USRE21828E - Progressive clutch control for au - Google Patents

Description

June 17, 1941. FLElSCHEL Re. 21,828

PROGRESSIVE CLUTCH CONTROL FOR AUTOMATIC GEAR SHIFTING SYSTEMS Original Filed March 4 1931 a Sheets-Sheet 1 June 17, 1941. FLElSCHEL Re. 21,828

PROGRESSIVE CLUTCH CONTROL FOR AUTOMATIC GEAR SHIFTING SYSTEMS Original Filed March 4, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 17, 1941. a. FLEISCHEL Re. 21,828

PROGRESSIVE CLUTCH CONTROL FOR AUTOMATIC GEAR SHIFTING SYSTEMS Original Filed March 4, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 June 17, 1941. v 5, FLE|scHEL Re. 21,828

PROGRESSIVE CLUTCH CONTROL FOR AUTOMATIC GEAR SHIFTING SYSTEMS Original Filed March 4, 1951 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 ING SYSTEMS PROGRESSIVE CLUTCH Orifinal Filed Mardh 4, 1951 6 SheetsSheet s 1 m 5M q G. FLEISCHEL Re. 21,828

PROGRESSIVE CLUTCH CONTROL FOR AUTOMATIC GEAR SHIFTING SYSTEMS L 4 9 1 T 7 e m J 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Original Filed March 4. 1931 Reissued June 17, 1941 PROGRESSIVE CLUTCH CONTROL FOR AU- TOMATIC SHIFTING SYSTEMS Gaston Fleischel, Bleneau, France Ori'ginal- No. 1,893,644. dated January 10, 1933, Serial No. 520,090, March 4, 1931. Application for reissue March 1, 1934, Serial No. 713,620

42 Claims. (01. 192--.01)

The present invention relates to automatic clutches for automatic gear shifting systems.

Various types of systems have been devised for automatically shifting the gears of automobiles and similar vehicles as a function of changes in speed or variations in load. In none of these systems however, has means been provided for gradually letting in or throwing out the various clutches employed. In the normal operation of a motor car, the operator, before coupling the driving and driven shafts, gradually releases the foot pressure on the clutch pedal so that the coupling action is smooth. I! the clutch pedal were suddenly released, the driving and driven shafts could be immediately coupled and the vehicle would advance in jerks. No equivalent graduated clutch control has yetbeen devised, to the best of the inventor's knowledge, for automatic gear shifting systems. And yet, without such a graduated clutch control, these automatic gear shifting systems remain gravely defective.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide means for gradually letting in the clutch inautomatic gear shifting systems.

Another object is to provide means for varying the mean rate at which the clutch is let in.

An additional object is to provide means for varying both the mean rate at which the clutch is let in and thrown out.

A further object is to provide means for varying the mean rate at which an automatically operatedlclutch is thrown in or thrown out.

Still another object is to provide means operative to control the clutch so that the beginning and the end of the letting in operation is varied, while the beginning of the "throwing out" operation remains substantially constant.

Another object still is to providemeans operative by the vehicle driver to throw out the clutch at any moment desired. 1

vStill further objects will appear in the course of the detailed description now to be given with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows, diagrammatically, a first illustrative embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a diagram showing how the structure 1 epresented in Fig. 1 may be operated to vary the time at which the clutch is let in and thrown out;

Fig. 3 illustrates on modification of the clutch control system: shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 represents asecond modification of the same clutch control assembly;

Fig. 5 shows a third modification of the clutch control illustrated insFig. 1;

Figs. 6 to 8 represent three stages in the operation of an electrical type of clutch control;

Figs. 9 to 12 inclusive show, diagrammatically, four different inertia operated systems for in suring progressive release of the clutch;

Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic scheme of an elec trically operated system for effecting progressive action of the clutch;

Fig. l4--illustrates a modification of the type of assembly shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 15 shows a form of progressive clutch control applied to both the reverse and forward portions of an automatic gear shift;

Fig. 16 represents, diagrammatically, an auxiliary speed reducing assembly;

Fig. 1'7 shows a device of the type illustrated in Fig. 15 applied with all the necessary auxiliaries to an automobile for gradually letting in and throwing out the clutch of an automatic gear shifting assembly.

In the formpf assembly shown in Fig. 1, an automatic gear shift of the type described in my Patent No. 1,838,096, December 29, 1931, filed March 29, 1930, is shown coupled with means for gradually letting in the main clutch interposed between the motor and driven shafts. The automatic gear shift control is composed of the elements described below. Conduit I is connected to the water cooling system of the motor and is adapted to transmit variations in pressure in the latter to a chamber 2, the pressure in the latter thus varying as a function of the motor speed. A diaphragm 3 displaceabl under the action of pressures in chamber! is arranged therein. Conduit 4 is connected to the carburetor or intake manifold of the motor and is adapted to transmit depressions in the latter to a chamber 5 limited on opposite sides by diaphragm 3 and a diaphragm of smaller dimensions. A rod is rigidly connected to diaphragm 3 and is responsive to variations in pressure inside chambers 2 and 5. A lever I4 is pivotally connected with rod and carries an insulated terminal at one extremity adapted to move into contact with either one of two contacts I9 and is or to take up a position between the latter. A spring 6 is mounted to oppose the forces transmitted through conduit l and to augment those acting to displace the diaphragms limiting chamber 5, that is to say, to reslst displacements of lever ll caused by a tendency to increase the speed and displacements of said lever caused by increases in the speedload complex transmitted through conduit 4. An

adjustably mounted roller 1 adapted to be displaced manually by the vehicle operator is profor varying the eflect exercised on lever it spring I and reacts on a lever system whose ture is apparent from an inspection of Figure and which has been described in detail in my Patent No. 1,838,096, December 29, 1931, filed March 29, 1930.

Shaft l is provided with longitudinal slots adapted to support a plurality of gears intended to muh seriatlm with a gear system giving a series of forward gear combinations I, II and III to first, second and third speeds, and a single gear combination MA for operation inreverse. A pair of collars III and ii are slidahly mounted on shaft I and keyed thereto bymeans of slots and adapted to be meshed with awroprlato gears (the two right-hand gears on shaft I) for electing the various speeds combinations. A pair of cams l2 and II are rigidly BEE N attached to a cam shaft l5 and have slots or grooves formed therein positioned to react on appropriate elements for successively displacingcollars II and II when cam shaft it rotates into different angular positions. Shaft It carries a pinion and is driven by a motor (not shown). Means are provided for-turning cam shaft ii in opposite directions comprising a system of gears II mounted in driven relation to the shaft l6 and a pairof electromagnetic clutches ll and I1 adapted selectively to couple cam shaft II to gear-system II soastorotate said cam shaftin either direction. Electrical conductors extend :w clutches I1 and ii to contactpoints ll and ll.- A cam 2Q keyed to cam shaft II and formed to react on a clutch lever 9 is arranged to throw out a main clutch 9 during gear shifting intervals,

