Patent · US Expired

Centrifugal clutch mechanism

US4055241A · kind A · utility

0Cited by
5References
18Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJul 29, 1976
Grant dateOct 25, 1977
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 29, 1996

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF16D43/18
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A centrifugal clutch mechanism according to the present invention includes a pair of spaced clutch shoes, one being a power shoe and the other being an energizing shoe, that are movably supported by a rotor element that is rotated by a drive source. A clutch housing having an internal cylindrical surface for mating engagement with the clutch shoes is connected to a rotatable driven element and is rotatable along with the rotor element responsive to forces transferred to the clutch housing from the clutch shoes. Clutch energization or expansion is induced by a centrifugally movable modulating arm having a cam roller that has operative engagement with a cam surface provided on the energizing shoe. Centrifugally induced movement of the modulating arm is controlled by a slippage control spring and by an anti-self-energizing spring. A drive block supported by the rotor element transfers forces to the power shoe in a predetermined vectored relationship which may be modified by the angular relationship of the drive block engagement with the drive shoe.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.