US 7,578,759 B2
Torque limiting mechanism
Brian G Eck, Bemidji, Minn. (US); Karl M Leisenheimer, Bemidji, Minn. (US); and Dustin W Knutson, Lake Park, Minn. (US)
Assigned to TEAM Industries, Inc., Bagley, Minn. (US)
Filed on Sep. 01, 2004, as Appl. No. 10/931,797.
Prior Publication US 2006/0042901 A1, Mar. 02, 2006
Int. Cl. F16D 7/02 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 474—74  [192/56.6; 464/46; 180/9.64] 2 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A drive train assembly in a snowmobile for transferring torque from an engine to a track;
a) an intermediate shaft operatively connected to the engine;
b) a drive shaft operatively connected to the intermediate shaft;
c) the drive shaft having an outer housing, the outer housing rotatable with the drive shaft;
d) a track lug driver operatively connected to the drive shaft, wherein torque is transmitted from the engine to the track lug driver and then the track; and
e) a torque limiting mechanism operatively connected to the drive train assembly between the drive shaft and the track lug driver, the torque limiting mechanism having a first plate having a first friction surface in contact with a second plate having a second friction surface, the first friction surface operatively connected upstream in the drive train assembly and the second friction surface operatively connected downstream in the drive train assembly;
f) the first friction plate operatively connected to the drive shaft and the second friction plate operatively connected to the outer housing;
g) a seal between the drive shaft and outer housing, wherein the torque limiting mechanism is an oil bath and is rotatable with the drive shaft;
h) the drive shaft and outer housing being torque carrying members;
i) a spring positioned proximate the plates allowing torque transmission through the plates, wherein when the torque exceeds a predetermined value, the friction surfaces slip relative to each other, thereby limiting torque transmission as well as still allowing torque transmission at the predetermined level and at a relatively constant level while slipping; and
j) track lug drivers operatively connected to the outer housing, wherein the track lug drivers propel the track.