Self-aligning driveshaft coupler
AssigneeDeere & Company
InventorThomas M. Knuth
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A self-aligning driveshaft coupler includes a receiving clutch having a spiral channel around its neck, and a locking clutch assembly with a first ring shaped member and a second ring shaped member that rotate together. A locking pin extends radially from the second ring shaped member and into the spiral channel and pulls the locking clutch assembly toward the receiving clutch as the receiving clutch rotates. A plurality of drive pins extend axially from the first ring shaped member and engage the receiving clutch when the locking pin is at the end of the spiral channel.
Claims18
A self-aligning driveshaft coupler, comprising:
- a receiving clutch that is rotatable and has a neck with a spiral channel around the neck;
- the spiral channel having a first end and a second end;
- a locking clutch assembly with a first ring shaped member and a second ring shaped member that rotate together;
- a locking pin extending radially from the second ring shaped member and into the first end of the spiral channel and pulling the locking clutch assembly toward the receiving clutch as the receiving clutch rotates until the locking pin is in the second end of the spiral channel;
- and
- a plurality of drive pins extending axially from the first ring shaped member and engaging the receiving clutch when the locking pin is in the second end of the spiral channel.
A self-aligning driveshaft coupler, comprising:
- a receiving clutch having a neck with an outer surface with a spiral channel, and a base with a plurality of receiving holes;
- and
- a locking clutch assembly having an inwardly extending locking pin that enters and follows the spiral channel and pulls the locking clutch assembly axially toward the base as the receiving clutch rotates, and a plurality of drive pins that enter the receiving holes to rotatably engage the locking clutch assembly to the receiving clutch.
A self-aligning driveshaft coupler, comprising:
- a locking clutch assembly and a receiving clutch;
- a locking pin on the locking clutch assembly;
- a spiral channel on the receiving clutch that guides the locking pin and pulls the locking clutch assembly onto the receiving clutch during rotation of the receiving clutch;
- and
- a plurality of axially extending drive pins on the locking clutch assembly that are positioned to enter a plurality of receiving holes in the receiving clutch.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.