Self-aligning driveshaft coupler

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016348731-A1
Application number	US-201615235866-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Aug 12, 2016
Priority date	Feb 12, 2015
Publication date	Dec 1, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A self-aligning driveshaft coupler includes a receiving clutch mounted to a driveshaft and a locking clutch assembly mounted to an implement. The locking clutch assembly includes a collar and a yoke that rotate together, and a spring between the collar and the yoke. A locking pin may be pivotably attached to the yoke to move a projection on the locking pin in and out of the retaining groove. A plurality of drive pins extend axially from the collar. The spring biases the drive pins into engagement with the receiving clutch when the locking pin projection is in the retaining groove and the output shaft and receiving clutch are rotated less than 180 degrees.

First claim

1 . A self-aligning driveshaft coupler, comprising:
a receiving clutch mounted to an output shaft and having a neck with a retaining groove; a locking clutch assembly mounted to an implement and having a collar and a yoke that rotate together, and a spring between the collar and the yoke; a locking pin pivotably attached to the yoke to move a projection on the locking pin in and out of the retaining groove; and a plurality of drive pins extending axially from the collar, the spring biasing the drive pins into engagement with the receiving clutch when the locking pin projection is in the retaining groove and the output shaft and receiving clutch are rotated

2 . The self-aligning driveshaft coupler of claim 1 further comprising a C-shaped grip mounted around the outer surface of the collar; the collar being slideable axially with respect to the grip.

3 . The self-aligning driveshaft coupler of claim 1 wherein the receiving clutch has a plurality of recesses corresponding to the plurality of drive pins, and a hole at an end of each recess for engaging one of the drive pins.

4 . The self-aligning driveshaft coupler of claim 1 further comprising a spring urging the locking pin to pivot to move the projection into the retaining groove.

5 . The self-aligning driveshaft coupler of claim 1 further comprising a release button on the locking pin to pivot the locking pin and move the projection out of the retaining groove.

6 . A self-aligning driveshaft coupler, comprising:
a receiving clutch having a neck with an outer surface, a retaining groove around the outer surface, and a base with a plurality of receiving holes; and a locking clutch assembly having a pivotable locking pin with a projection that enters the retaining groove when the locking clutch assembly slides onto the receiving clutch, and a collar with a plurality of drive pins that enter the receiving holes after rotating the receiving clutch to rotatably engage the locking clutch assembly to the receiving clutch.

7 . The self-aligning driveshaft coupler of claim 6 further comprising a spring on the locking clutch assembly that urges the drive pins into the receiving holes.

8 . The self-aligning driveshaft coupler of claim 6 further comprising a plurality of recesses on the base for each of the receiving holes.

9 . The self-aligning driveshaft coupler of claim 6 further comprising at least one retaining pin extending through a slot in the collar and providing a pivot axis for the pivotable locking pin.

10 . The self-aligning driveshaft coupler of claim 6 further comprising a C-shaped grip mounted around the collar.

11 . A self-aligning driveshaft coupler, comprising:
a locking clutch assembly and a receiving clutch; a locking pin pivotably mounted on the locking clutch assembly; a retaining groove on the receiving clutch that the pivotable locking pin enters before a plurality of axially extending drive pins on the locking clutch assembly enter a plurality of receiving holes in the receiving clutch.

12 . The self-aligning driveshaft coupler of claim 11 wherein the pivotable locking pin is spring biased into the retaining groove.

13 . The self-aligning driveshaft coupler of claim 11 wherein the axially extending drive pins are spring biased into the receiving holes.

14 . The self-aligning driveshaft coupler of claim 11 wherein the axially extending drive pins extend from a collar that is slideable relative to the locking clutch assembly.

15 . The self-aligning driveshaft coupler of claim 11 further comprising a release button or lever to move the pivotable locking pin out of the retaining groove.

Assignees

• Deere & Co

Inventors

• Knuth Thomas M

Classifications

• F16D2023/123

  Clutch actuation by cams, ramps or ball-screw mechanisms · CPC title

• F16D2011/006

  Locking or detent means, i.e. means to keep the clutch in engaged condition · CPC title

• B60Y2200/221

  Tractors · CPC title

• B60K17/28

  characterised by arrangement, location, or type of power take-off · CPC title

• F16D3/387 Primary

  Fork construction; Mounting of fork on shaft; Adapting shaft for mounting of fork · CPC title