Eric M Wild

US Patent:

20060043809, Mar 2, 2006

Filed:

Aug 25, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/925441

Inventors:

Michael Lau - San Ramon CA, US
Eric De Wild - San Mateo CA, US

International Classification:

H02K 5/00

US Classification:

310091000

Abstract:

A coupling mechanism is provided. The coupling mechanism includes a bushing assembly adapted to establish a coupling when rotated, a housing that is rotatable when torque is applied to the housing, a torque-limit member positioned between the housing and the bushing assembly such that when the torque-limit member is in a positive-lock state, the housing and bushing assembly rotate jointly upon the application of torque until a predefined torque level is attained. A compressible member is included that engages the torque-limit member to define through frictional resistance of moving parts and parts geometry a predefined torque level. The torque-limit member switches from the positive-lock state to a ratchet state when the predefined torque level is attained. When the torque-limit member is in the ratchet state, the housing rotates relative to the bushing assembly.