Reversible self-locking clutch
US4852707A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 7, 1988 |
| Grant date | Aug 1, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 7, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16D41/105
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An improved clutch for use with an electric power steering assembly is disclosed. The improved clutch has an outer member, and a cage mounted between the outer and inner members and formed with a plurality of pockets. The improved clutch further comprises a pair of rolling elements mounted in each pocket, and a spring mounted between the rolling elements so as to bias the rolling elements away from each other into wedge-like spaces in the pocket. In the event that an associated driving system fails, the improved clutch of this invention is disconnected from the steering wheel since the outer member coupled to the driving system becomes unlocked from the inner member which is coupled to the steering wheel.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.