192 clutches and power-stop control – Clutches – Plural clutch-assemblage
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-23
2001-07-10
Lorence, Richard M. (Department: 3681)
192 clutches and power-stop control
Clutches
Plural clutch-assemblage
C192S037000, C192S038000, C192S043100, C192S044000, C192S084210
Reexamination Certificate
active
06257386
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a power cut/connect device used for changeover between transmission and cutoff of power in a power transmission line.
In various machines or vehicles, to selectively cause rotation of two different driving sources to drive them, it is necessary to use a power cut/connect device in a power transmission line.
For such a power cut/connect device, the following functions are required: cutting off connection between one power source and the output member when the rotation of the other power source is to be transmitted to the output member, cutting off connection between the other power source and the output member when the rotation of the one power source is to be transmitted to the output member, and driving the one power source by the other power source with the rotation of the output member connected with both power sources. To perform these functions, two clutches are required for connection and cutoff of the two power sources with the output member.
Heretofore, in such a power cut/connect device, two clutches are arranged spaced from each other in the axial direction of the output member, one clutch being associated with an input member coupled to one power source, and the other clutch being associated with an input member coupled to the other power source.
In a conventional power cut/connect device, since the two clutches are arranged spaced from each other in the axial direction of the output member, the entire length tends to be long in the axial direction. Thus it cannot be used in a location where the mounting space is narrow, so that the usefulness is limited.
An object of this invention is to provide a power cut/connect device which is compact in the axial direction, and which can be mounted at a position where the mounting space is limited, thereby expanding its usefulness.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to this invention, there is provided a power cut/connect device comprising: a first input member coupled to a power shaft and having an outer surface; an output member coaxially mounted around the first input member and having an inner surface and an outer surface; one of the outer surface of the first input member and the inner surface of the output member being formed with a first cylindrical surface and the other being formed with a plurality of first cam surfaces opposite the first cylindrical surface to define wedge spaces therebetween; a first retainer mounted between the first cylindrical surface and the first cam surfaces and formed with a plurality of pockets; first engaging elements each received in each of the pockets of the first retainer and capable of interlocking the first input member and the output member together by engaging the first cylindrical surface and the first cam surfaces when the first input member and the output member rotate relative to each other; the first cylindrical surface, the first cam surfaces, the first retainer, and the first engaging elements forming a first two-way clutch; a second input member coaxially mounted around the output member and having an inner surface; one of the outer surface of the output member and the inner surface of the second input member being formed with a second cylindrical surface and the other being formed with a plurality of second cam surfaces opposite the second cylindrical surface to define wedge spaces therebetween; a second retainer mounted between the second cylindrical surface and the second cam surfaces and formed with a plurality of pockets; second engaging elements each received in each of the pockets of the second retainer and capable of interlocking the output member and the second input member together by engaging the second cylindrical surface and the second cam surfaces when the second input member and the output member rotate relative to each other; the second cylindrical surface, the second cam surfaces, the second retainer, and the second engaging elements forming a second two-way clutch; the second two-way clutch being disposed radially outwardly of the first two-way clutch; the output member functioning both as an outer member of the first two-way clutch and as an input member of the second two-way clutch; a control means for individually controlling the first and second retainers to selectively engage and disengage the first and second two-way clutches.
In the abovesaid arrangement, a cylindrical surface is formed on one of the opposing surfaces between the first input member and the output member and a plurality of cam surfaces are formed on the other. Also, similarly a cylindrical surface is formed on one of the opposing surfaces between the second input member and the output member and a plurality of cam surfaces are formed on the other. Instead of such a structure, cylindrical surfaces may be formed on both of the opposing surfaces between the first input member and the output member and on both of the opposing surfaces between the second input member and the output member, and engaging members may be mounted in a retainer mounted between these opposing surfaces.
Also, although in the abovesaid arrangement, a single output member is employed, two separate output members may be employed which are coaxially mounted one around the other through a bearing so as to be rotatable relative to each other. In this arrangement, a first two-way clutch is provided between the first input member and a first output member and a second two-way clutch is provided between a second output member and the second input member.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2251464 (1941-08-01), Neracher et al.
patent: 3941199 (1976-03-01), Williams
patent: 4597467 (1986-07-01), Stockton
patent: 5129871 (1992-07-01), Sandel et al.
patent: 5971123 (1999-10-01), Ochab et al.
patent: 60-241532 (1985-11-01), None
Goto Shiro
Kawase Tatsuo
Nozaki Takashi
Saito Takahide
Yasui Makoto
Lorence Richard M.
NTN Corporation
Wenderoth , Lind & Ponack, L.L.P.
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