Spring Engaged Patents (Class 192/66.31)
  • Patent number: 11933369
    Abstract: A clutch device includes a pressure plate movable toward or away from a clutch center and rotatable with respect to the clutch center. The pressure plate includes a flange extending radially outward from an outer circumferential edge of a body, pressure-side fitting teeth projecting in a first direction from a front surface of the flange, holding input-side rotating plates and output-side rotating plates, and circumferentially arranged, and a flange-side recessed portion recessed in the first direction from a back surface of the flange. As seen in an axial direction of an output shaft, the flange-side recessed portion at least partially overlaps one of the pressure-side fitting teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA F.C.C.
    Inventors: Jun Komukai, Satoshi Ota, Yasunori Higashi, Makoto Kambara
  • Patent number: 11716928
    Abstract: A lawn mower comprises a driving assembly, an impact protection assembly, a transmission assembly and a cutting assembly. The impact protection assembly comprises a first bearing seat and a second bearing seat which are mated with each other, and an elastic member and a ball which are positioned between the first bearing seat and the second bearing seat. The first bearing seat is provided with a protrusion. When the driving assembly performs driving, the ball is pushed by the elastic member to be in contact with the protrusion of the first bearing seat, so that the transmission assembly and the cutting assembly are driven to rotate synchronously. When the resistance received by the cutting assembly is greater than a preset value, the elastic member is continuously compressed and the ball passes over the protrusion, and a relative rotation between the transmission assembly and the driving assembly occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Globe (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Wei Zhang, Xiaodong Guan
  • Patent number: 10465755
    Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch includes: a driving-side rotatable body that is rotated about an axis of a rotatable shaft of a drive-subject device; and a driven-side rotatable body that is placed on one side of the driving-side rotatable body in an axial direction. The electromagnetic clutch includes a flat spring that is formed to be rotatable integrally with the rotatable shaft of the drive-subject device and is joined to the driven-side rotatable body. The electromagnetic clutch includes a blocking member that is installed to the flat spring. A primary through-hole is formed in the driven-side rotatable body. A secondary through-hole is formed in the flat spring. Switching between coupling and decoupling between driving-side rotatable body and the driven-side rotatable body is made through elastic deformation of the flat spring. The blocking member closes the secondary through-hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi Iha, Toshihiro Hayashi
  • Patent number: 10197111
    Abstract: An installation structure of a one-way clutch in which torque transmission is limited to one direction includes a flywheel, first and second rotary structures, housing and stopper plates, and a rivet. The first rotary structure is arranged coaxially with the flywheel while connected to an engine block. The second rotary structure is arranged coaxially with the first rotary structure while connected to the flywheel. The housing plate is disposed between the flywheel and the first and second rotary structures and arranged coaxially while connected to the second rotary structure. The stopper plate is attached to the second rotary structure to hold first rotary structure with the housing plate. The rivet fastens the stopper plate, the second rotary structure, and the housing plate. A first clearance between one face of the flywheel and a top face of a head of the rivet is narrower than a thickness of the stopper plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takahito Endo, Seitaro Nobuyasu, Yosuke Suzuki, Koichi Kato, Yuji Iwase
  • Patent number: 10006499
    Abstract: A pressure disk includes spring receiving portions for mounting coil springs that are elastically installed between the pressure disk and a clutch center. The spring receiving portions are aligned circumferentially on the outside in a radial direction with respect to an oil take-in hole. The spring receiving portions are provided with a supply hole in a side surface portion thereof toward the inside of the pressure disk. The supply hole introduces the oil supplied from the oil take-in hole. The spring receiving portion includes a discharge hole which discharges to the outside the oil introduced in the spring receiving portion. An inside cylindrical portion of the clutch center includes communication holes communicating with the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kenichi Nakano
  • Publication number: 20150041275
    Abstract: A clutch device is provided which facilitates an operation of checking whether or not spring seats have been properly disposed and effectively prevents falling off or a change in attitude of the spring seats, thereby reducing the labor required for manufacture. A clutch device 100 includes a pressure plate 110 which presses friction plates 103 which are rotationally driven by a drive shaft against clutch plates 107. The pressure plate 110 includes clutch springs 112 and spring seats 113 disposed in receiving portions 111 having a concave shape. Each spring seat 113 has two plate-shaped arms 113a and 113b extending along the bottom 111a of the receiving portion 111 and has a C-like shape. Protrusions 114a and 114b project from the peripheries of the arms 113a and 113b. Recesses 111b into which the protrusions 114a and 114b fit are formed in an inner wall portion of each receiving portion 111 at a position near the bottom 111a of the receiving portion 111.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Tomoyasu Satou, Shinji Furuhashi, Norikazu Takeda, Kenichirou Isobe
