GB436374A - Improvements relating to means for controlling motor vehicle clutches - Google Patents

Abstract

436,374. Controlling variable-speed gearing. NORMANVILLE, E. J. DE, Haydon House, Kingsbury, London, and DE NORMANVILLE TRANSMISSIONS, Ltd., Humber Road, Coventry. April 5, 1934, No. 10313. [Class 80 (ii)] The clutch of a motor vehicle is controlled from the gear lever by a fluid-pressure cylinder and piston so arranged that when the gear lever is in its neutral position, re-engagement of the clutch, when disengaged, is automatically prevented. In the form shown in Fig. 1, the gear lever (not shown), is in its neutral position. On depressing the clutch-pedal d the piston b is drawn to the right in the cylinder a to the position shown, oil being sucked from the reservoir e into the cylinder through a non- return valve f, which prevents re-engagement of the clutch. If the gear lever is moved to an engaged position, a cam k is turned and depresses a rod h, so as to open the valve f and permit re-engagement of the clutch. In order that the clutch may re-engage in any case after a certain time, a leak m is provided in the cylinder a. In the form shown in Fig. 3, the clutch-pedal d is connected through a pin s and slot r to the piston b, which remains in the position shown while a gear is engaged, and is not affected when the clutch is manually disengaged. If the gear lever is now moved to its neutral position, the cam k depresses the rod h, thus lifting the ball valve f from its seat and admitting pressure fluid from an accumulator to the cylinder a, so that the piston b is forced to the right. The clutch is thus held out of engagement until the gear lever is moved to an engaged position, when the cam k permits the rod h to rise, thus allowing the valve f to close and opening the exhaust passage v in the rod h. Engine suction also may be employed to operate the piston b.