Centrifugal friction clutch for automatic speed changing device

A centrifugal friction clutch for an automatic speed changing device comprising:

• an input member;
• a ring gear, having an outer peripheral surface, the ring gear being fixed on the input member;
• a plurality of input friction plates fitted in grooves disposed in the outer peripheral surface of the ring gear;
• a pressing member having an inner peripheral section and a plurality of rectangular cutouts spaced equally around the circumference of the pressing member;
• a plurality of output friction plates, which are fitted in grooves disposed in the inner peripheral surface of the pressing member, wherein the output friction plates are disposed between the input friction plates;
• lighter centrifugal weights and heavier centrifugal weights disposed swingably in the rectangular cutouts of the pressing member such that the lighter weights are between the heavier weights circumferentially;
• an output member with a sun gear fitted on a periphery of the output member;
• a planetary carrier having a plurality of planetary gears arranged at regular intervals on an outer periphery of the carrier and supported rotatably thereon, wherein the planetary gears are also positioned on an outer periphery of the sun gear and an inner periphery of the ring gear and engaged with the sun gear and ring gear;
• a pressure receiving section disposed adjacent to the input and output friction plates;
• a spring disposed adjacent to the pressure receiving section such that, as the pressing member increases in angular velocity, the lighter and heavier weights swing radially outward so as to apply pressure to the pressure receiving section through the spring and increase the coupling between the pressing member and the ring gear;
• a taper section disposed on the pressing member adjacent to the heavier centrifugal weights which prevents the heavier centrifugal weights from swinging beyond a predetermined angle.