US 4,744,447 A · Overload release clutch

Abstract

An overload release clutch to be mounted between rotary drive and driven members includes a recess formed on one member and a hole formed on the other member at a position axially corresponding to the recess, the recess being arcuate in the circumferential direction and extending in the axial direction. A transmission roller having a crowned peripheral surface, extending in the axial direction and having a tapered surface at least one end, is fitted in the hole so as to be rotatable on its axis and movable along the radial direction. The roller is normally urged by pressure means radially inward and engages with the recess for transmitting the rotational movement of the drive member to the driven member. When an overload torque is applied, the pressure means permits the roller to move radially outward to disengage from the recess.

Claims8

Dependent claims

An overload release clutch comprising:

a rotary driving member and a rotary driven member, one of said members including at least one recess formed on an outer surface thereof, said recess being arcuate in the circumferential direction about an axis parallel to an axis of one member, the other being formed to include at lease one hole at a position corresponding to said at least one recess;
a transmission roller coaxial with said arcuate recess, said roller having a tapered surface on at least one end thereof and being fitted in said hole so as to be rotatable on its axis and movable along the radial direction of said other member;
pressure means acting on said tapered surface for normally urging said roller radially inward to thereby engage said roller with said recess and for permitting said roller to move radially outward to disengage from said recess upon application of an overload torque;
and
a crowned peripheral surface on said roller to permit compensation for misalignment of the driving and driven members.

2 more elements

An overload release clutch comprising:

a drive shaft,
a driven shaft,
a sleeve coupled to an end of the drive shaft, the sleeve including a plurality of recesses formed at predetermined intervals along the circumference of the sleeve, the recesses having an arcuate cross-section in the transverse plane and a rectangular cross-section in the longitudinal direction,
a hub having an annular flange coupled to the driven shaft, the annular flange extending over and surrounding the sleeve, and the annular flange formed to include a plurality of holes aligned with the recesses of the sleeve to form a plurality of driving regions,
a plurality of transmission rollers located in the driving regions, and
pressure means for normally urging the rollers radially inward toward the recesses in the sleeve thereby coupling the drive shaft and the driven shaft so that the drive shaft and the driven shaft rotate together upon the application of a rotational driving force, the pressure means being selected to permit the rollers, upon the application of an overload torque, to move radially outward to disengage from said recesses to allow the drive shaft and driven shaft to rotate relative to each other, and wherein each said transmission roller includes two axial end with a crowned peripheral surface therebetween permitting compensation for misalignment of the sleeve and the annular flange, each said transmission roller having a tapered surface on at least one of said axial ends thereof from cooperation with the pressure means.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Overload release clutch

Life of this patent

Overload release clutch

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims8