Transmission and Variable Radially Expanding Spring Clutch Assembly

• US 20100300226A1
• Filed: 07/20/2010
• Published: 12/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Barry E Plato, Joao Norona, Kevin S. Agan, Thomas J. Bodine
• Original Assignee: Barry E Plato, Joao Norona, Kevin S. Agan, Thomas J. Bodine
• Inventors: Bodine, Thomas J., Plato, Barry E., Agan, Kevin S., Norona, Joao
• Granted Patent: US 8,347,750 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 74/333
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 43/208 moving radially between engagement and disengagement
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 7/002 the torque being transmitted and limited by yielding of an elastomeric race
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 7/10 moving radially between engagement and disengagement
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 3/32 and an additional shaft
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 35/10 Arrangements or devices for absorbing overload or preventing damage by overload for screw mechanisms F16H25/2021
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/19242 Combined gear and clutch
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/19274 torque responsive
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/19358 Laterally slidable gears

Abstract

A transmission generally includes a shaft member having a continuous cylindrical surface portion longitudinally disposed next to a cylindrical outer surface portion interrupted by longitudinal grooves. A first gear assembly has a first clutch spring that holds a first set of rolling members between lobes that extend from a first output gear. A second gear assembly has a second clutch spring that holds a second set of rolling members between lobes that extend from a second output gear. The first gear assembly and the second gear assembly are configured to move longitudinally along the shaft member to a position where at least one of the first gear assembly and the second gear assembly is engaged for rotation with the shaft member when a value of torque at the shaft member is below a torque threshold value.

Claims

1. A transmission comprising:

a shaft member having a continuous cylindrical surface portion longitudinally disposed next to a cylindrical outer surface portion interrupted by longitudinal grooves;

a first gear assembly having a first clutch spring that holds a first set of rolling members between lobes that extend from a first output gear; and

a second gear assembly having a second clutch spring that holds a second set of rolling members between lobes that extend from a second output gear,

wherein said first gear assembly and said second gear assembly are configured to move longitudinally along said shaft member to a position where at least one of said first gear assembly and said second gear assembly is engaged for rotation with said shaft member when a value of torque at said shaft member is below a torque threshold value.

2. The transmission of claim 1, wherein said torque threshold value is at least based on an angle between a surface of one of said longitudinal grooves and a surface of one of said lobes of said first gear member between which a rolling member is disposed such that when a value of said angle decreases, said torque threshold value increases.

3. The transmission of claim 1, wherein said longitudinal grooves define a curvature that varies longitudinally along said shaft member.

4. The transmission of claim 1, wherein said first clutch spring and Said second clutch spring have different spring constants.

5. The transmission of claim 1, wherein said first clutch spring Includes helical coils that form a helical spring and wherein each of said helical coils contacts a successive coil.

6. The transmission of claim 1, wherein said first clutch spring Includes helical coils that form a helical spring and wherein each of said coils is spaced apart from each other.

7. The transmission of claim 6, wherein an end of said first clutch spring is configured to contact a successive coil of said helical coils.

8-24. -24. (canceled)