The means for gradually and progressively lettinginmain clutch consist of a shaft 2! continuous with, or driven by, the motor shaft, a sleeve 22 alidably mounted on shaft 2i, a pair of centrifugal masses 23 mounted to turn with shaft II and connected to lever arms reacting on sleeve 22, a pivotally mounted lever 24 adapted to oscillate under the action of sleeve 22, and a spring ll reacting on a lever arm 21 and exerting pressure on lever 24. By means of an interposed rollerILsimilartoelement Litispossibleto modify the pressure transmitted from spring 25 to lever 24, the position of roller 26 being adjustable by the vehicle operator. A link 28 extends from lever 24 to a lever Il pivotally mounted to rotate freely on an auxiliary shaft I between two extreme positions limited by stops 29 and IF (lever is shown in the drawings as it would appear when shaft II is viewed endwise) Drivingahaft I8 is similar to shaft it. A gear transmimionsystem Ii similar to system I! is adapted to rotate shaft II in opposite directions through eltic clutches 31 and II similar to clutches I1 and II. A cam 32 is keyed to shaft II and has surfaces formed thereon adapted to guide a roller mounted on the end of a clutch control lever P so that one end of said lever gradually and p ogressively lets in (and throws out) main clutch I, the bosses on said cam functioning to reacton lever I so as to throw out the clutch (position shown in Fig. l). A pair of arcuate awtors I5 and It are mounted in spaced relation on a plate It keyed to shaft I5 said sectors moving to contact with the insulated conducting utremity I. of lever I4 A conductor fed'with current from a battery II is connected to contact 38. another conductor from the batterytotbeierminalontheendoflever l4, and othls'conductorsextendfromsectors and 35 to clutches Il and II and transmit current to the latter so as to rotate shaft II in opposite directions according as element 38 contacts with sector 85 or II. I I

From an inspection of the drawings, it will be seen that the action of levers 0 and I cannot interfere with oneanothersince, during movement of the vehicle, lever 0% is in the position corresponding to engagement of clutch I (position shown in Fig. 1). Lever I is therefore free to move between the position corresponding to its position for throwing out the clutch (Fig. 1) and its position for letting in the clutch without influencing the position of lever I. During these periods, lever I4 is in contact with terminal l9 (speed reduction) contnollingclutch i'l'. In order to prevent shaft II from turning in the direction controlled by said last named clutch, a switch III is intercalated in the circuit connecting elements Il and II and is maintained in open position during these periods by a cam 33 keyed to shaft ii. A second switch I. may be provided coacting with a cam 33 also connected to shaft I! and functioning to break the circuit leading to clutch l'l as soon as the latter shaft shows any tendency to move past the position corresponding to the highest combination III.

The hereinabove described assembly functions in the following manner. Assuming that the vehicle operator depresses the accelerator pedal, the motor shaft gradually increases in speed and causes shaft 2|, coupled thereto, to accelerate. Centrifugal 23 then move outward and, when the increase in speed becomes sumcient to overcome the resistance of spring 25 (the effect of the latter being regulated by the vehicle operator by displacing roller 26) lever 2 begins to oscillate and transmits its movement through rod 28 to lever I4 normally in contact with stop 28 so as to move contact 36 onto sector 35 and close the clrcuitthrough electromagnetic clutch al Shaft Il then begins to turn and simultaneously rotates cam 32 and plate It. When the latter has rotated sufficiently it brings the space between sectors 35 and II into line with contact 36. In accordance with operating conditions, lever Il may or may not progressively attain the position corresponding to complete engagement of the clutch, the latter taking place when it moves into contact with stop 29. Since shaft I5 follows this displacement. as also cam l2, clutch 8 gradually moves into clutching position as the roller on the end of lever 9 moves over the sloping surface of said cam. If the clutching action takes place too rapidly, the motor shaft and shaft 2i will slow down, centrifugal masses 23 will move toward one another, and lever il will reverse direction so as to contact with sector 35' andenergize clutch 3P. Shaft I5 will then turn in reversedirection and tend tothrow out clutch 9. The motor, therefore, itself controls .the movement of clutch 9 through the intermediaryof the clutch control assembly. In other words, the tendency toward engagement and throwing out of clutch I is controlled automatically by the motor without any functioning being derived from shaft I6 Once clutch 8 is completely engaged, driven shaft il begins to rotate at the speed corresponding to combination I which is already in gear.

when, now, the speed of the motor increases, lever l4 comes into contact with terminal I9 and shaft IS, in turning, breaks combination I and causes collar II to move into the position corresponding to combination II. At the same time, switch 30 closes under the action of cam 33. Finally lever ll moves backinto neutral position between contacts I9 and I9 and comes to rest. Inasmuch as switch 30 is in closed position, the return to combination I becomes possible and takes place as soon as lever l4 swings into contact with-terminal I9 clutch I1 then rotating shaft [5 in reverse direction so that earn 33 opens switch 30. 7

When operating under light loads, thevehicle operator may increase or decrease the speeds at which clutch 9 is actuated by simply displacing roller 26, thus varying the leverage through which: the force of counterspring 25 resists th governor force.

During the periods in which the gear changing assembly is shifting from combination I to II or from II to III, cam 20 mounted on shaft I5 acts on lever 9 to automatically throw out main clutch 9. In starting or stopping, combination I remains in gear and lever 9 occupies the position corresponding to release of the main clutch.

It will be noted that terminal I9 controlling the movement of shaft in the direction of increasing speeds is mounted on one end of lever M This terminal cannot, therefore, come into contact with lever 14 unless lever I4 is in the dotted line position shown in Fig. 1 corresponding to full engagement of main clutch 9.

Fig. 2 illustrates how the magnitude of the force exerted by spring 25 may be determined. The magnitude of the centrifugal force exerted on masses 23 is represented by the parabola P of the diagram in which motor speeds V are plotted as abscissae and the forces F as ordinates. If it be desired to limit the speeds at which the main clutch is let in or thrown out between two fixed speeds V and V it is necessary for the vehicle operator to vary the eifective force exerted byspring 25 between limits F and F obtained by following the trajectory of parabola P until it intersects the verticals passing through V and V Inasmuch as the displacement of roller 28 permits any intermediate effect to be obtained, the vehicle operator is free to choose t'he speed limits between which main clutch 9 is thrown in or thrown out.

In the form of assembly shown in Fig. 1, the mean .rate of clutch engagement control system 'is separate and distinct from the gear shifting system. However, as will be seen from Fig. 3 the same sources of energy may be used to control simultaneously both of these systems by coupling a'dilferential transmission such as rod 31 reacting on lever 38 to displace elements M and il at the same time, rod 31 being displaced by assembly I, 2, 3, 4, 5, as in Fig. 1. In order to simplify the drawings, sectors and 35 are represented in Figs. 3 and 4 by terminals 35 and 35',

but in actual construction, the same form of assembly. as is represented in Fig. 1 is employed.

In the special case where the clutch control system is designed to'react not only to changes in speed but also to variations in load, adjustconnecting rod 45.

controlling the automatic gear shifting system may be retained to increase the flexibility of operation.

In the form of device represented in Fig. 4, a single source controls both the clutch and automatic gear shiftin'g systems. Here, variations of speed are transmitted simultaneously to both control levers l4 and I4 while variations in load are transmitted to control lever l4 alone. To this end, variations in speed are transmitted directly to a lever 39, whereas the speed-load complex resulting from variations in the depression in the intake manifold react at a point situated between levers 39 and I4.

If desired, the automatic clutch control system may be actuated, during starting, without recourse being had to any auxiliary source of en'- ergy. Such an assembly is illustrated in Fig. 5. The structures employed are essentially the same as those shown in Fig. 3 with the difference that the magnitude of the forces entering into play is increased so that a spring 40, reacting on main clutch 9, replaces spring 25 (Figs. 1 to 4) in function. Lever I4 ma therefore be eliminated, or rather combined with lever 9 (Fig. 1) controlling the main clutch. This form of device cannot, however, be applied except in the case where the effort exerted by lever I4 is limited and of constant value. This is the case when a constant resistance such as that of spring 49 is the only one which must be overcome.

Under special circumstances, it may be desired todissociate clearly the speeds at which the operations of letting, and throwing out, of the main clutch are effected. The speed at which the clutch is let in should be chosen so as to lie at the lower limit of the zone in which speed combination I functions in order to prevent stalling of the motor. On the other hand, under special difficult conditions of operation, the vehicle operator may find it advantageous to adjust the speed at which the clutch is let in so that the latter lies well within the zone of operation in combination I, thus permitting the motor to turn at a higher speed and develop more effective power facilitating starting on a steep incline or the like.

