Automatic gravity-actuated electrical switching device for use with gearless variable ratio motive power transmission system

摘要

668,449. Variable-speed gearing. BENHAM, D. R. April 14, 1950, No. 9181/50. Class 80 (ii). A variable-speed gear for motor vehicles comprises oppositely-arranged conical driving and driven rollers B, C, Fig. 1, interconnected by a belt A for forward drive and by a crossed belt L for reverse drive, the driven roller C having two freely-mounted neutral sections H, H'. The belt A is movable along the rollers for varying the gear by a pivoted arm F which engages the belt fork FD and which is also engaged between prongs E' on an axiallymovable square - section spring - returned rod E controlled by a foot pedal. When the belt A has been moved from the highestgear position shown to the lowest-gear position, further movement of the rod E moves the belt A on to the neutral section H, and, on still further movement of the rod E, a spring-loaded block K is moved by a projection J on rod E to cause, via' a second pivoted arm F', the reverse belt L to move from the neutral section HSP1/SP to operative position, the belt A remaining on the neutral section H. A visual electric signal is given as reverse position is approached. The rod E is also moved by a projection on a non-rotary screw Z' engaging a nut Z geared to an electric motor O which is energised when the vehicle encounters a gradient, either up or down, so as to change the gear to low, whereupon the motor circuit is broken. The motor is driven in reverse direction, so that the gear returns to high, when the gradient decreases sufficiently. The motor circuit includes switch contacts P, X, Fig. 2, carried by a gravity-controlled pivoted arm R, and further switch contacts RSP3/SP-RSP6/SP carried by an arm T which is pivoted on the arm R and which is moved by frictional contact with a stationary quadrant TSP1/SP. The circuit also includes a spring- loaded switch arm P' which is displaced, to stop the motor, when low-gear position is reached, and a slidable contact P' which breaks circuit when high-gear position is reached.