F16D - Definition 
Definition statement
This subclass covers:
Systems of clutches or couplings for transmitting rotation used within a mechanism of general utility.
Combinations of a clutch and a brake used within a mechanism of general utility.
Combinations of a coupling for transmitting rotation from one element to another and a brake used in conjunction with each other in a mechanism of general utility.
Combinations of a coupling for transmitting rotation from one element to another and a clutch used in conjunction with each other in a mechanism of general utility.
Couplings per se of general utility for transmitting rotation that include the following types:
Rigid couplings (e.g. for connecting two coaxial shafts or for attaching a member on a shaft);
Yielding couplings (e.g. Oldham couplings, Hooke's joints, cardan joints);
Impulse couplings;
Slip couplings;
Safety couplings;
Hydrostatic couplings;
Hydrokinetic couplings.
Clutches per se of general utility that include the following types:
Friction clutches (e.g. disc clutches, multiple disc clutches);
Freewheel clutches;
Hydrostatic clutches;
Hydrokinetic clutches;
Visco clutches;
Internally controlled automatic clutches (e.g. centrifugal clutches, torque limiting clutches);
External control of clutches.
The following types of clutch components and features related to clutches:
Actuation mechanisms;
Clutch slack adjusters;
Clutch cooling devices.
Brakes per se of general utility that include the following types:
Liquid- or air-resistant brakes (e.g. Föttinger brakes, retarder);
Self-acting brakes;
Drum brakes;
Disc brakes.
The following types of brake components and features related to brakes:
Brake shoes, pads or bands;
Brake discs or drums;
Actuation mechanisms;
Brake slack adjusters;
Brake cooling devices;
Brake monitoring, e.g. wear indication.
Friction linings in general:
Composition of linings;
Attachment of linings.
Other types of couplings for transmitting rotation, clutches or brakes that are not provided for in another subclass of the IPC.
Relationship between large subject matter areas
F16D is a general function-orientated place.
Application-orientated places for this subject matter are provided elsewhere in the IPC – see below.
References relevant to classification in this subclass
This subclass does not cover:
Electrodynamic brake systems for vehicles in general | B60L 7/00 |
Vehicle brake control systems | B60T |
Conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function, e.g. when at least one sub-unit is a clutch or a brake | B60W |
Fluid gearings | F16H 39/00, F16H 41/00, F16H 43/00 |
Combinations of fluid gearings with clutches or couplings | F16H 45/00 |
Combinations of mechanical gearings with fluid clutches | F16H 47/00 |
Differential gearings, e.g. with freewheels or other clutches | F16H 48/00 |
Dynamo-electric brakes, e.g. of the Eddy-current hysteresis type | H02K 49/00 |
Clutches or holding devices using electrostatic attraction, e.g. using Johnson-Rahbek effect | H02N 13/00 |
Couplings Couplings for metal-rolling mills B21B 35/14 Couplings for drilling rods E21B 17/02 Attachment of marine propellers on shafts B63H 23/34 Clutches Clutches of harvesters or mowers for grass, cereals or other crops A01D 69/08 Clutches in dental machines for boring or cutting A61C 1/18 Clutches specially adapted for presses B30B 15/12 Arrangement or location of clutches in vehicles B60K 17/02 Arrangement or mounting of control devices for main transmission clutches in vehicles B60K 23/02 Cycle brakes controlled by back-pedalling B62L 5/00 Details of rotary fluid gearing of the hydrokinetic type F16H 41/24 Clutches for apparatus for transmitting or receiving coded digital information H04L 13/04 Brakes Brakes of harvesters or mowers for grass, cereals or other crops A01D 69/10 Brakes for threshing machines A01F 12/58 Brakes for swings A63G 9/22 Brakes specially adapted for presses B30B 15/10 Braking devices for ribbon-feed devices in selective printing mechanisms B41J 33/52 Brakes peculiar to rail vehicles B61H Braking mechanisms for hand carts B62B 5/04 Braking mechanisms for children's carriages or perambulators B62B 9/08 Braking mechanisms for animal-drawn vehicles B62C 7/00 Cycle brakes B62L Braking devices for lifting or hoisting gear B66D 5/00 Brakes for electric motors, generators, or dynamo-electric converters H02P 3/04
Glossary of terms In this subclass, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:
Synonyms and Keywords In patent documents the following abbreviations are often used: Wear compensation mechanism, automatic adjuster, automatically adjusting device, automatic adjustment device, self-adjustment device One-way clutch In patent documents the expression "Freewheel clutch" is often used with the meaning of "One-way clutch".
Actuator
A component of a mechanism that causes movement of a motion-conveying component or motion-inhibiting component but does not itself directly convey or inhibit motion.
Brake
A mechanism with at least one component that is moved by an actuator to selectively or automatically engage or stop a member with respect to a stationary part.
Clutch
A mechanism with at least two relatively movable components that are selectively or automatically engaged with each other by control means, e.g. an actuator, to transmit mechanical power or convey motion from a first member to a second member or disengaged by control means to stop transmitting mechanical power or conveying motion.
Coupling for transmitting rotation
A mechanism that transmits torque or conveys rotary motion from a first shaft to a second shaft or other rotating member and that either does not include relatively moving components or, if it has relatively moving components, the components move without the use of control means.
Slack adjuster Freewheel clutch