  • Patent number: 8919514
    Abstract: A brake assembly includes a mounting flange having a central opening to receive a shaft, a rotor disc mounted on the shaft and rotatable with the shaft, a float plate having a first friction surface engageable with one face of the rotor disc, and a pressure plate having a second friction surface engageable with another face of the rotor disc. The brake assembly also includes a spring housing, which operates as a piston, and a cylinder coupled to the spring housing to form a fluid pressure chamber. The spring housing moves in a first direction when pressurized fluid enters the fluid pressure chamber and in a second direction when pressurized fluid exits the fluid pressure chamber. The assembly further includes at least one sliding stud to allow axial movement of at least one of the float plate, the pressure plate, and the spring housing to allow axial movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Shantaram Ashok More
  • Publication number: 20140367215
    Abstract: A clutch arrangement for a drivetrain of a vehicle comprises a first friction surface, a second friction surface and a pressing element. The first and second friction surfaces are arranged to be movable relative to each other along an axis of rotation of the clutch arrangement. The first and second friction surfaces are formed that they can be brought into a frictional engagement with each other to make a torque transmittable from the first friction surface to the second friction surface. One of the first and the second friction surfaces is arranged at a component part. The pressing element comprises a spring structure and is configured to produce or sever the frictional engagement upon actuation by causing a force along the axis of rotation. The spring structure is configured and arranged to at least partially cause the force on the component part through a change in shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Arthur Schröder, Jörg Sudau, Daniel Pittner
  • Publication number: 20140353108
    Abstract: A friction clutch includes a clutch boss and a pressure member that change in a relative position in a rotation direction. The clutch boss and the pressure member respectively include cam surfaces that come into contact with each other when the relative position of the clutch boss and the pressure member changes. A first damper member configured to damp a collision between the cam surfaces is provided in the friction clutch. Generation of noise due to the collision between the cam surfaces when the relative position of the clutch boss and the pressure member rapidly changes in the rotation direction is significantly reduced or prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroyuki TOKUMOTO
  • Publication number: 20140284165
    Abstract: A dry friction clutch is provided having an innovative baffle design wherein the baffle has a tab that sets the limit for maximum adjustment of an adjustment mechanism of the dry clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Troy Scott Reinoehl, Steven Michael Peterson, James Lee Whitaker, Clinton Lee McClellan, Steven Joe Rynearson, JR., James Robert Hockemeyer, John Alan Schenkel, III
  • Publication number: 20140182993
    Abstract: A centrifugal pendulum and a clutch disk with a pendulum flange provided thereon, rotational about an axis of rotation, and several pendulum weights distributed over the circumference and received on the pendulum flange in a pivotal fashion. In order to at least reduce noise development due to mass momentum of inertia acting here caused by the centrifugal pendulum, the pendulum flange is received on a rotational part, rotating on an axis of rotation, and a friction clutch is effectively arranged between the pendulum flange and said part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Alain Rusch, Steffen Lehmann, Walter Hepperle
  • Publication number: 20140174872
    Abstract: A fail-safe friction clutch assembly for a vehicle accessory, particularly to drive a vehicle cooling pump or cooling fan. The friction clutch assembly includes a friction plate member connected to a central rotatable shaft member used for operating the vehicle accessory. A pair of friction lining members arc positioned on opposite sides of the friction plate member. An armature member is spring biased to axially force the friction plate member and friction lining member against a housing or cover which is rotating at input speed. A solenoid assembly is used to overcome the spring bias and pull the armature and friction plate member away from the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Shiwei Qin
  • Publication number: 20140158492
    Abstract: Compression spring members, particularly for friction clutch assemblies. The compression spring members include a plurality of deformable members and where the amount of force necessary to compress the spring member lessens over displacement once a peak amount of force is reached. The compression spring members can comprise a plurality of buckling beam spring members, a plurality of connecting members, or the like. One or more ring members can be provided for attachment to the connecting members. The friction clutch assembly is preferably used for a hybrid coolant pump with two modes of operation, an electric motor operation and a mechanical pulley-driven operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: BORGWARNER INC.
