I would like to build a servo controlled clutch. Let me try to explain:
As I lost a leg in an accident so I can’t drive a car with a gear stick and foot clutch any more. But I would really like to drive one again.
So I want to build a system using a 12V 350W DC brushed low speed (60 rpm) high torque worm gear motor to pull in a clutch cable. Mechanically a small challenge but electronically "black magic"to me…
What I hope to achieve is the simplest solution whereby I move/turn a potentiometer on the gear stick and the 12V 350W DC worm gear motor follows the movement exactly (no soft start/or as little as possible).
So in my simple mind I need to connect a potentiometer to a servo controller that is wired to a DC motor driver/controller that lets the DC motor turn which has a potentiometer attached to it that tells the servo controller its position…
If that made any sense, can anyone point me in the right direction of the needed components to achieve my goal? Thank you in advance!
This sounds like a potentially very dangerous project. We do not recommend using our products where their failure might result in personal injury or death. I recommend getting help from a professional mechanic for a project like this.
Thanks for your reply and concern. The trouble is: I’m supposed to be the professional mechanic…
And as I’m primarily a “mechanic” electronics are a bit alien to me.
I must admit that, after doing some more homework, it does seem a silly idea to convert a foot clutch to hand controlled and servo assisted as a first serious electronics project…
So I think I will go the more “mechanical” way (pneumatic or hydraulic) which is easier for me and hopefully more fool proof.
Hi Marco
I’m on the same position you were in when you put this post up-
Did you come up with a solution?
I’ve tried to purchase a “Duck clutch system” in Australia but can’t find a supplier that will sell me one for me to fit… they also want $10 thousand dollars AU if they were able to supply it…
What a joke
I am an mechanical engineer so have the ability to understand this approach
To save my time if you found something that would help me I would be grateful if you would share…
Thank you
A lot has happend but I still haven’t built an electric actuated clutch. I did build a vacuum operated system with a modified brake booster for a Ford Sierra. Then a hydraulic clutch lever from a motorcycle on a gear stick in an Englisch kit car with motorcycle engine (Fisher Fury with Honda Blackbird engine). Next was a modified gear shift mechanism with push to press clutch cylinder and left/right swing to change gear on a sequential race gearbox in a Westfield Sport 2000S with 260bhp Duratec engine in it.
Al worked (reasonably) good and provided real ‘feel’ for the clutch engagement point. Something you cannot do with an electrically operated system.
If you do want to go electrically actuated, a RoboClaw Solo 60A, 34V would probably be a good choice to control it. By using a cheap small chinese 12V ATV winch, a thin strong rope, two pulleys, end/proximity switches and/or Hall sensors on clutch pedal and gear stick you should be able to build and program a working system.
But my next hand operated car clutch build will be a very simple, purely mechanically actuated set up.
I will use multiple pulleys between the foot well metal body and clutch pedal to reduce (1:5 ratio) the force needed to pull in the pedal with a rope. The rope (2mm Dyneema) will go in a outer brake cable from a bicycle to the roof of the car just above the rear view mirror. When the rope is pulled down with a small ring/cup on/between a/the finger(s) to the gear knob, the clutch pedal will be pulled in. You can then shift gears and release the clutch by moving your hand and rope gently to the roof again. The clutch bite/engagement point will be very easy to feel and thus be very accurately manipulated by hand in traffic/on a hill etc.
What vehicle and type of use do you need a hand operated car clutch for?
In my country (NL in EU) I needed to take a driving test to get approval on my license for operating the clutch by hand. Please find out what rules and regulations you need to follow or you might not be insured in an accident.
