Self-engaging clutch

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9951824-B2
Application number	US-201614994177-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 13, 2016
Priority date	Jan 13, 2016
Publication date	Apr 24, 2018
Grant date	Apr 24, 2018

Abstract

A self-engaging clutch includes an input member, and intermediate member, and an output member. The input member is coupled to a prime mover and includes clutch protrusions. The output member is coupled to an output and includes an output clutch. The intermediate member includes a first side that is engaged with the input member and a second side that is engageable with the output member. Upon rotation of the input member, the intermediate member displaces toward the output member to engage the output member thereby allowing torque to be transferred from the input member to the output member.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A clutch assembly comprising:
an input member coupled to a prime mover and including a clutch protrusion;
an output member coupled to an output and including an output clutch;
an intermediate member positioned between the input member and the output member, the intermediate member including a first side having a first clutch member engaged with the input member and a second side with second clutch members engagable with the output clutch; and
a biasing member biasing the intermediate member axially away from the output member thereby axially spacing the second side of the intermediate member from the output clutch;
wherein the intermediate member is axially displaceable against the bias of the biasing member to engage the second side of the intermediate member with the output clutch when the input member is rotated.

2. The clutch assembly of claim 1 , wherein the clutch protrusion includes a ramped surface and an end wall.

3. The clutch assembly of claim 2 , wherein the first clutch member includes a flat face engagable with the end wall.

4. The clutch assembly of claim 3 , wherein rotation of the input member causes the first clutch member to cam along the ramped surface to axially displace the intermediate member until the flat face engages the end wall.

5. The clutch assembly of claim 1 , further including a friction ring disposed concentrically about, and in frictional engagement with, the intermediate member.

6. The clutch assembly of claim 5 , wherein the frictional engagement of the friction ring and intermediate member provides resistance to rotation of the intermediate member.

7. The clutch assembly of claim 1 , wherein the intermediate member is in a disengaged configuration when the input member is stationary, and the intermediate member is in an engaged configuration after the input member begins to rotate.

8. The clutch assembly of claim 1 , wherein the clutch assembly is disposed within a lawn mower.

9. A clutch assembly comprising:
an input member coupled to a drive member for co-rotation therewith, the input member including a first clutching arrangement;
an output member coupled to a driven member for co-rotation therewith, the output member including a second clutching arrangement;
an intermediate member positioned between the input member and the output member and including a third clutching arrangement facing the first clutching arrangement and a fourth clutching arrangement facing the second clutching arrangement; and
a biasing member coupled to the intermediate member to bias the intermediate member toward a first position in which the first clutching arrangement and the third clutching arrangement are adjacent one another, wherein rotation of the input member in a first direction moves the intermediate member toward a second position in which the first clutching arrangement and the third clutching arrangement are engaged to produce co-rotation of the input member and the intermediate member and wherein the second clutching arrangement and the fourth clutching arrangement are engaged to produce co-rotation of the intermediate member and the output member.

10. The clutch assembly of claim 9 , wherein the first clutching arrangement includes a ramped cam surface and an end wall.

11. The clutch assembly of claim 10 , wherein the third clutching arrangement includes a flat face engagable with the end wall.

12. The clutch assembly of claim 9 , wherein second clutching arrangement includes a first ramped cam surface and a first flat face.

13. The clutch assembly of claim 12 , wherein fourth clutching arrangement includes a first ramped cam surface and a second flat face.

14. The clutch assembly of claim 13 , wherein the first flat face and the second flat face are engaged in the second position such that the intermediate member transmits torque to the output member to co-rotate the input member and the output member.

15. The clutch assembly of claim 9 , wherein the intermediate member is moved from the first position to the second position when the input member is driven to rotate such that no direct operation of the clutch assembly by a user is required.

16. The clutch assembly of claim 9 , further including a friction member engaging the intermediate member to resist rotation of the intermediate member relative to the input member allowing the intermediate member to move from the first position to the second position upon rotation of the input member.

17. A method of operating a clutch assembly including an input member, an output member, and an intermediate member engaged with the input member and engageable with the output member, the method comprising:
biasing the intermediate member out of engagement with the output member when the input member is at rest;
rotating the input member to induce axial displacement of the intermediate member against the bias of the biasing member; and
engaging the intermediate member with the output member, at a time after the rotating of the input member, such that the input member, intermediate member, and output member become co-rotational.

18. The method according to claim 17 , wherein the input member includes a ramped clutch interface that engages a first side of the intermediate member.

19. The method according to claim 18 , wherein rotating the input member causes the first side to slide along the ramped clutch surface causing radial displacement of the input member relative to the intermediate member and axial displacement of the intermediate member relative to the input member.

20. The method according to claim 17 , wherein engaging the intermediate member with the output member requires no direct operation of the clutch assembly by a user.

Assignees

• Tti Macao Commercial Offshore Ltd

Inventors

• Colber Jr William E
• Feng Michael

Classifications

• F16D2011/008

  characterised by the form of the teeth forming the inter-engaging parts; Details of shape or structure of these teeth · CPC title

• F16D11/14 Primary

  with clutching members movable only axially (F16D11/02, F16D11/08 take precedence) · CPC title

• F16D41/22 Primary

  with clutching ring or disc axially shifted as a result of lost motion between actuating members (F16D41/02, F16D41/24 take precedence) · CPC title

• F16D13/60

  Clutching elements (friction lining or attachment thereof F16D69/00) · CPC title

• F16D13/38 Primary

  with flat clutching surfaces, e.g. discs · CPC title