Pulse actuated interlock mechanism
US5586632A · kind A · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 7, 1995 |
| Grant date | Dec 24, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 7, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16D2011/008
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A pulse actuated interlock mechanism for a vehicle that couples and uncouples a drive member and a driven member. A clutch member is slidably movable to couple or uncouple the drive and driven members. A latchable piston assembly in combination with a return spring is utilized to move the clutch member. A force of short duration of a first magnitude is applied to latch the piston assembly which permits the return spring to move the clutch member to uncouple the drive and driven members. A force of a short duration of a second magnitude which is greater than the first force is applied to unlatch the piston assembly. A biasing member of the piston assembly moves the clutch member to couple the drive and driven members when the piston assembly is in the unlatched condition. The clutch member, return spring and piston assembly are installed in a modular housing. The housing, in a preferred embodiment, is readily fitted and secured to an end of a wheel hub and rotatably supports a drive gear fitted to an end of a drive axle. Selected air pressure is applied to a cavity of the wheel hub and housing to provide the first and second magnitude forces. A tool is utilized to remove the housing…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.