Adjusting mechanism for a manually operated clutch

• US 4,497,399 A
• Filed: 12/03/1982
• Issued: 02/05/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: General Motors Corporation (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Original Assignee: General Motors Corporation (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Kopich, Leonard F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bonck, Rodney H.
• Application Number:
  US06/446,715
• Time in Patent Office: 795 Days
• Field of Search: 192/70.25, 192/111 A, 188/196 F, 188/196 D, 188/196 BA, 74/512
• US Class Current: 192/111.12
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 13/752 the adjusting device being located in the actuating mechanism arranged outside the clutch adjusting "Bowden" mechanisms F16C1/22
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/30 Controlling members actuated by foot
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 23/00 Means for ensuring the correct positioning of parts of control mechanisms, e.g. for taking-up play
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20528 Foot operated

Abstract

A manually operated clutch adjusting mechanism has a worm and gear sector drive connection between the manual pedal and the operating cable. The cable urges the gear sector to rotate about its axis when a clutch adjustment is necessary. Rotation of the sector gear causes linear movement of the worm which is connected to a one-way linear to rotary motion transfer mechanism. The linear movement of the worm results in rotation of the worm and therefore the sector gear. The rotation of the sector gear induced by the worm gear is in the same direction as that urged by the cable and therefore reduces the clutch load on the cable and adjusts the clutch accordingly.

Claims

1. A clutch adjustment mechanism for a manually operated vehicle clutch having a control cable subject to increased clutch applying spring force when clutch misadjustment is present and a manual pedal pivotally mounted on a bracket secured to the vehicle, said mechanism comprising;

a toothed sector resiliently connected to the manual pedal and secured to one end of the control cable;

a housing pivotally mounted on the bracket;

a shaft slidably and rotatably disposed in said housing with at least one end thereof extending through one end of the housing;

a worm disposed on the shaft for rotation therewith and being in mesh with said toothed sector;

a two member one-way jaw clutch disposed between said worm and the one end of the housing with one member of the clutch being secured to said shaft and the other member being rotatably disposed on said shaft; and

torque arm means secured between said housing and said other member for rotating said other member as said other member is moved linearly with said shaft relative to said housing when said jaw clutch is engaged;

said jaw clutch being operable to transmit rotation in one direction only to said worm through said shaft, said cable being operable when the vehicle clutch is engaged to rotate said sector relative to said pedal when said clutch is misadjusted to move said worm and shaft resulting in engagement of said jaw clutch and operation of said adjustment mechanism, and said manual pedal contacting said shaft for linear movement thereof toward disengagement of said jaw clutch when said vehicle clutch is disengaged thereby permitting indexing of said jaw clutch.

2. A clutch adjustment mechanism for a manually operated vehicle clutch having a control cable subject to increased clutch apply spring force when clutch misadjustment is present and a manual pedal pivotally mounted on a bracket secured to the vehicle, said mechanism comprising:

a toothed sector resiliently connected to the manual pedal and secured to one end of the control cable;

a housing pivotally mounted on the bracket;

a shaft slidably and rotatably disposed in said housing with at least one end thereof extending through one end of the housing;

a worm disposed on the shaft for rotation therewith and being in mesh with said toothed sector;

a one-way jaw clutch disposed between said worm and the one end of the housing and having one member thereof secured to said shaft and another member thereof rotatably disposed on said shaft; and

torque arm means secured between said housing and said other member for rotating said other member as said other member is moved linearly with said shaft relative to said housing when said jaw clutch is engaged;

said jaw clutch being operable to transmit rotation in one direction only to said worm through said shaft, said cable being operable when the vehicle clutch is engaged to rotate said sector relative to said pedal when said clutch is misadjusted to move said worm and shaft resulting in engagement of said jaw clutch and operation of said adjustment mechanism, and said manual pedal contacting said shaft for linear movement thereof toward disengagement of said jaw clutch when said vehicle clutch is disengaged thereby permitting indexing of said jaw clutch.