Drive clutch with multi-staged displacement rate and a method for controlling a drive clutch

A drive clutch assembly having a fixed sheave and a moveable sheave rotatable with the drive shaft of an engine comprising a multi-staged speed responsive or displacement system. The speed responsive system initially applies a first displacement rate to the moveable sheave as it moves toward the fixed sheave and applies a second displacement rate to the moveable sheave when the drive clutch assembly reaches a predetermined rotational speed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to variable speed belt transmissions often 
used in snowmobiles, golf carts, off-road recreational vehicles, etc. More 
particularly, the invention relates to a drive clutch with a multi-staged 
speed responsive or displacement means and variable displacement rate. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
A great many vehicles, such as snowmobiles, have a variable speed belt 
transmission driving system (sometimes referred to as torque converters). 
In such a system, there is a drive or driving clutch with a moveable 
conical faced sheave and a fixed conical faced sheave, a driven clutch 
with a moveable conical faced sheave and a fixed conical faced sheave, a 
transmission belt extending between each pair of sheaves coupling the 
driving and driven clutches, a speed responsive or displacement means 
(hereinafter referred to as "speed responsive means" but that term also 
represents "displacement means" and the two terms can be interchanged) 
such as a plurality of like cams, flyweights or other means which are 
operatively associated with the moveable sheave of the driving clutch and 
a biasing or resistance means in the driving and driven clutch to oppose 
the displacement of the moveable sheave by the speed responsive means. 
The purpose of the driving clutch is to control the speed of the engine in 
all gear ratios as the transmission changes gears. There is a biasing or 
resistance means in the driving clutch that works against the speed 
responsive means associated with the moveable sheave. The biasing means 
and speed responsive means are matched to assure a reasonable initial 
engagement speed to assure that the vehicle will have enough power to 
move. The drive clutch is the primary mechanism to determine the upshift 
of the clutch system and as such should be used to determine engine rpm. 
The driving clutch can be adjusted to achieve a predetermined or desired 
engine speed by modifying the biasing or resistance means (see commonly 
owned co-pending application, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/294,043 
filed Aug. 24, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,460,575 issued Oct. 24, 1995, 
which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety to which this 
application is a continuation-in-part continuing application) or, by 
modifying the speed responsive means in accordance with the present 
invention. 
The purpose of the driven clutch is to control the backshift and to provide 
enough side pressure on the transmission belt to allow power to be 
transmitted from the driving clutch to the driven clutch without the belt 
slipping. The side pressure on the belt has a lot to do with power loss 
and backshifting. The higher the belt pressure, the quicker the 
backshifting but the higher the power loss, also. Therefore, 
conventionally the driven clutch biasing means is selected to be a 
compromise between quick backshifting and low power loss. High belt side 
pressure also results in increased belt wear and shorter belt life. 
In operation at low rotational speeds of the driving clutch, the fixed and 
moveable sheaves of the driving clutch are forced apart by a biasing or 
resistance means (e.g., compression spring) parallel to the centerline of 
a drive shaft running between the fixed and axially moveable sheaves, thus 
enabling the transmission belt to ride near the bottom of the driving 
clutch thereby creating a small diameter drive wheel. Correspondingly, the 
sheaves of the driven clutch are forced close together by a biasing means 
parallel to the centerline of a drive shaft running between the fixed and 
moveable sheaves, thus causing the transmission belt to operate near the 
outer edge of the conical faces of the driven clutch sheaves thereby 
creating a large diameter driven wheel. Therefore, at low speeds a small 
diameter drive wheel clutch is coupled by the transmission belt to a large 
diameter driven wheel. This is, in effect, a low gear since it requires 
many turns of the drive wheel to cause one rotation of the driven wheel. 
As the rotational speed of the driving clutch increases in response to 
increased engine speed, speed responsive means (i.e., cams or flyweights) 
operatively associated with the moveable sheave of the driving clutch, and 
opposed by the biasing or resistance means located on or parallel to the 
centerline of the driving clutch as well as side pressure on the 
transmission belt caused by the biasing means in the driven clutch, force 
the moveable sheave of the driving clutch closer to the fixed sheave 
thereby causing the transmission belt to move outward on the conical 
radius of the drive wheel so as to operate at a greater distance from the 
center of the driving clutch. The forces on the transmission belt which 
cause it to move upward along the conical radius of the drive wheel also 
cause it to move inwardly against the side pressure along the radius of 
the driven wheel thus forcing the moveable sheave of the driven clutch 
away from its associated fixed sheave. These sheaves are spread apart in 
relation to the driven helix and spring in the driven clutch. The steeper 
the angle on the helix, the faster the sheaves will spread. The spring 
counteracts this force to keep the sheaves from shifting too fast, as well 
as providing a back shift force when the engine speed is reduced. 
Thus higher rotational speeds of the driving clutch cause the transmission 
belt to effectively form a large diameter drive wheel and a small diameter 
driven wheel. This is, essentially, a high gear since it enables one 
complete rotation of the drive wheel to cause several complete rotations 
of the driven wheel. This means that such a transmission belt drive system 
has a built-in capability of effectively switching from a low gear to a 
higher gear as the rotational speed of the drive wheel is increased. 
However, there are some inherent disadvantages to this type of system in 
which the gear ratio is automatically changed with an increase or decrease 
in rotational speed of the drive clutch. These disadvantages exist because 
the gear ratio change can occur at a time when constant speed is desired, 
such as when travelling down a road or trail, or the gear ratio can remain 
fixed at a time when it should be changing in response to an increased 
load, like a hill or a turn. 
Consider, for example, a snowmobile which utilizes the transmission belt 
drive system. Normally, a low gear is needed to get the machine moving but 
after it has commenced moving and the throttle is advanced, the gear ratio 
begins to change in order to place the vehicle in a higher gear. This is 
normal operation and no problem occurs. 
When it is desired to travel at a constant speed the transmission will 
operate in a higher gear ratio than is needed if the clutch has been tuned 
to operate at the top of the power band thereby forcing the operator to 
drive in a higher gear than is necessary for the given conditions. This 
results in excessive power output and thus poor fuel economy. 
Further, assume it is desired to climb a hill or in some other manner the 
load placed upon the vehicle is increased. If the vehicle is travelling at 
a high rate of speed the driving clutch rotational speed is high and the 
machine is in a high gear ratio. However, when a vehicle is attempting to 
climb a hill or move a heavy load under increasing load conditions, it 
needs a lower gear ratio, therefore such a higher gear ratio is an 
undesirable situation. That is, at this time greater torque is needed at 
the driven wheel, not greater speed. In order to achieve greater torque, 
the transmission must backshift. Failure to do so results in power fuel 
efficiency and undesirable air pollution. 
Therefore, a particular disadvantage of this type of known system is that 
the vehicle is slow to backshift, (i.e., downshift) in response to this 
need for greater torque. The reason being that the speed responsive means 
(i.e., flyweights) that push the sheaves of the driving clutch together 
against the compression spring in the driving clutch and the compression 
spring that initially pushes the sheaves of the driven clutch together is 
a fixed combination that is selected to compromise between a combination 
that upshifts quickly and a combination that downshifts quickly. If the 
flyweights (i.e., speed responsive means) are light, the transmission will 
upshift slowly but downshift quickly. If the flyweights are heavy, the 
transmission will upshift quickly but downshift slowly. 
