US1445614A - Driving mechanism - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 13, 1923. 1,445,614 I w. J. EICHENBERG DRIVING MECHA IEM Filed July 22, 1918 v Patented Feb. 13, 1923.

UNITED STATES 1,445,614 PATENT cr cs.

WILLIAM J'. EICHBNBERG, OF TOLEDO, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH CORPOBRTION, OF TOLEDO, OHIO,

A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

DRIVING MECHANISM.

Application filed July 22,

To all who m Z/ 2; (/1 Low /=21:

Be it knownthat I, .WILLYAM J. EICHEN- mine, a citizen of the United States, residing aoToledo, county of Lucas, and State of ()h i0, have invented certainnew and useful Improvements in Driving Mechanism, of which I declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relatesto a drive mecha' nism adapted ,for insertion between an electric motor and the crank shaft of an internal. combustion engine, and has specific utility when employed for startingpurposes.

The principal object of the invention is to utilize a type of driving mechanism in which the resilient element thereof is subjected to compressional strains only.

Another object is to provide a driving mechanism in which the resilient member is outside the direct line of power transmission.

A further object isto employ a type of drive wherein engagement and disengagement with the engine is made in an entirely automatic way.

Further objects, and objects relating to economies of manufacture and details of construction, will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by thedevices shown in the accompan ing drawing; my invention is clearly de ned and pointed out in the appended claims.

A structure showing a preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in whic Figure I shows a driving mechanism partly in section withthe operative elements in disengagement; and

Figure II shows asectional view of the mechanismin operative position. 7

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

' Referring to the numbered parts of the drawing, I have shown a portion 1 of an electric motor, which vis preferably of the series type, this type having been found advantageous for starting-purposes. A casing is formed with a bearing 2, which is adapted to receive the inotor shaft 3 which extends outwardly therefrom. Ihemovable driving element oonsiedsof a sleeve 4, the outer surface of which is cutto form a worm gear as imlicated at,-5. For a portion of its 1918. Serial No. 246,140.

length, the motor shaftis channeled lon ludinailly as indicated at 6, Figure II, and v means of the key 7, securely attached to the inner serial-c oi the sleeve. Thesleeve has axial .inovoincnt along, the motor shaft, and at tlusame time. is prevented from havin relative rotational movement with theshiit rhrough the employment of this key connection.

Hm-urcd to the bearing of the motor 1 by means of a machine screw 8, is a metal strip fl. \vhirh terminates at its outer or free eiid in a hooh it). which is formed by stamping sir-night walled V-shapedgroove 11 across the end ol the strip, parallel to the end. The oll'sct portion of the groove or hook is deslgl'lltrl to ride between the threads of the worm gear, so that rotation of this gear Will tend to force it axially along the shaft. In addition, the strip 9 has such a resiliency that when the sleeve is forced inwardly toward' the motor, the inclined base of the groove 11 will ride over thethreads of the worm gear, and inasmuch as the outer incline of the groove ll is less than that of the inner incline, an outward movementof the sleeve operates against greater force than the inner movement, thereby tendingto hold the sleeve adjacent the motor, unless a rotati'onal force is applied tothe motor shaft.

The outer end of the motor shaft'is fitted with a terminal plate 12, the edges of which are inturnedv asshown at 13, Figure I. to form a shallow cup. This plate 12 is rigidly secured to the shaft by means of a pin 14, and is adapted to have rotational movement in the bearing l4 fixed to the motor or engine casing. Adjacent the end plate l2 is mounted a sleeve 15, which is slidahle upon the motor shaft. And near the inner end of this sleeve an annular flange 16 is formed, the edges 17 of which are oubturned to formn second shallow cup. The shallow cups formed by the flange edges 13 and 17 form tern'iinal bearings for a coil compression spring 1.8. which serves as the resilient elen'ient of the motor drive. The outer end ol the sleeve 15 terminates at such a point that. it contacts wit-h the plate 12 when the spring is subjected to the maximum of compresslon.

The driven element is illustrated by a section 19 of a gear which is adapted tohave direct connection with the crank shaftqf an internal combustion engine. Accordingto nally threaded sleeve secured to said shaft, slidably and nonrotatably relative thereto; and single automatic means for moving the threaded sleeve into operative position prior to starting and for retaining the sleeve in inoperative position subsequent to starting.

6. in an engine starting mechanism, the combination of a power shaft; an externally threaded sleeve secured to said shaft. slidably and non-rotatably relative thereto; single means for moving the thrtauled sleeve into operative position prior to starting and for retaining the sleeve in inoperative position subsequent to starting; and additional means for yieldingly engaging the sleeve when in operative position.

7. In an engine starting mechanism, the combination ot a power shaft; an externally threaded sleeve secured to said shaft, slid- 20 ably and non-rotatably relative thereto; single automatic means for moving the thread ed sleeve into operative position prior to starting and for retaining the sleeve in inoperative position subsequent to starting; and additional means for yieldingly engaging the sleeve when in operative position.

8. A starter mechanism comprising, a gear adapted to be fixed to the shaft of an engine, a motor, a. second gear slidable on and rotatable with the shaft of the motor, and a lug adapted to engage the second gear tor feeding the same into mesh with the first gear when the motor shalt is rotated in a predetermined direction, and for holdin the same out of mesh with the first gearwhen the latter is rotated in a predetermined direction.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature.

WILLIAM J. EIUHENBERG.

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