GB181193A - Improvements in and relating to variable speed power transmitting mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

181,193. Enard, H., and Heyl, W. J. April 19, 1921. Variable-speed toothed gearing, in which the speed changes are effected by the operation of clutches, is rendered automatic by a yielding coupling. The effect of the change of load on a shaft 5, Fig. 2, is to cause a ball 13, Fig. 7, to move over the ends of a set of rods 10, 11, 12, which operate different friction clutches in succession. In the high-speed position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the springs 26 of the coupling are not compressed, and the balls 13 act on the ends of the rods 10 of the highest gear. Spur-wheels A, B, C secured to a driving-shaft 2 mesh with wheels a, b, c loose upon the driven shaft 5. The balls are carried in pockets upon one coupling- member 14 secured to the shaft 5. The other coupling-member 24 is secured to the hubs 21 of the gears a, b, c and to abutment clutch members 19. These gears have webs 18 adapted to be gripped between the members 19 and sliding members 29, 30, 31 adapted to receive thrust from the rods 10, 11, 12, respectively. In the lowestspeed position, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the springs 26 are compressed to the maximum extent and the balls 13 are moved round into engagement with the ends of the farthest and shortest rods 12. The thrust pressure for the friction clutches is obtained from a spring 34, which pulls the members 14, 24 together and in effect transmits thrust through a thrust ring 32 to the balls 13 and clutch-operating rods.