Force-limiting coupling apparatus
US4319108A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 23, 1981 |
| Grant date | Mar 9, 1982 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 23, 2001 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H9/16
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A close-wound coil spring moves a driven member in response to movement of a drive member. The spring is moved when one end thereof receives transverse force from the moving drive member; the other end of the moving spring transversely applies force to the driven member. If the transverse forces on the spring are less than a given amount, as when the driven member moves relatively slowly, the spring acts as a rigid lever capable of moving the driven member synchronously with, and during the same time interval as, the drive member. If the transverse forces on the spring exceed the given amount, as when the driven member moves suddenly or at high speed, the spring flexes according to Hooke's Law and moves the driven member asynchronously with, and during a different time interval from, the drive member. In the latter case, the spring's flexure limits the force applied to the driven member, preventing damage thereto.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.