Transmission and variable radially expanding spring clutch assembly
First Claim
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1. A transmission comprising:
- a shaft member having a cylindrical outer surface in which longitudinal grooves are formed;
a single pair of rolling members disposed in said longitudinal grooves and positioned approximately 180 degrees apart relative to a perimeter of the cylindrical outer surface of the shaft member;
a gear member having lobes, said lobes disposed between said rolling members and over said shaft member;
a clutch spring that at least partially encircles said rolling members and said lobes, said clutch spring having a reduced torque condition that at least defines said clutch spring stretching to accommodate said rolling members leaving said longitudinal grooves and moving to said outer cylindrical surface such that said clutch spring forms a generally elliptical shape in said reduced torque condition.
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Abstract
A transmission generally includes a shaft member having a cylindrical outer surface in which longitudinal grooves are formed. Rolling members are disposed in the longitudinal grooves. A gear member having lobes the lobes is disposed between the rolling members and over the shaft member. A clutch spring that at least partially encircles the rolling members and the lobes is also disposed. The clutch spring includes a reduced torque condition that at least defines the clutch spring stretching to accommodate the rolling members leaving the longitudinal grooves and moving to the outer cylindrical surface such that the clutch spring forms a generally elliptical shape in the reduced torque condition.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A transmission comprising:
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a shaft member having a cylindrical outer surface in which longitudinal grooves are formed; a single pair of rolling members disposed in said longitudinal grooves and positioned approximately 180 degrees apart relative to a perimeter of the cylindrical outer surface of the shaft member; a gear member having lobes, said lobes disposed between said rolling members and over said shaft member; a clutch spring that at least partially encircles said rolling members and said lobes, said clutch spring having a reduced torque condition that at least defines said clutch spring stretching to accommodate said rolling members leaving said longitudinal grooves and moving to said outer cylindrical surface such that said clutch spring forms a generally elliptical shape in said reduced torque condition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A transmission comprising:
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an input member having a cylindrical outer surface with a single pair of longitudinal grooves formed generally 180 degrees apart; a single pair of rolling members disposed in said longitudinal grooves; an output member having a single pair of lobes;
each of said lobes disposed between said rolling members and over said input member, and having a generally arcuate outer surface with a generally non-circular elliptical shape; anda clutch spring that at least partially encircles said rolling members and said lobes, wherein, in a torque transmission condition, the clutch spring presses the rolling members into the grooves to enable torque transmission from the input member to the output member, and in a reduced torque condition, the balls move radially outward from the grooves so that the clutch spring expands to a generally elliptical shape to inhibit torque transmission from the input member to the output member. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A transmission comprising:
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a shaft member having a cylindrical outer surface in which longitudinal grooves are formed; rolling members disposed in said longitudinal grooves; a gear member having a single pair of lobes, said lobes disposed approximately 180 degrees apart between said rolling members and over said shaft member; a clutch spring that at least partially encircles said rolling members and said lobes, said clutch spring having a reduced torque condition that at least defines said clutch spring stretching to accommodate said rolling members leaving said longitudinal grooves and moving to said outer cylindrical surface such that said clutch spring forms a generally elliptical shape in said reduced torque condition. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification