ACCELERATOR BRAKE

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6866, 22 March 1929, Page 10

ACCELERATOR BRAKE

WHEN PEDAL RELEASED. A motor car with a foot brake which is automatically applied the moment the driver takes his foot from tho accelerator has made its appearance in England. During a test the car was driven along a straight road at a speed of about 'SO mil os an hour. Suddenly the driver removed his foot from the accelerator and the car on its own account came to a standstill smoothly in tho same distance one would expect if (he ordinary foot brake had been used. This device is tho invention of a young Swiss} M. Badcrtsclier, and patents have been taken out in all parts of tho world. It virtually removes the necessity of the customary footbrako control, though one was fitted on the car for emergency purposes. Easy Hill Starting. When the tar is at. vest and nculnul gear engaged the new brake is on. The driver engages first gear, lets in the clutch, and accelerates —the brake is released and the car starts. The automatic brake will hold the car on the steepest hill; this makes stating oh a steep gradient easy, for it is not necessary to use the hand brake. There is' a neutral position on the accelerator pedal, where tho brake docs not come into action and the engine can bo used us a brake. This is to prevent constant braking on deceleration. But as soon as tim accelerator pedal is allowed to come back beyond the neutral uoint. on goes the brake. After a little practice it is possible, owing to the neutral position, to use tho accelerator in the same way as a foot brake and for checking or stop--1,111 Other Advantages.

Advantages arc:— No delay while tho foot is removed from tho accelerator to foot-brake pedal. ... No danger of running back on lulls. In tho event of an accident to the driver the car would be brought to a ston, except in tho unlikely event of his* foot keeping pressure on tho accelerator. The invention consists of a valve attached to the carburetter control. This valve works in conjunction with a brake operated by tbc engine.