Clutch wear detector, adjustment and indicator system

摘要

A clutch system providing a simplified clutch adjustment which also gives an indication of how much clutch facing remains so that it is known when a clutch face needs replacement. The system mounts the motor armature and flywheel in a bearing structure which is axially shiftable toward the clutch face by utilization of a rotatable element threadedly engaged with the main frame of the motor and which presents against one end of the bearing structure so that it may shift the bearing structure and the entire armature and flywheel by rotation of the threaded element. This threaded element is coupled to the fan cowl of the motor which is in turn held in fixed position by a latching member. With the latching member released, the fan cowl is rotatable to adjust the flywheel, with the fan cowl then being again latched into position to prevent further movement of the flywheel in an axial direction. A color coded strip is affixed to the fan cowl, and by rotation past the latching member indicates how much of the clutch facing remains for further adjustment. An electrical contact is incorporated into the clutch magnet structure so that the contact is engaged by the clutch disc before the clutch disc can engage the clutch magnet structure. Upon engagement of the clutch disc with the electrical contact, an electrical circuit is completed which may be used to stop the motor or actuate an audible or visual alarm, or for any of a desired number of functions.