There is a long-felt need for a device which will overcome these problems 
and allow the driving system to upshift quickly when low drag is 
encountered and downshift quickly when more torque is needed in addition 
to allowing the engine to be operated at either its most fuel efficient 
speed setting or its most powerful speed setting. 
Prior Art 
It is commonly accepted to use single rate displacement means (i.e., each 
element in the displacement means is the same and act together) in the 
drive clutch, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,362,242 to Watkins and U.S. Pat. 
No. 3,709,052 to Lassanske. 
This is a simple means to offset the force supplied by the biasing means 
but the disadvantage to this approach is that the linear force provided by 
the single rate displacement means does not take into account the parasite 
drag of the vehicle or the varying terrain that the vehicle might 
encounter. Parasite drag is the drag on the vehicle caused by wind 
resistance, sliding resistance, etc. The parasite drag on a vehicle 
increases non-linearly as the speed of the vehicle increases. Take for 
example, when a snowmobile is moving at a relatively low speed, say 40 
miles per hour, it requires approximately 25 horsepower. But when the 
snowmobile is moving twice as fast (i.e., 80 miles per hour), it requires 
approximately 90 horsepower. It would be desirable to have a displacement 
means that had a two stage (or more) displacement rate so that as the belt 
rises up on the drive wheel, the moveable sheave would be slowed in its 
movement by a second displacement rate exerted on the moveable sheave so 
that more torque would be delivered at the driven wheel to compensate for 
the parasite drag. On the other hand, when drag is low the engine speed 
(rpm) should be low so as to maximize efficiency while still optimizing 
the gear ratio of the shift-out period. 
In addition, two-stroke engines that commonly use such transmission belt 
driving systems operate more efficiently when operated within the power 
band discussed below. Therefore, it is also desirable to have a system 
that allows the engine to operate within this band (i.e., operate at a 
relatively constant speed), while allowing the output of the system at the 
driven clutch to vary so as to match the needs of either greater torque or 
increased speed, as discussed above. 
U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,939,720 and 3,958,461, both issued to Aaen et al., 
disclose using a pair of speed responsive means consisting of 
eccentrically supported fly weights. However, both of the Aaen et al. 
patents are directed to a drive clutch with a selectively operable control 
means that allows the drive clutch to be set to only one of three 
conditions: neutral; trail (i.e., cruise) condition; or performance 
condition. In the neutral condition, neither sets of flyweights can 
operate. In the trail condition, both flyweights operate together 
continuously throughout the full movement of the moveable sheave. In the 
performance condition, only one set of flyweights can operate throughout 
the full movement of the moveable sheave. The drive clutch of Aaen et al. 
can not be set to operate in both the trail and performance conditions, 
nor does the drive clutch of Aaen et al. change automatically from a trail 
condition to a performance condition. 
The art of "tuning" a clutch has been practiced for many years. Though the 
components are nearly the same for all applications, they are individually 
tailored for each situation. There is typically a combination that leads 
to good upshifts, reasonable backshifts, and acceptable efficiencies and 
wear for any given set of conditions. This is the current state of the 
art, particularly for snowmobiles, and although there is tuning for 
specific powerbands and applications, there is a very small window of 
performance to be improved upon. 
One of the areas that has been looked at for improving performance is the 
range from initial upshift up through the 2:1 ratio of the transmission. 
This is typically the area that conventional clutches are inefficient and 
the area where parasite drag is low. Upshift patterns are usually 
optimized for the 1:1 ratio so that when more torque is needed, the engine 
is operating in the best part of its powerband. To do this with 
conventional clutches, requires that the shift patterns be confined to a 
very narrow part of the powerband. Some driven clutch helix have been cut 
to multiple angles. This allows the transmission to upshift quickly after 
engagement without pulling the engine out of its powerband. The advantages 
of the multi-angle helix are somewhat offset by the decreased backshifting 
capabilities and the complex tuning involved with their use. Tuning the 
upshift of the drive clutch by using the driven clutch is 
counter-productive and hurts the primary purpose of the driven clutch, 
which is a torque sensing unit, which is backshifting. At the 3:1 to 2:1 
ratios of the transmission, the driven clutch is tinder its highest torque 
load and the increased friction of the steeper helix at this point leads 
to poor efficiency and poor backshifting. 
There is a long felt need and desire to find a way to tune the clutches to 
take advantage of low parasite drag by keeping the driven clutch at its 
optimum settings for backshifting and efficiency (i.e., side pressures and 
spring tensions) while tuning the drive clutch for a quicker upshift 
during the 3:1 to 2:1 period. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention fulfills the desires discussed above by providing a 
multiple stage speed responsive means for a driving clutch that maximizes 
the fuel efficiency of the engine when parasite drag is low and enhances 
the upshift and backshift capabilities of the transmission system. The 
present invention is a novel combination of speed responsive or 
displacement means used to provide multi-staged displacement of the 
moveable sheave of a driving clutch so that the moveable sheave encounters 
a relatively decreased displacement rate from the flyweights as the 
parasite drag of the vehicle increases. In this way, the moveable sheave 
is slowed in its axial movement by the relatively decreased displacement 
rate so that more torque will be delivered at the driven wheel to 
compensate for the parasite drag and so that the engine does not over 
shift its power band by limiting the total mass of the displacement means 
when the parasite drag increases. The combination is also used to provide 
quicker, smoother shifting of the vehicle without compromising the action 
of the driven clutch. 
The present invention allows the transmission to be set up in the 
conventional manner for optimum performance in the 1.5:1 to 0.75:1 ratio 
period where the maximum power is needed. In addition, the present 
invention increases upshifting through the 3:1 ratio period where the 
transmission is inefficient. Furthermore, the present invention operates 
in the 2:1 to 1.5:1 ratio period as much as possible as this is the more 
efficient part of the engine powerband. 
It is an object of the present invention to maximize the efficiency and 
performance of continuously variable belt transmissions. This object is 
achieved by assuring that the vehicle engine is operated in the most 
efficient part of its power curve by utilizing the full width of the power 
band of the engine. This object is further achieved by operating the 
continuously variable transmission in the 2:1 to 1:1 ratio area as much as 
possible. 
It is another object of the present invention to improve significantly the 
fuel efficiency of such vehicles and to reduce engine noise and vibration 
using the infinitely variable "gear ratio" between the drive and driven 
clutches of such a transmission. It is a further object of the present 
invention to "tune" the transmission so that the engine turns at a 
predetermined speed when the vehicle is at a constant throttle setting, as 
when cruising down a road, so that maximum fuel economy and minimum noise 
levels are obtained. In particular, using the full power band of the 
engine with the lower part being used for fuel efficiency and the upper 
part being used for performance (high speed). 
It is also an object of the present invention to improve the up-shifting 
and back-shifting of the transmission in response to both engine speed and 
vehicle speed. It has long been known that up-shifting, as the vehicle 
drive belt or wheels increase speed, is readily controlled by 
progressively increasing engine speed as the vehicle accelerates. However, 
when the vehicle speed decreases under an increasing load, as in hilly 
terrain where it is necessary to brake the vehicle for a sharp turn 
followed immediately by a long steep incline, it is essential for the 
transmission to respond by promptly down shifting to deliver enough torque 
to match the vehicle load. 
