Torque limiting coupling

US5718634A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• GKN Walterscheid GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Felix Mikeska · Lohmar, DE
• Klaus Kampf · Lohmar, DE
• Hans Langen · Frechen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 16, 1995
• Grant date: Feb 17, 1998
• Expiry date: Nov 16, 2015

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F16D43/208
• WIPO field: Mechanical elements
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A torque limiting coupling (1) has a coupling sleeve (5), a coupling hub (2), and driving elements (12) settable between a torque transmitting position and a disconnected position. A switching ring (27) and loading balls (24) are provided which, in the torque transmitting position, load the driving elements (12) radially inwardly. If the driving elements (12) give way in their disconnected position, the balls (24) are pushed radially inwardly until the switching ring (27) is able to slide over the balls (24) and prevent them, via a bore portion, from displacing radially outwardly. This ensures that, if the coupling hub and coupling sleeve continue to rotate relative to one another, the driving elements (12) cannot re-engage the recesses and thus assume the torque transmitting position. If the switching ring (27) is displaced manually, it must be moved into a position wherein the balls (24) are again able to escape radially outwardly, thus enabling the driving elements (12) to engage the torque transmitting position. Thus, re-engagement is only possible if the switching ring (27) is moved from its disconnected position of the driving elements (12) into the torque transmitting positi…