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 excessive torque releasing type clutch apparatus comprises an outer ring, an inner ring arranged radially inside and coaxially with the outer ring and rotatably relative to the outer ring, a torque transmitting portion capable of transmitting torque between the outer ring and the inner ring, and a restricting mechanism for restricting excessive torque from being input from an input torque transmitting member to a driving ring of the outer ring and the inner ring and restricting excessive inverse torque that is input to a driven ring of the outer ring and the inner ring from being input to the input torque transmitting member. Treatment steps for securing strength of constituent members of the clutch apparatus in manufacturing be simplified or omitted.

An excessive torque releasing type clutch apparatus comprises an outer ring, an inner ring arranged radially inside and coaxially with the outer ring and rotatably relative to the outer ring, a torque transmitting portion capable of transmitting torque between the outer ring and the inner ring, and a restricting mechanism for restricting excessive torque from being input from an input torque transmitting member to a driving ring of the outer ring and the inner ring and restricting excessive inverse torque that is input to a driven ring of the outer ring and the inner ring from being input to the input torque transmitting member. Treatment steps for securing strength of constituent members of the clutch apparatus in manufacturing be simplified or omitted.

A valve actuator includes a motor and a gear assembly that receives driving force of the motor and controls a valve. In the gear assembly, a power transmission gear for transmitting rotational force of an input gear to an output gear includes a selective power transmission unit. When the output gear is in physical contact with a stopper, the power transmission gear transmits the rotational force of the input gear to the output gear is blocked. Accordingly, even after the valve is actuated to close a path, the rotational force of the input gear is not transmitted to the output gear even though the motor is continuously driven.

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 torque limiter for a surgical screwdriver that includes an outer sleeve (1); a snap sleeve (3), which is arranged in and rotates with the outer sleeve; a rolling element cage (6), which is arranged in the snap sleeve; an inner sleeve (10), which is arranged in the rolling element cage; and a force-transmitting shaft (11), which is received in and rotates with the inner sleeve. The inner wall of the outer sleeve is provided with recesses (8) that extend parallel to a rotational axis of the force-transmitting shaft. The rolling element cage is provided with a plurality of rolling element receiving areas (5), each of which holds a rolling element (4), and with a number of noses (7), which engage into the recesses. The inner sleeve is provided with a plurality of notches (9), which extend in a V-shape parallel to the axis and which receive the rolling elements.

A torque limiter for a surgical screwdriver that includes an outer sleeve (1); a snap sleeve (3), which is arranged in and rotates with the outer sleeve; a rolling element cage (6), which is arranged in the snap sleeve; an inner sleeve (10), which is arranged in the rolling element cage; and a force-transmitting shaft (11), which is received in and rotates with the inner sleeve. The inner wall of the outer sleeve is provided with recesses (8) that extend parallel to a rotational axis of the force-transmitting shaft. The rolling element cage is provided with a plurality of rolling element receiving areas (5), each of which holds a rolling element (4), and with a number of noses (7), which engage into the recesses. The inner sleeve is provided with a plurality of notches (9), which extend in a V-shape parallel to the axis and which receive the rolling elements.

A slip clutch (19) for a hand-held power tool (1) that serves to uncouple a tool socket (2) from a driving motor (5) in the event of an overload is provided. An annular running surface (23) has cams (24) projecting radially inward. The slip clutch (19) has a set of pairs consisting of a preloaded coil spring (28) and a pawl (29). The coil spring (28) presses a head (38) of the pawl (29) in the radial direction outward onto the running surface (23). The pawl (29) has a sheet-metal strip (34) whose one section is bent into a hollow prism that is annularly closed, except for a gap, in order to form the head (38). An insert (35) is placed into the gap (41) so as to fill the gap (41).

A slip clutch (19) for a hand-held power tool (1) that serves to uncouple a tool socket (2) from a driving motor (5) in the event of an overload is provided. An annular running surface (23) has cams (24) projecting radially inward. The slip clutch (19) has a set of pairs consisting of a preloaded coil spring (28) and a pawl (29). The coil spring (28) presses a head (38) of the pawl (29) in the radial direction outward onto the running surface (23). The pawl (29) has a sheet-metal strip (34) whose one section is bent into a hollow prism that is annularly closed, except for a gap, in order to form the head (38). An insert (35) is placed into the gap (41) so as to fill the gap (41).

A torque limiting assembly is disclosed comprising: an input shaft; an output shaft; and spring having a first end coupled to the input shaft and a second end coupled with the output shaft. In a low torque mode, when the input shaft is rotated the spring is compressed by a low amount and transmits a force to drive rotation of the output shaft, whereas in a high torque mode the spring is compressed by a high amount such that the input shaft rotates relative to the output shaft. This relative rotation moves or urges an engagement member so as to either: disconnect the input shaft from the output shaft; or engage a housing to prevent or inhibit rotation of the input shaft relative to the housing.