The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 26, 1991
Filed:
Sep. 14, 1989
Keith V Leigh-Monstevens, Troy, MI (US);
Leslie P Branum, Sterling Heights, MI (US);
Automotive Products plc, Warwickshire, GB;
Abstract
A dual mode clutch control system for a motor vehicle in which the operator has the choice of operating the clutch manually or having the clutch operated in a power mode in response to movement of the gear shift lever. Two embodiments are disclosed. In both embodiments, a mode selector switch is provided which is movable between a manual mode and a power mode. In one embodiment, the power mode is provided by a master cylinder assembly in which the piston of the master cylinder is normally moved by an input rod connected to the clutch pedal but in which an annular pressure chamber is provided in communication with the piston to which pressurized fluid may be delivered from a pressure source when the mode selector switch is positioned in the power mode. The source of pressurized fluid may comprise a motor driving a pump and an accumulator for storing pressurized fluid from the pump. With the system in the power mode, pressurized fluid is delivered from the accumulator to the master cylinder in response to movement of the gear shift lever. In the other embodiment, the power mode of the system is provided by an electric motor including a ball screw assembly drivingly connected to the piston of a master cylinder and the manual operation of the clutch is provided by a pushrod connected to the clutch lever and passing through a central bore provided in the screw of the ball screw assembly for engagement with the piston.