In order to be able to modify the speed. limit at which the clutch is thrown in without changing that at which it is thrown out, some such assembly as is shown in Figs. 6 to 8 should be used. Here lever I4 controlling the clutch (Fig. 1), is replaced by two levers H- and N theformer being controlled by rod 28 (Fig. 1) responding to variations in speed or load or both, but without the intervention of spring 25, while the latter lever responds to the action of the, last named spring. Levers l4 and I 4 are mounted to swing in a common plane about points 4| and 42 respectively, the free end of one lever being positioned substantially at the same level as the pivot of the other. Lever I4 carries a pair of pivoting points 43 and 44 capable of contacting with lever l4; the former is fixed (adjustably) while the latter is mounted to slide under the action of any convenient form of transmission such as 45. Element 44 may be displaced manually by the vehicle operator or automatically under the action of a displacing force varying as a'function of the load on the motor and reacting on shaft 46 controlling The free extremity of lever I4 engages in a recess formedon a rotatable sector 52 which is mounted to turn on a fixed shaft 53. This recess is formedso that element 52 is displaced with a retarded action relatively to the movements of lever l4. Inasmuch as the forces acting. on lever I 4' tend, for increasing speeds of the motor, to displace lever l4 against the action of spring 25, it will be seen, from an inspection of Fig. 6, that the length of the lever arm interposed between rod 28 and spring 25 will act to favor the forces displacing the lever whereas, when the device moves into the position shown in Fig. 8, they act to favor the spring. Fig. 7 shows an intermediate position in which the leverage is about to change. This position should be so chosen that the magnitude of the forces acting on the lever corresponds to a speed lying between the limiting values V and V and during which either group of opposing forces has any decisive advantage over the other.

The above described assembly may be used to replace single lever I4 shown in Fig. 1. In such a case, plate 34 and conducting sectors 35 and 35 function as current distributors, these latter sectors taking the place of terminal 35 and 35 connected through circuits 49 and 49 to electromagnetic clutches 3| and III (Fig. 1). The current is directed toward one or the other of these clutches by an insulated arm 54 connected to source of current l8 and rigidly connected to sector 42. It will be seen that this latter arm functions to replace lever I4 in Fig. 1 in the following way.

When the motor speeds exceed the value v, arm 54 occupies a position for which main clutch 9 is completely thrown out under the action of the current flowing through terminal 35 (or sector 35, see Fig. 6). As soon as the motor speed surpasses V, levers l4 and l4 move into the position shown in Fig. 7 but sector 52 does not yet rotate and it is only when speed V is attained that it does (Fig. 8), arm 54 then contacting with terminal 35 (or sector 35 and causing element 9 to move into clutching position.

When the motor speed becomes less than value V levers I4 and l4 return to the position shown in Fig. 7; but, because of the slightly retarded movement of sector 52, arm 54 reniains in the position for which clutch 9 is in engagement. It is only when the motor speeds drop below W that the levers move back into the position shown in Fig. 6 at the same time displacing sector 52 so that arm 54 contacts with terminal 35 and throws main clutch 9 out.

It will thus be seen that the speed for which clutch 9 is thrown out, V ,1s completely separated from that in which. the clutch is let in V the former value (V being constant while the latter changes in accordance with the position of element 44. In all cases the value of V remains greater than that of V. I

If clutch 9 is of the electromagnetic type, circuit 49 may be connected directly to the exciting coils of the clutch, sector 35 may be replaced by a single terminal 35, and circuit 49 and sector 35 (or terminal 35 may be eliminated, whereby the mode of operation becomes identical with that just described. When such an arrangementis employed the movement of lever l4 may be utilized to make the action of electromagnetic clutch 9 progressive. To, this end, source of current I8 is connected to an arm 41 mounted on the free extremity of lever I4 and positioned to come into contact with a terminal 48 when the apparatus is in the positions represented in Figs. 7 and 8. This latter terminal being mounted on a flexible support 50 and being connected to circuit 49 through an ohmic resistance II.

to clutch 9. Above this speed, levers l4 and l4 occupy the position shown in Fig. 7 and close contact 414I so as to supply current to clutch 9 in quantities insufficient to let the latter in completely. At speed V (Fig. 8), contact 35*54 is closed and current flows directly to clutch 9 so as to let the latter in completely.

- When the various operating elements return to the position shown in Fig. 7, contacts 41-48 and ti -54 supply current in parallel relation to the clutch and the latter remains in complete clutching position until the speed falls to value V (Fig. ,6). Both contacts are then simultaneously broken.

If desired, the gradual clutching action may be subdivided into a much larger number of phases by modifying the assembly so that arm 41 successively contacts with a series of flexible terminals such as 48, the circuits connected to each of these resilient terminals including resistances of decreasing value.

Instead of utilizing the control lever itself for bringing in or cutting out resistance or resistances 5| for obtaining progressive action, a mechanism entirely independent of the control lever may be utilized, said mechanism responding to variations in the acceleration of the vehicle. As soon as the variations of acceleration surpass a predetermined upper limit, this mechanism may come into action to limit temporarily the extent to which the main clutch is let in. It is to be noted that, aside from the special case where the vehicle operator makes a manoeuvre which causes the vehicle to advance in jerks (too rapid application of the brakes, for example), these jerks are caused principally by letting in the main clutch too rapidly.

In order to prevent this latter effect from being produced, it is sufficient to introduce a proper resistance (or a plurality of graded resistances coming into action successively) into the circuit supplying current to the clutch, if electromagnetic, or to the electric servo-motor of a friction clutch.

Fig. 9 shows such a device applied to an assembly of the type shown in Figs. 1 to 5, the showing being simplified by connecting contact terminals 35 and 35 to electromagnetic clutches 3H and 3|".

The assembly for preventing jerks consists of a cylinder 6| freely suspended from a pair of links 62 pivoted at fixed points 63, the upper extremities of the links being connected to a mass Ell balancing that of the cylinder so that the entire assembly is sensitive to changes in acceleration or slope. The ends of cylinder 60 are provided with calibrated orifices 66 and a pair of springs 10 tend to move the cylinder towards its mean or central position. A pair of pistons 64 and 64 connected together by a rod 61 are. slidably mounted inside cylinder 60 and are displaced by the movement of a pendular mass 68 suspended from point 59, said mass responding to changes in velocity. Current source I8 is not connected directly to lever H, but to an auxiliary lever l4 mounted on mass 60. When cylinder GI and mass 60 occupy their mean or central position, lever l4 contacts with a terminal 56 so as to permit current to flow to lever M, the latter then acting to control the clutch in the same manner as shown in Fig. 1. When mass 58 is displaced in the direction of the arrow as a result of a too rapid release of clutch 9-, it acts on 7 rod 61 and piston 64 so as to compress the air Below motor speed V", the current cannot pass in cylinder 6|. The latter then moves so that lever l4 contacts with a terminal 35 connected to terminal 35 thus causing clutch 9 to be thrown out irrespective of the position of lever If the acceleration is such as to act on mass 58 in the opposite direction, lever I l contacts with a terminal 35*" connected to contact 35 causing clutch 9 to move into clutching position. If the accelerations in either direction are slow and gradual i. e., do not produce jerks, piston 64 and 64 slide inside cylinder 6| without displacing the latter, the air under compression escaping through calibrated orifices 68. Lever l4, therefore, does not move out of contact with terminal 55.

Fig. 10 shows a similar assembly for modifying the action of clutch 9 when the latter is of the electromagnetic type. Here, jerks are eliminated by reducing the current energizing the clutch as soon as the rate of change of speed (acceleration) surpasses a predetermined value. Terminal 35 corresponding to throwing out of the clutch is arranged to be dead, whereas terminal 35 is connected directly to the exciting coils of clutch -9. Lever I4 in circuit with battery I8, is in contact with terminal 56 connected by proper leads to lever I4 An ohmic resistance 5| is in serted between lever I4 and terminal 56. As

soon as lever I4 moves out of contact with ter-v minal 56 under the action of a sudden change in speed in either direction, current passes through resistance 5| so as to reduce the current acting to move element 9 into clutching position.

