US3637056A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Selectively disengageable helical spring clutch
Assignee: Dana Inc
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Filing: 1970-07-22
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Granted: 1972-01-25
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Expires: 1990-07-22
Abstract
Abstract A helical clutch spring is attached one end to the output hub and at its other end to a collar and lies opposite a cylindrical clutch surface of an input hub. The clutch spring tends to be normally out of engagement with the clutch surface. However, by virtue of resilient means urging a surface on the collar into an opposed surface on the input hub, the rotation imparted to the collar causes the spring to engage the input hub and drive the output hub through the spring. Actuator means may be selectively caused to act upon the collar to draw it in opposition to the resilient means away from the input hub and allow the spring to return to its normal position and the clutch to disengage.
Inventors
- 👤 John S Baer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 09:34
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16D; F16D27/00; F16D27/10; F16D27/105
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
A clutch structure having a rotatable output hub, a helical clutch spring attached at one end to the output hub, an input hub rotatable about the axis of rotation of the output hub, adjacent the output hub and having a cylindrical clutch surface concentric with and engagable by at least a portion of the helical clutch spring, a collar attached to the end of the clutch spring remote from the end attached to the output hub, said collar having a surface opposed to a surface on the input hub in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation, resilient means acting between the output hub and the collar urging the collar into the input hub such that the rotation of the input hub imposed on the collar by such contact will cause the clutch spring to move into contact with the cylindrical clutch surface of the input hub, whereupon the input hub drives the output hub, and clutch disengagement actuator means selectively actuatably upon the collar to move the collar away from the input hub in opposition to the resilient means and thereby disengaging the clutch.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
186 words
A clutch structure having a rotatable output hub, a helical clutch spring attached at one end to the output hub, an input hub rotatable about the axis of rotation of the output hub, adjacent the output hub and having a cylindrical clutch surface concentric with and engagable by at least a portion of the helical clutch spring, a collar attached to the end of the clutch spring remote from the end attached to the output hub, said collar having a surface opposed to a surface on the input hub in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation, resilient means acting between the output hub and the collar urging the collar into the input hub such that the rotation of the input hub imposed on the collar by such contact will cause the clutch spring to move into contact with the cylindrical clutch surface of the input hub, whereupon the input hub drives the output hub, and clutch disengagement actuator means selectively actuatably upon the collar to move the collar away from the input hub in opposition to the resilient means and thereby disengaging the clutch.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The clutch structure of claim 1 in which the opposed surfaces on the collar and input hubs are planar ring-shaped areas.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
The clutch structure of claim 1 wherein the clutch disengagement actuator means is an electromagnetic means selectively energizable to act on a portion of the collar providing an armature and acting upon the collar to draw the collar away from the input hub in opposition to the resilient means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The clutch structure of claim 3 in which the electromagnetic means is held stationary by suitable means permitting rotation between the actuator and the output hub.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
The clutch structure of claim 1 in which the helical clutch spring in relaxed condition is opened out of engagement with the cylindrical input hub clutch surface which it surrounds but is of proper hand to be wrapped down into engagement with the input clutch surface by engagement between the collar and the input hub.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The clutch structure of claim 1 in which the helical clutch spring in relaxed condition is opened inwardly away from an input clutch surface which surrounds the spring and which due to the hand of the spring is expanded outwardly when the input hub engages the collar.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The clutch structure of claim 1 in which mechanical means is provided to act upon the collar to move it axially away from the input hub.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The clutch structure of claim 7 in which the mechanical means is fixed to nonrotating structure movable relative thereto into the moving structure of the collar.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The clutch structure of claim 1 wherein the collar is an annular planar structure urged laterally into the input hub by auxiliary spring means separate from the clutch spring.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The clutch structure of claim 1 in which the collar is urged into the input hub by the clutch spring which provides an axial bias as well as a radial bias.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-24 | 1975-07-26 | 1976-01-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-24 | 1979-07-26 | 1980-01-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-24 | 1983-07-26 | 1984-01-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |