US 6,957,730 B1Granted

Clutch apparatus with automatic centrifugal engagement of pressure plate

OwnerAlbert J. Youngwerthinventor

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Abstract

An automatic clutch consisting of a centrifugally actuated pressure plate apparatus axially moveable relative to a clutch inner hub and rotationally coupled to a clutch outer basket. As the engine spins the clutch outer basket, the rotational coupling between the clutch outer basket and the centrifugal pressure plate causes the centrifugal pressure plate to move axially relative to the clutch inner hub and apply a force to driven clutch plates and driving clutch plates. The force exerted by the centrifugal pressure plate upon driven clutch plates and driving clutch plates causes the plates to couple, forcing engagement between the engine and transmission. Optionally, a variable spring tension may be applied through the clutch release mechanism to adjust the engine speed at which the clutch begins to engage.

Claims11

Dependent claims

A centrifugal clutch engagement apparatus, comprising:

a clutch unit including first driving friction plates in engagement with a clutch outer basket connected to an engine power source and driven friction plates interleaved with the first driving friction plates and in engagement with a clutch inner hub penetrating through the center of said first friction plates and connected to a transmission source,
a centrifugal pressure plate apparatus comprising an upper thrust retainer fixed to said clutch inner hub, a rotating hub rotatable relative to and substantially axially fixed relative to said upper thrust retainer, and a pressure plate coupled rotationally to said clutch outer basket and said rotatable hub,
said centrifugal pressure plate apparatus including a means for generating increasing axial motion of said pressure plate in response to increasing rotational motion of said centrifugal pressure plate apparatus,
whereby the increasing rotational motion of said centrifugal pressure plate apparatus in response to increasing rotational motion of said clutch outer basket causes said pressure plate to move axially and apply a force to said driving friction plates to said driven friction plates causing rotational motion of said clutch inner hub.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.