In the form shown in Fig, 11 variations in the acceleration of a shaft 12 connected to the motor shaft or to the vehicle are utilized-to vary the extent to which clutch 9 is engaged. Shaft 12 is provided with a threaded portion I3 of rapid pitch and the latter is in threaded engagement with a fly wheel II. A pair of friction plates 16 engage with opposite faces of the fly wheel and are held in intimate contact with the latter by a; pair of springs 15. The frictional forces rotate the fly wheel as soon as the latter ceases to be acted on by a force sufficient to overcome the former; that is to say, if the vehicle or motor accelerates normally, the latter reacts on shaftwere freely suspended from shaft, 80, masses 68 and 82 would be inclined equally under the effect of any given change in acceleration in either direction; that is to say, points 88 and 83 would lie in a common plane more or less inclined to the vertical. The polar inertia of mass 82. which is obliged to rotate about its own axis at the same time that it turns about shaft 80 of the center, exerts a braking action on the movement toward equilibrium position. 0n the contrary, mass 68, being perfectly free, moves in- 12 to modify its speed of rotation. During this time, fly wheel II, by inertia, tends to maintain its own acceleration. If the difference between these two accelerations is small, the frictional forces are sufficient to force fly wheel H to follow the variations in speed of shaft 12. On the contrary, if the difference in speed surpasses a predetermined limit, the frictional forces become insufficient and the angular velocity of the fly 'vheel becomes greater or less than that of shaft 12 according to the direction of acceleration. Inasmuch as the flywheel is mounted on a threaded elementintegral with shaft 12, it will then move in one direction or the other so as to displace a lever ll guided in slide 14 engaging with the fly wheel by means of aforkedelement terminating on opposite sides of the fly wheel in rollers 19. Lever l4? may move into contact with either one of two terminals and 35" similar to those described in Fig. 9 when clutch 9 stantaneously into the latter position. It will, therefore, be seen that, with each change of acceleration, the arms from which masses 68 and 82 are suspended will move out of phase. Each of said last named arms is provided with springs 85 tending to maintain them in alignment when the variations in speed are slow. If the variations become rapid, the springs yield and the arms move out of alignment. When this happens, contacts similar to those above described in connection with Figs. 9 and 10 come into action to modify the movement of clutch 9. To this end, supporting arm 85 for mass 82 may be provided with contacts 58, 35'" and 35 and also with springs 85. The arm supporting mass 58 may, similarly, be provided with an extension ll connected to battery I! and positioned to contact with terminal 56 when elements 85 and I are in alignment. From an inspection of the drawings, it would be seen thatwhen lever I4 moves out of alignment with rod 85, its contact with terminal 56 is broken and the circuit through terminal 35'" or 35 is closed to modify the action of clutch 9 in one direction or the other. As will be obvious to those skilled in the art, this structure maybe modified by the addition of resistance 5| in the manner shown in Fig. 10 when clutch 9 is of the electromagnetic type or if an electric servo-motor is used to control a clutch of the friction variety.

In the case where afprogressively actuated clutch of the electromagnetic type is to be used, it may be desired to use a purely electrical control for the clutch actuating lever.

Various types of purely electric controls are already in use for actuating electromagnetic clutches. Generally, a dynamo driven by the motor is employed and use is made of the fact that, at very low speeds, the dynamo supplies no current whatever, while with increasing speeds the difference of potential at its terminals increases until it becomes equal to that across the terminals of the battery. A make and break switch then, generally, enters into operation to establish communication between the dynamo I and the battery sov that the former may charge is of the friction type (Fig. 1) or with a single terminal 56 similar to the one shown in Fig. 10

if clutch 9 be of the electromagnetic variety.

In the form shown in Fig, 12, a fixed shaft is keyed to a fixed, toothed sector 8i and-carries an arm from which a cylindrical masslz suspended. Theaxis of element 82 supports a pinion I1 meshing with sector 8i and a pendularmass 68 is suspended from said axis. If mass 82 the latter at a substantially constant voltage. It is sufficient merely to connect the circuit exciting the electromagnetic clutch to the dynamo terminals to obtain automatic functioning of the latter for any variation in motor operation transmitted to the dynamo. reduction in motor speed reduces the voltage andtends to deenergize the clutch, whereas, increase in speed has the contrary effect. Solutions of this kind 7 suffer from the disadvantage that the motor speed for which the clutch is completely released is constant and close to that for which the dynamo and battery are coupled in charging and charged relation, When the motor slows down. "the speed at which the clutch is thrown out is very close to that for which it is let in.

.In the form of assembly shown in Fig. 13, this disadvantageis eliminated and the speed at which the clutch is completely let in may be modified at the will of the operator (or automatically), the speed at which the clutch is thrown out remaining constant. Here, lever I4 controlling clutch 9, forms the armature of electromagnet 98 and moves against the action of spring 25. Variations in speed 01' the motor react pn armature as a function of changes in current supplied by dynamo 81. The latter is connected in conductive relation to a pair of independent windings 99 and 99, the former (99) being 01' fine wire having a large number of turns and being connected at opposite extremities to the dynamo and to the ground (the other terminal of the dynamo being also grounded), while the latter (89) is formed of relatively thick wire connected at opposite extremities to the same terminal of the dynamo as winding 89 and to make and break switch 99. Winding 89, it will therefore be seen, is traversed by a current of varying strength supplied by the dynamo until it is connected to battery 9|. The

when this happens, the current flowing therethrough progressively increases until the maximum value which may be supplied by the dynamo is reached. The action of the magnetic flux on armature I4 increases, therefore. constantly until the motor speed is reached for which themounted on an arm I99 pivoted on sleeve 99 is current flowing in winding 89 will then become conductively connected to battery 9| through contact 92. A spring 91 tends to force terminal 9! toward fixed contact 91 Sleeve 99 is also provided with a stop 99 limiting the movement of rod I99 when the latter is displaced by a stop IOI rigidly attached to a rod 96 extending from the carburetor valve control lever to accelerating pedal 96, this displacement taking place when the accelerator pedal moves toward its released position. In practice, it is found that this assembly functions to assure breaking of the circuit exciting clutch 9 when the motor is idling irrespective of the position into which sleeve 99 has been'moved by the vehicle operator, i. e., whatever be the opening of the carburetor valve in idling or slow speed position. It will also be seen that, as soon as the pedal is depressed, the contact is reestablished.

In the various examples given above, the elements controlling the clutch and the gear shifting assemblies are more or less distinct. As regards the various elements responding to the aforementioned control assemblies to execute the clutch and gear shifting operations, these have current supply coming from the dynamo is at its maximum. The speed for which armature I4 is attracted depends on two factors, namely, the resistance of spring 25 and the size of the air gap. The latter may be modified by means of a threaded stop 59 which may be displaced either by the vehicle operator or automatically through the intervention of an appropriate mechanism responsive to variations in the load on the motor (a dynamometer of any convenient type). The tension of spring 25 should be adjusted so that when the air gap is minimum, armature I4 is attracted at the lowest speed at which it is desiredthat the clutch be released. The maximum value of the air gap is then adjusted so that the motor speed for which attraction takes place be the highest for which the clutch is released. It will thus be seen, that by manipulating stop 59, any desired limits may be fixed between the extreme values indicated. Armature I 4 supports an insulated arm 92 connected to brush 99 supplying current to electromagnetic clutch 9. When armature is in its lowest (attracted) been described as being entirely diflerent as are also the sources of energy actuating the same. It is possible, however, to simplify these various assemblies by combining the mechanism designed to operate the clutch and gear shifting assemblies position, arm 92 touches a terminal 95 connected in circuit with battery 9|. Inasmuch as the closure of contact 92-95 of the circuit exciting clutch 9 takes place at a motor speed regulated by the position of screw 59, this latter speed may be regulated to lie within the limits above indicated. Moreover, the speed at which the clutch is thrown out is-less than that at which it is let in, since the former corresponds to a smaller air gap than the smallest which can be obtained by adjusting screw 59. As a consequence, the exciting circuit remains closed until the value oi the current attains a very small value, that is, one for which the motor speed is correspondingly small.

