192 clutches and power-stop control – Vortex-flow drive and clutch – With brake
Patent
1991-01-04
1992-06-30
Lorence, Richard
192 clutches and power-stop control
Vortex-flow drive and clutch
With brake
192 13R, 74474, 74480R, 474 7, B60K 4124
Patent
active
051254883
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to improvements in vehicle drive assemblies and more particularly relates to a drive assembly having a dual neutrality control which provides alternative means for an operator of a device to which the dual neutrality control is fitted to elect which of the neutrality controls may be used to neutralise either the forward or reverse drive modes.
According to prior art operator controlled motor vehicles, which range in variety from lawn mowers and tractors to cars and trucks, operational control of drive systems is assisted by gearing assemblies with the gearing assemblies being selectively operable by use of a clutch which is generally foot operated. A foot pedal generally is linked directly or indirectly to a clutch plate which engages and disengages the engine according to respective retraction or depression of the clutch pedal. When the clutch pedal is depressed the clutch plate disengages the engine and places the vehicle into the neutral mode.
This arrangement has previously been the main commonly employed means for neutralisation of drive assemblies in vehicles. In these assemblies clutch pedal operation is independent of the selected gear at the time the pedal is depressed. If the clutch pedal is to be retracted when a motor is running, it is necessary in manually operated vehicles to shift the gear stick to the neutral position. Gearing neutrality is generally required when the vehicle is to be stopped. Stopping of a manually operable vehicle requires the two actions of depressing the brake pedal and depressing the clutch pedal. If the brake pedal is depressed without depressing of the clutch pedal, the vehicle will stall due to the resistance to motor movement provided by the still engaged clutch plate.
There are in existence other common drive assemblies whereby gearing neutrality and selective engagement may be achieved by simple depression of a clutch pedal. One such drive assembly has been disclosed in Australia patent specification 402230. That document discloses a drive mechanism for rotating a shaft about its axis in either direction comprising; an endless belt driven by a first pulley member and passing around an idler pulley member, a pair of second pulley members rotatably mounted on the shaft and each engaged by a respective run of the endless belt, intermediate the first pulley member and the idler pulley member, for rotation of said two second pulley members in opposite directions, and clutch means on the shaft for rotation therewith and adapted to be actuated to selectively engage either of said pair of second pulley members to rotate the shaft in the direction of the engaged second pulley member.
That drive assembly however, possesses only one neutrality control means whereby a clutch pedal is actuated to neutralise the drive.
The present invention seeks to provide a drive assembly which enables an operator of a vehicle to which it is attached, to place the vehicle in a neutral gearing mode by optional actuation of either a clutch/brake pedal or gear selection pedal. It has not hitherto previously been known to provide a means for placing a vehicle drive means into neutrality by optional depression of either a clutch pedal or a brake pedal whilst at the same time stopping the vehicle.
In one broad form the invention comprises an improvement to a vehicle drive assembly of the type including a clutch assembly having a clutch pedal operably connected to at least one clutch plate by articulated members, characterised in that the improvement comprises a linkage connecting with a brake on said vehicle, wherein when said brake is depressed said linkage causes the said clutch plate to release from its drive engagement with the vehicle drive means so as to place the gear assembly in neutral mode irrespective of whether the vehicle drive means is operating in the forward or reverse direction before the brake is depressed.
In an alternative form, the invention comprises an improved motor vehicle clutch assembly of the type having a gear selector pedal operably linke
REFERENCES:
patent: 2228917 (1941-01-01), Walls
patent: 2988185 (1961-06-01), Pond
patent: 3124970 (1964-03-01), Walker
patent: 3131581 (1964-05-01), Greybill
patent: 3645368 (1972-02-01), Blaauw
patent: 4014419 (1977-03-01), McKnight
patent: 4248331 (1981-02-01), Behrens
patent: 4301902 (1981-11-01), Gatsos et al.
patent: 4408683 (1983-10-01), Elmy et al.
patent: 4496035 (1985-01-01), Wanie
Patents abstracts of Japan, M-56, p. 146 JP,A,55-156726 (Hiroyuki Hirata) Dec. 6, 1980.
Green Douglas F.
Jackson Stephen L.
Miatt Steven R.
Lorence Richard
Rover Mowers Limited
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