Enveloped worm gear clutch wedgelock responsive to reaction force
AssigneeITT Automotive Electrical Systems, Inc.
InventorHarry C. Buchanan, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus is responsive to a reaction force of intermeshing gear members that transmit force through an angle. The gear members include an elongated enveloped worm with a longitudinally extending axis of rotation and an output gear with an axis of rotation offset from and perpendicular to the longitudinally extending axis of the worm gear. The worm gear is movable axially in response to a predetermined reaction force or predetermined torque force. At least one biasing member is disposed adjacent one end of the worm gear, and preferably both ends of the worm gear, for centering the worm gear with respect to the output gear when subjected to a force below the predetermined reaction force or predetermined torque force.
Claims19
An apparatus responsive to a reaction force for absorbing rotary energy comprising:
- intermeshing gear means for transmitting rotation through an angle, said gear means including an elongated, enveloping worm gear having a longitudinally extending axis of rotation and an output gear having an axis of rotation offset from and perpendicular to said longitudinally extending axis of said worm gear, said worm gear moveable axially in response to a predetermined reaction force, said intermeshing gear means for frictionally braking bi-directional rotary motion when moved from a first position centered with respect to said output gear to a second position off-center with respect to said output gear;
- and
- biasing means, adjacent at least one end of said worm gear, for centering said worm gear with respect to said output gear when subjected to force below said predetermined reaction force.
An apparatus responsive to a reaction force for absorbing rotary energy comprising:
- intermeshing gear means for transmitting rotation through an angle, said gear means including an elongated, enveloping worm gear having a longitudinally extending axis of rotation and an output gear having an axis of rotation offset from and perpendicular to said longitudinally extending axis of said worm gear, said output gear enveloping said worm gear to define a double enveloping intermeshing gear means for transmitting rotary motion, said worm gear moveable axially in response to a predetermined reaction force;
- and
- biasing means, adjacent both ends of said worm gear, for centering said worm gear with respect to said output gear when subjected to force below said predetermined reaction force.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.