Viscous coupling with interleaved plates

摘要

Outer and inner sets of plates (6,8) turn respectively with outer and inner members (1,2), and are interleaved, the members turning respectively with first and second drive shafts (3,4). The space between the members is wholly or partly filled with viscous fluid, and the characteristic curve is affected by the torque transmitted. The plates in the two sets are at fixed distances apart, those in one set being slid in the axial direction in relation to those in the other, to regulate the characteristic curve. Sliding movement can take plate dependent on the torque transmitted, being generated by a spiral ramp, while a compression spring (20) acting in the axial direction is mounted between sliding and non-sliding components (8,2).