Cam Release Patents (Class 192/89.21)
  • Patent number: 11667018
    Abstract: A fastener tool includes a motor, a drive mechanism connected to the motor and adapted to drive a piston, and a cylinder filled with high-pressure gas. The piston is accommodated in the cylinder and suitable for a reciprocating motion within the cylinder. The drive mechanism includes a blade fixed to the piston and a gear coupled to the motor. The gear contains a plurality of teeth adapted to engage with a plurality of lugs on the blade such that a rotation of the gear is transformed to a linear movement of the blade. The drive mechanism further includes a disengagement module which, within a period of a rotation cycle of the gear, is configured to prevent one of the plurality of teeth from unintentionally engaging with a misaligned one of the lugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Inventors: Ying Xiang Tan, Hai Ling Lin, Xi He, Jin Lin Zhou
  • Patent number: 9291209
    Abstract: A rotation clamping mechanism includes a rotating member and at least two engagement members that are attached to the rotating member and transmit rotational power. The engagement members engage a rotated object placed in a predetermined positional relationship with the engagement members. The rotated object is rotated by rotating the rotating member. The engagement members are supported on the rotating member so as to swing to an engagement position where power is transmitted to the rotated object and to a release position where engagement is released. The rotation clamping mechanism further includes: an opening/closing mechanism that moves the engagement members between the engagement position and the release position; and a biasing member that biases the engagement members toward the engagement position. At the engagement position, the engagement members clamp the rotated object in a floating state with the engagement members pressed onto the rotated object by the biasing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: HIRATA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hisayuki Sueoka, Yasuhiko Wakatsuki, Hideto Maeda, Hiroaki Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8960398
    Abstract: A power unit for a motorcycle having a clutch operation assisting device. The clutch operation assisting device includes a push shaft, a bearing plate that supports the push shaft, and a first rotary plate rotatably supported on the bearing plate and connected to a clutch wire. The first rotary plate causes the push shaft to slide as it rotates and is gear-coupled to a second rotary plate. A spring unit that applies an assist force in a direction for disengaging a friction clutch is pin-coupled to the second rotary plate. The spring unit is supported on a mounting seat in a swingable manner and is installed such that, as viewed from the axial direction of the push shaft, the expansion/contraction direction of an auxiliary spring in the spring unit does not pass through a rotation center of the pressure plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akifumi Oishi
  • Patent number: 8939843
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an input damper for coupling to a torque-generating mechanism. The damper includes an outer cover, a hub, and a carrier assembly coupled to the hub. The carrier assembly is movably disposed within the cover. A clutch assembly moves between an engaged position and a disengaged position and is biased towards the engaged position. The input damper further includes an angular displacement mechanism operably coupled to the clutch assembly for moving the clutch assembly between the engaged position and disengaged position. The outer cover is coupled to the carrier assembly in the engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Inventor: Kevin A. Copeland
  • Patent number: 8789672
    Abstract: A mechanical transmission device for transmitting a threshold force, comprising first and second elements rotatably mounted relative to each other about an axis of rotation, and having a transmitter member interposed between them to constrain the two elements to rotate together when a torque is imparted to one up to a threshold torque beyond which the two elements become movable in rotation. The transmitter member has a first friction disk constrained to rotate with the first element, and a second friction disk facing the first disk. It also has a bearing member that is axially movable to press the disks together and against a bearing turntable of the first element under drive from a presser member. Finally, it has a rotary drive, interposed between the bearing member and the second element, which are arranged to cause the bearing member to move axially against the presser member during rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Messier-Bugatti-Dowty
    Inventors: Arnaud Lafitte, Sabien Verlyck, Guy Valembois
  • Patent number: 8627938
    Abstract: A power transmitting apparatus can include a clutch housing, a plurality of driving and driven clutch plates, a clutch member, a pressure member, an intermediate member, a plurality of urging devices, and a back-torque limiting cam. The power transmitting apparatus can further include an urging force cut-off device for cutting-off the urging force applied to the pressure member from particular urging devices of the plurality of urging devices by separating the inner ends of the particular urging devices from the pressure member when the intermediate member is moved toward the pressure member by the action of the back-torque limiting cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha F.C.C.
