Variable engagement centrifugal clutch assembly

US7367440B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Meritor Transmission Corporation · US

Inventors

• Muneer AbuSamra · Southern Pines, US
• Robert Sayman · Eriskirch, DE
• Charles E. Allen, Jr. · Rochester Hills, US
• Winfried Sturmer · Euerbach, DE
• Karl-Fritz Heinzelmann · Meckenbeuren, DE
• Ludger Ronge · Eriskirch, DE
• Loren Christopher Dreier · Southern Pines, US
• James DeVore · Laurinburg, US
• Ronald Muetzel · Southern Pines, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 3, 2005
• Grant date: May 6, 2008
• Expiry date: Mar 10, 2025

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F16D43/10
• WIPO field: Mechanical elements
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A centrifugal clutch assembly includes a clutch cover attachable to a rotatable input member. Friction plates are clamped between pressure plates in response to rotation of the clutch assembly. Rotation of the clutch assembly causes at least one centrifugal weight to move radially outward to force the pressure plates against the friction plates. The radial position of the centrifugal weights is modified to tailor clutch actuation. This modification of centrifugal weight position causes a corresponding change to engagement characteristics of the clutch assembly allowing clutch actuation to be tailored to operating conditions.