Overrunning spring clutch assembly
US4934499A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 21, 1988 |
| Grant date | Jun 19, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 21, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16D41/206
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A spring clutch assembly is disclosed having an input clutch member (3), an output clutch member (4), coaxial therewith, and further having a clutch spring (8) disposed partially in each clutch member, the spring placed on an arbor (12) having a shoulder (20) at the input end thereof. The arbor is fixed to the input member by a collet fit and extends through the output member into a housing (2) where it is rotatively supported by bearings (21). The input member is also supported rotatively by bearings (6) which may further include a squeeze film damper (27) to control the assembly spring rate and thereby minimize vibrations by traversing a rigid body mode vibration at low speed. Such spring clutch assemblies are particularly useful in high RPM environments where vibrations must be held to a minimum. A clutch spring is also disclosed, having a very fine axial cut across a cross-over coil (41) and transition coils (54) disposed between the teaser coils (52) and the central coils (53). The transition coils form a gradual ramp (58) to distribute stresses over several coils, preventing spring failure.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.