The assembly shown in Fig. 13 is designed to interrupt the circuit actuating clutch 9 as soon as the vehicle operator ceases to depress the accelerator pedal. To this end. a sleeve 99 is slidably mounted on a rod 98 and may be displaced by any and also the sources of latter.

Fig. 14 shows how this may be done. Here, recourse is had to a transmission, a gear shift control and" a clutch control of the type illustrated in Fig. '1, corresponding elements being designated by the same reference characters. For the sake o1 simplification, the clutch and gear shii't control mechanisms have been represented solely by their respective levers l l and I4 Shaft l5, carries cams I2 and I3 controlling permutations of speed ratio, while cam 29 acts to throw out clutch 9 during the interval that gears are being shifted. This cam is profiled so as to carry out the combined functions of cams 29 and 32 shown in Fig. 1; that is to say, both clutch and gear shifting operations. Shaft l5 and the various elements mounted thereon are here modifled so that an extra position is provided corresponding to that for which the vehicle is at rest energy supplying the and clutch 9 is thrown out. In the special casewhere shaft l5 controls the transmission provided with three advance speed combinations, a first position must be provided for operation in neutral, a second position in which main clutch 9 is thrown out while combination I remains in gear (transmission of the snatch gear type), a third position wherein clutch 9 is let in completely and the driving and driven shafts are coupled in combination I, and two other positions corresponding to operation in each or combinations II and III. The rest of assembly remains substantially the same as that indicated in Fig. 1, shaft l9 driving inverting transmission l1, electromagnetic clutches I1 I! and being controlled by lever I l contacting with terminals l9 and l9 while the samelever or lever coacts with assembly 94, 95 to energize elect-romagnetic clutches I! and I! when clutch 9 is to be let in or thrown out. A single source of current l8 supplies the circuits controlled by both levers l4 and As indicated earlier in the description, it is necessary to distinguish clearly between operation at starting when shaft l should be able to oscillate between the position corresponding to the complete throwing out of the clutch (neutral) and the position for which the clutch is com pletely let in (operation in combination I) under the control of lever H The latter transmits the clients of release of the clutch to the motor and should be able to correct these effects at all periods prior to themovement of element 9 into complete clutching position. For changes of speed ratio, on the contrary, shaft i5 should move without vascillation from the position corresponding to one speed combination to the next under the control of lever II and without any possibility of changing its direction of rotation once it begins. Moreover, each manoeuvre should be completed in a minimum of time. It willbe recalled that the adjustment of the forces acting on levers i4 and H are such that, during starting, only lever H can move, lever I! remaining at restin contact with terminal l9 controlling clutch I1 (speed ratio reduction). Contrariwise, during a gear shifting operation, lever II can move into contact with either terminal l=9 (increasing speed combinations) or with terminal l9 (decreasing speed combinations) whi-le lever Il remains at rest in the position corre sponding to complete engagement of clutch 9.

In order to obtain the simplification desired 1) shaft l5 may be provided with switches having the same function as those designated by the reference characters 30 and 30 in Fig. 1 as also with the cams controlling the latter 33 and 83 or (2) sector 34, supporting conductors 35 and 35', may be mounted to rotate with shaft l5 during the starting period by means of an assembly composed of an auxiliary shaft "12, a toothed sector I03 keyed to shaft ")2, and a pinion llil keyed to shaft l5 and having teeth formed on only portions thereof so that it is in mesh only for those positions of shaft l5 corresponding to the periods during which clutch 9 islet in. When the latter is in complete clutching position. sector 103 is no longer in mesh with pinion I04 and shaft i5 is solely under the control of gear shifting lever l4. Obviously, the periodic coupling of sector 34 to shaft l5 may be effected in any equivalent manner.

Thestructure shown in Fig. 15 is designed so that the vehicle operator need only adjust the position of a dial I05 so as to occupy any one of three positions corresponding to operation in neutral, reverse, or advance and then depress the accelerator so that the necessary gear shifting and clutch displacing operations occur automatically, In order to simplify the drawings, elements '5, l2, l3 and 20 are assumed tov be identical with those shown in Fig. 14 as also lever i4 and the gear shifting mechanisms controlled thereby. Lever I4 however, does not oscillate, as in Fig. 14, by translation between terminals 35 and 35' so as to throw out and let in clutch 9, this translation is effected solely but, instead, under the control lever l4 and its opposing spring 25; that is to say, the forces controlling gear shifting functions also control clutch 9. Inasmuch as the speeds at which the clutch is let in and thrown out lie below the zone of operation in combination I, the throwing out of the clutch occurs, when the vehicle slows down under the pressure of lever H as soon as the speed corresponding to combination I, is too great for the motor to support. The complete engagement oi the clutch becomes again possible as soon as the motor speed is su-fiiciently great. 7

As in the case of the assembly represented in Fig. 14, terminals I9 corresponds to increases in speed ratio and [9? to decreases. If combination III is driving the vehicle and conditions of operation require a change into combination II, this change is effected by contact of lever II with terminal I9 As soon as this has occurred lever ll comes back into neutral position without having time to compress spring 25. Element I4 therefore, remains in contact with terminal 35, corresponding to engagement of the clutch; On the contrary, if the vehicle is moving in combination I and the motor slows down, lever ll, being subjected principally to the action of opposing spring 6 (Fig. 1) whose action increases as the speed diminishes, is able to overcome the tension exerted by spring 25, thus displacing element I4 from terminal 35 and 35 controlling the throwing out of clutch 9. During this period, lever 14 remains in contact with terminal Iii? and combination I remains in mesh. Cam l2 may be so formed so that once the clutch is thrown out and shaft I5 turns into neutral position, combination I is thrown out of mesh. If the motor speed in creases, lever ll moves from terminal IE to terminal I9 spring 25 moves element I4 into contact with terminal 35 so that fluctuations in the motor speed assure throwingout and letting in of the clutch automatically as may be necessary.

The above described arrangement is an example of a clutch and gear shifting control actuated from a common source and inwhich lever H is under the command of lever II.

If it be desired, in an automatic control, to makeuse of a single shaft I5 for actuating clutch 9 and the transmission .for both directions of movement, it is necessary for said shaft to be;

able to take up as many distinct positions as there are combinations of movement, the latter term being understood as covering the sum of all posout and so that, when this shaft moves into position for combination I or for reverse .(rotation of 60 in either direction) clutch 9 progressively moves into clutching position while at the same time this constituting the principal object" of the invention, shaft l5 oscillates back and forth'between any two neighboring distinct positions ofoperation, i.' e., reverses, in. case of necessity, to. temporarily throw out the clutch if complete engagement of, the latter would be premature. Cam

20 should also be formed in the manner describedin connection with preceding forms of the invention, 1. e., so that the clutch is automatically thrown out without any special precautions being taken during a change from any given combination to the next following.

The entire operating problem, in brief, consists in causing shaft IE to move through the necessary angle and in proper direction under the action of shaft I5 and clutches I I and II. The excitation of one or the other of these latter clutches is under the exclusive control of lever I4 and terminals 35 and 35' during the starting period and under that of lever I4 and terminals I9 and I 9' during the periods of gear shitting. This is made possible because of the fact that lever I4 reacts in either direction to changes in motor operation to correct the movements of principal clutch 9'while lever I4 acts only to control unidirectional movements of the gear shifting assembly.

