GB180029A - Improvements in friction clutches - Google Patents

Abstract

180,029. Pugh, G. E. Feb. 15, 1921. No Patent granted (Sealing fee not paid). Clutches, friction: variable-speed gearing.-In friction clutches for motor vehicles &c., the driving and driven members are each provided with a clutch element capable of a tilting movement relative to its respective member and so arranged that the clutching effect is determined by the degree of inclination given to the elements. A peripherally grooved disc b is mounted by pivots a<1> on a driven shaft a and carries loosely in its groove b<1> two rings d. d<1>, provided with perpendicularly-disposed pairs of pivots d<2>. The pivots are provided with bearing-sleeves g, externally rectangular to engage outer sleeves (not shown), which are shaped to fit mutually-perpendicular guides f in a spherical shell e secured to the driving-shaft. The shell e and enlarged end a<2> of the shaft a are cut away as shown at e<1>, a<3> respectively, to allow full movement of the disc and rings. When the disc b is perpendicular to the axis of the shafts, the rings d, d<1> revolve idly thereon, but when it is tilted, as shown, by a link c<1> and manually-operable collar c, the driving- effort presses the ring against the walls of the groove b<1> with a force depending on the degree of inclination and ultimaely causes rotation of the driven shaft a. To avoid jar, the disc or rings may contact with spring buffers in the extreme positions. In modifications, the driving and driven shafts may be interchanged, and the angular movement may be imparted to the rings. According to the Provisional Specification, a single driving-ring is connected to a frame or spider at several points by links or elements constituting universal joints.