    Inventor: Joshua L. Roby
  • Publication number: 20140131161
    Abstract: A friction clutch, for example, a dual clutch, having traction mode and power take-off, with a pressure plate that is axially pre-stressed, applying a load to a cup spring, against an opposing pressure plate while tensioning friction linings of a clutch plate, the pressure plate being displaceable against the effect of the cup spring by means of pressure levers distributed along the periphery that are rotatably arranged by means of first pivot joints on knee levers that are axially stressed by a disengaging mechanism and have a specifiable axial distance relative to the disengaging mechanism, and means for adjusting the axial distance. In order to achieve a constant transmissibility of the existing torque in traction mode over the service life when there is wear of the friction linings, an automatic adjusting device is provided in series with the adjusting screws between the pressure levers and the pressure plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Inventor: Dmitrij Tagunov
  • Publication number: 20140069763
    Abstract: A transmission and a clutch assembly for a vehicle are disclosed. The clutch assembly includes a housing defining a cavity presenting an interior surface. The interior surface defines a pocket along a longitudinal axis. The clutch assembly further includes a piston disposed in the pocket and movable between an initial position and a final position relative to the pocket along the longitudinal axis. The piston includes a plurality of flanges extending outwardly away from the longitudinal axis. The clutch assembly also includes a biasing member attached to the interior surface of the housing and engaging the piston to continuously bias the piston toward the initial position. The biasing member abuts the flanges of the piston to prevent rotation of the piston about the longitudinal axis as the piston moves between the initial and final positions along the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Scott William Heitzenrater, Robert Neil Paciotti, Douglas John Dwenger, Larry D. Diemer, John A. Diemer
  • Publication number: 20140060993
    Abstract: A clutch assembly includes a hub rotatable about an axis and at least partially surrounding a cavity, a damper ring within the cavity, able to revolve about the axis, rotatable relative to the hub, a spring, a friction disc, forced elastically by the spring into contact with the damper ring, and a second friction disc contacting the damper ring and providing a reaction to the force of the spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jau-Wen Tseng, Carl P. Garbacik, Michael A. Brockway, Kent E. Flory
  • Publication number: 20130248316
    Abstract: A friction clutch with a back-pressure plate, which is connected to a housing so as to rotate with it, and a pressure plate, which is received by leaf springs such that it can be displaced axially and is fixed with respect to the back-pressure plate so as to rotate with it and which is prestressed by a disc spring to a preset operating point with friction linings clamped in between, and an adjusting device, for adjusting a changing operating point by a ramp ring which is distributed in the circumferential direction and over the circumference, is received on the pressure plate on complementary mating ramps of the pressure plate and is rotated by a spindle device depending on a change in the operating point, and a sensing device which detects a change in the operating point and controls the spindle drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Florian Ziefle
  • Patent number: 8485334
    Abstract: A clutch mechanism with overload protection provided between a power input shaft and a power output shaft of an actuator includes a magnet set including at least a first magnet and a second magnet that are arranged as magnetically attractive to each other and are attached to the power input shaft and the power output shaft, respectively; and a friction assembly including a first friction member and a second friction member arranged adjacent to each other and between the first magnet and the second magnet, so as to provide a constant friction between the magnets. The magnet set and the friction assembly jointly set a limit of a torque between the power input shaft and the power output shaft. When the torque exceeds the limit, the power input shaft and the power output shaft are disconnected, so as to achieve overload protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Hiwin Mikrosystem Corp.