In the left hand portion of Fig. 15, a diagram is shown of an electrical control permitting the operator to obtain forward, neutral or reverse operations by turning dial I05. In this diagram, shaft I5 is represented as it would appear if it were viewed endwise and is provided with an indicating hand I5 showing just how the assembly is operating at any given moment.

Shaft I5 carries a pair of. cams, a, b capable of acting on two groups of switches each composed of three elements a a b and b b a Each of these cams is profiled so as to insure the opening and closing of the switches as will be indicated hereinafter. The positions of shaft I5 corresponding to operation in reverse, neutral, or advance in combination I are indicated by the letters r, .t, s. The position for operation in combination I has been shown as coinciding with 8 although this combination remains in mesh until position t; corresponding to operation in neutral is reached at which time, since clutch 9 is completely thrown out, it can permutate into the reverse combinations whose position (with the clutch completely let in) is designated by 1', this combination of operations being easily obtainable by giving cam I2 an appropriate form. The other positions of operation are indicated by II, III and IV Dial I05, formed of. insulating material, turns about its axis in front of two groups of contacts distributed along two circumferences whose centers coincide with that of the dial itself. The latter carries two diametrically positioned contacts 7 I05 and .15 capable of closing the circuit between the contacts lying in one or the other of the above groups.

The positions corresponding to operation in reverse, neutral, and advance, for dial I05 have been indicated by the characters 1 t and 8 respectively. A pair of terminals and p, connected to battery I8 and switch a respectively, and a second pair of terminals 0 and q, connected to battery I8 and to switch I), are positioned to come into alignment with t (neutral). Similarly, a first pair of terminals m and p connected to terminal 35* (throwing out of. the clutch) of lever I4 and to switch a respectively, and a second pair of terminals m and q connected to terminal II (letting in of the clutch) of lever I4 and to switch b respectively, are positioned to align with s (advance). In the same way, a pair of terminals n and p connected to terminal ."I5 and to switch a respectively, and a second pair of terminals n and q", connected respectively to terminal 35 and to switch I)", are mounted to align with 1' (reverse). Switches a and b are connected, respectively, to the circuits extending between clutches I1 and IT and terminals I9 and I9 of lever I. They are positioned relatively to the cam bosses so that switch b (decreasing speeds) remains open during the starting period in either direction, while lever I 4 remains in contact with terminal I9,

switch a remaining open so as to prevent contact of lever I I with terminal III (increasing speeds) until clutch 0 is let in completely. In other words, switches a and I) perform the same function as switches 30 and 30 shown in Fig, 1.

The herelnabove described assembly functions in the following way. When dial I05 and shaft I5 are both in neutral position, switches a and b as well as a and b are open, while switches a and b controlling clutches I1 and I1 respectively remain closed. However, these latter clutches cannot be excited since terminals b and a are not connected to battery I8. At the same time, lever I4 is forced into contact with terminal 35 by lever I4, spring 25 being compressed.

As soon as the vehicle operator turns dial I05 into position s (advance) and depresses the accelerator, lever I4 moves out of contact with terminal I 9 toward terminal I9 spring 25 relaxes and lever I4 moves into contact with terminal 35 (position indicated in Fig. 15). The circuit through clutch I'I then closes and current flows from battery I8 through lever I4, terminal 35*, terminal 12., terminal m contact I05", terminal q switch b and clutch I'I whence it returns to the battery via the ground. Shaft I5 then turns in the direction of the arrow, rotating cam 20 so as to engage clutch 9. At the same time, cams a and b rotate while switch I) remains open under the thrust transmitted from the boss of cam b. Switch (1 contrariwise, controlling clutch I'I closes as soon as shaft I5 leaves neutral position. The circuit through clutch I1 however, remains open at point 35'.

If the conditions of operation permit complete engagement of clutch 9, shaft I5 continues its movement until the boss of cam b moves into position to open switch b thus breaking the circuit through clutch I1 and stopping shaft I5. Lever I4 remains in contact with terminal 35, switches a and b are closed and lever I4 may enter into operation to excite clutches I1 and II through terminals I9 and I9 to effect gear shifting in either direction.

If, for any reason, the clutch is too rapidly engaged during starting, lever I4, because of the slowing down of the motor, acts on lever I4 so that the latter moves out of contact with terminal 35 and into contact with terminal 35 thus breaking the circuit through clutch I1 Current then passes from battery I0 through lever I4 terminal 35'', terminal 11 contact I05, terminal p and switch a to clutch I1 thus turning shaft I5 in the reverse direction and throwing out clutch 9. If the rate of declutching becomes excessive, the motor accelerates, lever I4 moves toward terminal I9 and permits lever II to move back into contact with terminal 35 thus causing shaft I5 to reverse direction again to engage the clutch.

Dial I05 being in position s (advance), if the vehicle operator moves it back to position t (neutral), the following operations take place.

Switches b and b are open and switches a and a closed. The displacement of dial I05 toward t closes the circuit through clutch II (throwing out of the clutch) since the current passes from battery I8 via terminals g 0 :1 p, and switch a to clutch I! so as to bring shaft I5 back to neutral. It is to be noted that, at the beginning 01' the operation, it makes no difference whether lever I 4 be in contact with terminal 35* or 35 since battery I8 is directly connected to terminal 0 If the operator moves dial I 05 into line with r (reverse) a similar series of operations are in the opposite direction, corresponding to engagement of the clutch, cam 20 being properly profiled to obtain these eifects.

The manoeuvring oi the clutch, is therefore, assured in both directions and the motor itself, in accordance with the power it is developing (which depends on the opening of the carburetor valve), regulates the degree of release of the clutch until the latter is complete. The vehicle operator is, consequently, complete master of the starting operation which takes place slowly and gently if he depresses the accelerator pedal only slightly and which may take place rapidly if he exerts considerable effort on the latter. In either case racing or excessive slowing down of the motor is not to be feared. The passage from the starting period to the automatic shifting of the gears with increasing speed occur's without transition and without any intervention whatever on the part of the vehicle operator.

The above described assembly is sufllcient for the automatic operation of clutch 9, when the car is on the open road. In the city and in the special case where delicate movements are to be made in traffic. or along a side wall: or inside a garage, it is necessary to provide means for displacing the vehicle at speeds below that of combination I when clutch 9 is completely engaged. It is also desirable that this means he completely thrown out as soon as the vehicle attains a speed compatible with the difficulties of the situation.

This result is obtained by coupling a. speed limiting device automatically controlled and operative to throw out clutch 9 partially or entirely as soon as the speed reaches a predetermined value which may be as small as desired. This device enters into operation only when desired 1 by the vehicle operator, who carries out a special tained by merely providing a rotatable shaft driven by. or in synchronism with, the wheels of the vehicle and by coupling thereto a centrifugal type of regulator which will break the clutch circuit as soon as any predetermined limiting velocity is obtained. The regulator may be arranged to be thrown into, or out of, action by a control 7 within reach of the vehicle operator.

If the transmission is of the ordinary friction type, an auxiliary control with a clutch analogous to the one shown in Fig. 1 and including a lever I4 coacting with a pair of terminals 35 and 35 may be used. The forces acting on this lever may include a centrifugal regulator coupled to a shaft in driven relation to the vehicle wheels, the regulator beingdesigned to throw out the clutch at a speed considerably less than the clutch control mechanism shown in Fig. 1 which, of course, will be temporarily thrown out of action. The centrifugal regulator may come into action against the resistance of a spring or simi lar adjustable device.

