Patent ID: 6110061
Filing Date: 2000-08-29
Classification: F04B,F16D,F16H

Abstract:
A device for transmitting rotational power from a rotational power source to a driven device having a drive shaft, the device for transmitting rotational power comprising:at least one elastic connecting member defining outer and inner peripheral surfaces;a first holder member, for holding the at least one elastic connecting member at the radially outer or inner periphery of the at least one elastic connecting member, the first holder member being connected to the drive shaft;a second holder member for holding the at least one elastic connecting member at the radially inner or outer periphery of the at least one elastic connecting member, the second holder member being operatively connected to the rotational power source;the first and second holder members radially cooperating with each other to circumferentially hold the at least one elastic connecting member during normal operation to transmit the rotation, and being disconnected by the deformation of the at least one elastic connecting member when the torque of the drive shaft exceeds a predetermined cutoff torque level; anda weakened portion, which includes radial slits provided on at least one of the first and second holder members, for aiding the deformation of at least one of the first and second holder members to reduce a torsional spring coefficient which is defined by the ratio of the relative rotational angle between the first and second holder member to the torque of the drive shaft.