Need Info Hand Clutch

[chadis]

I'm interested in remotely controlling a manual transmission clutch by hand while retaining full clutch pedal use. Don't ask why. I just want to do it. ;-)

The ideal configuration would have a button or lever on the shifter knob that allowed the clutch to be gradually engaged. Squeezing the lever would disengage the clutch. Releasing it would engage the clutch. It would provide the exact same function as the clutch pedal but would require very little physical effort.

A purely mechanical solution is out of the question because of the force needed to disengage a clutch by hand. Also, I don't want any bulky cables and large levers attached to the shifter knob.

I envision a shifter knob with a trigger, some electronics for controlling an actuator, and an actuator which controls some part of the clutch pedal linkage. Simple, right? ;-)

Has anyone ever attempted something like this? I know there are commercial solutions available for handicapped people but they are a bit expensive and not quite what I am looking for.

I'm stumped on what to use for an actuator and what kind of electronics I would need to control it. I'm also stumped on which part of the clutch pedal linkage the actuator would work best on (i.e. pedal, hydraulics, release fork lever, etc.)

This is off a website i found looking to do this exact idea in my iroc any info of thoughts on the subject would be great

thank you for your time

[classic_327]

well, im gonna ask why? i have my ideas but im wondering yours. well for starters there is no way to do this "cheap" its going to be expensive. it can be done though. you would need a 12v hydraulic pump(your entire clutch is hydro) a servo, an aftermarket slave cylinder, an aftermarket master cylinder and a variable valve and lastly a potentiometer(thats just fancy talk for a switch like whats in a cordless drill, radio shack has them).....oh yeah and a whole lot of time. you will need to know a lot about hydraulics,dc electrical and automation. and it could be dangerous if not done right, not to mention it may not be legal. i have designed things like this for hot rods for people with disabilities. i could help you out but, it isnt easy and about 4000 just for the parts.