Fig. 16 shows another possible arrangement for obtaining especially low speeds. The speed of the shaft driving the rear wheels may belimited by only partially letting in clutch 3 so that said shaft rotates at only a fraction of the motor speed. If the motor for example, functions at 500-1,000 and 1,500 R. P. M., the various operating elements may be designed so that the vehicle moves at only-0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 kilometers per hour respectively. This permits the vehicle operator to obtain, very slow displacements without making any special manoeuvre. To this end, the demultiplying device shown in Fig. 16 is provided and; consists of the following elements; an endless screw IOIi driven from, or by, the motor shaft and meshing with a helicoidal wheel I01 having 30 teeth formed thereon; a conical friction element I00 adapted to connect shaft I00 to wheel I01 so as to cause shaft I09 to rotate at one thirtieth the speed of shaft H5; a sleeve IIO engaging threadedly with a screw III of long pitch integral with shaft I09 and slidably engaging with a long keyway formed in a shaft, I20 in driven relation with the wheels and a lever ll engaging in a groove formed on sleeve H0 and capable of contacting with either one of two terminals 35 and controlling the letting in and the throwing out of clutch 9 respectively.

From the foregoing, it will at once be seen that, if the speed of shaft I20 tends to become greater than that of shaft I09, sleeve IIO will move axially so as to bring lever M into contact with terminal 35 to throw out the clutch. On the other hand, if the speed of shaft I20 becomes less than that of I09, terminal 3.": comes into action to engage the clutch. These operations occur in parallel to those indicated above for the ordinary clutch manipulating operations. The former hardly influences the latter since the energy that comes into play is extremely small.

From the foregoing it will be seen that, when the vehicle operator, by a special manoeuvre, couples shaft I09 to themotor shaft through the intermediary of the demultiplying device, the vehicle will move with the clutch mechanism in a constant state of slippage and at a speed which is but a very small fraction of that of the motor. Inasmuch as the latter indirectly controls the movements of lever I4, it is impossible for the motor to race.

Fig. 17 represents a complete assembly including the dial control shown in Fig. 15 and capable of functioning to shift the gears automatically into the various advancing speed combinations when the accelerator lever is depressed or to obtain operation in neutral or reverse by mere rotation of dial I05". Certain of the structures shown in this figure have been shown and described in my patent, No. 1,838,096, December 29, 1931, filed March 29, 1930.

What I claim is:

1. In a vehicle, a motor including a driving shaft, a driven shaft, a clutch for coupling said shafts in driving and driven relation, and a clutch control assembly including a rotatable shaft, 9. fly-wheel mounted in flexibly driven relation to said shaft, and means operative by differences in speed between said last named shaft and said fly-wheel to displace said clutch.

2. In a vehicle assembly, a motor including a conditions of the motor to progressively let in said clutch in combination with means operative to throw the clutch out when the rate of change of speed of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined value.

3. In a vehicle assembly, a motor including a driving shaft, a driven shaft, a clutch operative to couple said shafts in driving and driven relation, means operative by changes in the working conditions of the motor to progressively let in said clutch in combination with means for preventing said clutch from being completely let in.

4. A structure as defined in claim 2, in combination with means for maintaining said clutch in a constant state of slip when let in by the clutch control.

5.. In a vehicle, a motor provided with a driving shaft, a driven shaft, means operative to multiply and demultiply the relative speed of said shafts, a clutch interposed between said shafts, an accelerator, a movable control operative to actuate said means so as to obtain operation in neutral, reverse, and any one of several advancing speeds, means operative by movement of said accelerator and of said movable control to actuate said first named means, and means operative by the rate of change of speed of the vehicle to vary the position of said clutch.

6. In a vehicle assembly, a motor including a driving shaft, a driven shaft, a clutch interposed between said driving and driven shafts, a gear assembly adapted to couple said driving and driven shafts in various speed ratios, a cam shaft controlling said gear assembly and said clutch, means operative by variations in the I operating conditions of the motor to actuate said cam shaft, a second cam shaft controlling said clutch, and means operative by variations in speed of one of said shafts to actuate said second cam shaft.

7. In a vehicle assembly, a motor including a driving shaft, a driven shaft, a clutch operable to connect said shafts in driving and driven relation, means operative to progressively let in and throw out said clutch, a movable element operative to actuate said means, said movable element being independent of and positioned to move into and out of contact with said means, and means operative by changes in load on the motor and variations in speed of one of said shafts to displace said movable element into and outof contact with said first named means.

8. In a vehicle assembly, a motor provided with an induction pipe and including a driving shaft, a driven shaft, a clutch operable to connect said shafts in driving and driven relation, means operative to progressively let in and throw out said clutch, a movable element operative to actuate said means, said movable element being independent of and positioned to move into and out of contact with said means, and means operative at least in part by changes in suction exerted by the motor to displace said movable element into and out of contact with said first named means.

9. In a vehicle assembly, a motor including an electric source of supply, a driving shaft, a driven shaft, a clutch operable to connect said shafts in driving and driven relation, means operative to progressively let in and throw out said clutch, a movable element operative to actuate said means, electrical means controlling said movable element, a lever controlling said electrical means, and means operative by changes in the operative conditions of the motor to actuate said lever.

driving shaft, a driven shaft, a clutch operable to connect said shafts in driving and driven relation, a rotatable cam shaft to actuate said clutch, reversible means including a motor ,and operative to rotate said shaft in one direction to let in said clutch and in opposite direction to throw out said clutch, means including a lever operative by the working conditions of the first named means to actuate said reversible motor in a predetermined direction, said lever being operative to reverse the direction of rotation of said reversible means.

12. In a vehicle assembly, a motor including a driving shaft, a driven shaft, a clutch operable to connect said shafts in driving and driven relation, a rotatable cam shaft to actuate said clutch, a rotatable shaft and a pair of clutches operative to rotate said cam shaft respectively in one direction to let in said clutch and in opposite direction to throw out said clutch, means including a lever' operative by the working conditions of said first named motor to actuate one of said clutches.

13. In a vehicle assembly, a motor including,

a driving shaft, a driven shaft, a clutch operable to connect said shafts in driving and driven relation, means operative to progressively. let in and throw out said clutch, a movable element operative to actuate said means, said movable element being independent of and positioned to move into and out of contact with said means and means operative by changes in the working conditions of the motor together with resilient means to displace said movable element into and out of contact with said first named means.

14. In a vehicle assembly, a motor including a driving shaft, a driven shaft, a clutch operable to connect said shafts in driving and driven re-' lation, means operative to progressively let in and throw out said clutch, a movable element operative to actuate said means, said movable element being independent of and positioned to move into and out of contact with said means, means operative by changes in the working conditions of the motor, together with resilient means to displace said movable element into and out of contact with said first named means and means to control the tension of said resilient means.

15. In a vehicle assembly, a motor including a driving shaft, a driven shaft, a clutch operable to connect said shafts in driving and driven relation, means operative to progressively let in and throw out said clutch, a lever operative to actuate said means, means operative by changes in the working conditions of the motor to actuate said lever, a spring reacting on said lever, a roller contacting with said lever, a second lever positioned in contact with said roller and submitted to the action of the spring and means to displace said roller.

16. In a vehicle assembly, a motor including a driving shaft, a driven shaft, a clutch operable to connect said shafts in driving and driven relation, means operative to progressively let in and throw out said clutch, a lever operative to actuate said means, means operative by changes in the working conditions of the motor to actuate said lever, a spring reacting on said lever, a roller contacting with said lever, a second lever positioned in contact with said roller and submitted to the action of the spring and means actuated by the operator to displace said roller.

17. In a vehicle assembly, a water-cooled motor provided with an induction pipe and including a driving shaft, a driven shaft, a clutch operable to connect said shafts in driving and driven relation, means operative to progressively let in and throw out said clutch, a pump driven from said driving shaft, means operative by changes in pressure exerted by liquid discharged from said pump and means operative by changes of the pressure within said induction to act on said first named means.