As particularly contrasted to the conventional use of a single flyweight 
system (i.e., each of the flyweights act continuously together) the 
displacement rate of two (or more) speed responsive means (i.e., a 
flyweight system comprising two or more sets of flyweights) or a single 
compound speed responsive means can counter-balance the axial force 
generated by the pressure spring and belt forces of the drive clutch in a 
more suitable manner than is possible with a conventional single flyweight 
system. I have discovered that two (or more) speed responsive means 
engaged in concert initially, but then engaged with a fixed stop so as to 
limit the movement of one of the speed responsive means without 
interfering with the movement of the other speed responsive means can be 
used. The net unexpected result is that the lower part of the power band 
of the engine can be used for fuel efficiency at normal cruising speeds 
and the upper part of the power band (i.e., the peak power) can be used 
for performance speeds. 
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, a vehicle is 
propelled by an engine having a drive shaft directly connected to a drive 
clutch assembly through a center column or shaft. The center column or 
shaft includes an axially fixed sheave end and a drive shaft attaching 
end. A fixed sheave is attached adjacent one end of the center column or 
shaft for common rotation therewith, and an axially moveable sheave is 
arranged to move axially along the center column or shaft. The axially 
moveable sheave moves between a retracted position initially spaced from 
the fixed sheave and is actuated by a speed responsive or displacement 
means for displacing the moveable sheave toward the fixed sheave in 
accordance with an increase in the speed of the drive shaft. The speed 
responsive or displacement means displaces the moveable sheave in an 
amount and to an extent to control the load transferred to a driven clutch 
by the axially moveable sheave and the fixed sheave of the drive clutch 
through an endless belt. A biasing or resistance means initially urges the 
moveable sheave toward the retracted position. 
To achieve improved fuel efficiency and shifting, the speed responsive 
means or displacement means in one embodiment comprises two sets of 
flyweights having different size, shape and/or weights. Typically, the 
first set (i.e., primary set) is heavier than the second set (i.e., 
secondary set), although it does not have to be. A set screw is mounted in 
front of each of the lighter weights of the second set of flyweights. Each 
of the set screws are adjusted such that initially the two sets of 
flyweights operate simultaneously by exerting an initial displacement rate 
against the moveable sheave. Then at a preselected rotational speed of the 
drive clutch or predetermined position of the second set of flyweights, 
the flyweights of the second set (e.g., lighter set of flyweights) contact 
the set screws and are prevented from exerting force on or further 
displacing the moveable sheave, but without interfering with further 
movement of the first set of flyweights. Therefore, for rotational speeds 
greater than the preselected rotational speed, the first set of flyweights 
(e.g., heavier set) acts alone in displacing the moveable sheave. In this 
way, the speed responsive or displacement means initially applies a first 
displacement rate to move the moveable sheave toward the fixed sheave and 
a second displacement rate to the moveable sheave when the drive clutch 
reaches a predetermined rotational speed or the second set of flyweights 
reach a predetermined position. 
The first displacement rate, consisting of the force exerted by both the 
primary and secondary weights together, is relatively greater than the 
second displacement rate, which consists of the force exerted by the 
primary weights alone. In this way, the transmission upshifts relatively 
quickly through the inefficient 3:1 ratio period because of the greater 
first displacement rate. Then, when the transmission reaches the more 
efficient 2:1 to 1.5:1 ratio period, the secondary weights are stopped 
from exerting force so that the upshift of the transmission is slowed down 
in this range. With the present invention, the drive clutch is optimized 
for upshifting which is its primary function and the driven clutch is 
set-up in the conventional manner with a low angle helix and light belt 
side pressure so that it operates fuel efficiently and effectively in 
backshifting which is its primary function. 
The same operation can be accomplished with two (or more) sets of weights 
that are all the same size, shape and/or weight by mounting the secondary 
set of weights closer to the center shaft of the driving clutch so that 
their center of gravity has a shorter radius than the primary weights. In 
addition, the same can be accomplished with two (or more) sets of weights 
that are all the same size, shape and/or weight by mounting the secondary 
set of weights with their center of gravity closer to a line through the 
pivot point of the weights (i.e., tucking the center of gravity under the 
pivot point more for the secondary weights than for the primary weights). 
In one of its method aspects, the present invention provides a method for 
controlling a drive clutch of the type previously described, the method 
comprising the following steps. Applying a first displacement rate with 
the speed responsive or displacement means as the moveable sheave moves 
toward the fixed sheave. Applying a second displacement rate with the 
speed responsive or displacement means automatically when the drive clutch 
reaches a predetermined rotational speed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
The discussion of the present invention is with reference to a snowmobile, 
but it is well recognized in the art that continuously variable 
transmission belt driving systems (i.e., torque converters) are used in 
many different vehicles such as golf carts, go-karts, all terrain 
vehicles, riding lawn mowers, electric-powered cars, etc., as well as on 
many different types of machines used in the manufacturing and service 
industries. 
Two-stroke engines that commonly use variable speed transmission belt 
driving systems operate more efficiently when operated in a power band 94 
shown in the speed diagram in FIG. 14. See Olav Aaen, "Clutch Tuning 
Handbook," Kenosha, Wis. (1993). The speed diagram has the engine speed 
(rpm) on the vertical axis and the vehicle speed (mph) on the horizontal 
axis. Line 88 represents the low gear ratio of a typical variable speed 
transmission. The low gear ratio occurs where the transmission belt is 
near the bottom of the sheaves of the driving clutch and near the outer 
edges of the sheaves of the driven clutch. Typically, the low gear ratio 
is 3:1, whereby the driven clutch rotates one time for every three 
rotations of the driving clutch. In the 3:1 gear ratio period, the 
transmission is generally inefficient. 
Line 90 represents the high gear ratio of the transmission. The high gear 
ratio occurs where the belt is near the outer edges of the driving clutch 
and near the bottom of the sheaves of the driven clutch. Typically, the 
high gear ratio in overdrive is 0.75:1, whereby the driven clutch rotates 
one time for every 3/4 of a rotation of the driving clutch. 
Line 92 is a typical shift curve of a two-stroke engine with a power peak 
at 8250 rpm. The power band 94 is shown by the shaded area. The power band 
94 represents a range of engine speeds in which the engine is delivering 
optimum power. The top 96 of the power band 94 is the power peak of the 
engine. Operating the engine at its power peak is ideal for performance 
(high speed) riding. The bottom 98 of the power band 94 is ideal for fuel 
efficiency because the engine is not creating more horsepower than is 
needed to move the vehicle at normal cruise speeds. 
Two points on the speed diagram that are of particular importance are the 
engagement speed 100 and the shift-out speed 102. The engagement speed 100 
is the engine speed (rpm) required to start the vehicle moving. At the 
engagement speed 100, the speed responsive or displacement means in the 
driving clutch overcomes the pretension of the biasing or resistance means 
in the driving clutch and starts moving the moveable sheave toward the 
fixed sheave until enough force is exerted on the belt to start the 
vehicle moving. After the driving sheaves have gripped the belt without 
slipping the vehicle will accelerate along the low ratio line 88. While 
the vehicle speed is increasing in the low gear ratio, the belt remains at 
the bottom of the driving sheaves. 
The second important point occurs when the engine speed has built up enough 
centrifugal force in the speed responsive or displacement means to 
overcome both the pressure of the biasing or resistance means in the 
driving clutch and the side pressure on the belt by the biasing means in 
the driven clutch, the belt will move out on the driving sheaves, move in 
on the sheaves of the driven clutch, and the ratio of the transmission 
will change (i.e., shift up). This is the shift-out speed 102 and should 
be within the power band 94. 
Typically, the shift curve 92 is in the power band 94 of the engine and is 
essentially straight from the shift-out speed 102 to the high ratio line 
90. This means the engine speed is held constant in the area where the 
engine is delivering optimum power while the transmission ratio is 
changing (i.e., the transmission is up-shifting) and thus the vehicle 
speed is increasing. 
As noted before, one of the purposes of the driven clutch is to provide 
enough side pressure on the belt to allow power to be transmitted to the 
ground to move the vehicle. However, too much side pressure results in 
reduced belt life, power loss, and decreased efficiency. In operation, 
more side pressure is needed in low ratio (about twice as much) than is 
needed in high ratio therefore typical driven clutches have a torsion 
spring and torque feed back ramp design that produces such a desired 
effect in the belt side pressure. 
An object of the present invention is to match the speed responsive or 
displacement means of the driving clutch to the biasing or resistance 
means of the driving clutch along with the belt pressure created by the 
driven clutch in a first stage so that the engine speed is held at or near 
bottom 98 of the power band 94 for maximum engine efficiency (i.e., fuel 
efficiency), reduced noise and reduced vibration from the low ratio line 
88 to predetermined speed 107. This region is generally the 2:1 to 1.5:1 
ratio period. Predetermined speed 107 is selected to correspond with a 
maximum normal cruise speed. At speed 107, it is an object of the present 
invention to match the speed responsive means of the driving clutch to the 
biasing or resistance means of the driving clutch along with the belt 
pressure created by the driven clutch in a second stage so that the engine 
speed is held at or near top 96 of power band 94 for performance speeds 
from speed 107 to high ratio line 90. This region is generally the 1.5:1 
to 0.75:1 ratio period. 
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, therein is shown a snowmobile indicated in 
its entirety by the reference numeral 10. Snowmobile 10 includes a 
longitudinally extending frame or body 12 partially supported on a pair of 
forwardly located skis 14 and on a rearwardly located drive track assembly 
including a suspension member 16 and an endless drive track 17. An engine 
compartment, normally covered by a hood (not shown) is located at the 
forward end of snowmobile 10 and contains an internal combustion engine 18 
to the forward and rearward sides of which are respectively connected an 
exhaust pipe 20 and a carburetor 22. Located just behind and coupled to 
the carburetor 22 is an intake silencer 24 and just behind the intake 
silencer 24 is a fuel tank 26. 
A continuously variable transmission belt driving system is connected 
between a horizontal drive shaft 28, projecting from the left side of 
engine 18, and drive track 17. The transmission system includes a driving 
clutch (i.e., drive clutch), shown generally at 30, mounted on engine 
drive shaft 28 and a driven clutch, shown generally at 32, mounted on a 
driven shaft 34 rotatably mounted on snowmobile frame 12 so that it is 
parallel with drive shaft 28. Endless drive belt 36 connects driving 
clutch 30 to the driven clutch 32. Located at the right side of the 
snowmobile is a chain case which houses a chain drive (not shown) which 
may be of any known type to one of ordinary skill in the art. The input to 
the chain drive is driven shaft 34 while the output of the chain drive is 
a cross shaft 40 on which is mounted a pair of drive sprockets 42 (only 
one shown) that are drivingly engaged with drive track 17. 
Driving clutch 30 is mounted so that a fixed sheave 44 of driving clutch 30 
is inboard of an axially moveable sheave 46 of driving clutch 30 having a 
housing 48 secured thereto for movement therewith and enclosing a speed 
responsive or displacement mechanism for shifting axially moveable sheave 
46 toward fixed sheave 44 of driving clutch 30 in increasing amounts in 
response to increasing rotational speed of drive shaft 28. 
The operation of the snowmobile transmission belt driving system is as 
follows. When engine 18 (FIG. 2) of snowmobile 10 is idling, drive shaft 
28 rotates at a speed insufficient to activate speed responsive means 39 
and 38 (FIG. 3) of driving clutch 30 and sheaves 44 and 46 are held fully 
apart by the compressive resistance of the biasing or resistance means 60 
(FIG. 4) of the driving clutch 30 such that belt 36 rides loosely at 
radially inner portions of the opposed conical faces of sheaves 44 and 46. 
With belt 36 loose, no force is transferred thereby to driven clutch 32 
(FIG. 2) and its sheaves 54 and 56 are held fully closed by the unopposed 
action of the driven clutch biasing means so that belt 36 loosely engages 
radially outer portions of the opposed faces of the driven clutch sheaves 
54 and 56. 
In one embodiment, as engine 18 speeds up, speed responsive means 39 and 38 
of driving clutch 30 react to move axially moveable sheave 46 of driving 
clutch 32 towards fixed sheave 44 in opposition to the biasing or 
resistance force of the biasing or resistance means 60 of driving clutch 
30. This movement of axially moveable sheave 46 results in belt 36 being 
engaged with the opposed conical faces of sheaves 44 and 46 and thereby 
being tensioned. Due to the increased frictional engagement of belt 36 
with the faces of axially moveable sheave 46 and fixed sheave 44, belt 36 
is gripped tighter and tighter by the driving clutch 30 until the force 
delivered by belt 36 to driven clutch 32 is sufficient to overcome the 
torque resistance offered by driven shaft 34, which resistance 
incidentally is quite high when track 17 is at rest. At this time, the 
transmission will be in a low speed, high torque delivery condition with 
belt 36 positioned inwardly on driving clutch 30 and outwardly on driven 
clutch 32, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. 
Once snowmobile track 17 (FIG. 1) begins to rotate, the torque resistance 
offered by the driven shaft 34 decreases. It will be appreciated by one of 
ordinary skill in the art that the action of speed responsive or 
displacement means 39 and 38 of driving clutch 30 act against the biasing 
means of the driven clutch and the driving clutch so as to continuously 
effect an equilibrium condition in the transmission. As a result, the 
drive ratio of the transmission is thus continuously and infinitely 
variable in response to these two actions to attempt to produce a drive 
ratio suited to the existing operating conditions. 
Conventional clutch tuning only allows tuning for either maximum 
performance or fuel efficiency. The present invention is a novel design 
for tuning a driving clutch to have the speed responsive means match the 
biasing or resistance means of the driving clutch and the belt side 
pressure supplied by the driven clutch in such a way that the engine is 
held near the power peak (i.e., maximum horsepower) all the way from low 
ratio to high ratio at full throttle and in such a way that the engine is 
held near the bottom of the power band for normal cruising speeds at 
partial throttle for maximum fuel efficiency, reduced noise, and reduced 
vibration. 
As can be seen in FIGS. 3-5, in one embodiment of the present invention the 
speed responsive means consists of two sets of cams or flyweights located 
on each column 124. In FIG. 5, part of end cover 74 and roller housing 64 
have been cut-away to show displacement means 39 and 38 and rollers 61 and 
62. Drive clutch 30 is a three column clutch. Each column 124 has two 
towers 68 spaced from each other with "button-contacting" surfaces 126. 
