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Building block approach to clutch design

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Jul 4, 2002

Tsubaki's new MZEU range features a building block design that gives users the flexibility to tailor clutches to their application, in terms of fixings, direction of engagement and speed requirements.

Tsubaki's new MZEU range features a building block design that gives users the flexibility to tailor clutches to their application, in terms of fixings, direction of engagement and speed requirements.

The building block package includes a torque arm for offset indexing, two types of bolt-on flanges for inline mounting and a grease reservoir.

The MZEU Series clutches have been introduced to meet the requirements of European machinery or power transmission installations and are designed for general applications involving indexing, general overrunning and backstopping.

Although extremely compact, the MZEU clutches feature a full complement of cams to provide the maximum number of load transmitting members per given diameter.

This results in a greater torque capacity, size for size, than other cam clutches, and longer fatigue life compared to other types of one way clutches, such as ratchet and roller ramp designs.

MZEU clutches used in overrunning applications overrun at either the inner or outer race during the majority of the clutch operating time and are occasionally called upon to lock up and drive.

A typical application is a two-speed drive where an electric motor and a geared motor are connected to a single driven shaft through one-way clutches.

The machine can be driven by either the motor or geared motor.

When the geared motor drives at low speed, the clutch engages.

When the electric motor drives the machine, the clutch overruns.

The clutch automatically switches between low speed and high speed.

In indexing mode, reciprocating motion applied to the driving race of the MZEU clutch is transformed into unidirectional intermittent motion at the driven race.

For example, on a feeding roller, the clutch is mounted on the roller and a torque arm is connected to the driving race of the clutch.

A crank motion mechanism provides reciprocating motion to the driving race.

The clutch drives in the forward stroke (index) and overruns on the return stroke resulting in intermittent unidirectional motion of the feeding roller.

In backstop (holdback) applications, the MZEU clutches are used to prevent reverse rotation of driveshafts and damage to machinery and other expensive equipment.

With the outer race of the clutch anchored to a stationary member, the inner race can overrun freely in one direction of rotation.

Reverse rotation is instantaneously prevented by the automatic engagement of the clutch.

Typical backstop applications are in conveyor systems and gear reducers.

The MZEU range is comprehensive, comprising 17 models with bore sizes from 12mm to 150mm and torque capacities from 60 to 33,800Nm.

All standard units are supplied ready to install and operate; are pre-lubricated with a special grease and are maintenance free.