18. In a vehicle assembly, a motor provided with an induction pipe and including a driving shaft, a driven shaft, a clutch operable to connect said shafts in driving and driven relation, means operative to progressively let in and throw out said clutch, and a mechanism moved by changes in speed of one of said shafts and by changes in the pressure within said conduit to act on said first named means.

19. In a vehicle assembly, a motor including an induction conduit, a driving shaft, a driven shaft, a clutch operable to connect said shafts in driving and driven relation, means operative to progressively let in and throw out said clutch, a mechanism moved by changes in speed of one of said shafts and by changes in the pressure within said conduit to act on said first named means together with resilient means, exerting an opposing thruston said mechanism.

20. In a vehicle assembly, a motor including a driving shaft, a driven shaft, a clutch operable to connect said shafts in driving and driven relation, means operative to progressively let in and throw out said clutch, electrical means to control said means, a lever operative by changes in the speed of the motor to act on the controlling switch of said electrical means and means operative to obtain the action of said switch to let in the clutch at a different speed of the motor as that for which said clutch is thrown out.

21. A structure as claimed in claim 20 in combination with means operative to vary the speed limits at which the clutch is let in and thrown out.

22. In a vehicle assembly, comprising a motor including a driving shaft, a driven shaft, a clutch operable to connect said shafts in driving and driven relation, means operative to progressively let in and throw out said clutch, a first mechanism moved by changes in speed of one of said shafts to act on said means and a second mechanism moved by changes in speed of one of said shafts by the intermediary of a speed reducing gear, and means operated by the conductor to produce the action of one of said mechanisms on said first named means.

23. A structure as claimed in claim 22 in combination with means acting on said first and said second mechanism and moved by changes in the pressure within the induction conduit of the motor.

and throw out said clutch, a mechanism moved by changes in the working conditions of said motor to act on said means and a pendular mass, freely suspended on saidvehicle and operative to control the action of said mechanism on said clutch by sudden changes in the velocity of said vehicle. a

25. In a vehicle, a motor, a driving shaft, a driven shaft, a clutch for coupling said shafts, means including a servo-motor for controlling said clutch, and means controlled by variations in the speed of the vehicle to influence the operation of said control means, during clutching.

26. In a vehicle, a motor, a driving shaft, a driven shaft, a clutch for coupling said shafts, means including a servo-motor for controlling said clutch, and means controlled by the acceleration of the vehicle to vary the mean rate of operation of said control means.

27. In a vehicle assembly, a motor including a driving shaft, a driven shaft, a clutch operative to couple said shafts in driving and driven relation, means operative to progressively let in said clutch in combination with means operative during operation of said first means to throw the clutch out when the rate of change of speed of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined value.

28. In a vehicle assembly, a motor including a driving shaft, a driven shaft, a clutch operable -to connect said shafts in driving and driven relation, servo-motor means operative to progressively let in said clutch, and a pendular' mass freely suspended on said vehicle and operative to control the action of said servomotor on said clutch by sudden changes in the velocity of said vehicle.

29. In a vehicle, a motor including a driving shaft, a driven shaft, a clutch for coupling said shafts in driving and driven relation, and a clutch control assembly comprising inertia means responsive to variations in the velocity of the vehicle to control the mean rate of engagement of said clutch.

30. In a vehicle, a motor including a driving shaft, a driven shaft, a clutch for coupling said shafts in driving and driven relation, and means controlled by acceleration of the vehicle to vary the mean rate of engagement of said clutch in proportion to the acceleration.

31. In a vehicle, a motor including a driving shaft, a driven shaft, a clutch for coupling said shafts in driving and driven relation, and inertia means controlled by acceleration of the vehicle to vary the mean rate of engagement of said clutch in proportion to the acceleration.

32. In a vehicle, a motor including a driving shaft, a driven shaft, a clutch for coupling said shafts in driving and driven relation, and a clutch control assembly including a pair of mem bers, yielding means connecting said members, means for normally moving one of said members at a rate proportional to the speed of the vehicle, the second member by its inertia tending ,to produce relative movement between the memhers during changes in velocity of the vehicle, and means operated by relative movement'of said members to control the mean rate of engagement of said. clutch.

33. In a vehicle, a motor including a driving shaft, a driven shaft, a clutch for coupling said shafts in driving and driven relation, and a clutch control assembly including a pair of relatively movable elements at least one of which is movable with respect to the vehicle and has a considerable moment of inertia, means'yieldingly connecting said elements, a control member connected to one of said elements and operated by movement thereof, said elements being relatively movable in accordance with the value of the acceleration of the vehicle, and means perated by said control member to control the mean rate of engagement of-said clutch.

34. In a vehicle, a motor including a driving shaft, a driven shaft, a clutch for coupling said shafts in driving and driven relation, tmass movably mounted on said vehicle and movable with respect thereto by variations in the velocity of the vehicle, means yieldingly resisting such movement, and means controlled by movement of the mass to control the operation of said clutch.

35. In a vehicle, a motor including a driving shaft, a driven shaft, a clutch for coupling said shafts in driving and driven relation, a mass carried by said vehicle, yielding means for normally moving said mass at a rate proportional to the speed of the vehicle, said mass moving at a different speed during sudden changes in the velocity of the vehicle, and means operated by such movement at a different speed to control the operation of the clutch.

36. In a vehicle, a motor including a driving shaft, a driven shaft, a clutch for coupling said shafts in driving and driven relation, clutch control elements including a pendulum pivotally mounted on said vehicle and a movable member, means yieldingly connecting said pendulum and said movable member, and means controlled by movement of one of said elements to control the operation of said clutch.

37. In a vehicle, a motor including a driving shaft, a driven shaft, a clutch for coupling said shafts in driving and driven relation, a pendulum pivotally mounted on said vehicle, an element movably mounted on said vehicle, means yieldingly connecting said pendulum and said element, means yieldingly resisting movement of said element, and means controlled by movement of said element to control the operation of said clutch.

clutch, said connecting means permitting slow relative movement between said pendulum and said element but causing said pendulum and element to move together at increased speeds.

39. In a vehicle, amotor including a driving shaft, a driven shaft, a clutch for coupling said shafts in driving and driven relation, a pendulum pivotally mounted on said vehicle, an element movably mounted on said vehicle, means yieldingly connecting said pendulum and said element, means yieldingly resisting movement of said element, and means controlled by movement of said element to control the operation of said clutch, said connecting means comprising a cylinder having an opening of reduced dimensions connected to one of said elements and pendulum, and a piston slidable in said cylinder connected to the other.

40. In a vehicle, a motor including a driving shaft, a driven shaft, a clutch for coupling said shafts in driving and driven relation, and a clutch control assembly including a rotatable shaft, a

, fly wheel threadedly mounted on said shaft,

means yieldlngly coupling said wheel to said shaft to cause it normally to turn with the shaft, and means operated by relative movement of said wheel along said shaft caused by differences in speed produced by the inertia of the fly wheel during sudden changes in the speed of the shaft to control said clutch.

41. In a vehicle, a motor including a driving shaft, a driven shaft, a clutch for coupling said shafts in driving and driven relation, and a clutch control assembly including a rotatable shaft, a fly wheel threadedly mounted on said shaft, spring operated friction clutches yieldingly coupling said wheel to said shaft to cause it normally to turn with the shaft, and means operated by relative movement of said wheel along said shaft caused by difl'erencesin speed produced by the inertia of the fly wheel during sudden changes in the speed of the shaft to control said clutch.

42. The combination, with a motor car and automatic clutch-controlling mechanism therefor, of a pendulum suspended on said car so as to swing longitudinally thereof, and means, controlling in part the operation of clutch-controlling mechanism, operatively connected to said pendulum; whereby on starting said car into motion or suddenly accelerating or decelerating said car motion, the consequent oscillation of said pendulum will modify the action of said clutch-controlling mechanism.

GASTON FLEISCHEL.

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