    Inventors: Hsin-An Chiang, Ching-Fang Hu
  • Publication number: 20130140125
    Abstract: A clutch cover assembly is equipped with a clutch cover that is fixed to a flywheel, a pressure plate, a fulcrum ring, and a ring movement regulating mechanism. The pressure plate is for pressing a friction member against the flywheel and is coupled to the clutch cover in such a way as to be relatively non-rotatable with respect to the clutch cover. The fulcrum ring is placed on the pressure plate and moves in a direction away from the pressure plate in accordance with the wear-amount of the friction member. The ring movement regulating mechanism regulates the movement of the fulcrum ring in the direction away from the pressure plate when the rotational speed of the pressure plate has exceeded a predetermined rotational speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: EXEDY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hirokazu Wakabayashi, Norihiko Tanigawa, Nobuhiko Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20130140126
    Abstract: A clutch cover assembly is equipped with a clutch cover that is fixed to a flywheel, a pressure plate, a diaphragm spring, an wear-amount detecting mechanism, and a wear tracking mechanism. The wear-amount detecting mechanism has a contact member, an opposing member, and a wedge member. The contact member is attached to the pressure plate and is in contact with the flywheel. The opposing member is attached to the contact member and opposes the pressure plate. The wedge member fits between the opposing member and the pressure plate and moves in a circumferential direction in accordance with the wear-amount of a friction member. The wear tracking mechanism moves the pressing member to an initial posture side in accordance with the amount of movement of the wedge member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: EXEDY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hirokazu Wakabayashi, Norihiko Tanigawa, Nobuhiko Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20130092497
    Abstract: A friction clutch device, in particular for a drive train of a motor vehicle which is driven by internal, combustion engine, having a rotational axis, a housing, at least one pressure plate which can be displaced in the direction of the rotational axis relative to the housing for an actuation, and a spring device for loading the at least one pressure plate, in which friction clutch device the spring device has a first element for generating a pressure force which acts on the at least one pressure plate, and a second element which is separate structurally from the first element for transmitting an actuating force, in order to improve the friction clutch structurally and/or functionally.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventor: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
  • Publication number: 20130008757
    Abstract: The clutch device includes, a right pressure flange that brings clutch discs provided on a clutch outer and clutch plates provided on a clutch inner into pressure contact with one another. A pressure ring that moves the right pressure flange with an external force and a clutch spring transmits the force toward a clutch connected position, from the pressure ring to the right pressure flange. Further, a return spring between the clutch inner and the right pressure flange urges the right pressure flange toward a clutch disconnected position. The clutch spring and the return spring are disposed parallel to a clutch axial direction, their respective positions overlapping each other in the clutch axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD
    Inventors: Kinya Mizuno, Takeshi Sugano, Masaya Murao, Kazuhiko Nakamura, Junya Ono
  • Publication number: 20120318628
    Abstract: A clutch unit having a pressure plate via which, as a result of axial displacement, a clutch disc which bears friction linings can be pressed against a pressure plate to form a frictionally engaging connection, wherein the axial displacement of the pressure plate can be effected by means of an axial displacement of a lever spring plate which has a circular outer circumference and which bears against one or more protuberances arranged annularly on a surface, which faces toward the lever spring plate of the pressure plate so as to be spaced apart radially from the outer edge thereof, and wherein the pressure plate has, radially at the outside on that side thereof which faces towards the lever spring plate, an annular, axially projecting edge. At least three radial projections which are spaced apart in the circumferential direction are arranged on the radially inner wall of the axially projecting edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventor: Andre Schneegans
  • Patent number: 8317213
    Abstract: A model vehicle slipper clutch is provided, comprising a spur gear for receiving torque from an actuator, a clutch driver plate secured to the spur gear for receiving torque from the spur gear, a transmission input shaft for transmitting torque from the slipper clutch to a model vehicle transmission, a spring for applying a load to the driver plate in the axial direction of the transmission input shaft, a bearing positioned between the spring and driver plate for supporting the spur gear for rotation about the transmission input shaft and for applying a load from the spring to the drive plate in the axial direction of the transmission input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Traxxas LP
