US 11,885,382 B2
Power transmission apparatus
Yoshihiko Ozawa, Hamamatsu (JP); Han Hiong Chen, Hamamatsu (JP); and Katsu Yoshimoto, Hamamatsu (JP)
Assigned to KABUSHIKI KAISHA F.C.C., Shizuoka (JP)
Filed by Kabushiki Kaisha F.C.C., Hamamatsu (JP)
Filed on Dec. 7, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/076,449.
Application 18/076,449 is a continuation of application No. 17/918,396, granted, now 11,703,093, previously published as PCT/JP2020/034740, filed on Sep. 14, 2020.
Claims priority of application No. 2020-071889 (JP), filed on Apr. 13, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0102112 A1, Mar. 30, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. F16D 43/10 (2006.01); B60K 17/02 (2006.01); F16D 47/00 (2006.01); F16D 13/54 (2006.01); F16D 43/12 (2006.01); F16D 43/30 (2006.01); F16D 13/52 (2006.01)
CPC F16D 43/10 (2013.01) [B60K 17/02 (2013.01); F16D 13/54 (2013.01); F16D 43/12 (2013.01); F16D 43/30 (2013.01); F16D 47/00 (2013.01); F16D 13/52 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A power transmission apparatus comprising:
a clutch housed in a clutch housing that rotates together with an input that rotates due to a driving force of an engine of a vehicle, the clutch housing including a plurality of driving clutch plates attached thereto, the clutch having a plurality of driven clutch plates attached thereto, the driven clutch plates being alternately arranged with the driving clutch plates, the clutch being connected to an output that is able to rotate a wheel of the vehicle;
a pressure applicator movable between an operating position where the driving and driven clutch plates are pressed against each other so as to enable transmission of the driving force of the engine to the wheel and a non-operating position where a pressing force exerted on the driving and driven clutch plates is released so as to cut off transmission of the driving force of the engine to the wheel;
a centrifugal clutch including a mass movable from a radially inner position to a radially outer position due to centrifugal force produced by rotation of the clutch housing, the centrifugal clutch being configured to, when the mass is located at the radially outer position, press the driving and driven clutch plates against each other so as to enable transmission of the driving force of the engine to the wheel and configured to, when the mass is located at the radially inner position, release the pressing force exerted on the driving and driven clutch plates so as to cut off transmission of the driving force of the engine to the wheel; and
a clutch spring urging the pressure applicator in a direction in which the driving and driven clutch plates are to be pressed against each other, wherein
at least a portion of the centrifugal clutch overlaps with a portion of the clutch located radially outward of the clutch spring as viewed in a radial direction of the output.