Clutch control system for motor vehicles

Claim 2

A clutch control system for motor vehicles further having a braking system comprising: an electric power source; first and second clutches, each responsive to an electrical signal to provide forward and reverse drives to said vehicle; first and second switches coupled to said first and second clutches respectively, said first and second switches being operative to cause engagement of said first and second clutches respectively upon the actuation thereof when coupled to said power source; and, a third switch coupled to said braking system, said first and second switches being coupled to said power source through said third switch whereby said third switch is actuated by the operation of said braking system to prevent engagemEnt of either of said first and second clutches upon the actuation of either of said first and second switches.

Claim 3

The clutch control system of claim 1 further comprised of a fourth switch, said fourth switch being coupled in parallel with said third switch and selectively operative to allow engagement of said first and second clutches irrespective of the actuation of said braking system.

Claim 4

The clutch control system of claim 1 for vehicles having a change lever movable between forward and reverse positions, wherein said first switch is disposed so as to be contacted and actuated by said lever when moved to said forward position and said second switch is disposed so as to be contacted and actuated by said lever when moved to said reverse position.

Claim 5

The clutch control system of claim 1 for use in vehicles having a braking system actuated by a foot brake pedal, wherein said third switch is coupled to said pedal and is actuated by the depression of said pedal.

Claim 6

The clutch control system of claim 1 wherein said first and second clutches comprise first and second clutch units each engageable by supplying hydraulic fluid thereto, means for supplying hydraulic fluid, a control valve, and first and second solenoids, said control valve being hydraulically coupled to said means for supplying hydraulic fluid and to said first and second clutch units and having a control member movable between a first position to direct hydraulic fluid to said first clutch unit and a second position to direct hydraulic fluid to said second clutch unit, said first solenoid being coupled to said first switch and to said control member and operative to move said control member to said first position when said first switch is actuated, said second solenoid being coupled to said second switch and to said control member and operative to move said control member to said second position when said second switch is actuated.

Claim 7

The clutch control system of claim 1 further comprised of a torque converter having an input shaft and an output shaft, said input shaft being coupled to the drive engine of said motor vehicle, said output shaft being coupled to said first and second clutches.

Claim 8

The clutch control system of claim 3 further comprised of a fourth switch, said fourth switch being a push button switch mounted on said change lever and being coupled in parallel with said third switch so as to be selectively operative to allow engagement of said first and second clutches irrespective of the actuation of said braking system.