Bidirectional differential clutch
US5025902A · kind A · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 3, 1990 |
| Grant date | Jun 25, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 3, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16D43/02
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The bidirectional differential clutch enables to transmit or cutoff both clockwise and counterwise rotation at the input side. The clutch comprises an input gear having a first cylindrical surface, an output gear having a second cylindrical surface disposed with a space to the first cylindrical surface so as to be relatively rotatable, a plurality of engaging members interposed in the space, a holding member inserted into the space, the holding member having a pocket storing the engaging members, the engaging members being for operation from a neutral position in which both cylindrical surfaces are not engaged with each other to an operational position in which both cylindrical surfaces are engaged with each other, a sub-gear producing differential velocity in correspondence to the rotation of the input gear, and the holding member being linked with the sub-gear to slide in a peripheral direction by the differential velocity to operate the engaging members to the operational position. The engaging members may be rollers or sprags.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.