US 4,393,907 A · Clutch assist apparatus

Abstract

A clutch release assist mechanism for avoiding excessive clutch pedal efforts. The assist mechanism includes a spring-loaded apparatus to bias the clutch toward a release disposition, but the assist function is not activated until after initial movement of the release mechanism has been effected by the operator through pedal displacement. The amount of spring bias to assist the mechanism is less than that of the clutch to permit the clutch to revert to a closed or engaged position once the release mechanism has been deactivated. This mechanism includes a rack operated in conjunction with a piston and cylinder arrangement to provide for "free travel" before activation of an assist spring. The rack in turn operates through a sector or pinion to rotate a clutch release shaft between a clutch disengaged and engaged positions.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A clutch assist mechanism for assisting clutch disengagement comprising:

(a) a clutch release shaft for rotation between clutch-engaged and disengaged positions;
(b) a movable member for movement along a substantially linear path for rotation of said clutch release shaft;
(c) a radial member fixed to said shaft and extending radially therefrom, said radial member having a portion for engaging said movable member to translate linear movement of said movable member into rotational movement of said shaft;
(d) biasing means for biasing said movable member in a direction of the linear path corresponding to a clutch-disengaged position;
and
(e) means for preventing said biasing means from assisting movement of said movable member along the linear path until after an initial movement along at least a portion of said linear path;
(f) said movable member being a rack having upstanding gear teeth, and said radial member being a sector in which said portion for engaging said movable member is arcuate and includes complementary gear teeth for engagement with the gear teeth of said rack.

4 more elements

A clutch assist mechanism for assisting clutch disengagement comprising:

(a) a clutch release shaft for rotation between clutch-engaged and disengaged positions;
(b) a movable member for movement along a path for rotation of said clutch release shaft;
(c) biasing means for biasing said movable member in a direction of the path corresponding to a clutch disengaged position, said movable member including a rod portion extending through said piston for movement therein, said biasing means including a first resilient means under compression for urging said piston toward a clutch disengaged position, a second resilient means under compression between said rod portion and said piston and urging said rod portion into abutting relationship with said piston, the compressive force of said second resilient means being less than such force of said first resilient means when said clutch release shaft is in a clutch-engaged position.

A clutch assist apparatus for assisting clutch disengagement comprising:

(a) a shaft for actuating a clutch between an engaged and a disengaged position;
(b) a movable member displaced from said shaft, and support means for supporting said member for movement with said shaft, where at least part of the movement of said movable member is in a substantially linear path;
(c) a radial member fixed to said shaft and extending radially therefrom, said radial member having a portion for engaging said movable member to translate movement of said movable member to rotative movement of said shaft between the clutch engaged and disengaged positions;
(d) biasing means for biasing said movable member in a direction of said linear path corresponding to a clutch disengaged position;
(e) said movable member having one portion for actuation and another portion for engagement by said biasing means;
(f) detent means for preventing said biasing means from assisting movement of said movable member along the linear path until after an initial movement by said movable member;
and
(g) means for permitting said initial movement including a piston retained for movement within a cylinder and engaged by said detent means, said movable member extending through the head of said piston for relative movement therewith, first and second blocking means on said movable member on alternate sides of said piston head to prevent further travel of said movable member relative to said piston beyond the length of said initial movement.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Clutch assist apparatus

Life of this patent

Clutch assist apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18