    Inventors: Makoto Kataoka, Naoyuki Miwa, Satoru Kashiwagi
  • Patent number: 8579097
    Abstract: A clutch release mechanism includes a fixed cam plate having a cylindrical boss portion, and a movable cam plate supported on the cylindrical boss portion through a cylindrical projecting portion thereof. A ball unit is retained on the cylindrical boss portion by a retainer, and a release member disengages a clutch by transmitting a thrust force, generated by relative turning between the fixed and movable cam plates which hold the ball unit therebetween, to a pressure-applying plate. A pressing member is pressed by the movable cam plate to transmit the thrust force to the release member. The cylindrical projecting portion of the movable cam plate projects toward the pressing member, and is fitted a the hollow portion thereof with a gap therebetween. The movable cam plate presses the pressing member so as to be relatively shiftable on a flat surface perpendicular to a pressing direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu Kanai, Kenji Matsuo, Hiromi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8505704
    Abstract: An apparatus for operating a clutch which may be mounted at a vehicle structure and controls an operation of the clutch may include a motor provided with a motor shaft and receiving electrical energy so as to selectively rotate the motor shaft, a cam mounted at the motor shaft and rotating together with the motor shaft, and a push rod assembly coupled to a clutch fork of the clutch, wherein the push rod assembly may be elastically biased toward and slidably contacted to the cam such that the push rod assembly moves forward or rearward according to a rotating angle of the cam so as to operate the clutch fork.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Youngho Kim
  • Patent number: 8402857
    Abstract: A fast clutch mechanism for an industrial door is provided. A worm is connected to a motor shaft of the industrial door and meshes with a worm wheel which is rotatably mounted on an output shaft of a transmission box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Jiangxi Baisheng Gate & Door Automation Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wei Wan
  • Patent number: 8272489
    Abstract: A multiple disc clutch includes a pressing member movable in an axial direction and which turns together with an output shaft to compress driving friction plates and driven friction plates, a clutch spring that axially presses the pressing member, a clutch lifter arranged coaxially with the pressing member and a lifter plate that is held by the periphery of the clutch lifter via a clutch bearing. The lifter plate moves the pressing member in a reverse direction to a direction pressed by the clutch spring according to the axial movement of the clutch lifter. This multiple disc clutch does not require a dedicated clutch lifter for every clutch bearing different in size and therefore the cost is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshitsugu Gokan, Hirotaka Kawatsu
  • Patent number: 8240445
    Abstract: A multiplate clutch includes at least one driving friction plate configured to be rotated by a driving portion, at least one driven friction plate provided to face the at least one driving friction plate and configured to rotate the driven portion, a pressure applying unit configured to apply a pressing force to the at least one driving friction plate and the at least one driven friction plate to transmit the driving force from the driving portion to the driven portion via the at least one driving friction plate and the at least one driven friction plate, a first cam unit including first concave-convex cams and configured to increase the pressing force in accordance with an increase of the driving force, and a second cam unit configured to function as a back torque limiter mechanism and including second concave-convex cams which are different from the first concave-convex cams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshitsugu Gokan, Yoshinobu Shiomi
  • Publication number: 20120067993
    Abstract: A dual-bearing reel clutch control device includes a tubular clutch cam, a clutch yoke, and a coupling yoke. The tubular clutch cam is configured to be rotated between a coupled position and a decoupled position in conjunction with movement of the clutch operating member between the first position and the second position. The clutch yoke is engaged with the clutch mechanism. The coupling member is configured to couple the tubular clutch cam and the clutch operating member, and configured to rotate the tubular clutch cam between the coupled position and the decoupled position The clutch return mechanism is coupled with the tubular clutch cam and the coupling member. The clutch return member includes a rotation member attached to a rotation shaft of the handle, a clutch return member, and a toggle spring member configured to urge the clutch return member towards either the engaged position or the disengaged position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Shouji NAKAGAWA
  • Patent number: 8136648
    Abstract: A downsized power unit equipped with a clutch operation-assisting device that reduces operation force of a clutch lever. The clutch operation-assisting device includes a push shaft and a first rotation plate that is rotatably supported by a support plate and connected to a clutch wire, and slides the push shaft by rotation. The first rotation plate and a second rotation plate are connected by gear. The second rotation plate is rotatably supported by a bearing member fixed to the support plate. A spring unit that provides assisting force in a direction to disengage a friction clutch is connected to the second rotation plate by pin. The spring unit, as seen from a shaft direction of the push shaft, is disposed so that an extension direction of an auxiliary spring does not pass through a rotation center of a pressure plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akifumi Oishi, Takuji Murayama
  • Patent number: 8087505
    Abstract: A compact power unit for a vehicle having a clutch actuator is provided. The power unit includes a clutch actuator and a drive force transmission mechanism for transmitting the drive force of the clutch actuator to the clutch. The clutch actuator and the drive force transmission mechanism are arranged within a casing of the power unit. A drive shaft of the clutch actuator extends in the vertical direction. The drive force transmission mechanism includes a worm shaft coupled to the drive shaft of the clutch actuator, a first solid of revolution including a worm wheel portion which engages the worm shaft, a second solid of revolution which engages a gear portion of the first solid of revolution, and a ball cam. The ball cam converts torque from the second solid of revolution into a force which acts in the axial direction of a slide shaft of the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yousuke Ishida
  • Patent number: 7819232
    Abstract: A clutching system comprises a lever mechanism portion and a clutch mechanism portion. The lever mechanism portion comprises a push lever. The push lever comprises a cam surface. The clutch mechanism portion comprises a push rod. The push rod comprises a cam follower. A Belleville spring functions as a clutch spring. The cam surface and the cam follower are formed such that a lever ratio of the push lever at a pivot start position is larger than a lever ratio of the push lever at a pivot finish position. The Belleville spring is formed such that a force required to move the push lever at the pivot finish position is smaller than a force required to move to the push lever at the pivot start position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yousuke Ishida, Akifumi Oishi, Takuji Murayama
  • Patent number: 7779977
    Abstract: A vehicle shifting mechanism configured for actuation of a clutch and gear-shifting of a shift drum in a transmission is disclosed, which includes a camshaft linked to the shift drum; an actuating motor for driving the camshaft to allow the camshaft to make one revolution to shift the shift drum with one gear; and a cam connected to the camshaft to coaxially rotate with the camshaft and abutting against a release bearing actuating element to actuate engagement and disengagement of the clutch. The cam has a symmetrical contour such that the camshaft driven by the actuating motor is capable of making one unidirectional revolution to enable actuation of the clutch and the gear-shifting of the shift drum to occur concurrently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignees: Industrial Technology Research Institute, Kwang Yang Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Li-Yu Chen, Yeu-Jou Lin, Tien-Ho Gau
  • Patent number: 7717249
