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US 8,770,367 B2Granted
Passive mechanical launch device
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorAndrew W. Phillips
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A device is provided that includes a torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable by radially-outward force to transfer torque between a rotatable input member and a rotatable output member. A mass is connected for rotation with the output member and is configured to move radially outward as the output member rotates to reduce torque transfer from the input member to the output member as the speed of the output member approaches the speed of the input member. Furthermore, the mass connected for rotation with the output member may create a force that causes torque transfer between the input member and the output member when the output member rotates faster than the input member.
Claims10
A device comprising:
- a torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable by radially-outward force to transfer torque between a rotatable input member and a rotatable output member;
- a mass connected for rotation with the output member;
- another mass connected for rotation with the input member and configured to move radially outward as the speed of the input member increases and thereby causing a first axial force on the torque-transmitting mechanism;
- a rocker connected at a pivot to one of the input member and the output member;
- wherein said mass is configured to move radially outward as the output member rotates to cause a second axial force that reduces torque transfer from the input member to the output member as the speed of the output member approaches the speed of the input member;
- wherein the first axial force is applied to the torque-transmitting mechanism through the rocker and causes the rocker to rotate in a first rotational direction about the pivot;
- and wherein the second axial force is applied to the torque-transmitting mechanism through the rocker and causes the rocker to rotate about the pivot in a second rotational direction opposing the first rotational direction.
4 more elements
A device for controlling torque transfer between an input member and an output member comprising:
- a first set of plates connected for rotation with the input member;
- a second set of plates connected for rotation with the output member;
- a first member pivotally connected for rotation with the input member and configured with a first mass so that the first member applies a first axial force on the first set of plates to engage the first set of plates with the second set of plates as a radially-outward force pivots the first member to move the first mass when the input member rotates, the first axial force increasing as the rotational speed of the input member increases;
- a second member pivotally connected for rotation with the output member and configured with a second mass so that the second member applies a second axial force as a radially-outward force pivots the second member to move the second mass when the output member rotates, the second axial force increasing as the rotational speed of the output member increases;
- a rocker connected at a pivot to one of the input member and the output member adjacent the first set of plates;
- wherein the first axial force is applied to the first set of plates through the rocker and causes the rocker to rotate in a first rotational direction about the pivot;
- and
- wherein the second axial force is applied to the first set of plates through the rocker and causes the rocker to rotate in a second rotational direction about the pivot opposing the first rotational direction.
5 more elements
A device for controlling torque transfer between an input member and an output member comprising:
- a first set of plates connected for rotation with the input member;
- a second set of plates connected for rotation with the output member;
- a first member pivotally connected for rotation with the input member and configured with a first mass so that the first member applies a first axial force on the first set of plates to engage the first set of plates with the second set of plates as radially-outward force pivots the first member to move the first mass when the input member rotates, the first axial force increasing as the rotational speed of the input member increases;
- a second member pivotally connected for rotation with the output member and configured with a second mass so that the second member applies a second axial force as a radially-outward force pivots the second arm to move the second mass when the output member rotates, the second axial force increasing as the rotational speed of the output member increases;
- a rocker connected at a pivot to one of the input member and the output member adjacent the first set of plates;
- wherein the first axial force is applied to the first set of plates through the rocker and causes the rocker to rotate in a first rotational direction about the pivot;
- wherein the second axial force is applied to the first set of plates through the rocker and causes the rocker to rotate in a second rotational direction about the pivot opposing the first rotational direction;
- a bearing positioned between the second member and the rocker so that the second axial force is applied to the rocker through the bearing;
- and
- wherein a difference in magnitude of the first and second axial forces causes engagement of the first set of plates with the second set of plates with a torque capacity that increases as the difference in magnitude increases.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.