Tower bolts 70 extend through end cover 74 into columns 68 for attaching 
the end cover to movable sheave 46. Roller housing 64 (often referred to 
as a "spider" because of its shape or three "legs" 132) contains rollers 
61 and 62 on pin element 71. Speed responsive means 39 and 38 are mounted 
to movable sheave 46 and work against rollers 61 and 62 mounted between 
towers 68 in each column 124 rotating with center column or shaft 84. 
Roller housing 64 also transfers the torque to the movable sheave through 
"buttons" (or contacts) 128 which slide along "button-contacting" surfaces 
126 as movable sheave 46 is displaced by displacement means 39 and 38 
acting on rollers 61 and 62. 
Typically, the set of cams or flyweights 39 (i.e., the secondary cams) are 
of a different size, weight, and/or profile than the set of cams or 
flyweights 38 (i.e., the primary cams). Each roller 61 corresponding to 
each cam 39 is mounted coaxially on pin element 71 with each roller 62 
corresponding to each can 38. The rollers and cams are initially in 
contact and remain in contact throughout the engine speed range until the 
secondary cams contact stop member 63. The primary and secondary cams 
shown in FIGS. 3-5 are mounted with their respective pivot points coaxial. 
However, in this embodiment, because secondary cams 39 may contain a notch 
to reduce the centrifugal force generated at the engagement speed, the 
diameter of each roller 61 is slightly larger than the diameter of each 
roller 62 so that there is contact between the secondary cams and rollers 
as moveable sheave 46 is displaced by the cams. Each set of cams 
corresponding to each column 124 can be mounted coaxially on the same pin 
65 (i.e., nut and bolt) as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, or can be mounted on 
separate pins 65 and 67 (i.e., screws) as shown in FIG. 4. It is 
advantageous to use separate pins 65 and 67 so that each cam in a set can 
be changed out without having to remove each secondary cam in the other 
set. In addition this allows the use of a notched cam, without resorting 
to rollers of different diameters, because the pin having the roller 
corresponding to the notched cam can be mounted higher so that the roller 
contacts the notch in the cam. Stop member (e.g., a set screw) 63 is 
located adjacent to each secondary cam 39 in base 69 which connects each 
tower 68 of column 124. The stop member preferably extends through the 
base and is adjustable, however, it can be fixed. The stop member is set 
to contact and stop each secondary cam 39 as the cam moves through its 
travel, which will be described in more detail below. 
With reference to FIGS. 6-8, the operation of one embodiment of the present 
invention is discussed. When the engine is idling, belt 36 sits loosely 
between fixed sheave 44 and moveable sheave 46. The speed of driving 
clutch 30 is sufficiently slow at this time that first speed responsive 
means 39 and second speed responsive means 38 are at rest against first 
roller 61 and second roller 62, respectively. As the drive shaft (not 
shown) rotates and the speed of driving clutch 30 increases, speed 
responsive means 39 and 38 (e.g., cams, weights, flyweights, balls, 
annular garter springs, actuators, etc.)(only one flyweight from each set 
is shown) are thrown outward against rollers 61 and 62 respectively by 
centrifugal force, because each set of cams may be of a different size, 
weight, and/or profile the displacement rate of the primary set may be 
different from the displacement rate of the secondary set of any given 
point. However, the displacement rate of each of the sets of cams combine 
to produce a single first displacement rate. The total displacement rate 
of speed responsive means 39 and 38 acting on rollers 61 and 62 push 
axially moveable sheave 46 of drive clutch 30 toward fixed sheave 44. 
Since sheaves 44 and 46 are tapered, this axial movement causes endless 
drive belt 36 to ride up the conical surfaces of both sheaves 44 and 46. 
Biasing or resistance means 60 is under compression between roller housing 
64 and end cover 74. It is noted that end cover 74 shown in FIGS. 6-8 is 
slightly different than end cover 74 shown in FIGS. 3-5, 10 and 11 because 
of the addition of adjustable end cap 72 (to be discussed later) but 
operates to oppose the force of the biasing means in a like manner. The 
force of biasing or resistance means 60 is transmitted through towers 68 
and tower bolts 70 (only one shown) to moveable sheave 46 to oppose the 
force from speed responsive means 39 and 38. The friction created by drive 
belt 36 against sheaves 44 and 46 allows torque to be transmitted to a 
driven clutch (not shown) which works in a similar opposing manner, 
providing an infinitely adjustable source of torque. 
As shown in FIG. 7, when drive clutch 30 reaches a predetermined rotational 
speed, which corresponds to a predetermined axial displacement of movable 
sheave 46 toward fixed sheave 44 and to the speed diagram shown in FIG. 
14, speed responsive means 39 comes into contact with stop member 63. Stop 
member 63 prevents secondary speed responsive means 39 from swinging out 
farther at this point regardless of any additional rotational primary 
speed of drive clutch 30. However, primary speed responsive means 38 does 
continue to swing out as the rotational speed of the drive clutch 
increases. Therefore, primary speed responsive means 38 continues to exert 
force against roller 62 in order to continue to displace movable sheave 46 
toward fixed sheave 44 so that belt 36 is pushed up along the sheaves and 
the transmission continues to upshift. When this transition occurs, 
secondary speed responsive means 39 no longer exerts force against roller 
61 therefore the drive clutch transitions from the first displacement rate 
to a second displacement rate. In other words, the continuously variable 
transmission automatically transitions between one upshift profile to a 
second upshift profile. As seen in FIG. 8, during the second upshift 
profile as the rotational speed of the drive clutch is increased, primary 
speed responsive means 38 continues to move and exert force on roller 62 
so as to displace movable sheave 46 toward fixed sheave 44 and to move 
belt 36 all the way out into high gear. 
In accordance with one embodiment, biasing or resistance means 60 is a 
heavy rate compression spring, preferably in the range of 150 to 400 
lbs/in, and more preferably in the range of 250 to 300 lbs/in. Typically, 
the coil diameter is in the range of 1.40 to 2.50 inches. The wire 
diameter is typically in the range of 0.140 to 0.270 inches. It is 
contemplated that a variable rate biasing means as disclosed in the parent 
application, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/294,043 filed Aug. 24, 
1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,460,575 issued Oct. 24, 1995, to which this 
application is a continuation-in-part continuing application and which is 
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety can also be used for 
biasing or resistance means 60. 
The biasing or resistance means is illustrated as a helical coil spring but 
the biasing or resistance means can be a variety of biasing or resistance 
means such as, but not limited to electromechanical actuators, mechanical 
actuators, pneumatic actuators, hydraulic actuators, elastomers, wave 
springs, air bladders, pneumatic devices, hydraulic devices, 
electromechanical devices, etc. Likewise, the speed responsive means are 
illustrated as cams but can be a variety of means such as, but not limited 
to a ramp and ball combination (as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,975,964 
issued Aug. 24, 1976 to Adams and U.S. Pat. No. 3,362,242 issued Jan. 9, 
1968 to Watkins which are incorporated herein by reference in their 
entirety), or an actuator or device of the type listed above for the 
biasing or resistance means. 