    Abstract: An electromagnetic gear-clutch assembly (1) is disclosed. The device comprises a gear (10) having grooves (10c) that open inwardly toward the axis and extend axially. A hub (12) is located within the gear (10) where it is capable of rotating within the gear (10). The hub (12) has grooves (12k) that open outwardly away from the axis and extend axially. Keys (17) are located within the grooves (12k) of the hub (12) and are capable of moving radially toward and away from the axis, the arrangement being such that when the keys (17) are permitted to move away from the axis, at least one will enter one of the grooves (10c) in the gear (10) to couple the gear (10) and huh (12) so that they will rotate in unison. The device also comprises an actuator assembly (3) for effecting radial displacement of the keys (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: The Timken Company
    Inventor: Xiaolan Ai
  • Patent number: 7694792
    Abstract: A twin clutch device wherein a second clutch is arranged coaxially and radially inside of a first clutch outer which forms an annular plate portion. One clutch inners of both clutches is arranged between a clutch member which constitutes a portion of the outer of the first and second clutches and an annular plate portion. Lifter pins have axes arranged parallel to a rotary axis of first and second clutches and axially movably penetrate both clutch inners to bring one ends thereof into contact with pressure plates. First and second drive control members are capable of applying control forces to disconnect the first and second clutches against spring forces of first and second clutch springs. A second clutch outer is rotated together with the first clutch outer and is arranged coaxially with the first clutch. A pair of clutch outers are connected in a relatively non-rotatable manner with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Tsukada, Toshimasa Mitsubori, Masahiro Kuroki
  • Patent number: 7669797
    Abstract: A foldable boarding ramp is operatively connected to a door opening provided in a body and is selectively extendable to the ground. The foldable boarding ramp is stored in a folded state inside a fairing covering a connecting portion between the body and a main wing. Thus, a reduction in the space of a passenger compartment and a cargo compartment due to the storage of the folded boarding ramp is prevented. In addition, an increase in air resistance can be suppressed without providing a dedicated fairing for covering the boarding ramp. Further, an interlocking member connects together a door for opening and closing the door opening and the boarding ramp when the door is opened. The boarding ramp may be automatically deployed to improve convenience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wataru Yada, Hiroshi Yamanouchi
  • Patent number: 7591359
    Abstract: To provide a clutch release mechanism which can restrain vibrations of a ball while allowing the ball to be loosely fitted when it is not in operation to ensure the engaged state of a clutch. A clutch release mechanism is configured in such a manner that a gap is defined between a clutch cam plate or a receiving plate and a ball unit so that the ball unit can slide between the clutch cam plate and the receiving plate. An urging spring is provided for urging the ball unit in the direction of being slid toward the clutch cam plate. A C-ring for restricting the ball unit from coming out from a boss member is attached to the peripheral portion of the boss member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinya Koyama, Hitoshi Yokotani, Hiroatsu Inui
  • Patent number: 7472628
    Abstract: A mechanically-activated decoupler is used in the actuator of the cinching latch mechanism. The decoupler activates with an input from door handle operation such that the motor drive within the actuator decouples from the remainder of the actuator gear train and latch mechanism whenever the door handle is operated. At rest the actuator is direct-coupled to the latch mechanism having a lost motion provision to allow manual latch function. Because of this the actuator with its motor drive is unloaded and routine door handle-activated decoupling carries little friction. In the event of a power failure during a cinching or release cycle, the handle input activates the clutch and decouples the otherwise binding motor drive of the actuator allowing the remainder of the latch mechanism to return to its at rest state using light return springs. After returning to its at rest state the latch mechanism retains normal manual function until the power failure is corrected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Closures Inc.
