Electromagnetic overload clutch

Claim 2

An overload protection clutch comprising: first and second rotational torque-transmitting members axially aligned relative to each other; said torque-transmitting members mutually engageable to transmit torque; resilient means operative to bias said first torque-transmitting member toward a first axial position; electromagnetic coil means arranged in close proximity to said first torque-transmitting member to attract said first torquetransmitting member to a second axial position; magnet body means adapted to receive and retain electromagnetic coil means; one of said first and second axial positions constituting the fully engaged position and the other of said first and second axial positions constituting the fully disengaged position; switching means having an on state and an off state operatively associated with one of said first and second torquetransmitting members operative to control energization of said electromagnetic coil means; disengagement-triggering means coupled to one of said first and second torque-transmitting members operative to execute movement upon the occurrence of an overload, said movement operative to change the state of said switching means; said disengagement-triggering means comprising switch-operating means coupled for relative movement to one of said first and second torque-transmitting members, and overload sensing means coupled for relative movement to one of said first and second torque-transmitting members, operative upon overload to move relative to said member and to cause said switch-operating means to execute switching means change of state movement; and said overload sensing means comprise; a ring coupled to one of said first and second torque-transmitting members for relative rotative movement, and resilient interconnecting means interconnecting said ring and said one of said first and second torque-transmitting members operative to establish an overload level below which mutual relative rotation will not occur.

Claim 3

The clutch as claimed in claim 1 wherein said resilient interconnecting means are adjustable.

Claim 4

An overload protection clutch comprising: first and second rotational torque-transmitting members axially aligned relative to each other; said torque-transmitting members mutually engageable to transmit torque; said first torque-transmitting member bIased towards a first axial position by resilient means; electromagnetic coil means arranged in close proximity to said first torque-transmitting member to attract said first torque-transmitting member to a second axial position; magnet body means adapted to receive and retain said electromagnetic coil means; one of said first and second axial positions constituting the fully engaged position and the other of said first and second positions constituting the fully disengaged position; disengagement-triggering means operative upon overload to move said first torque-transmitting member from the engaged position toward the disengaged position such that the force relationship of the spring and electromagnetic forces reverses and the dominating force completes the disengagement; switch means operatively associated with said torque-transmitting members to interrupt current flow to said electromagnetic coil means when overload slip occurs; and a switch-operating means having at least one disc member associated with one of said torque-transmitting members operative to cause axial movement of said disc member to contactively abut and alter the state of the switch means; said switch operating means comprising first and second disc members in axially spaced together relationship coaxially connected to one of said torque-transmitting members, a torque-limiting adjustable spring means interconnecting said first disc member to said one torque-transmitting member and constituting in combination a power output means, said second disc member being splined to said one torque-transmitting member to allow axial movement, spring means operative to bias said first and second disc members toward each other, and said first and second disc members having at least one ball received between said disc members in corresponding notches to force said disc members apart when there exists a mutual relative rotation therebetween.

Claim 5

An overload protection clutch comprising: first and second rotational torque-transmitting members axially aligned relative to each other; said torque-transmitting members mutually engageable to transmit torque; said first torque-transmitting member bIased towards a first axial position by resilient means; electromagnetic coil means arranged in close proximity to said first torque-transmitting member to attract said first torque-transmitting member to a second axial position; magnet body means adapted to receive and retain said electromagnetic coil means; one of said first and second axial positions constituting the fully engaged position and the other of said first and second positions constituting the fully disengaged position; disengagement-triggering means operative upon overload to move said first torque-transmitting member from the engaged position toward the disengaged position such that the force relationship of the spring and electromagnetic forces reverses and the dominating force completes the disengagement; switch means operatively associated with said torque-transmitting members to interrupt current flow to said electromagnetic coil means when overload slip occurs; and a switch-operating means having at least one disc member associated with one of said torque-transmitting members operative to cause axial movement of said disc member to contactively abut and alter the state of the switch means; said switch operating means comprising first and second disc members in axially spaced together relationship coaxially connected to one of said torque-transmitting members, a torque-limiting adjustable spring means interconnecting said first disc member to said one torque-transmitting member and constituting in combination a power output means, said second disc member being splined to said one torque-transmitting member to allow axial movement, spring means operative to bias said first and second disc members toward each other, and said first and second disc members having at least one ball received between said disc members in corresponding notches to force said disc members apart when there exists a mutual relative rotation therebetween.

Claim 6

An overload protection clutch as claimed in claim 3 wherein: said notches have a radially extending ramp surface operative to allow its retained ball to move radially and axially under the influence of centrifugal force; and said ramp surface having an axial travel rate predetermined to cause said axially moveable disc member to execute a rate of axial movement directly related to the rotational speed of said one of said torque-transmitting members.

Claim 7

An overload protection clutch as claimed in claim 4 wherein: said axial movement of said disc member is operative at a predetermined point to contactively abut a switch member of said switch means to alter the state thereof.