    Inventor: Brent Whitfield Byers
  • Publication number: 20120241280
    Abstract: A multi-disc frictional engagement mechanism includes a plurality of driven plates and drive plates, a hydraulic piston, a spring which comes into contact with a pressure receiving portion of the hydraulic piston, an oil chamber which causes a hydraulic pressure to act on the pressure receiving portion, and a lock mechanism which restricts a movement of the hydraulic piston in a coupling direction toward the driven plates and the drive plates in a state where the hydraulic pressure is supplied to the oil chamber, the spring is compressed by the pressure receiving portion and the driven plates and the drive plates are not coupled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventors: Yusuke NAKANO, Katsuya Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20120199435
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to inhibit degradation in stiffness of a clutch cover in a type of a clutch cover assembly supporting a diaphragm spring by tabs formed using a part of the clutch cover, and thereby, to prevent unsmooth decoupling of a clutch. The clutch cover assembly includes a clutch cover, a pressure plate and a diaphragm spring. The clutch cover is allowed to be fixed to a flywheel and includes an annularly continued inner peripheral edge. The clutch cover includes a circular opening in its center part and plural tabs between its inner and outer peripheries. Each tab is bent towards the flywheel and further towards the clutch cover outer periphery. The pressure plate holds a friction plate with the flywheel for interposing the friction plate therebetween. The diaphragm spring is supported by the clutch cover tabs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: EXEDY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Norihisa Uenohara
  • Publication number: 20120186930
    Abstract: A hub (16) can be fixed to a blade carrier disc (11) and is mounted on a shaft (10) rotationally operated about a vertical axis. To transfer rotary movement from the shaft (10) to the hub (16) a plate (17) rotatable with the shaft and slidable along it is provided adjacent to the hub (16). A spring (19) pushes the plate towards the hub (16). The plate (17) and the hub (16) have corresponding interface surfaces which are inclined with respect to the axis of rotation or curved to convert movement of relative rotation between the hub (16) and the plate (17) into a relative separating movement in an axial direction. In a normal operating condition, the first and second interface surfaces are axially close and mutually engaged to transfer the rotary movement from the shaft (10) to the hub (16).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: GRIBALDI & SALVIA S.p.A.
    Inventors: Vincenzo Salvia, Vito Salvia
  • Publication number: 20120168238
    Abstract: A torque transfer apparatus for a transmission includes a rotatable friction clutch pack including a first friction plate that is contiguous to a second friction plate, with the first friction plate coupled to a first transmission element and the second friction plate coupled to a second transmission element. A Belleville spring device is configured to urge the first friction plate to engage the second friction plate to effect torque transfer therebetween when a hydraulically-activated piston is deactivated. The hydraulically-activated piston is configured to urge the second periphery of the Belleville spring device away from mechanical contact of the first friction plate when the hydraulically-activated piston is activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Gary L. Jones, Farzad Samie, Andrew L. Bartos
  • Publication number: 20120067688
    Abstract: A fully contained, drop-in clutch assembly, which includes a clutch cover which has slots, a moveable pressure plate with radially outwardly directed tabs that engages the slots of the clutch allowing axial movement, a fixed pressure plate which is fastened to the clutch cover by fastening elements, a clutch disc disposed between the movable pressure plate and the fixed pressure plate, and a diaphragm spring. By fastening the fixed pressure plate to the clutch cover, the clutch assembly is fully contained, allowing easy assembly to transmission housing and a flexplate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Steven OLSEN
  • Publication number: 20120031726
    Abstract: A modular clutch assembly (15) comprising a first rotary member (16) having a first torque transfer surface (73 or 69), said first rotary member configured to rotate about an axis (x-x) and to rotationally couple to a first shaft (20), a second rotary member (22) configured to rotate about the axis and to rotationally couple to a second shaft (21), a pressure plate (23) configured to rotate about the axis, at least one of the second member and the pressure plate having a second torque transfer surface (78 or 66) opposing the first torque transfer surface, a spring element (29) configured to bias the opposed first and second torque transfer surfaces towards each other, and a pilot bearing (30) configured to act between the second member and the first shaft or the first member and the second shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: COLUMBUS MCKINNON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bradly C. Grubb, Jared B. Godbey, Julian Raphael
  • Publication number: 20110272236
