Saxomat

Transmission types
Manual Sequential manual Non-synchronous Preselector
Automatic Manumatic
Semi-automatic Electrohydraulic Dual clutch Saxomat
Continuously variable
Bicycle gearing Derailleur gears Hub gears
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Saxomat was a type of automatic clutch available as an option on Fiat 1800, Saab 93, Borgward Isabella, Goliath/Hansa 1100, Auto Union 1000, BMW, Opel, Ford Taunus, NSU, Glas, Trabant Wartburg and Volkswagen cars. Opel sold it as Olymat; Trabant and Wartburg named the system Hycomat. The Hydrak, used in some Mercedes-Benz vehicles between 1957 and 1961, was a similar system with a hydrodynamic torque converter in place of the Saxomat's centrifugal clutch, this H.T.C. system was standard on NSU Ro 80 and was optional on the Porsche 911 (Sportomatic). The system also reappeared in the 1990s as Sensonic.

Cars with a Saxomat clutch did not have a clutch pedal. The Saxomat consisted of two independent systems, the centrifugal clutch, and the servo clutch. The centrifugal clutch was engaged above certain engine rpms by centrifugal force, acting on spinning weights inside the clutch, similar to a centrifugal governor.

The servo clutch used an electric switch that supplied manifold vacuum via an actuator valve to a reservoir that disengaged the cluch. The clutch is disengaged automatically whenever the gear shift lever was touched.

See also

• semi-automatic transmission

External links

• Saxomat FLR catalogs and fitting instructions (German)
• Olymat (Saxomat) Automatic Clutch
• Technical and troubleshooting (Swedish)^{[dead link]}