In this mechanism, the linear or rotational motion is transmitted from one side to the other in only one direction, while its reverse motion and both other side motion directions can run freely without transmission. To obtain this function of transmitting the motion between both sides in different natures, the link that transmits the motion should be linked with a body which is not controlled by the in-between relative motion. The driving side can oscillate in short strokes or move with unlimited motion, both motion natures can have its own transmission mechanism design. Links could be used in pairs for force balance. One of the ways to transmit the motion from the driving side to the links is by using a waving surface to push and release the link. These waves can be formed in number which is different from the number of link pairs in order to ensure different phases and hence insure contacts of some of them for high and stable transmitted forces and torques. The motion transmission from the link and the motion output body could be through biting, friction or positive engagement in teethed surfaces.

An axle coupler comprises driver teeth to engage teeth of a corresponding driver; a central aperture having a central axis and a circumference; and the central aperture including axle teeth circumferentially surrounding the central axis; each axle tooth having a first dimensional direction parallel to the central axis; each axle tooth having a second dimensional direction orthogonal to the first dimensional direction; a recess formed in each axle tooth to form a first axle tooth portion and a second axle tooth portion.

A clutch device includes an input disc, an output disc, and a biasing member configured to press the input disc against the output disc. A rotation load applied to an output shaft separates the input disc from the output disc against biasing force of the biasing member. The input disc and the output disc include opposing surfaces, each of which includes axially disengageable overlapping tooth portions. Recessed and raised portions of each tooth portion are formed continuously in a radial direction and are alternately arranged in a circumferential direction. Each of the curved shapes of the recessed and raised portions is maintained at a respective identical height while a circumferential width thereof continuously expands in a radially outward direction. Also disclosed is a motor unit including the clutch device. The disclosed clutch device reduces, e.g., deformation or damage of a disengageable portion, and therefore, can improve durability.

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).

An intermittent drive system includes a rotatable output component, a rotating input component with a driving engagement element, a synchronizing ring and a decoupling ring. The synchronizing ring is coupled to the output element to rotate therewith. The synchronizing ring has a driven engagement element configured to selectively engage with the driving engagement element. The synchronizing ring has an alignment feature configured to rotationally align the driving engagement element with the driven engagement element and has a decoupling feature configured to selectively disengage the driving engagement element from the driven engagement element. The decoupling ring is selectively coupled to the input component and has a decoupling feature configured to selectively engage the decoupling feature of the synchronizing ring. The driving engagement element engages the driven engagement element only when both the alignment feature is rotationally oriented to align the driving engagement element with the driven engagement element and the decoupling features are rotationally oriented to allow the driving engagement element to engage the driven engagement element.

A transmission comprising a shaft (6) made as a single piece or as at least two shaft sections (6A, 6B) on a common axis, a drive toothed wheel (5) mounted to rotate freely on said shaft (6), and an automatically clutching clutch mechanism (8) arranged between the drive wheel (5) and the shaft (6) or each of the shaft sections (6A, 6B), the or each clutch mechanism (8) comprising: a clutch plate (81) mounted to rotate freely on the associated shaft (6) or shaft section (6A, 6B); a part (82) that is carried by and constrained to rotate with the associated shaft (6) or shaft section (6A, 6B); and a brake of said clutch plate that acts continuously on the angular speed of said plate (81). The brake (83) of the at least one of the clutch plates (81) is threaded on the shaft (6) or the shaft section (6A, 6B) carrying said plate (81).

A coil spring unit includes a coil spring; and a metal plate supporting the coil spring, the metal plate including a plurality of supporting portions cooperative with each other to support the coil spring, wherein the supporting portions are provided by bending the metal plate at bending lines and have supporting surfaces substantially perpendicular to the bending lines, respectively, and wherein the supporting surfaces are substantially parallel with outside tangential lines of the coil spring and support the coil spring.

A sheet conveying apparatus includes a rotating member to covey a sheet and a drive transmission having a first, gear in a first engaging portion, a second gear in a second engaging portion, and an urging member. In a state where the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are engaged with each other and the first gear is rotating in a first direction, a first surface of the first engaging portion transmits a driving force of a driving source from the first gear to the second gear. The first surface is inclined so that either engaging portion can retract, in the direction against the urging force of the urging member, to disengage with the other engaging portion while the first engaging portion rotates. A direction of twist of helical teeth in the first gear is configured to generate an axial force with respect to the urging direction.

Disposable torque-limiting devices having an upper shank component with a torque-limiting interface, a lower shank component with a torque-limiting interface, and a spring element. Torque-limiting interfaces having a plurality of undulations arranged around an axial bore or drive socket and separated by a plurality of transition regions, with each undulation having an upslope, a peak, and a downslope. The torque-limiting interfaces are configured to engage and disengage to provide torque transmission with predetermined torque limits at various rotational speeds and for amounts of actuations while remaining within a specified operational range. The encasement provides mounts for a tool and for a drive shaft which may be connected to a powered device.

A coil spring unit includes a coil spring; and a metal plate supporting the coil spring, the metal plate including a plurality of supporting portions cooperative with each other to support the coil spring, wherein the supporting portions are provided by bending the metal plate at bending lines and have supporting surfaces substantially perpendicular to the bending lines, respectively, and wherein the supporting surfaces are substantially parallel with outside tangential lines of the coil spring and support the coil spring.