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).
Redesign of a car's main electrical switch, its locking mechanism, and a proposed 6-position wiring scheme.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 179b\1\ img335 | |
| Date | 1st March 1933 | |
| HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/WST.) FROM R.{Sir Henry Royce} [Struck through text: C - to SO, WOR{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager}, PM, EH,] ORIGINAL. CAR WORK. ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT. R3/Wl.3.33. XL.29 SWITCH. When we decide we have a settled and lasting scheme we should redesign as if we had nothing to limit efficiency, reliability, simplicity, and cost. The control spring etc should be as good as at present - i.e. very definite notches, proper notches, roller, and springs, like the standard controller type used on trams, railways, and lifts. I also much prefer that the contacts are like theirs, rubbing on cylinder (Bosch type all wrong.) We ought to be able to keep the lock and key out of the problem except when desired to lock the car - i.e. we need only lock it when we wish, such as when not at home in one's own garage; we could then run the car even if we had mislaid the key, if, as when at home, the switch was unlocked. Now the scheme with vibrator control seems only to need 6 positions. If my diagram is not correct kindly say, and anyway send me a diagram of the wiring. It rather assumes that all the switching is done on one pole, plus or minus, and all the fuses on the same pole, because we do not want to use return wires(we cannot if we would.) It would be a master switch for all current except the heavy starter circuit, which it controls through the starter relay, and shew a red light unless the ignition was switched off. The electric clock would need its own wire to the battery, through fine fuse. (1) Daylight running, ignition & charge, inside lights, electric horn, starter press button. (2) Above, plus all lights: (head is dipped from steering column.) (3) No head lights. (4) No ignition, starter, or charge. (5) Parking (side and tail.) } Lock either. (6) All off again. (Switch will turn from O.{Mr Oldham} either way.) [Diagram of a 6-position switch] Positions: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 O ALL OFF POSITION R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||