CLUTCH ASSEMBLY WITH FRICTION PADS AND A CLUTCH CYLINDER

• Main Author: SENGER ANTHONY G
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 30.07.2015
• Subjects: BLASTING; BRAKES; CLUTCHES; COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVEFUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; HEATING; LIGHTING; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL; WEAPONS

A clutch assembly comprising a cylindrical driving member, a cylindrical driven member, coaxial with the cylindrical driving member, and a clutch cylinder between the driving member and the driven member and coaxial with the driving member and the driven member, with at least a portion of the clutch cylinder being radially movable between a driven member engaging position and a driven member disengaging position. The clutch assembly further includes a spring or magnet biasing the clutch cylinder portion towards the clutch cylinder central axis. The driving member includes, on the circumference thereof, a plurality of spaced apart indentations, each having a cam profile. The clutch assembly further includes a pin in each of the indentations, for engaging the driven member in response to rotation of the driving member in one direction relative to the driven member, and to disengage the driven member in response to rotation of the driving in an opposite direction relative to the driven member. The clutch assembly also includes a plurality of friction pads, each one being attached to a different one of the movable portions, and acting in response to movement of its movable portion to cause frictional engagement between the driving member and the driven member through the pivotable portion, so that the driving member rotates the driven member.