Automatic clutch adjuster mechanism
AssigneeHonda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
InventorsKohei Ohsono, Yoshihiro Yoshida
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A clutch having a centrifugal clutch mechanism coupled in series with a controlled clutch mechanism to provide automatic clutching for starting and controlled clutching for gear shifting. A clutch pressure plate is coupled with a clutch release member for actuating the clutch. The clutch further includes a lock plate which is positioned around the clutch release member to engage same when tilted. An actuator directs the clutch lock plate along the clutch release member and acts to twist the plate to engage the member for disengaging the clutch. A spring returns the plate and untwists it when the actuator is released to allow automatic adjustment.
Claims8
A release mechanism for a clutch, comprising:
- a support shaft having an axis,
- a clutch release sleeve operatively connected to said clutch and concentrically disposed about said support shaft for axial movement therealong between a clutch-engaged position and a clutch-disengaged position,
- selectively movable actuator means for moving said sleeve along said shaft, and
- means for adjustably connecting said actuator means to said sleeve for concurrent movement along said shaft, including:
- a rigid annular lock plate normally biased into a position loosely encircling said sleeve,
- means on said actuator means for inclining said lock plate with respect to said support shaft axis into binding engagement with said sleeve as said actuator means moves through a first range of movement along said shaft from said clutch-engaged position and for concurrently moving said lock plate and said sleeve to release said clutch during a second range of movement along said shaft toward said clutch-disengaged position,
- means for moving said actuator means along said support shaft, and
- means for resiliently biasing said lock plate into said loosely-encircling condition each time said sleeve moves toward said clutch-engaged position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.