Auto-engaging winch clutches, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative winch can include a frame, a cable drum, a drive motor supported by the frame, a gear train, and an auto-engaging clutch mechanism. The gear train can include a ring gear and a gear set engaged with the ring gear, the drive motor, and the drum. The auto-engaging clutch mechanism can include a locking element movable from a disengaged position to an engaged position, wherein in the engaged position the ring gear is grounded to the frame, and the gear set is coupled to transfer torque between the drive motor and the cable drum. An engagement mechanism can be coupled between the locking element and the drive motor to automatically move the locking element from the disengaged position to the engaged position and to automatically decouple the locking element from the drive motor when the motor is rotated.

Auto-engaging winch clutches, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative winch can include a frame, a cable drum, a drive motor supported by the frame, a gear train, and an auto-engaging clutch mechanism. The gear train can include a ring gear and a gear set engaged with the ring gear, the drive motor, and the drum. The auto-engaging clutch mechanism can include a locking element movable from a disengaged position to an engaged position, wherein in the engaged position the ring gear is grounded to the frame, and the gear set is coupled to transfer torque between the drive motor and the cable drum. An engagement mechanism can be coupled between the locking element and the drive motor to automatically move the locking element from the disengaged position to the engaged position and to automatically decouple the locking element from the drive motor when the motor is rotated.

A displacement-actuated positive-drive clutch (10; 20) includes an input member (11; 21) having a positive engagement structure (11d; 21d) provided thereon and an output member (13; 23). A clutch plate (16; 25) is connected for rotation with and for axial movement relative to the output member (13; 23). The clutch plate (16; 25) has a positive engagement structure (16b; 25b) provided thereon that positively engages the positive engagement structure (11d; 21d) provided on the input member (11; 21) to engage the displacement-actuated positive-drive clutch automatically in response to the occurrence of a predetermined amount of relative rotational movement between the input member (11; 21) and the output member (13; 23).

A handheld power tool includes a torque coupling adjustable by the operator, as well as a gear unit for transmitting a torque generated by a drive motor to a drive shaft. The gear unit is advantageously a planetary gear unit; the torque coupling being constructed in such a manner, that in response to slippage of the torque coupling, a coupling component follows a displacement path. The handheld power tool further includes a control unit and a sensor, the sensor monitoring the coupling component for a displacement and transmitting corresponding sensor signals to the control unit. The control unit is configured to control, in particular, switch off, the drive motor as a function of the sensor signals received. It is further provided that the control unit subject the received sensor signals to a plausibility check, in order to determine if actual slippage of the torque coupling is occurring.

A handheld power tool includes a torque coupling adjustable by the operator, as well as a gear unit for transmitting a torque generated by a drive motor to a drive shaft. The gear unit is advantageously a planetary gear unit; the torque coupling being constructed in such a manner, that in response to slippage of the torque coupling, a coupling component follows a displacement path. The handheld power tool further includes a control unit and a sensor, the sensor monitoring the coupling component for a displacement and transmitting corresponding sensor signals to the control unit. The control unit is configured to control, in particular, switch off, the drive motor as a function of the sensor signals received. It is further provided that the control unit subject the received sensor signals to a plausibility check, in order to determine if actual slippage of the torque coupling is occurring.

A no-back device for resisting feedback torque from an actuator. The no-back device comprises: a flange arranged to receive torque via a shaft; a ratchet assembly comprising a ratchet wheel arranged parallel to the flange; and a braking assembly comprising a resistance wheel, which is sandwiched between the flange and the ratchet wheel, and a braking device, which acts on the resistance wheel to generate a resistive angular force reacting against torque exerted on the resistance wheel. The braking device comprises a follower arranged to roll, under bias from a spring in the braking device, on a cam surface extending around a circumferential perimeter of the resistance wheel. Radial displacement of the follower energizes the spring to generate resistive angular force.

A no-back device for resisting feedback torque from an actuator. The no-back device comprises: a flange arranged to receive torque via a shaft; a ratchet assembly comprising a ratchet wheel arranged parallel to the flange; and a braking assembly comprising a resistance wheel, which is sandwiched between the flange and the ratchet wheel, and a braking device, which acts on the resistance wheel to generate a resistive angular force reacting against torque exerted on the resistance wheel. The braking device comprises a follower arranged to roll, under bias from a spring in the braking device, on a cam surface extending around a circumferential perimeter of the resistance wheel. Radial displacement of the follower energizes the spring to generate resistive angular force.

This actuator comprises a frame, a motor, an output shaft, and a drive train for driving the output shaft via the motor. The drive train comprises an upstream element, a downstream element, and a device for coupling the upstream element to the downstream element. Said coupling device has a first configuration for transmitting all of the torque exerted by one of the upstream and downstream elements on the coupling device to the other of the upstream and downstream elements when said torque is below a threshold torque, and a second configuration for diverting at least part of said torque exerted by one of the upstream and downstream elements on the coupling device to the frame when said torque is at least equal to the threshold torque.

This actuator comprises a frame, a motor, an output shaft, and a drive train for driving the output shaft via the motor. The drive train comprises an upstream element, a downstream element, and a device for coupling the upstream element to the downstream element. Said coupling device has a first configuration for transmitting all of the torque exerted by one of the upstream and downstream elements on the coupling device to the other of the upstream and downstream elements when said torque is below a threshold torque, and a second configuration for diverting at least part of said torque exerted by one of the upstream and downstream elements on the coupling device to the frame when said torque is at least equal to the threshold torque.

A torque limiting device comprises an input shaft, an output shaft and a machined torsion spring having a first end and a second end. The first end and the second end of the torsion spring are coupled to the both the input shaft and the output shaft, whereby torque is transmitted between the input shaft and output shaft via the torsion spring. The couplings between the torsion spring and the input shaft and the output shaft permit limited relative rotation between the input shaft and the output shaft. The device further comprises a jamming mechanism operable in response to relative rotation between the input shaft and output shaft to stop rotation of both the input shaft and the output shaft.