GB358674A - Improvements in or relating to clutches suitable for variable-speed gearing - Google Patents

Abstract

358,674. Claw clutches; variable-speed gearing. GENERAL MOTORS COR. PORATION, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A. Sept. 5, 1930, No. 26526. Convention date, June 20. [Class 80 (ii).] A claw clutch 90, 91, Fig. 1, is synchronized by a friction cone 98 which is always in frictional engagement with male cone 96 with an oil film between. This cone clutch is more strongly engaged momentarily to effect synchronism by inclined detent surfaces 104, Figs. 4 and 6. Female cone 98 is preferably a bronze ring supported in a dished annulus 97 connected by spokes 102 to an inner flat ring 99, Fig. 6, which has keys 100 engaging between splines on shaft 72, Fig. 2, so as to be capable of relative angular displacement. Batteries of teeth 90 on movable clutch member 86 can pass between the spokes 102. Member 86 is splined on shaft 72, Fig. 1, and when it is advanced towards loose gear 79, which carries the female clutch teeth 91, the inclined detent surfaces 104, Fig. 4, are operative pressing the friction cones firmly together until the teeth 90, 91 are synchronized. Further advance of member 86 causes spokes 102 to pass into grooves 94, Fig. 2, between the batteries of teeth 90 allowing the latter to move freely forward into mesh with internal teeth 91. The residual light pressure between friction cone surfaces 96, 98 may be maintained by a spring washer 105, Fig. 9, inserted between a stop 103, Fig. 1, on the shaft and the inner ring 99. A modification is described in which this pressure is produced by spring wires engaged by the male clutch teeth. In Figs. 1 and 2 is shown an adaptation of the invention to a changespeed gear in which the member 86 sliding on driven shaft 72 has a synchronized clutch at each end for direct drive and middle speed respectively. Low speed and reverse are effected by sliding a gear 82 from a sliding shift rod 58 engaged by the end of selector lever 55. A device is shown for magnifying the axial thrust on member 86 comprising striker 64 clamped to slide with shift rod 59 and engaging lever 55 at a point 66 near its fulcrum.