Centrifugal clutch

US6000519A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG · DE

Inventors

• Georg Becker · Schwaikheim, DE
• Hans-Georg Wiedmann · Backnang, DE
• Dieter Angstenberger · Leutenbach, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: May 20, 1998
• Grant date: Dec 14, 1999
• Expiry date: May 20, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F16D2043/145
• WIPO field: Mechanical elements
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

The invention is directed to a centrifugal clutch having centrifugal weights wherein each weight has an arc-shaped clutch shoe and is pivotally mounted with a lever foot on a carrier disc on the drive end of the clutch. After reaching a specific rpm, the clutch shoes are pressed under the action of centrifugal force against the inner wall surface of a clutch drum for providing friction-tight torque transmission. The clutch drum surrounds the clutch shoes. The centrifugal clutch includes a carrier disc on which the centrifugal weights are pivotally mounted. A cover disc is held axially tight at the sides of the centrifugal weights which lie opposite the carrier disc. This cover disc radially covers the clutch shoes so that axial guide play is provided. In this way, wear of the clutch weights caused by operation is reduced especially in the bearing regions of the centrifugal weights.