Overload clutch assembly

US4460077A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Jean Walterscheid GmbH · DE

Inventor

• Hubert Geisthoff · Lohmar, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 9, 1981
• Grant date: Jul 17, 1984
• Expiry date: Sep 9, 2001

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F16D43/206
• WIPO field: Mechanical elements
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An overload clutch assembly including a driving member and a driven member having torque transmitting balls operatively disposed therebetween in apertures in the driving member and engageable in recesses in the driven member with a control member axially spring biased to hold the balls in the recesses in the driven member to effect the engaged condition of the clutch. The control member is circumferentially movable relative to the driving member against the action of biasing springs to bring recesses in the control member into alignment with the torque transmitting members so that the clutch assembly can be moved to the disengaged condition. The control member includes a first radially outwardly extending cam which is engageable by a radially movable external control tappet to cause circumferential movement of the control member for bringing the clutch into the disengaged condition when required other than in response to torque overload. The driving member includes a second cam operative to move the control tappet radially out of the path of the first cam whereby the clutch assembly is in condition to effect re-engagement.