected near one end to the link 21 and axially guided by a hole in the mounting bracket 23 and a locking arm 24 pivotted upon the mounting bracket 23 for engagement with a notch 27 in the control rod 25.
Selection of a neutral gear position results in a signal being sent from the sensor 19 to the solenoid actuator 22 causing it to move the locking arm 24 into contact with the control rod 25. If the clutch pedal 14 is now depressed the locking arm 24 will engage the notch 27 thereby locking the clutch in the disengaged position when the clutch pedal 14 is released. To re-engage the clutch it is necessary to depress the clutch pedal 14 fully and select a driving gear position being the gearshift lever 18. The selection of a driving gear position without fully depressing the clutch pedal 14 will not disengage the mechanical latch as the return force generated by the clutch holds the locking arm 24 in the notch 27. It is only when a sufficient force is applied to the clutch pedal 14 to overcome the return force that the locking arm 24 is free to rotate out of engagement with the notch 27.Although the invention has been described herein solely with reference to an arrangement in which the link 21 is connected to the clutch pedal 14 of the vehicle it should be appreciated that the link 21 could alternatively connect the mechanical latch to the release lever 17.
It is an advantage of the construction described herein that the mechanical latch is connected to the clutch pedal or clutch release lever and can therefore be used irrrespective of whether the actuating mechanism is of the hydraulic or cable type.
It is a further advantage of the invention that the force needed to engage the mechanical latch is very small when compared to the force needed to hold the clutch disengaged. A small solenoid actuator of low electrical consumption or a small vacuum actuator can therefore be used to engage the mechanical latch.
1. A clutch actuating mechanism for a mechanically operated clutch of a motor vehicle comprising a clutch pedal for mounting on the body of the vehicle, a release lever adapted to co-operate with the mechanically operated clutch thereby to selectively engage or disengage the clutch and a linkage connecting the clutch pedal to the release lever wherein the actuating mechanism includes a mechanical latch engageable by fully depressing the clutch pedal and selecting a neutral gear position to maintain the clutch in the disengaged state when the driver removes his foot from the clutch pedal.
2. A clutch actuating mechamism as claimed in claim 1 in which the mechanical latch is selectively engaged by an output obtained from a gear position sensor.
3. A clutch actuating mechanism as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which the mechanical latch comprises a control rod con
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (7)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Clutch actuating mechanism The invention relates to a clutch actuating mechanism for a mechanically operated clutch of a motor vehicle equipped with a multispeed gearbox. It is known from EP0082893A to provide a clutch actuating mechanism with a means of holding the clutch in a disengaged position when the clutch pedal is fully depressed and the gear lever is moved to a neutral position. It is an object of this invention to provide a clutch actuating system of simple construction and cost effective to manufacture. According to the invention there is provided a clutch actuating mechanism for a mechanically operated clutch of a motor vehicle comprising a clutch pedal for mounting on the body of the vehicle, a release lever adapted to co-operate with the mechanically operated clutch thereby to selectively engage or disengage the clutch and a linkage connecting the clutch pedal to the release lever wherein the actuating mechanism includes a mechanical latch engageable by fully depressing the clutch pedal and selecting a neutral gear position to maintain the clutch in the disengaged state when the clutch pedal is released. The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a motor vehicle clutch actuating mechanism according to the invention; Figure 2 is a front elevation of mechanical latch shown diagrammatically on Fig. 1. Figure 3 is a side elevation of the mechanical latch shown in Fig. 2. Figure 4 is a plan view of the mechanical latch shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. A vehicle engine 11 is drivingly connected to a multispeed gearbox 12 through a mechanically operated clutch situated in a bellhousing 13. Deperession of a clutch pedal 14 pivotally mounted on the vehicle bulkhead 15 pulls a clutch release cable 16 to disengage the clutch by moving a release lever 17 against the clutch. The gearbox 12 has a gearshift lever 18 connected to it to select the desired gear ratio, the position of the gearshift lever being monitored by a sensor 19. The sensor 19 is arranged to complete an electrical circuit only when the gearshaft lever 18 is moved to a neutral gear position. A mechanical latch 20 is connected to the clutch pedal 14 by link 21 and is selectively engageable by a solenoid actuator 22. The mechanical latch comprises a mounting bracket 23 attached to the vehicle, a control rod 25 connected near one end to the link 21 and axially guided by a hole in the mounting bracket 23 and a locking arm 24 pivotted upon the mounting bracket 23 for engagement with a notch 27 in the control rod 25. Selection of a neutral gear position results in a signal being sent from the sensor 19 to the solenoid actuator 22 causing it to move the locking arm 24 into contact with the control rod 25. If the clutch pedal 14 is now depressed the locking arm 24 will engage the notch 27 thereby locking the clutch in the disengaged position when the clutch pedal 14 is released. To re-engage the clutch it is necessary to depress the clutch pedal 14 fully and select a driving gear position being the gearshift lever 18. The selection of a driving gear position without fully depressing the clutch pedal 14 will not disengage the mechanical latch as the return force generated by the clutch holds the locking arm 24 in the notch 27. It is only when a sufficient force is applied to the clutch pedal 14 to overcome the return force that the locking arm 24 is free to rotate out of engagement with the notch 27.Although the invention has been described herein solely with reference to an arrangement in which the link 21 is connected to the clutch pedal 14 of the vehicle it should be appreciated that the link 21 could alternatively connect the mechanical latch to the release lever 17. It is an advantage of the construction described herein that the mechanical latch is connected to the clutch pedal or clutch release lever and can therefore be used irrrespective of whether the actuating mechanism is of the hydraulic or cable type. It is a further advantage of the invention that the force needed to engage the mechanical latch is very small when compared to the force needed to hold the clutch disengaged. A small solenoid actuator of low electrical consumption or a small vacuum actuator can therefore be used to engage the mechanical latch. CLAIMS
1. A clutch actuating mechanism for a mechanically operated clutch of a motor vehicle comprising a clutch pedal for mounting on the body of the vehicle, a release lever adapted to co-operate with the mechanically operated clutch thereby to selectively engage or disengage the clutch and a linkage connecting the clutch pedal to the release lever wherein the actuating mechanism includes a mechanical latch engageable by fully depressing the clutch pedal and selecting a neutral gear position to maintain the clutch in the disengaged state when the driver removes his foot from the clutch pedal.
2. A clutch actuating mechamism as claimed in claim 1 in which the mechanical latch is selectively engaged by an output obtained from a gear position sensor.
3. A clutch actuating mechanism as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which the mechanical latch comprises a control rod con nected to the clutch pedal and adapted for engagement with a locking arm.
4. A clutch actuating mechanism as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which the mechanical latch comprises a control rod connected to the release lever and adapted for engagement with a locking arm.
5. A clutch actuating mechanism as claimed in Claim 3 or Claim 4 in which the control rod is adapted by means of a notch in the surface of the rod.
6. A clutch actuating mechanism as claimed in any of Claims 3 to 5 in which the locking arm is engaged by a solenoid actuator linked to the gear position sensor.
7. A clutch actuating mechanism substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
GB08514874A 1984-06-19 1985-06-12 Clutch actuating mechanism Withdrawn GB2172953A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08514874A GB2172953A (en) 1984-06-19 1985-06-12 Clutch actuating mechanism

