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).
Review of vehicle component designs and costs, suggesting simplifications for parts such as the clutch, pedals, and engine mounting.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 148\2\ scan0157 | |
| Date | 20th December 1938 | |
| -3- Gear box and Actuating gear - B.V. and B. 50. 389 pieces. (80 steel balls counted as one piece.) Speedo Drive and damper control pump. 35 pieces. 1st & 3rd Motion shafts. 66 pieces. Servo Drive. 13 pieces. 2nd Motion shaft. 12 pieces. Reverse shaft & Gears. 62 pieces. Change Speed mechanism. 77 pieces. 3. Clutch Operation - The internal clutch operation could be considerably simplified, by using a single lever between the trunnion and the clutch lever. This was suggested by R.M. on his return from America, and has been tested on 7 B.V. to our drawing FCD 449, with apparent satisfaction. The present linkage between the clutch pedal and the clutch lever, is now very complicated, and consists of 33 pieces. 4. Clutch Casing - Wraith sand-cast clutch casing costs 45/- Although we realise there will be a large reduction by making this piece as a die-casting, we suggest that it should also be considered as a pressing. The design of the clutch casing is more simple when used with the clutch operation to FCD 449. 5. Pedals - At the moment, we have two separate shafts for the clutch and brake pedal. With a simplified type of clutch linkage, there would be sufficient space to put both pedals on to one shaft. NOTED £1/1/- 6. Hand brake mechanism. - Wraith hand-brake mechanism costs £1/18/- In view of many very simple hand brakes now being used, we feel that a new design is required for this item. £1/5/3 7. Air Silencer - The air-silencer and air-filter for B.V. cost £2/5/3d. The retail price of a Humber Super Snipe air-silencer and air filter is 18/9d. NOTED 8. Engine Mounting - In our Roy {Sir Henry Royce} /Les 2/ER 20.12.38, we criticised the material cost for B.V. engine mounting. The factory cost of Wraith engine-mounting is £2/7/2d. MMT 10/- 9. Side spare wheel carrier - Bentley 11 side spare wheel carrier is very similar to that which is going to be used for B.V. This consists of 63 pieces, and costs £3/2/6d. We suggest that a simple structure, as used on the Buick, consisting of two pressings should be designed. | ||