초록 ▼

A device for use in a centrifugal clutch assembly in which the clutch assembly comprises a shaft which carries a first sheave axially moveable on the shaft and a second sheave axially fixed on the shaft, a drive belt between the first sheave and the second sheave and a return spring operating on the

A device for use in a centrifugal clutch assembly in which the clutch assembly comprises a shaft which carries a first sheave axially moveable on the shaft and a second sheave axially fixed on the shaft, a drive belt between the first sheave and the second sheave and a return spring operating on the first sheave. A roller is fixed relative to the first sheave and a pivot pin is fixed on and moveable with the first sheave. The device further comprises a body having an arcuate outer surface constructed so as to provide a cam surface relative to the roller. An aperture is provided in the body and is constructed so as to mate with the pivot pin to allow the device to pivot relative to the pivot pin. A hollow chamber is positioned internally within the body and moveable weighting means are positioned within the chamber. In use, the first sheave rotates at a variable speed, so as to generate a centrifugal force upon the device whereupon at a predetermined engagement speed, the device pivots from a rest position to a full engagement position thereby transferring a force to the first sheave to axially move the first sheave into engagement with the second sheave to transfer rotation from the drive clutch to the secondary clutch.

대표청구항 ▼

[ The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:] [1.]1. A centrifugal clutch assembly and a device for use in combination with an engine, said clutch assembly comprising a shaft which carries a first sheave axially moveable on said sh

[ The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:] [1.]1. A centrifugal clutch assembly and a device for use in combination with an engine, said clutch assembly comprising a shaft which carries a first sheave axially moveable on said shaft, a second sheave axially fixed on said shaft, a drive belt between said first sheave and said second sheave, a return spring operating on said axially moveable sheave, a roller fixed relative to said second sheave and a pivot pin fixed on and moveable with said first sheave; said device comprising:an elongated body pivotally coupled to said pivot pin and having first and second opposed ends and with an arcuate outer edge camming surface in contact with said roller so as to provide a camming motion to move said elongated body laterally relative to said roller;an aperture formed within said elongated body and disposed adjacent said first end thereof and constructed so as to mate with said pivot pin to allow said elongated body to pivot relative to said pivot pin for creation of said camming motion, the point of contact between said camming surface and said roller being determined by centrifugal forces operating on said elongated body and said pivot pin;a closed hollow chamber formed within and positioned internally of said elongated body with said hollow chamber having a chamber axis extending between said first and second opposed ends; andweighting means within said chamber and freely moveable reciprocably therein in response to centrifugal force from rotation of said shaft, wherein the relative position of the weighting means defines a counterweight ramp axis and with a counterweight ramp angle being the angle defined between the counterweight ramp axis and the direction of the centrifugal force, whereby in use, the movement of the weighting means within said chamber alters the effective mass on the counterweight ramp angle, thus altering overall effective weight of the weighting means, so as to optimize positioning of said weighting means relative to said centrifugal force to controllably alter the centrifugal force effecting said elongated body, the arrangement being such that said camming contact point and said sheave positions are maintained so that engine speed is maintained substantially at its maximum power output.