GB688351A - Centrifugal clutch, particularly intended for change speed gears of motor vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

688,351. Friction clutches. KREIS, F., and S.I.B.A. SOC. ITALIANA BREVETTI AUTOMOBILISTICI AR.L. March 2, 1951 [July 21, 1950], No. 5105/51. Class 80 (ii). The pressure elements of a centrifugal friction clutch are engaged through an inclined surface and disengaged by an edge at the end of a straight surface whereby the full engagement pressure is maintained until suddenly released. As shown a casing 2 freely rotatable on a shaft 1 is engaged by friction linings 17 on presser plates 16. Centrifugal weights 5 move outwardly against springs 6 on rotation of the weight carrier 4 which has a slight angular lost motion connection 23 with a hub 3 on the shaft 1. Each weight 5 carries springs 10 which act on pressure elements 9 through wedge shaped end surfaces on members 11 and co-operating surfaces on the pressure elements. Projections 13 on the ends of the elements 9 are formed with surfaces 14, 15 as shown. Formed in the presser plates 16, for coaction with the projections 13 are slots 18 having inclined bottom surfaces 20 and a cut-away portion 19 at one end. On initial outward movement of each weight 5, the projections 13 move into the slots 18 and the surfaces 14, 19 engage thus rotating the elements 9 which, due to their wedge shaped ends 12, stress the springs 10. During further outward movement the projections 13 coact with the slot bottoms 20 to move the presser plates 16 outwardly, the surfaces 15 sliding along one edge of the groove 18. When the projections 13 leave the slots 18 the clutch is finally engaged and the springs 10 rotate the elements 9 to their original position. If the speed of the shaft 1 decreases the projections 13 slide along the straight inner surfaces 21 of the presser plates 16, the engaging pressure being maintained until the projections pass over the cut-aways 19 and the clutch is suddenly disengaged.