Modular bi-directional overrunning wheel clutch
US6655515B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 23, 2002 |
| Grant date | Dec 2, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 23, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16D41/088
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A modular, self-contained, bi-directional wheel clutch unit selectively attachable and detachable as a unit to and from an axle, the unit including a rotatable wheel-driving hub including a casing portion, a clutch cage disposed in the casing portion and surrounded thereby and which has a plurality of circumferentially-distributed openings, a rotatably driven cam element disposed in the casing portion and surrounded by the clutch cage and which has a plurality of discrete surfaces thereon, and a plurality of rollers rotatably disposed within the casing portion and within the clutch cage openings. The rollers are located between the casing portion and the cam element discrete surfaces and have an engaged position wherein the cam element and the hub are in binding engagement through the rollers and the hub is rotatably driven by the cam element, and a disengaged position wherein the hub is freely rotatable relative to the cam element.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.