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US 4,391,356 AGranted
Clutch engageable/disengageable by momentary energization of solenoid means
AssigneeNissan Motor Co., Ltd.
InventorsToji Takemura, Kenzo Hirashima
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An electromagnetic clutch includes a mechanism which is responsive to a first short energization of an electromagnet thereof to cause a spring arrangement therein to snap to a reverse configuration wherein it holds the clutch engaged until a second short energization with a current larger than that used for the first energization, whereupon the mechanism again reverses the configuration of the spring and subsequently causes the clutch to disengage.
Claims4
A clutch comprising:
- an input element operatively connected to a prime mover for being driven thereby;
- a first rotatable clutch element;
- a second rotatable clutch element movable with respect to the first clutch element and engageable therewith, said second clutch element being connected to said input element for synchronous rotation therewith;
- first biasing means for biasing said second clutch element away from said first clutch element when in a first state thereof, and for biasing said first and second clutch elements together when in a second state thereof;
- an electromagnet associated with said first clutch element for attracting said second clutch element to said first clutch element and inducing said first biasing means to assume said first state when energized with a first predetermined current;
- and
- means responsive to the energization of said electromagnet with a second predetermined current which is higher than said first predetermined current for reversing the state of said first biasing means from said second state to said first state and for causing said first and second clutch elements to separate.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.