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB848415598A GB8415598D0 (en) 1984-06-19 1984-06-19 Clutch actuation mechanism
GB08514874A GB2172953A (en) 1984-06-19 1985-06-12 Clutch actuating mechanism

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB8514874D0 GB8514874D0 (en) 1985-07-17
GB2172953A true GB2172953A (en) 1986-10-01

Family

ID=26287886

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB08514874A Withdrawn GB2172953A (en) 1984-06-19 1985-06-12 Clutch actuating mechanism

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2172953A (en)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB924283A (en) * 1960-07-29 1963-04-24 Edmond Uher Improvements in or relating to clutches for automobile vehicles
US4316531A (en) * 1976-08-18 1982-02-23 Harpster Anthony B Clutch lockout latch
EP0082893A1 (en) * 1981-12-29 1983-07-06 Volvo Car B.V. Control device for a gear-box
GB2137303A (en) * 1983-03-30 1984-10-03 Volvo Ab Device for eliminating idling rattle in a vehicle gearbox

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB924283A (en) * 1960-07-29 1963-04-24 Edmond Uher Improvements in or relating to clutches for automobile vehicles
US4316531A (en) * 1976-08-18 1982-02-23 Harpster Anthony B Clutch lockout latch
EP0082893A1 (en) * 1981-12-29 1983-07-06 Volvo Car B.V. Control device for a gear-box
GB2137303A (en) * 1983-03-30 1984-10-03 Volvo Ab Device for eliminating idling rattle in a vehicle gearbox

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB8514874D0 (en) 1985-07-17

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Legal Events

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WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)