A centrifugal clutch intermittently transmits power of rotation about an axis. The centrifugal clutch includes: a plurality of clutch shoes that are pressed against an inner peripheral surface of a clutch drum; a plurality of pivot members configured to rotatably support the clutch shoes; and a pressing member having a plurality of insertion portions that are inserted between head portions of the pivot members and the clutch shoes. The pressing member has a connecting portion that connects between the plurality of insertion portions, and the insertion portions and the connecting portion are curved in a direction of the axis.

A clutch device includes a slipper cam mechanism which releases a back torque by moving a clutch center in an axial direction, and a plunger mechanism provided to the clutch center. The plunger mechanism engages with a movement restricting portion until a rotational speed of the clutch center reaches a threshold value thus restricting the movement of the clutch center in the clutch axial direction, and the plunger mechanism is operated by a centrifugal force when the rotational speed of the clutch center exceeds the threshold value such that it disengages from the movement restricting portion.

A centrifugal clutch apparatus can include a driving-side rotational member rotatable around a shaft member connected to a driving device; clutch devices mounted on the driving-side rotational member and movable radially-outward of the driving-side rotational member. A driven-side rotational member rotatable independent from the driving-side rotational member can be arranged for covering the driving-side rotational member and can have an inner circumferential surface to engage with the clutch devices. Friction members can be adapted to be abutted against the inner circumferential surface so as to transmit the driving power of the driving device to the driven-side rotational member. The inner circumferential surface of the driven-side rotational member can be formed with a groove and a tensioning member formed as a ring-shaped member can be snap-fitted into the groove and held therein under a radially-outward biasing force.

A centrifugal clutch apparatus can include a driving-side rotational member rotatable around a shaft member connected to a driving device; clutch devices mounted on the driving-side rotational member and movable radially-outward of the driving-side rotational member. A driven-side rotational member rotatable independent from the driving-side rotational member can be arranged for covering the driving-side rotational member and can have an inner circumferential surface to engage with the clutch devices. Friction members can be adapted to be abutted against the inner circumferential surface so as to transmit the driving power of the driving device to the driven-side rotational member. The inner circumferential surface of the driven-side rotational member can be formed with a groove and a tensioning member formed as a ring-shaped member can be snap-fitted into the groove and held therein under a radially-outward biasing force.

A fuel supply apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes a motor, a fuel pump, an alternator, a centrifugal clutch, and an electronic control unit. The centrifugal clutch is configured to, when the rotation speed of the output shaft of the motor is higher than or equal to an engaging rotation speed, connect the output shaft of the motor with the rotary shaft of the alternator. The engaging rotation speed is a rotation speed higher than a rotation speed of the rotary shaft at which torque that acts on the rotary shaft as a result of generation of electric power by the alternator becomes maximum and is a rotation speed lower than a rotation speed at which torque for driving the high-pressure fuel pump cannot be provided by only the motor at the time when the motor is driven at rated output power.

A centrifugal friction clutch includes a centrifugal part comprising a sleeve ring with centrifugal plates disposed thereon. A connecting member is attached around the centrifugal part. When the centrifugal part rotates with the rotary shaft, free ends of the centrifugal plates flare radially outwardly and abut against the connecting member, to cause the connecting member to rotate by a frictional force raised between the centrifugal part and the connecting member.

A centrifugal friction clutch includes a centrifugal part comprising a sleeve ring with centrifugal plates disposed thereon. A connecting member is attached around the centrifugal part. When the centrifugal part rotates with the rotary shaft, free ends of the centrifugal plates flare radially outwardly and abut against the connecting member, to cause the connecting member to rotate by a frictional force raised between the centrifugal part and the connecting member.

A motor assembly includes a single phase motor and a friction clutch. The single phase motor includes a stator and a rotor. The friction clutch includes a pressing member rotating with the rotor, and a connecting member to be connected to a load. wherein when the pressing member rotates, the pressing member generates an axial or radial movement to thereby exert a pressing force to the connecting member to cause the connecting member to rotate due to a frictional force generated between the pressing member and the connecting member. The present invention further provides a fluid driving device incorporating the motor assembly.

A motor assembly includes a single phase motor and a friction clutch. The single phase motor includes a stator and a rotor. The friction clutch includes a pressing member rotating with the rotor, and a connecting member to be connected to a load. wherein when the pressing member rotates, the pressing member generates an axial or radial movement to thereby exert a pressing force to the connecting member to cause the connecting member to rotate due to a frictional force generated between the pressing member and the connecting member. The present invention further provides a fluid driving device incorporating the motor assembly.

A blower, a motor assembly and a centrifugal friction clutch thereof are provided. The centrifugal friction clutch includes: a fixing member for being fixed on a rotary shaft and comprising a guiding groove disposed in a radial direction of the fixing member and passing through an outer circumferential surface of the fixing member; a centrifugal block disposed in the guiding groove and slidable in the guiding groove; and a loading wheel having an inner hole in which the fixing member is received. A gap between a wall of the inner hole and the outer circumferential surface of the fixing member is less than a length of the centrifugal block along its sliding direction. The centrifugal friction clutch reduces vibrations at startup of the motor, thereby effectively reducing the vibrational noise. In addition, this also avoids the startup failure of the motor and effectively improves the startup performance of the motor.