摘要 |
<p>A coupling device (26) is provided in an input end of an engine balancer (20). The coupling device includes a driven gear (25) rotatably supported by a first balancer shaft (23), a disk member (42) supported by an extension (23c) of the first balancer shaft in a rotationally fast and axially slidable manner and a spring member (44) urging the disk toward the driven gear. An arcuate groove (51, 52) including a circumferentially sloped section (51b, 51c, 52b, 52c) is provided on each of the sides of the driven gear and the disk facing each other and a ball (43) is received in a slot defined by the two arcuate grooves. Owing to the interaction between the rolling member and the sloped sections under the axial biasing force of the spring member, a circumferential biasing torque is created between the first and second rotatable members depending on the angular displacement or offset between the two members. By suitably configuring the depth of the groove along the circumferential length thereof, any desired torsional torque profile can be achieved in relation with the angular offset between the first and second rotatable members.</p> |