Patent ID: 6148979
Filing Date: 2000-11-21
Classification: F16D,Y10T

Abstract:
An overrunning ratchet and pawl clutch mechanism with centrifugal throwout, said mechanism comprising:a ratchet wheel having a plurality of angled teeth disposed about the perimeter thereof;a compliant, one-piece pawl wheel configured to rotate in a first engaging direction and in a second overrun direction, said pawl wheel comprising:a circular hub concentrically surrounding said ratchet wheel and having an inner surface;a plurality of elongate compliant biasing members having a proximal end and a distal end, said biasing members being integrally formed of the material of said hub and extending from said proximal end at the inner surface of said hub toward said distal end nearer the center of said hub;a plurality of clutch pawls integrally formed of the material of said hub at the distal end of each of said elongate compliant biasing members, each pawl having a tooth for engaging at least one tooth of said ratchet wheel when the pawl wheel rotates in said first engaging direction, and configured to slide over the teeth of said ratchet wheel when the pawl wheel rotates in said second overrun direction, said pawls being resiliently biased in an engagable position relative to said ratchet wheel by means of said elongate biasing members, and configured to transmit the rotational force of said pawl wheel to said ratchet wheel when so engaged; andwherein said elongate compliant biasing members are configured to compliantly allow said pawls to substantially rotate away from the teeth of said ratchet wheel by means of centrifugal force when said pawl wheel rotates in said overrun direction, whereby sliding contact between the pawls and the ratchet teeth is reduced.