GB398637A - Improvements in control mechanism for motor vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

398,637. Fluid-pressure brakes. BENDIX AVIATION CORPORATION, 105, West Adams Street, Chicago, U.S.A. Aug. 29, 1932, No. 24061. Convention date, Aug. 28, 1931. Addition to 398,635. [Class 103 (i).] In a motor vehicle having a throttle, a poweroperated clutch, and a power-operated brake all controlled by a single operating member, a second member is provided also to control the power for the brake. The second member may be such that the driver can thereby apply the brake directly as well as by the power means. In the construction shown, a pedal 66 controls (1) the throttle 16 by a rod 64, (2) a valve 32 adapted to connect a clutch-operating cylinder 26 to the induction pipe 12 so as to disconnect the clutch, and (3) a similar valve 132 controlling a brake-operating cylinder 126, the latter valve being operated by means of a clamp 162 on the throttle rod 64, a spring 160, and a rod 148. The second control member for the brake is a pedal 80 loosely pivoted on the shaft of a bell-crank lever 24 operating the brake rod 22, the pedal being connected by a wire 84 and spring 260 to the valve 132, so that when the pedal is depressed the valve is operated and the brake applied by the cylinder 126. When the brake pedal is thus depressed it bears against a pin 78 on the lever 24 and thus also applies the brake directly. The accelerator pedal 66 is also arranged to apply the brake directly by means of a thrust-link 76 having a slotted lost-motion connection with the pin 78 of the brake lever. The valve 32 comprises a piston 40, Fig. 2, operated by a wire 48 against the action of a spring 42 so as to cut off admission of air through ports 44 and establish a connection between ports 36, 38 and therefore between the induction pipe 12 and the clutch cylinder 26. This movement of the valve piston to the right is facilitated by a vent 54 in the valve casing and by an inwardly-opening check valve 56 which retards movement to the left for clutch engagement. A friction washer 58 on the valve piston tends to ensure uniformity of movement during the engagement of the clutch. A modification is described in which the accelerator pedal is connected to the brake lever 24 without any lost-motion connection, so that when the brake is operated and the brake lever rotated the accelerator pedal is rocked to close the throttle and disengage the clutch.