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US 3,977,503 AGranted
Clutch
AssigneeChrysler Corporation
InventorJohn W. Hurst
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Corresponding sets of radially distributed helical surfaces in a cone clutch for axially urging either of two female cone members into more positive engagement with a male cone member and for driving a clutch output member or members.
Claims20
The combination of rotatable input shaft means,
- a first drive member fixed to the input shaft means and rotatable therewith,
- second and third drive members on the input shaft means, axially movable and independently rotatable thereon and positioned one to each side of the first drive member,
- adjacent portions of the first drive member and the second and third drive members being provided with cooperating means for forming a driving-driven relationship when either of the second or third drive members is axially moved into contact with the first drive member thereby causing rotation of the second or third drive member by the first drive member upon its rotation,
- means for selectively placing the second and third driven members into individual contact with the first drive member and for placing both of the second and third drive members out of contact with the first drive member,
- two gears in a substantially axially fixed position on the input shaft means and independently rotatable thereon, each gear being positioned adjacent a side of either of the second and third members which side is opposite the side for contacting the first drive member, the two gears and the second and third drive members forming two drive member-adjacent gear pairs, and
- a plurality of complementary, radially distributed, overlapping, helical camming surfaces on adjacent portions of the second and third drive members and the gears, the surfaces extending between each drive member-gear pair to couple them together for rotation, the complementary helical surfaces of one drive member-gear pair being opposite handed relative to those of the other drive member-gear pair, the camming surfaces of each pair being in mutual overlapping relationship over the complete range of axial movement of the respective second or third drive members whereby contact and rotation of either the second or third drive member with the first drive member causes rotation of the respective adjacently coupled gear through driving engagement between the corresponding complementary camming surfaces and the driving engagement of the camming surfaces urges the second or third drive member axially toward the drive member for more positive contact therewith while continuing to rotate the adjacent gear.
3 more elements
The combination of
- rotatable shaft means,
- a first drive member fixed to the shaft means and rotatable therewith,
- second and third drive members on the shaft means and axially moveable and independently rotatable thereon and positioned one to each side of the first drive member,
- adjacent portions of the first drive member and the second and third drive members being provided with cooperating surfaces for forming a driving-driven relationship when either the second or third drive member is axially moved into contact with the first drive member,
- means for selectively placing either of the second or third drive members into contact with the first drive member and for placing both the second and third drive members out of contact with the first drive member,
- two gears substantially axially fixed on the input shaft means and independently rotatable thereon, each gear being positioned adjacent a side of the second and third drive members which is opposite the side for contacting the first drive member and forming two drive member-adjacent gear pairs, and
- a plurality of complementary, radially distributed, overlapping, helical camming surfaces on adjacent portions of the second and third drive members and the two gears, the surfaces extending between each paired drive member-gear pair to couple them together for rotation, the camming surfaces of each pair being in mutual over-lapping relationship over the complete range of axial movement of the respective drive member whereby contact and rotation of either the second or third drive member with the first drive member causes mutual rotation therebetween along with rotation of the respective adjacently coupled gear and the driving engagement between the corresponding complementary camming surfaces urges the contacting drive members axially toward each other for more positive contact therebetween while continuing the rotation.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.