GB2041481A

GB2041481A - Actuating mechanism for clutch

Info

Publication number: GB2041481A
Application number: GB8003855A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1979-02-08
Filing date: 1980-02-05
Publication date: 1980-09-10

Abstract

An actuating mechanism particularly for a vehicle clutch 10 comprising a cable 12, 13 for operating a clutch lever 11, the cable being controlled through a reduction gear 15 from an electric motor 16 which is electrically controlled by a switch 21 conveniently situated on the gear lever 19, which may also carry a further switch 22 for selection of alternative motor speeds. The switches may communictate with the motor via electrical wiring or via radio means. Actuation of the motor may also occur automatically in response to engine and/or vehicle speed through an electronic control circuit. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Actuating mechanism for clutch This invention relates to a mechanism for actuating a clutch between an engine and a transmission, particularly on a motor vehicle.

The mechanism is particularly suitable for disabled drivers who are unable to actuate a vehicle clutch by the usual foot pedal or may have insufficient strength or manipulation ability to actuate a hand operated mechanical mechanism.

Disabled drivers who do not have the use of their legs, or both of them, may be required to carry out a number of manipulative actions simultaneously with the hands, for example, during a gear changing sequence in which accelerator, clutch and gear change may be needed as well as possibly brakes and/or some auxiliary mechanism. Rationalisation of the controls of a motor vehicle for disabled drivers has resulted in a number of expedients which have achieved varying degrees of convenience. These have included a hand actuated clutch levee, often on the steering sheel, and have a cumbersome mechanical linkage to the clutch. This is usually at a remote position from the gear selector lever of conventional form which must be controlled by the driver's other hand.

It is an object of the invention to provide a clutch actuating mechanism which is convenient to use, particularly for disabled drivers.

According to the invention there is provided an actuating mechanism for a clutch comprising an electric motor with mechanical means for operating the clutch and a control member carrying an electrical switch for energising the electric motor.

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 an actuating mechanism for a vehicle clutch constructed in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic representation of an actuating mechanism for gear selectors constructed in accordance with the invention, and Figure 3 is a diagrammatic representation of an alternative actuating mechanism for a vehicle clutch in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a vehicle clutch indicated generally at 10 mounted between an engine 8 and a gearbox 9. The clutch has an operating mechanism which includes a lever 11 which is moved between two positions for clutch engagement and disengagement respectively.

The lever 11 is connected to one end of a flexible inner member 1 2 of a flexible cable. A fixed flexible outer 1 3 has its adjacent end connected to a support 1 4. The cable inner and outer 1 2 and 1 3 are connected to a box 1 5 containing a reduction gear. The outer 1 3 is secured to the box 1 5 and the inner enters the box and is connected to a moving part of the reduction gear (not illustrated).

The reduction gearbox 1 5 is secured to a casing of an electric motor 1 6. The electric motor is arranged to drive the reduction gear at relatively high speed so as to produce slow speed movement at the inner cable 1 2. In one convenient arrangement, the electric motor 1 6 and reduction gearbox 1 5 are of the kind commoniy used in motor vehicle windscreen wiper mechanisms. The assembly is shown secured by brackets 1 7 to the vehicle bulkhead at 18.

The electric motor 1 6 is connected by electrical wiring (not shown) to a control lever 1 9 which, in this example, is the vehicle gear selector lever for a manually controlled gearbox. On the member 1 9 there is mounted a three position rocker switch 21. There are two on positions and a central off position to which the switch is spring loaded. The two on positions on the switch control respective directions of rotation of the motor 1 6 to move the inner cable 1 2 between the two positions for clutch engagement and disengagement respectively. Limit switches 23, 24 located adjacent to the clutch operating lever 11 are arranged to switch off the supply to the motor when the respective extremities of the clutch travel are reached.This arrangement is also illustrated in Fig. 4.

On the top of the control lever 1 9 is a further electrical two position switch 22 which controls the speed of operation of the motor 16. Two speed ranges are available. The two speeds are achieved by providing a 6 volt motor 1 6 which works on a 1 2 volt vehicle system. This provides the first or slower speed. When the switch 22 is changed, this introduces a resistor 25 which brings 1 2 volts onto the motor so that it runs at the faster speed. As shown in Fig. 3, the switch 22 and resistor 25 are connected between negative at 26 and a common connection for the two switch portions of the switch 21. These two portions of the switch 21 of course operate in tandem for reversal of the motor polarity to effect motor reversal, as required.

Fig. 3 also shows two dashboard mounted lamps 27, 28 which are respectively illuminated when the limit switches are closed to indicate to the drive clutch disengagement or engagement. In is possible therefore to engage or disengage the clutch at either of two speeds. Slow speed operation may be necessary for moving the vehicle away from rest whereas faster speed engagement may be used during gear selection when the vehicle is in motion.

In the further construction shown in Fig. 2 actuation of a clutch 32 takes place through a clutch lever 33 controlled through an inner and outer cable 34, 35 to a reduction gearbox 26 and electric motor 37, similar to those of Fig. 1.

The control lever 38 carries two switches 39 and 41 for clutch actuation and speed of operation of the electric motor respectively.

There are limit switches 44 and 45 again as in Fig. 1. The electric motor has an associated electronic control device indicated generally at 42 whereby clutch actuation is through an engine speed sensing system from the engine electrical distributor 43. By this means, it is possible to provide for automatic clutch actuation in accordance with engine speed. Parameters related to road speed may also be provided so that clutch actuation is also governed by these.

In an alternative arrangement the control lever may carry a switch for actuating radio control for the electric motor. In this case there is therefore no direct electrical wiring between the switch and the electric motor.

The radio control of a clutch is of particular use on static engines to which access cannot easily be obtained.

Claims

1. An actuating mechanism for a clutch comprising an electric motor with mechanical means for operating the clutch and a control member carrying an electrical switch for energising the electric motor.

2. An actuating mechanism as claimed in claim 1 in which the control member also has a further electrical switch for controlling speed of operation of the electric motor.

3. An actuating mechanism as claimed in claim 2, in which the further electrical switch is connected with the electric motor to provide two speeds of operation.

4. An actuating mechanism as claimed in any one of the preceding clains, in which the electric motor is connected with the clutch through a flexible drive.

5. An actuating mechanism as claimed in claim 4, in which the electric motor is connected to said flexible drive through a reduction gear.

6. An actuating mechanism as claimed in either of claims 4 and 5, in which the flexible drive is a flexible cable having a fixed outer and movable inner member.

7. An actuating mechanism as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the electric motor is arranged to actuate the clutch of a vehicle in accordance with parameters related to engine and/or vehicle speed.

8. An actuating mechanism as claimed in claim 7, in which the said parameters are arranged to control the timing and the speed of the electric motor through an electronic control circuit.

9. An actuating mechanism as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which radio control of the electric motor is controlled by said switch.

10. An actuating mechanism as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein limit switches are arranged to stop the motor at the extremities of the travel of a part of the clutch actuating mechanism.

11. An actuating mechanism for a clutch substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.

1 2. An actuating mechanism for a clutch substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawings.