GB350334A - Improvements in or relating to clutches suitable for variable-speed gearing - Google Patents

Abstract

350,334. Clutches ; variable-speed gearing. TRIGGS, W. W., 57, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London.-(General Motors Corporation; Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.) Sept. 5, 1930, No. 26525. [Class 80 (ii).] In a synchronized positive clutch with friction clutch members 97, 98, Fig. 1, associated with the claw members 86, 85 to be enmeshed, friction member or drum 97 has a rotary lost-motion driving connection with its claw member 86 which imparts an axial movement to the drum 97 pressing it firmly into frictional engagement to ensure synchronism. Cams 104, 105, Fig. 3. convert the rotary motion into axial movement. The clutch shown is for connecting the driven shaft 72 of a vehicle change-speed gear to driving-shaft 71, claw members 86, 85 being splined and fixed to these shafts respectively. Claw member 90 is for obtaining another speed, a yoke 60 moving the doubleended clutch. Male friction member 98 is fast on shaft 71. Friction drum 97 is capable of limited rotary displacement upon a boss 100 on shaft 72. Drum 97 carries a bronze female cone 95 and is formed with radial sloping spokes 102, Fig. 2, connecting to a central flat flange 99. The teeth of claw member 86 are in groups 88, Fig. 3, which pass between the spokes 102 to engage internal teeth of member 85. When the clutch is to be engaged, the engine clutch is disengaged so that the only rotary force is inertia due to asynchronous rotation. When claw member 86 is advanced towards engagement, inclines or detents 103 on the ends of the tooth groups 88 strike detents 103a on the spokes 102, as shown in Fig. 3, and the advance stops. Drum 97 tends to turn relatively to shaft 72 and to a collar 101 upon it in virtue of the lost motion. Cams 105 on the flat part 99 of the drum ride up on cams 104 on the collar 101 so as to press drum 97 firmly over male friction member 85 so as to synchronize the parts. The tooth groups 88 then slip past the spokes 102 into positive engagement with clutch 85. This movement causes spokes 102 to pass into spaces 94 between the tooth groups 88, and this causes drum 97 to be turned back by spring 107 into a loose disengaged position. The disengagement is slight, the friction clutch surfaces riding on an oil film between them.