An Improved Friction Clutch.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 21st May, 1896-Accepted, 27th June, 1896
An Improved Friction Clutch.
I, ARMAND PEUGEOT of Valentigney (Doubs) France, Manufacturer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to
be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
My invention relates to a progressive spring friction clutch for general use
and particularly for automotive vehicles whether propelled by steam, gas, or
electrical power.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming part of this
Specification wherein Figure 1 illustrates a longitudinal section of the improved
friction clutch and Figure 2 a face view of the sliding part of the clutch.
The same letters of reference denote like parts in both the figures.
The clutch resembles an ordinary friction clutch in construction except in
respect of the spring cushions introduced between the one part of the clutch and
its shaft the part in which the springs are so introduced being, in the example
illustrated, the movable part of the clutch. The part e of the clutch is keyed on
its shaft a which may either be the driving or driven shaft whilst the other or
movable member d of the clutch is capable of longitudinal sliding movement upon
a sleeve e which is also free to slide upon the shaft b, the three parts b d e being
caused to rotate as one by means of keys ff inserted between shaft b and
sleeve e and of keys f¹¹ inserted between sleeve e and boss of part d. In
diametrically opposite sockets in the boss d¹ spiral springs 23 of different
lengths are contained, said springs being confined between the bottoms of the
sockets and the flange e' of sleeve e, bolts g being fixed in the bottoms of the
sockets, passing freely through the flange e and receiving nuts and lock nuts h
and i by which the play a between the flange e¹ and boss d' is regulated.
Supposing the clutch to be out of gear the action when thrown into gear is as
follows:-On moving the sleeve e in the direction of the arrow, Figure 1, by
means of the clutch lever fork engaging in the collar or otherwise, the
springs 1,2,3,being of different lengths, the longest spring against which
the flange el first bears will force the member d of the clutch into engagement
with member c so that the one will partake slightly in the rotary movement
of the other, there being a considerable amount of slip. As the movement
of sleeve e continues, the other springs come successively into action according
to their respective lengths so as by gradual accretions of pressure to gradually
reduce the slip as the number of springs in compression increases until it
finally ceases when the flange e of sleeve e bears upon the boss d¹ when the
distance is reduced to zero or when there is sufficient adhesion to overcome the
resistance of the load and produce rotary movement without slip or shock. By
moving sleeve e in the opposite direction the reverse action takes place, the clutch
being gradually thrown out of engagement as the play increases by the expansion
of the springs, the member d being drawn back by the nuts hi on the screw-bolts g.
The number of keys, bolts, and springs may be varied and the sliding member of
the clutch may be either upon the driving or driven shaft. The friction surfaces
may be either plane or conical or composed of a series of plane or conical surfaces
and the spring cushions may be similarly applied to the member of the clutch
which is fast on its shaft, the other member being shifted by means of the clutch
lever to throw the clutch in and out of gear.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
The herein described gradual spring friction clutch consisting in the combination,
with the one clutch member of graduated springs interposed between the said
clutch member and the boss or sleeve on the shaft whereby to enable the pressure
between the two members of the clutch to be gradually applied and removed and
to be varied as required, substantially as specified.
Dated this 21st day of May 1896.
A. M. & WM. CLARK,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.