GB538987A - Improvements in friction clutches - Google Patents

Abstract

538,987. Friction clutches. FABBRICA AUTOMOBILI ISOTTA FRASCHINI, and TEBALDI, A. Jan. 1, 1940, No. 74. Convention date, Jan. 2. 1939. [Class 80 (ii)] In a friction clutch which disengages by centrifugal force, the clutch surfaces are held in either the engaged or disengaged positions by spring means acting through toggle links. As shown, applied to a clutch for connecting a starting motor to an engine shaft, the driver 4 geared to a motor shaft 2 is free on the driven engine shaft 1. The driven clutch member 7 is splined to a sleeve 10 splined to the shaft 1. Bell-crank levers 13, 30 pivoted at 12 to the member 7 are connected by links 28 to a sleeve 23 splined to the sleeve 10. The sleeve 23 can be moved axially by a clutchactuating fork 25. A rod 20 carrying a centrifugal weight 21 is slidable on each pair of adjacent lever arms 13 and is pivoted to a rod 18. The latter at its opposite end is pivoted to a collar 15 on the sleeve 10. Compression springs 22 on the arms 13 act between the member 7 and the rod 20. The axial position of the sleeve 10 may be adjusted by rotating a sleeve 33 which is screwed to the sleeve 10 and has an annular groove 35 engaging a flange 36 on a sleeve 37 splined to the shaft 1. The sleeve 33 is locked in adjusted position by a spring catch 40. In the position shown the clutch surfaces are held in the engaged position by the springs 22, the weights 21 bearing upon the sleeve 23. When the allowable speed is exceeded the weights 21 fly outwardly against stops 48, the resulting action of the levers 13, 30, 18, disengaging the clutch and moving the sleeve 23 axially to the disengaged position.