    Abstract: There is provided a clutch device in which a half clutch range can be set at a wide range and in which smoothness and quickness in the disconnection of the clutch can be dramatically improved and in which a shift operation can be performed smoothly and quickly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: Os Giken Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaharu OKAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20110147157
    Abstract: A wear compensating device, including: at a first axial end, an annularly-shaped base element; an index trigger element connected to the base element; a first annularly-shaped element, at least partially rotatable with respect to the base element, engaged with the index trigger element, and at least partially rotatable with respect to the index trigger element; and at a second axial end, opposite the first axial end, a second annularly-shaped element with a first ramp, the second annularly-shaped element engaged with the first annularly-shaped element and rotatable with respect to the first annularly-shaped element. In response to a specified amount of displacement by a portion of the index trigger element, the first and second annularly-shaped elements are rotatable to change a circumferential position of the first ramp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Mavinkal Jayaram, Philip George
  • Publication number: 20110127136
    Abstract: A clutch mechanism includes a pulley, an armature, an electromagnet, a plate spring, and a damper. The armature is joined to the pulley in a direction of a rotation axis. The electromagnet generates attracting magnetic force, which attracts the armature in a joining direction. The plate spring generates resilient force, which urges the armature in an opposite direction from the joining direction. The damper includes an impact mitigation part mitigating an impact when the armature collides with the pulley. The pulley, the armature, the damper, and the plate spring are arranged in this order in the direction of the rotation axis. The damper includes a contact portion in contact with part of the armature in the direction of the rotation axis. The plate spring includes a pressing part pressing the contact portion on the armature both at time of joining and at time of unjoining between the armature and the pulley.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shigeyoshi SAKURABA, Yasuo Tabuchi
  • Publication number: 20100126820
    Abstract: A clutch 44 has a clutch boss 441, a clutch housing 442, a friction plate 64, a clutch plate 65, and a pressure plate 450. The clutch boss 441 is attached to the main shaft 41 so as to be integrally rotated therewith. The clutch housing 442 encloses the periphery of the clutch boss 441 and is attached to the main shaft 41 so as to be rotated with respect to the main shaft 41. The friction plate 64 has a plate main body and a friction material and rotates together with the clutch housing 442. The clutch plate 65 faces the plate main body via the friction material and rotates together with the clutch boss 441. The pressure plate 450 rotates together with one of the clutch boss 441 the clutch housing 442 which is engaged with the friction plate 64.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshinori INOMORI, Yousuke ISHIDA
  • Publication number: 20100076655
    Abstract: A vehicle driveline component that includes an input member, at least one output member and a preloaded clutch that is disposed between the input member and the at least one output member. The preloaded clutch limits drive torque transmitted form the input member to each output member. The driveline component is selected from a group consisting of transfer cases, propshafts, viscous couplings and differentials. A related method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: MAGNA POWERTRAIN USA, INC.
    Inventors: James S. Brissenden, Richard Bakowski
  • Patent number: 7467700
    Abstract: The invention discloses a power tool comprising a clutch having a first clutch element and a second clutch element which are seated for rotation one relative to the other and between which a torque can be transmitted. The clutch comprises an actuating element engaging at least one of the first and second clutch elements for moving the clutch between an engaged position for effecting power transmission from a drive shaft to an output shaft, and between a released position wherein there is no power transmission to said output shaft. The actuating element comprises a nanotube actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignees: C. & E. Fein GmbH, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Oliver Greese, Ivica Kolaric
  • Publication number: 20040256191
    Abstract: A clutch assembly selectively transfers rotational energy from a rotatable drive shaft to a wheel. The clutch assembly includes a drive transmitting member rotationally coupled to the drive shaft, a clutch member rotationally coupled to the drive transmitting member and movable relative to the drive transmitting member, and a wheel drive member adapted to receive a rotational energy from the clutch member. In one aspect, the clutch assembly is for selectively transmitting drive force from a rotational drive source to a single wheel of a multi-wheeled power driven device. The clutch assembly includes a member axially movable relative to the rotational drive source to transmit rotational energy toward the wheel when the member is in one axial position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventors: Norman Buckhouse, Michael Scott