Uni-directional transmission with positive engagement and disengagement features
US5515957A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 8, 1994 |
| Grant date | May 14, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 8, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16D41/28
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Disclosed herein is a uni-directional transmission with positive engagement and automatic disengagement features. The transmission includes a rotatable drive shaft coaxially aligned and housed inside a rotatable hub. Attached to the drive shaft is a uni-directional friction clutch which automatically engages when the drive shaft is rotated in a forward direction. When the friction clutch is engaged, a spline disc located on the drive shaft is forced axially on the drive shaft causing the axially aligned teeth formed on one surface of the spline disc to positively engage the complimentary-shaped, axially aligned teeth formed on the ratchet surface on the hub. When the teeth on the ratchet surfaces are engaged, torque from the drive shaft will be transferred to the hub. A coil spring is disposed on the drive shaft between the spline disc and the hub which acts to automatically disengage the ratchet teeth on the spline disc and the hub when rotation of the drive shaft is stopped or reversed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.