COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES

Description

F16D encompasses mechanical devices that connect rotating shafts, control torque transmission, and dissipate rotational energy in machinery. This subclass covers rigid and flexible couplings, universal joints, clutches for engaging/disengaging drive trains, and braking systems that arrest or regulate motion. Applications span automotive transmissions, industrial machinery, power transmission equipment, and mechanical control systems. Adjacent classes F16C (bearing and lubrication) and F16G (springs) address related but distinct mechanical functions.

49 direct subcodes

Child Classifications

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F16D 1/00 Couplings for rigidly connecting two coaxial shafts or other movable machine elements (attachment of wheels to axles for railway carriages B60B; for attachment of cranks to their shafts F16C3/10)
F16D 11/00 Clutches in which the members have interengaging parts (arrangements for synchronisation F16D23/02)
F16D 13/00 Friction clutches (arrangements for synchronisation F16D23/02)
F16D 15/00 Clutches with wedging balls or rollers or with other wedgeable separate clutching members (freewheels, freewheel clutches F16D41/00)
F16D 17/00 Clutches in which the drive is transmitted solely by virtue of the eccentricity of the contacting surfaces of clutch members which fit one around the other
F16D 19/00 Clutches with mechanically-actuated clutching members not otherwise provided for
F16D 21/00 Systems comprising a plurality of actuated clutches (for synchronisation F16D23/04)
F16D 2121/00 Type of actuator operation force
F16D 2123/00 Multiple operation forces
F16D 2125/00 Components of actuators
F16D 2127/00 Auxiliary mechanisms
F16D 2129/00 Type of operation source for auxiliary mechanisms
F16D 2131/00 Overall arrangement of the actuators or their elements, e.g. modular construction
F16D 2200/00 Materials; Production methods therefor
F16D 2250/00 Manufacturing; Assembly
F16D 23/00 Details of mechanically-actuated clutches not specific for one distinct type
F16D 2300/00 Special features for couplings or clutches
F16D 25/00 Fluid-actuated clutches
F16D 2500/00 External control of clutches by electric or electronic means
F16D 27/00 Magnetically- actuated clutches; Control or electric circuits therefor (clutches with magnetisable particles F16D37/02; )

Top Applicants

Top 10 applicants by patent filingsfor class F16, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT

SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES & COMPANY DE 22,817
ZAHNRADFABRIK FRIEDRICHSHAFEN DE 10,523
HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY KR 7,933
ROBERT BOSCH DE 7,059
KIA MOTORS CORPORATION KR 4,867
SKF SE 4,729
TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION JP 4,111
FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES US 3,838
GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS US 3,575
TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION 3,499