ELECTROMAGNETICALLY CONTROLLED GEARBOX MECHANISM INTEGRATED WITH MAGNETIC HYSTERESIS SLIP COUPLING

摘要

A mechanism for transferring torque from a motor (12) to a gear train through a magnetic hysteresis slip clutch has a feature for disconnecting the motor (12) from the gear train. The cup element (43) of the clutch has a magnetic member (41) on its outer surface. An electromagnet (30, 31) shifts the drive gear connecting the clutch to the gear train into and out of mesh with the gear (58) in the gear train with which it engages by interaction with the magnetic member. In a preferred embodiment, the cup (43) is pulled into mesh with the gear when the electromagnet (31) is energized and magnetically applies force to the magnetic member (41), and returns to the other position when the electromagnet (31) is deenergized and does apply force to the magnetic member (41).