An electric tricycle with a tricycle frame, at least two pedals, and an electric motor. The tricycle frame has a steering assembly with handlebars and a front wheel and a rear wheel assembly with two rear wheels mounted on a rear axle. The pedals are rotatably coupled to the rear wheel assembly. The pedals have an engaged configuration where the pedals are engaged with the rear axle and a disengaged configuration where the pedals are disengaged from the rear axles. The electric motor is mounted on the rear wheel assembly and is electrically coupled to a battery. The electric motor is configured to engage with the rear axle when the pedals are in the disengaged configuration. The electric motor may have a forward clutch to rotate the rear axle in a first direction and a reverse clutch to rotate the rear axle in a second direction opposite the first direction.

A clutch mechanism is used in a rotary power tool having a motor. The clutch mechanism includes an input member to which torque from the motor is transferred and an output member co-rotatable with the input member. The output member defines a rotational axis. A cam surface is formed on one of the input member or the output member. First and second compression springs are carried by the other of the input member or the output member for co-rotation therewith. A follower has a circular cross-sectional shape and is biased against the cam surface by the first and second compression springs. In response to relative rotation between the input member and the output member, the cam surface displaces the follower along a line of action coaxial or parallel with each of the first and second compression springs. The line of action does not intersect the rotational axis.

An electric drive for a vehicle implements a disconnect feature to reduce parasitic losses when the electric drive is not necessary for propulsion. The disconnect feature utilizes a slipper clutch which is disengaged by holding a slipper ring in a predefined circumferential position relative to an outer ring using a set of pins that move radially. A lever spring biases the pins to the outward radial position. A solenoid moves a plunger axially which pushes the pins radially inward.

A clutch mechanism is used in a rotary power tool having a motor. The clutch mechanism includes an input member to which torque from the motor is transferred and an output member co-rotatable with the input member. The output member defines a rotational axis. A cam surface is formed on one of the input member or the output member. First and second compression springs are carried by the other of the input member or the output member for co-rotation therewith. A follower has a circular cross-sectional shape and is biased against the cam surface by the first and second compression springs. In response to relative rotation between the input member and the output member, the cam surface displaces the follower along a line of action coaxial or parallel with each of the first and second compression springs. The line of action does not intersect the rotational axis.

A non-return device for coaxial rotation transmission includes coaxial input and output shafts, a frame for guiding the rotation of the shafts. A locking element is urged in radial translation through a channel of the output shaft between a radial locking position, in which the locking element projects from the channel so as to prevent a rotation of the output shaft by abutting against the frame, and a radial unlocking position, in which the locking element is retracted so as to allow axial rotation of the output shaft. The input shaft includes means for radially switching the locking element between the locking and unlocking positions thereof.

An electric tricycle including a frame having a front end coupled to a steering assembly, the steering assembly having a front wheel, and a rear end coupled to a rear wheel assembly, the rear wheel assembly having two rear wheels. At least two pedals rotatably coupled to the rear wheel assembly and configured to move in a reciprocating motion, the at least two pedals having an engaged configuration wherein the at least two pedals are engaged with the two rear wheels and configured to rotate the two rear wheels in a first direction, and a disengaged configuration wherein each of the at least two pedals is disengaged from the two rear wheels and aligned with another of the at least two pedals. An electric motor electrically coupled to a battery and configured to engage with the two rear wheels and to rotate the two rear wheels in the first direction.

A bi-directional coupler that selectively couples and de-couples a driving element to a driven element. The coupler includes an outer shaft having an outer shaft slot and an inner shaft having an inner shaft slot, where the inner and outer shafts are configured to rotate independently of each other. The coupler also includes a ball bearing provided within the inner shaft slot and having a size so that when the ball bearing is located at a center portion of the inner shaft slot it does not interfere with rotation of the outer shaft, where the ball bearing is held in that location by a magnet located in the inner shaft. Rotation of the inner shaft above a predetermined rotational speed causes the ball bearing to engage the outer shaft slot so as to cause the inner shaft to be locked to the outer shaft and rotate therewith.

A bidirectional magnetic clutch for an additive manufacturing system, comprising a concentric arrangement of an inner drive member (2) and an outer drive member (3) enclosing the inner drive member (2), the inner and outer drive members (2,3) being rotatable relative to each other. The inner drive member (2) comprises at least two outward facing recesses (5, 6) and the outer drive member (3) comprises at least two inward facing recesses (8,9). Each outward facing recess (5,6) comprises a radially moveable roller member (10,11) of ferromagnetic material. The inner drive member (2) further comprises a magnetic biasing system (12) configured to magnetically bias the roller members (10,11) into the outward facing recesses (5,6). The bidirectional magnetic clutch further comprises a magnet actuator (13) at least partially circumferentially arranged around the outer drive member (3) and configured to maintain an engaged state or disengaged state of the bidirectional magnetic clutch.

The present invention provides a new clutch system that ensures a 100% torque transmission rate between an engine and a transmission in a vehicle system, that can be commonly applied to conventional manual transmission vehicles and automatic vehicles, and that operates in conjunction with an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal.

The present invention provides a new clutch system that ensures a 100% torque transmission rate between an engine and a transmission in a vehicle system, that can be commonly applied to conventional manual transmission vehicles and automatic vehicles, and that operates in conjunction with an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal.