GB445003A - Improvement in centrifugal clutches for rotating machine elements - Google Patents

Abstract

445,003. Friction clutches; variablespeed gearing. JONSSON, G. E., Huddinge, Sweden. Aug. 12, 1935, No. 22701. Convention date, Sept. 11, 1934. [Class 80 (ii)] In a centrifugal clutch, each of a pair of segments 7 is retracted on to a driven drum 8, relative to which it has limited circumferential movement due to the engagement in slots 10 in the drum of a pair of bolts 9 secured to the segment, by means of a spring 12 disposed between the drum and a yoke 11 bearing against nuts adjustably threaded on the bolts 9. Contacting with each yoke 11 is the longer arm of a bell-crank lever 14 pivoted at 13 in the drum 8, while the shorter arm of this lever carries a lever 18, one arm of which engages a slot in the segment 7 while the other arm contacts with the end of the longer arm of the lever 14 associated with the other yoke 11. A pin 19 secured to each yoke is guided in a flared opening in the lever 14. At a predetermined speed of the drum 8, the segments move centrifugally outwards into frictional engagement with a driving drum 6, advancing slightly relative to the drum 8 and thereby, through the levers 18 and 14, acting on the yokes 11 to reduce or suppress the effect of the springs 12. Disengagement will, therefore, occur only at a speed substantially below that at which engagement occurs. As applied to a changespeed gear for a motor vehicle, the engine shaft 1 drives the drum 6, which is secured to a hollow shaft 4 which is adapted to drive the cardan shaft 5 through reducing gearing, through a manually-controlled plate clutch 3, while the centrifugal clutch is adapted to connect the drum 6 direct to the shaft 5. The reducing gearing may include a free-wheel clutch, or means may be provided whereby it is disconnected as the centrifugal clutch engages. According to the Specification as open to inspection under Sect. 91, each lever 14 may bear against the corresponding yoke 11 through a ball-and-socket device, the pin 19 being dispensed with. This subject-matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.