Clutch mechanism

A clutch mechanism for connecting and disconnecting an output shaft of an internal combustion engine and an input shaft of a transmission unit, said clutch mechanism comprising:

• (a) a first clutch assembly adapted to be coupled to the input shaft of the transmission unit;
• (b) a second clutch assembly adapted to be coupled to the output shaft of the engine;
• (c) a torque conduction member between and rotatable relative to said first and second clutch assemblies, said torque conduction member having a first connecting surface for engaging said first clutch assembly and a second connecting surface for engaging said second clutch assembly, said first connecting surface providing a substantially higher engaging force than that provided by said second connecting surface;
• (d) load application means for locking, in succession, first the torque conduction member to the first clutch assembly and then the torque conduction member to the second clutch assembly, said load application means including spring means for biasing and interlocking said torque conduction member and said first and second clutch assemblies and release means for releasing the biasing force of said spring means and thereby unlocking said torque conduction member from said first and second clutch assemblies;
• and
• (e) a magnetic drive member attached to the output shaft of the engine and permanent magnets mounted on one of said torques conduction member and said magnetic drive member and an electrically conductive member, mounted on the other of said torque conduction member and said magnetic drive member, opposing the permanent magnets, to create a magnetic force between the permanent magnets and the conductive member.