There are several important considerations in using the multi-staged 
transmission belt driving system of the present invention. First, setting 
the engine speed at which moveable sheave 46 of driving clutch 30 engages 
endless belt 36 as the rotational speed of the driving clutch is increased 
(i.e., engagement point 100 in FIG. 14.) Second, setting the engine speed 
at which speed responsive means 39 and 38 overcome the side pressure of 
the driven clutch and biasing or resistance means 60 of driving clutch 30 
so that belt 36 starts to move outward or shiftout on driving clutch 
sheaves 44 and 46 (i.e., shiftout point 102 in FIG. 14.) For maximum 
performance, the shiftout point 102 should be at the power peak of the 
engine at the top of power band 96. For maximum fuel efficiency, the 
shiftout point 102 should be at the lower part of power band 96. Third, 
setting the rate at which the moveable sheave moves axially relative to 
the acceleration rate and thus the rate at which belt 36 moves outward on 
driving clutch sheaves 44 and 46 during the low parasite drag. In other 
words, setting the shift rate during low parasite drag (i.e., portion 104 
of shift curve 93). Fourth, setting the rate at which the moveable sheave 
moves axially and thus the rate at which belt 36 moves outward on driving 
clutch sheaves 44 and 46 during the high parasite drag. In other words, 
setting the shift rate during high parasite drag (i.e., portion 106 of 
shift curve 93). Shift curve 93 represents a partial throttle acceleration 
profile utilizing a driving clutch in accordance with the present 
invention. 
The present invention accommodates all of these considerations. With 
reference to FIG. 6, engagement speed 100 at which moveable sheave 46 of 
driving clutch 30 engages endless belt 36 as the rotational speed of 
driving clutch 30 is increased is determined by the amount of pretension 
or preload that has been applied to biasing or resistance means 60 when 
installed. The amount of pretension can be adjusted by many ways known by 
one of ordinary skill in the art. 
In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6-8, the amount of pretension can be 
adjusted by rotating threaded end cap 72. By rotating threaded end cap 72 
inward toward roller housing 64, additional pretension is applied. 
Therefore, a greater engine speed, thus rotational speed is required of 
driving clutch 30 before speed responsive means 39 and 38 acting on 
rollers 61 and 62 push axially moveable sheave 46 enough to engage belt 
36. Conversely, by rotating threaded end cap 72 outward away from roller 
housing 64, less pretension is applied (i.e., the preload is decreased). 
Therefore, less rotational speed of driving clutch 30 is required before 
the speed responsive means push moveable sheave 46 enough to engage belt 
36. 
In another embodiment shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the preload can be adjusted 
by locating the cam pins 65 and 67 at points which allow one or both of 
the cams to "tuck tinder". At the engagement speed, the tucked under 
position of the cams reduces the displacement force generated therefore, 
the pretension can be lower. 
In another embodiment, the displacement rate is adjusted by the size, 
weight and/or profile of the secondary cam. A lighter weight produces a 
lower displacement rate and high engagement speed. In another embodiment 
(FIGS. 5 and 6), the profile of the cam includes a notch to delay the full 
effect of the secondary cam's axial force on the sheaves. The notch 
initially prevents the secondary cam from exerting much of an axial force. 
When the roller is in the notch the axial force generated by the secondary 
cam is essentially negligible compared to the axial force of the primary 
cam. Then, as the rotational speed increases, the secondary cam moves out 
of the notch and exerts more axial force with the primary cam. In another 
emobidment, the pin location radially with respect to the center shaft can 
be closer or farther, causing a different displacement rate between the 
cams. 
Shiftout point 102 occurs when the centrifugal force of speed responsive 
means 39 and 38 acting on rollers 61 and 62 overcome the belt side 
pressure applied to belt 36 by the biasing means in driven clutch 32 and 
the driving clutch 30. A conventional helix with a low angle and 
conventional driven clutch biasing means can be used with the present 
invention, thus there is no need to degrade the backshifting of the driven 
clutch by using a multiple or steep angle helix as does the current state 
of the art. Tuning the upshift of the driving clutch by using a multiple 
or steep angle helix is counter-productive because it degrades the 
backshifting of the transmission. 
Shiftout point 102 is also controlled by the amount of throttle applied by 
the user. Using speed responsive means 39 and 38 in accordance with the 
present invention and a partial throttle acceleration, the transmission 
will have shiftout speed 102' (FIG. 14). With full throttle acceleration, 
the transmission will have shiftout speed 102". 
The rate at which moveable sheave 46 moves axially and thus the rate at 
which the belt moves outward on the sheaves 44 and 46 of driving clutch 30 
during the low parasite drag portion of the upshift (approximately 20 to 
50 m.p.h. for a snowmobile) as the vehicle speed increases corresponds to 
straight portion 104 of shift curve 93 (FIG. 14). Portion 104 of shift 
curve 93 is controlled by using speed responsive means 39 and 38 
collectively. Ideally, the engine speed is held constant in portion 104 
while the transmission is shifting out and the vehicle speed is 
increasing. 
With reference to the rate at which belt 36 moves outward on driving clutch 
sheaves 44 and 46, as the rotational speed of driving clutch 30 increases 
speed responsive means 39 and 38 swing outward against rollers 61 and 62 
by centrifugal force. This movement is opposed by the biasing or 
resistance means 60. The belt pressure applied by the driven clutch also 
opposes the speed responsive means but will be omitted for purposes of 
this discussion except to say that with the present invention lower belt 
pressures are required than with prior art inventions thus making the 
present invention more efficient. Biasing or resistance means 60 is tinder 
compression between roller housing 64 and end cover 74. Initially, 
displacement means 39 and 38 swing outward simultaneously (i.e., in 
concert), whether the same size, profile and/or weight, and exert a first 
stage displacement rate against the respective rollers 61 and 62 to 
displace (i.e., axially move) moveable sheave 46 toward fixed sheave 44. 
The movement of both displacement means simultaneously provides one linear 
displacement rate that is relatively high in order to transition through 
the inefficient portion (i.e., 3:1 ratio portion) of the shift curve 
relatively quickly. 
The displacement means system operates under the basic physical rules 
governing centrifugal force. The basic mathematical formula for 
centrifugal force is: 
Force=mass x radius x speed.sup.2 
where: 
mass=mass of the cam 
radius=radius of the center of gravity from the center line of rotation 
speed=the rotational speed of the drive clutch. 
Several observations are important from the above formula. First, the 
heavier the cam (or combination of cams) the more force it produces. 
Second, when the cam swings out, the center of gravity moves farther away 
from the center of the drive clutch (i.e., the radius increases) and thus 
the force increases. Because it is advantageous to have the force decrease 
as the cam swings out, traditionally the increased radius is compensated 
for by a cam profile which transfers less force. Third, centrifugal force 
increases with the square function of the rotational speed. See Olav 
Aaen's "Clutch Tuning Handbook," Kenosha, Wis. (1993), which is 
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, for a good discussion of 
centrifugal force and the operation of the cam system. 
In this example, when first displacement means 39 and second displacement 
means 28 are acting together, a first stage displacement rate (or 
centrifugal force) is acting against biasing means 60. Displacement means 
39 and 38 act in concert until they have rotated out enough for first 
displacement means 39 to contact stop member 63 (FIG. 7). At that point, 
first displacement means 39 is stopped from further movement by stop 
member 63. Then with any further increase in the rotational speed of 
driving clutch 30, second displacement means 38 acts alone to displace 
moveable sheave 46 with a second stage displacement rate (or centrifugal 
force) as the second displacement means 38 continues to swing outward 
(FIG. 8). 
