From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Implementation of tell-tale indicator signals for drivers.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 166\6\ img001 | |
| Date | 25th January 1934 | |
| W/S. 86073. To Ex. from E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} E.7/HP.25.1.34. c.c. ~~Ex. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager}~~ Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Hy.{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} Hc/Wst. Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} By/Ic re Driving Signals. A difficulty that exists with using signals on a car is that as a rule there is no means whereby the driver is aware whether the signals are working or not unless these are placed in such a position that he can see them when driving. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Wst. has observed that on the Talbot two small lamps are provided on the instrument board to act as a telltale when the 'turn right' or 'turn left' signal is operated, but that these lamps are not entirely foolproof as arranged owing to the method in which they are connected up, since the lamp is connected in series with the solenoid. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Wst has therefore proposed a scheme in which after the solenoid is energised the signal arm itself operates and closes a pair of contacts which illuminate the arm and light the telltale, at the same time the lamps for these two purposes being connected in series. in this way the telltale definitely confirms that the arm has operated and that the illumination itself has been obtained. We think the telltales should be in the form of illuminated arrows incorporated in a neat oblong switchbox which should be as near as possible under the driver's eye and conveniently within reach for operation. We should like to know if you think there is any scope for such a device for use on our cars. The best position we think for mounting it would be on the scuttle rail to the right or left of the instrument column and sunken into the rail to avoid interference with the steering. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} | ||