    Inventor: G. Clarke Oberheide
  • Patent number: 7320392
    Abstract: A shaft coupling unit is disclosed, which comprises a coupling disk (1), a disk (2), a spring (3), a concave member (4), a convex member (5) and a draw lever (14). The concave member (4) is press fitted against the convex member to rotate circumferentially and to move axially with respect to one another. The concave member (4) is axially press fitted against the disk (2) to rotate circumferentially with respect to one another. An external coupling member (6) is disposed between the concave member (4) and a transmission member (7). The external coupling member (6) is radially press fitted against the concave member (4) to axially slide each other. The convex member (5) is mounted on the coupling disk (1). The spring (3joined to the disk (2) at an end, and joined to the draw lever (14) at the other end. The draw lever (14) is linked up with t coupling member (1) through the disk (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Inventor: Xingyun Xie
  • Patent number: 6938746
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for coupling two shafts that are intended to rotate in the continuation of one another with respect to a casing (4). A dog clutch couples the two shafts. The device comprises clutch-release means allowing the dog clutch (9) to be uncoupled. According to the invention, the clutch-release means comprise a ramp (17) secured to the casing (4), the ramp (17) having a helical shape around the axis (1), a flat disk (19) secured to the first shaft (3) the plane of which is more or less perpendicular to the axis (1), an element (20) intended to roll between the ramp (17) and the disk (19) so as to cause a translational movement of the first shaft (3) with respect to the casing (4) more or less along the axis (1), the translational movement allowing the dog clutch (9) to be uncoupled. The specific structure of the clutch-release means enables the shafts to be uncoupled while they are in rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventor: Bela Skorucak
  • Patent number: 6779640
    Abstract: A driving force transmitting clutch device includes a main shaft; a first rotor rotatable around the main shaft; a second rotor rotatable around the main shaft; an inner sleeve member attached to the second rotor for engaging the first rotor, and being movable in an axial direction of the main shaft; an outer sleeve member for receiving the inner sleeve member therein; and a coil spring for urging the inner sleeve member in a direction that the inner sleeve member engages the first rotor and the outer sleeve. When a movement of the outer sleeve is stopped, the outer sleeve moves the inner sleeve for releasing the inner sleeve from the first rotor and for releasing the inner sleeve from the outer sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventor: Shigemitsu Tomita
  • Publication number: 20030075412
    Abstract: An actuating device for a friction clutch device installed in the drive train of a motor vehicle introduces actuating forces, especially clutch-engaging or clutch-releasing forces, to the friction clutch device to actuate at least one friction clutch of the friction clutch device in the engaging or releasing direction. At least one actuating element assigned to a friction clutch can be shifted axially relative to at least one support element, which is essentially fixed in the axial direction, to exert the actuating forces. The actuating element belongs to an actuator assigned to the clutch or can be shifted axially relative to the support element by the intermediate action of an actuator assigned to the clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Applicant: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventors: Markus Heiartz, Andreas Orlamunder, Sebastian Vogt, Olaf Pagels, Georg Zink, Christoph Kleuker
  • Patent number: 6260683
    Abstract: A clutch having a narrow housing and including a disengagement unit for a clutch pressure plate with a device for applying an essentially radially directed force onto the pressure plate, and wherein the device is driven in a radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Rohs-Voigt Patentwerwertungsgesellschaft mbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Rohs, Hans Rohs, Dietmar Heidingsfeld
  • Patent number: 6231113
    Abstract: A cable drive for a motor vehicle having a body and a door slidable outside the body has a rotatable shaft projecting through the body and having an outer end outside the vehicle adjacent the door and an inside end inside the vehicle. A drum outside the vehicle is mounted on the outside end and a cable wholly outside the vehicle is wound around the drum and connected to the door so that rotation of the drum and shaft in one direction slides the door into a closed position and opposite movement slides it into an open position. A motor unit wholly inside the vehicle is connected to the inside shaft end to rotate the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Stefan Armbruster, Kornelia Greulich
  • Patent number: 6209690
    Abstract: A load brake having a load shaft, a flange-like pressure plate fixedly mounted onto the load shaft, and a cogwheel arranged on the load shaft. A tension device produces an axial motion and force in the cogwheel as the wheel rotates with respect to the load shaft, and a ratchet wheel is mounted between the pressure plate and the cogwheel. A pawl prevents the rotation of the ratchet wheel at least in the release direction of the load shaft, and friction surfaces are provided between the pressure plate and the ratchet wheel, and the ratchet wheel and the cogwheel. Rotation that tends towards the release direction of the load shaft and that is faster than the speed of rotation of the cogwheel brings the pressure plate and the cogwheel closer together in the axial direction and presses them against the ratchet wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: KCI Konecranes International PLC
    Inventors: Ismo Kuivamäki, Mika Kuusela