Patent ID: 6213882
Filing Date: 2001-04-10
Classification: F04B,F16D

Abstract:
A power transmission mechanism having a first rotor and a second rotor, wherein the second rotor is coaxial with the first rotor, and power from the first rotor is transmitted to the second rotor to rotate the first and the second rotors in the same direction, the mechanism comprising:a resilient power transmission member located between the first and the second rotors, the power transmission member having a fixed end that is fixed to one of the first and the second rotors and a free end that is releasably engaged with the other of the first and the second rotors;a transmission surface provided on the other of the first and the second rotors to oppose and engage the free end of the power transmission member, wherein when the transmission surface engages the free end of the transmission member, the transmission surface transfers power from the first rotor to the second rotor, and relative rotation between the first and the second rotors is permitted due to deformation of the power transmission member in accordance with the load of the second rotor, and wherein the transmission of power is discontinued if the free end of the transmission member is separated from the transmission surface;a release member for separating the free end of the power transmission member from the transmission surface in accordance with relative rotation between the first rotor and the second rotor when the load applied to the second rotor exceeds a predetermined value; andan engaging surface on the other of the first and the second rotors and opposed to the transmission surface for engaging the free end of the power transmission member if the second rotor is driven faster than the first rotor by inertia when the first rotor is decelerated.