Pulse actuated clutch with latching for vehicle drive lines

• Main Authors: EVAN R BAKER, JON A BIGLEY
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 03.05.1995
• Edition: 6
• Subjects: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS INVEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OFTRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GASEXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS, IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; BLASTING; BRAKES; CLUTCHES; COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVEFUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; HEATING; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; LIGHTING; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL; TRANSPORTING; VEHICLES IN GENERAL; WEAPONS

The pulse actuated clutch, which may be a vehicle hub clutch for engaging four wheel drive, has a coupling member 300 that is permanently engaged with one of a driven member 280 and a driving member 30. The coupling member 300 is movable in a first direction to engage one of the driven and driving members 280, 30 and is movable in a second direction to engage both the driven and driving members 280, 30. The coupling member 300 is biased to move in the first direction by a return spring 310. The coupling member 300 is moved in the second direction by a first pulse of air pressure applied to a piston assembly connected to the coupling member 300. Formations 340, 352 formed on a primary piston 330 of the piston assembly and the driven member 280 cooperatively latch the piston 330 in the second position to maintain the coupling member 300 in engagement with both the driven and driving members 280, 30 upon release of the first pulse of air pressure. Preferably, a second pulse of air pressure greater in magnitude than the first pulse moves the primary piston 330 further in the second direction against a second spring 332, which unlatches the piston 330.