Patent ID: 7234581

Claim:
A centrifugal clutch, comprising: an output member; an input member that is coaxial with the output member; a clutch outer cover formed in a substantially cylindrical bowl shape and coaxially connected to the output member, the clutch outer cover comprising a bottom wall and a cylindrical drum wall, wherein an outer periphery of the bottom wall is integrally attached to one end of the drum wall; a clutch inner plate connected to the input member; a plurality of centrifugal weights disposed inwardly from the drum wall, each centrifugal weight comprising a friction material capable of frictionally engaging an inner surface of the drum wall, each centrifugal weight being pivotally supported on the clutch inner plate so as to be capable of frictionally contacting the inner surface of the drum wall in response to application of a centrifugal force; a clutch spring urging the centrifugal weight in a direction in which the friction material is spaced away from the inner surface of the drum wall; and a vibration isolation ring fastened to the drum wall, the vibration isolation ring having a substantially cylindrical shape; wherein the vibration isolation ring is disposed surrounding the drum wall at a position substantially corresponding to a location of a sliding contact of the friction material with the drum wall; and wherein an end portion of the vibration isolation ring is welded to an outer periphery of the drum wall on a side of the drum wall that is spaced away from the bottom wall of the clutch outer cover.