GB372553A - An improved regulating device for an automatic automobile clutch - Google Patents

Abstract

372,553. Controlling motor vehicle clutches. JANDER, H., 51, Emdenerstrasse, Berlin. May 4, 1931, No. 13169. Convention date, May 3, 1930. Addition to 371,923. [Class 79 (v).], According to the parent Specification the clutch of a motor, vehicle is operated by a servomotor controlled (1) by a device mounted on the gear lever, and (2) conjointly by the accelerator -pedal and means depending on the engine speed, the arrangement being such that the clutch is disengaged whenever the accelerator is released and the engine speed is low. According to the present invention, the speedresponsive device comprises switching means included in the dynamo circuit and so arranged that it closes a magnet circuit controlling the clutch mechanism as soon as the dynamo current falls to a value corresponding to the engine speed at which the clutch is to be disengaged. The servomotor may be electric or else is electrically-controlled. In the construction shown in Fig. 1, the clutch pedal 1 is operated by a servomotor 7 adapted to be connected by a pipe 12 and valves 15, 17 either to the atmosphere at 16 or by a pipe 18 to the engine induction pipe 19. When the valve 15 is closed and 17 open the servomotor is connected to the induction pipe and the clutch is disengaged. The valves 15, 17 are controlled by a spring 47 and a lever 27 operated by a solenoid 30. When the device is to be used a switch 32 is closed and the circuit of the solenoid is made from battery 33 through coil 31, wire 34, accelerator-controlled switch 40, wire 38, contact 39, and pivoted arm 42 to earth. The solenoid is energized and moves the lever 27 in the direction of arrow 28 to close valve 15 and open valve 17, thus operating the servomotor and disengaging the clutch. When the accelerator pedal 24 is depressed to open the throttle 20 the switch 40 is opened, the solenoid is de-energized, and the clutch is engaged. As the engine speed increases, the speed of the dynamo 45 driven thereby also increases, and the current passing through a solenoid 41 to the battery 33 increases correspondingly, until at a predetermined engine speed the solenoid 41 is sufficiently energized to overcome a spring 43 and move the arm 42 away from the contact 39 thus ensuring that even if the accelerator is released, and therefore the switch 40 is closed, the circuit of the solenoid 30 cannot be completed again until the engine speed falls to the limit at which the spring 43 overcomes the attraction of the solenoid 41. The contact 39 is formed as part of an electromagnet in order to avoid oscillation of the arm 42 at the critical engine speed. As described in the parent Specification, the clutch is disengaged during gear-changing, the circuit of the solenoid 30 being then completed through wire 34 and contacts 35 on a grip 36 on the gear lever 37. In a modification, the contact does not form part of an electromagnet, but another magnet is provided acting on spring contacts in connection with the lever 27.