Clutch mechanism
US4693352A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 16, 1986 |
| Grant date | Sep 15, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 16, 2006 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16D25/08
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Thrust bearing failure in clutches is avoided in a clutch construction including a housing 10 with first and second coaxial shafts 24, 32 and a clutch pack 34 interconnecting the shafts 24 and 32 for coupling and decoupling the same. A spring 50 is utilized to engage the clutch pack 34 to couple the shafts 24 and 32 while a motor 82, 96 is utilized to decouple the shafts by releasing compression on the clutch pack 34. This is accomplished by moving a thrust bearing 76 to engage a reaction plate 48 forming part of the clutch pack 34 to move the same away from the other reaction plate 34 of the clutch pack to disengage the clutch. The thrust bearing 76 is wholly out of the load path of the clutch when the clutch is engaged.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.