With reference to FIG. 14, at partial throttle acceleration 93, first 
displacement means 39 and second displacement means 38 act in concert 
while the engine operates in bottom part 98 of power band 94 along portion 
104 of shift curve 93. By operating the engine at those predetermined 
speeds greater fuel efficiency and lower noise and vibration are achieved 
at normal cruise speeds. 
At predetermined vehicle speed 107, the vehicle transitions from cruising 
speeds to performance speeds. At speed 107, first displacement means 39 
contacts stop member 63. At that point, second displacement means 38 
operates alone. The engine speed then transitions to portion 106 of shift 
curve 93 where second displacement means 38 acts to oppose biasing or 
resistance means 50. Shift curve 97 represents a conventional clutch 
operating at partial throttle. As FIG. 14 shows, the engine speed is not 
held in the fuel efficient portion of the power band 94 for very long with 
a conventional clutch set-up. 
The rate at which the moveable sheave moves axially and thus the rate at 
which belt 36 moves outward on driving clutch sheaves 44 and 46 during 
high parasite drag portion 106 of the upshift as the vehicle increases 
speed is controlled by second speed responsive means 38 acting alone. High 
parasite drag becomes a factor where the vehicle will no longer accelerate 
without additional engine speed. For a typical snowmobile, that point 
coincides with a speed of approximately 40 m.p.h. Ideally, the engine 
speed is held constant during portion 106 while the transmission is 
shifting out farther. At the point where high parasite drag becomes a 
factor, the axial movement of moveable sheave 46 and thus the rate that 
belt 36 moves up sheaves 44 and 46 needs to be slowed so that enough 
torque is transmitted to driven clutch 32 through endless belt 36 to 
compensate for or overcome the high parasite drag. 
The transmission is tuned so that first speed responsive means 39 is 
stopped and second speed responsive means 38 begins to act alone so as to 
change the engine speed from lower part 98 of power band 94 where the 
engine operates the most efficiently to higher part 96 of power band 94 to 
effect a high performance condition. In other words, the movement of the 
secondary cams 39 is stopped causing the total mass to be limited to the 
force of the primary cams 38. The benefit of this is that the clutch is 
tuned to utilize both speed responsive means for quick upshifting, but 
then to utilize only one speed responsive means to prevent the engine from 
over shifting its power band by limiting the total mass of the speed 
responsive means to that of only the primary cams when parasite and/or 
power requirements increase. 
At the predetermined displacement point (or rotational speed of the drive 
clutch) chosen to correspond to the beginning of a performance speed 
range, first speed responsive means 39 has moved enough to contact stop 
member 63. At that point, second displacement means 38 continues to swing 
out but operates alone to provide a second linear displacement rate. The 
second linear displacement rate is relatively lower than the combined 
displacement rate of displacement means 39 and 38 operating together 
because there is less mass. The result being that the rate at which belt 
36 travels up sheaves 44,46 is slowed and more torque is transmitted to 
driven clutch 32 through belt 36 to compensate for the increased parasite 
drag. 
With reference to FIG. 14, at full throttle acceleration the transmission 
with the multi-stage speed responsive means installed operates along shift 
curve 95. As discussed above at full throttle acceleration the 
transmission will shiftout at shiftout speed 102". Then the speed 
responsive means in accordance with the present invention will operate the 
engine speed at the top 96 of power band 94 so that maximum performance is 
achieved as opposed to maximum fuel efficiency. 
The present invention also provides advantages in the back shifting of the 
transmission because the belt side pressure can be lower in the driven 
clutch during the low parasite drag portion because the engine speed is 
reduced. Another advantage to the present invention relates to the torque 
load. The highest torque load on the drive clutch occurs near the 3:1 
ratio area and it decreases as the transmission moves into the 2:1 to 1:1 
ratio area. With the present invention, when the drive clutch is under the 
highest torque load that load is spread over at least six rollers and six 
weights. When the torque load decreases in the 2:1 to 1:1 ratio area, the 
drive clutch switches to operating on three rollers and three weights. 
As one of ordinary skill in the art is aware the tuning of variable speed 
belt drive transmissions is a trial and error procedure that becomes more 
simplified with experience. There are different biasing means and speed 
responsive means combinations depending on, but not limited to, such 
things as the vehicle or machine, the altitude, ground or snow conditions 
and engine horsepower. There are also variations depending on how the 
machine is to be used (i.e., drag racing, hill climbs, cross country 
racing, touring, etc.). With the present invention, the driving clutch can 
be tuned to maximize the fuel efficiency of the engine, to attain the 
highest performance for the engine, or a combination of both. 
As will be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art, selection of the 
two sets of cams is a relatively simple procedure. First, find a set of 
cams that gives the best performance by holding the engine speed at its 
power peak. Generally, a lighter weight. Second, find a set of cams that 
gives the best fuel efficiency by holding the engine speed at the bottom 
of the power band. Generally, a heavier weight. The weights of each of 
these two sets are the two desired weights for use in the present 
invention. Third, because the weight that corresponds to the best fuel 
efficiency is achieved in one embodiment of the present invention by two 
sets of cams acting in concert, the second set of cams is replaced with an 
even lighter set of cams corresponding to the difference in weight between 
the first (light) and second (heavy) sets of cams, such that the 
combination of the original light set and the second set equal the shift 
pattern of what the original heavier weight set was determined to be. 
FIG. 9 is directed to another embodiment of the present invention. Drive 
clutch 130 operates the same as previously discussed drive clutch 30 
except that drive clutch 130 is a modified three column clutch. Part of 
end cover 174 and roller housing 164 have been cut-away to show the 
displacement means and rollers. In modified three column drive clutch 130, 
the "buttons" 128 and rollers 61 and 62 have been separated onto the six 
"legs" 132. Roller housing 164 has six "legs" (three indicated by 
reference numeral 132 and three indicated by reference numeral 133), as 
opposed to the three "legs" on roller housing 64. On ends 136 of the three 
legs of roller housing 164 are located rollers 61 and 62 mounted on pin 
element 71 as previously described with respect to drive clutch 30. 
However, "buttons" 128 are not on ends 136 of the legs 132, instead 
"buttons" 128 are on ends 138 of the three legs. 
As a result of "buttons" 128 being on separate "legs" of the roller housing 
164, there are still three columns 134 (essentially the same as the three 
columns 124 on drive clutch 30) with "button-contacting" surfaces 126. 
However, instead of stop element 63 being located in base 69 of each 
column 124, stop element 63 is located in base element 140 which is 
essentially the same as base 69 except that base element 140 does not 
attach to any towers to form a column. Each set of cams corresponding to 
each base element 140 can be mounted coaxially on the same pin or can be 
mounted on separate pins 65 and 67. Stop member (e.g., a set screw) 63 is 
located adjacent to each cam 39 in base element 140. The stop member 
preferably extends through the base member and is adjustable. However, the 
stop member can be fixed. By moving the rollers and cams to legs that are 
not located between two towers, the rollers and cams can be accessed more 
easily for adjustment and replacement. 
FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of the present invention which achieves 
all of the objectives of the present invention. Drive clutch 230 operates 
similar to the drive clutches previously discussed. Drive clutch 230 is 
another embodiment of a modified three column clutch. Part of end cover 
274 and roller housing 264 have been cut-away to show the displacement 
means and rollers. In modified three column drive clutch 230, the rollers 
(thus the displacement means) have been distributed to individual "legs" 
(three indicated by reference numeral 142 and three indicated by reference 
numeral 144) of roller housing 264. Larger diameter rollers 61 are mounted 
on pin elements 71 in end 146 of each "leg" 142 and smaller diameter 
rollers 62 are mounted on pin elements 71 in end 148 of each "leg" 144. 
The "buttons" 128 are on ends 146 on the three "legs" 142. As a result of 
"buttons" 128 being on the ends of "legs" 142 of the roller housing 264, 
there are still three columns 134 (only one shown)(essentially the same as 
the three columns 124 on drive clutch 30) with "button-contacting" 
surfaces being located in base 69 of each column 134. Each cam 39 
corresponding to each base 69 is mounted on pin 67. Stop member 63 is 
located adjacent to each cam 39 in base 69. Each cam 38 corresponding to 
each roller 62 is mounted on pin 65 in base element 150. 
FIG. 11 shows yet another embodiment of the present invention which 
achieves all of the objectives of the present invention. Drive clutch 330 
shows another configuration for altering the effect of the displacement 
means during operation. Drive clutch 330 operates similar to the drive 
clutches previously discussed. Drive clutch 330 is another embodiment of a 
modified three column clutch. Part of end cover 374 and roller housing 364 
have been cut-away to show the displacement means and rollers. In modified 
three column drive clutch 330, the rollers (thus the displacement means) 
have been distributed to individual "legs" (three indicated by reference 
numeral 342 and three indicated by reference numeral 344) of roller 
housing 364. The "buttons" 128 are on ends 146 on the three "legs" 342. As 
a result of "buttons" 128 being on the ends of "legs" 342 of tile roller 
housing 364, there are still three columns 134 (only one 
shown)(essentially the same as the three columns 124 on drive clutch 30) 
with "button-contacting" surfaces. 
Rollers 361 are mounted on pin elements 371 in end 146 of each "leg" 342 
and rollers 362 are mounted on pin elements 371 in end 148 of each "leg" 
344. In this embodiment, rollers 361 and 362 are of equal diameter. Each 
cam 39 corresponding to each base 69 is mounted on pin 67. Stop member 63 
is located adjacent to each cam 39 in base 69. Each cam 38 corresponding 
to each roller 362 is mounted on pin 65 in base element 350. In this 
embodiment, pins 67 and thus the pivot points of cams 39 are located 
closer to center 151 than are pins 65 and thus the pivot points of cams 
38. Pins 67 are located at radius R.sub.1 and pills 65 are located at 
radius R.sub.2, therefore, the radius from center 151 to the center of 
gravity of each cam 39 is shorter than the radius from center 151 to the 
center of gravity of each cam 38. Using the formula for centrifugal force 
discussed above, it can be seen that since the radius is smaller for each 
cam 39 that the force exerted by cams 39 (when cams 39 and 38 are the same 
size, profile, and/or weight) is less than the force exerted by cams 38. 
This embodiment achieves the same result as previously discussed. 
Initially, cams 39 and 38 act together to produce a first displacement 
rate, then when cams 39 have moved out a predetermined amount to contact 
stop members 63, cams 38 act alone to produce a second displacement rate. 
FIGS. 12 and 13 are still yet another configuration for altering the setup 
of the drive clutch components and still achieving the desired results of 
the present invention. Part of end cover 474 and roller housing 464 have 
been cutaway to show the displacement means and rollers. Drive clutch 430 
is quite similar to the configuration of drive clutch 230 except for the 
differences describe below. "Buttons" 128 are mounted on columns 134 with 
cams 38 that are not associated with a stop member 63. In addition, 
rollers 461 and 462 are the same diameter, likewise, cams 39 and 38 are of 
the same profile, size and/or weight, although they can be different. The 
rollers (thus the displacement means) have been distributed to individual 
"legs" (three indicated by reference numeral 442 and three indicated by 
reference numeral 444) 0f roller housing 464. 
Rollers 461 are mounted on pin elements 471 in end 146 of each "leg" 442 
and rollers 462 are mounted on pin elements 471 in end 148 of each "leg" 
444. Each cam 39 corresponding to each base 69 is mounted on pin 67. Stop 
member 63 is located adjacent to each cam 39 in base 69. Each cam 38 
corresponding to each roller 462 is mounted on pin 65 in base element 450. 
This embodiment uses what is often referred to as "tucking under". See 
Olav Aaen's "Clutch Tuning Handbook," Kenosha, Wis. (1993), which is 
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, for a good discussion of 
"tucking under" and the operation of the cam system. In this embodiment, 
pins 67 and thus the pivot points of cams 39 are raised in relation to the 
pins 65 and thus the pivot points of cams 38. This configuration causes 
the center of gravity of each cam 39 to be closer relatively speaking to 
the pivot point through pin 67, than the center of gravity of each cam 38 
to the pivot point through pin 65. As can be seen in FIG. 12, cam 39 is 
"tucked under" farther than cam 38. Tucking under cam 39 results in less 
engagement force at a predetermined engine speed because the cam does not 
exert as much force with the free end of the cam tucked down in the 
clutch. This embodiment has the additional desirable effect of lowering 
the engagement force of the secondary set of cams. This is important 
because it allows all the preload tuning to be completed essentially with 
only the primary set of cams exerting centrifugal force against the spring 
because, although the secondary set of cams are moving with the primary 
set, the axial force produced by the secondary set in this embodiment is 
initially negligible compared to the axial force of the primary set. Then 
when cams 39 have moved out a predetermined amount to contact stop members 
63, cams 38 act alone to produce a second displacement rate. 
One particular advantage of mounting the rollers and pins on separate 
"legs" is the additional tuning combinations made possible by moving each 
set of secondary cams and rollers independent of the primary cams 
locations. These cam pivot points can be adjusted up or down with the 
rollers set to provide contact when all six weights are at the initial 
preload position. Likewise, the cam pivot points can be adjusted inward or 
outward in relation to the primary cams, while allowing the rollers to 
also be adjusted to maintain contact with the cams. The cams initially are 
in contact with the rollers at the initial preload position. 
While the invention has been described with reference to the foregoing 
embodiments, changes and variations may be made thereto which fall within 
the scope of the appended claims. For example, the embodiments of FIGS. 
10-14 could be six column clutches with towers and "buttons" also being 
associated with the base elements that currently do not extend up into 
columns by extending those elements up into columns. Similarly, in the 
embodiments shown in FIGS. 10-13, the "buttons" could be associated with 
second displacement means 38 instead of first displacement means 39. In 
addition, in any of the embodiments, three or more sets of displacement 
means can be used instead of just two as described herein. It has been 
shown that if cams of the same configuration, profile, size and/or weight 
are used for the two sets of displacement means that the pivot points can 
be located at different relative positions for each set to accomplish the 
invention. Likewise, if cams of different configurations, profiles, size 
and/or weight are used for the two sets of displacement means then the 
pivot points can be located at the same relative positions. 
Further changes and variations may be made thereto which are within the 
scope of the appended claims. All such modifications and/or changes are 
intended to be included within the scope of the claims.