Patent ID: 9086096
Filing Date: 2015-07-21
Classification: F16D

Abstract:
1. A drive device comprising: a housing mounted to a first drive member; a plunger slidable in said housing; a bushing within said housing having a bore slidably receiving a lower end of said plunger; a drive ball disposed in a seat in a detent pocket mounted to a second drive member and contacted by a lower end surface of said plunger, said seat being configured to establish a driving connection between said first and second members but allow said drive ball to move radially out and up from said pocket upon transmission of a release torque level above a predetermined level; an upper thrust race; a lower thrust race; a plurality of locking balls interposed and engaged between a sloping surface on a lower side of said upper thrust race and an upper side of said lower thrust race; a shoulder on said plunger engaging a portion of said locking balls protruding from between said thrust race surfaces to normally prevent said plunger from moving axially away from said drive ball; a spring acting on said lower thrust race to urge said locking balls radially inwardly and maintain said plunger in engagement with said drive ball as long as torque transmitted cannot overcome said spring force but upon transmission of said predetermined release value torque said shoulder on said plunger forces said locking balls radially out by moving said lower thrust race down against said spring force to free said plunger to move axially past said locking balls and allowing said drive ball to move out of said pocket; a central longitudinal grease passage extending through the length of said plunger, but ending before said end surface of said plunger said grease passage continuing in a cross passage to either side of said central passage and further including a pair of short longitudinal passages each extending from a respective side of said cross passage whereby grease may be injected into a space extending around said drive ball.