DUAL GAIN FRICTION CLUTCH

摘要

A dual gain friction clutch (200) is adapted to transmit an operational range of torques (260) from a drive member (214) to a driven member (218). The dual gain friction clutch (200) incorporates a first friction clutch pack (220) and a second friction clutch pack (222), the pack being axially aligned and adapted to address one of two segments (262, 266) of the operational range of torques (260). The clutch (200) further includes a spring-loaded skate detent unit (240) configured to control transition (264) between the two segments (262, 266) of operational ranges of torques (260). Each friction clutch pack (220, 222) may include identical respective friction discs (220a, 222a) coupled to the drive member (214) and respective pressure plates (220b, 222b) coupled to the driven member (218) for selectively providing torque control within either of the lower and higher segments (262, 266) of the operational ranges of torques (260). The first clutch pack (220) is configured to operate alone and independently of the second clutch pack (222) during the lower segment (262) of operational range of torques (260), while and both friction clutch packs (220, 222) are configured to operate as a single combined friction clutch unit during the higher segment (266) of operational range of torques (266).

主权项

1. A dual gain friction clutch for transmitting an operational range of torques from a drive member to a driven member, comprising:
a first friction clutch pack including first friction disc elements coupled to the drive member and first pressure plate elements coupled to the driven member; a second friction clutch pack including second friction disc elements coupled to the drive member and second pressure plate elements coupled to the driven member, the second clutch pack adapted to operate in juxtaposition with the first friction clutch pack; at least one spring-loaded skate detent unit disposed between the first and second clutch packs, the skate detent unit configured to bias the respective clutch packs apart during a lower segment of the operational range of torques; andan actuator assembly operatively configured to cause one of the first pressure plate elements of the first clutch pack to interact with the first friction clutch pack to force retraction of the skate detent unit, causing engagement of the second friction clutch pack and the dual gain friction clutch to transition to a higher segment of the operational range of torques.