Spare tire carrier torque-limiting slip mechanism
US6443846B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 22, 2000 |
| Grant date | Sep 3, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 4, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16D7/021
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A torque-limiting slip mechanism for a spare tire carrier includes a camshaft with a plurality of mating surfaces and differently shaped intermediate segments, a tire carrier drive with an inner pocket circumscribed by an interior wall, and a plurality of free-floating arcuate spring elements having a central body and ends that are compressed between the mating surfaces of camshaft and the interior wall. The central body engages the camshaft and the free ends engage the interior wall. In practice the spring elements are automatically centered with respect to their mating surface before a torque is applied. When the torque is greater than the pre-determined torque, however, each spring element deforms elastically as it selectively engages mating surfaces and intermediate segments so that the camshaft rotates with respect to the carrier drive.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.