AutoDrag Brake

Abstract

Abstract The invention relates to an automated braking system for a clothes drying apparatus. The system comprises a driven shaft configured to rotate in response to manual torque input, a brake disc secured to the driven shaft, a brake mover positioned through the brake body, a thrust bearing positioned between the brake mover and the brake body, and a compression spring disposed between the brake body and the fixed flange. 20 26 20 22 85 2 7 M ar 2 02 6 2026202285 27 Mar 2026 43 17 Figure 11 16 21 12 7 5D 20 5B 18A 18B 15 5C 18A 1A 13 3 5 14 8 9 1C 19 11 37A 57 37F 8 1D 58 1G 2K 1 42 37 22 1H 23 28 2 10 2J 39 1B No 44 43 1F 37B 27 37C 1E 1L 36 40 41 37E n 7 36C 38 36B . 37D 29 26 37G 40 36E 30 36A 25 36D 6 DETAIL H 24 4 2G 2K 2026202285 27 Mar 2026 43 17 Figure 11 16 21 12 7 5D 20 5B 18B 15 5C 18A 1A 13 3 5 14 8 9 1C 19 11 37A 57 37F 8 1D 58 1G 2K 1 42 37 22 1H 23 28 2 10 2J 39 1B No 44 43 1F 37B 27 37C 1E 1L 36 40 41 37E n 7 36C 38 36B . 37D 29 26 37G 40 36E 30 36A 25 36D 6 DETAIL H 24 4 2G 2K

Claims

2026202285   17 Jun 2026AUTODRAG BRAKE — DIVISIONAL CLAIM SETClaim 1 (Independent Claim)An automated braking system for a manually operated torque-input device, comprising:a driven shaft configured to rotate in response to manual torque input, the driven shaft including a cam follower ball retained within a ball socket of the shaft;a brake disc secured to the driven shaft such that the brake disc rotates with the driven shaft;an axially movable brake body positioned around the driven shaft, the brake body comprising friction pads configured to engage the brake disc, linear-guidance features configured to prevent rotational movement of the brake body while permitting axial movement, and a spring-receiving region configured to receive a compression spring;a brake mover positioned through the brake body, the brake mover comprising an externally threaded portion configured to engage a fixed flange or equivalent stationary structure, and an internal cam surface comprising engage profiles and avoid profiles configured to interact with the cam follower ball;a thrust bearing positioned between the brake mover and the brake body and configured to permit relative rotation during axial movement;a compression spring disposed between the brake body and the fixed flange, the spring configured to apply a selectable preload to the brake body to generate a braking force;wherein rotation of the driven shaft in a non-braking direction causes the cam follower ball to engage an engage-profile of a first cam set of the internal cam surface, the engagement driving the brake mover to rotate relative to the fixed flange in a first rotational sense, the threaded engagement converting rotation of the brake mover into axial movement of the brake body away from the brake disc to disengage the friction pads from the brake disc so that the friction pads do not resist rotation when the brake mover is in the non-braking position;wherein rotation of the driven shaft in the braking direction causes the cam follower ball to engage an engage profile of a second cam set of the internal cam surface, the engage profiles of the first and second cam sets being oriented in opposite circumferential directions such that engagement with the second cam set drives the brake mover to rotate relative to the fixed flange in an opposite rotational sense, the threaded engagement converting the opposite rotation of the brake mover into axial movement of the brake body toward the brake disc, the axial movement allowing the compression spring to progressively extend and reduce the distance between the friction pads and the brake disc until the brake mover separates from the thrust bearing, at which2026202285   17 Jun 2026point the compression spring applies its full braking force to generate a braking torque resisting rotation in the braking direction;and wherein the braking torque is configurable by selecting the compression spring and / or adjusting the preload applied to the compression spring.Claim 2The system of Claim 1, wherein the internal cam surface comprises two axially distinct cam sets, each cam set including one or more cam profiles having engage-profiles and avoid profiles, the engage-profiles of the two cam sets being oriented in opposite circumferential directions such that rotation of the driven shaft in one rotational direction causes the cam follower ball to engage an engage-profile of one of the cam sets and rotation of the driven shaft in the opposite rotational direction causes the cam follower ball to engage an engage-profile of the other cam set.Claim 3The system of Claim 2, wherein axial displacement of the brake mover during engagement with one of the cam sets causes that cam set to move out of driving alignment with the cam follower ball, thereby terminating driving engagement and limiting further axial movement of the brake mover.Claim 4The system of any one of Claims 2 or 3, wherein the axial relationship between the first and second cam sets is configured such that the cam-follower ball is able to disengage from one cam set and engage the other cam set when the rotational direction of the driven shaft reverses.Claim 5The system of any preceding claim, wherein the brake mover includes a bush positioned adjacent to the cam end of the brake mover, the bush configured to prevent yawing of the brake mover under load and maintain concentric alignment with the driven shaft.Claim 6The system of any preceding claim, wherein the brake mover includes a flange configured to be axially retained within a housing while permitting axial movement of the brake mover through the threaded engagement between the brake mover and the fixed flange.2026202285   17 Jun 2026Claim 7The system of Claim 6, wherein the flange comprises anti-rotation features configured to engage corresponding anti-rotation structures of a housing to prevent rotation of the flange during operation, the flange being either a separate component retained by the housing or formed integrally with the housing.Claim 8The system of any preceding claim, wherein the brake mover includes a circular lip configured to move the brake body away from the brake disc during rotation in the non-braking direction.Claim 9The system of any preceding claim, wherein the thrust bearing is housed within a circular recess of the brake body and retained by a thrust-bearing retaining washer.Claim 10The system of any preceding claim, wherein the thrust bearing is enclosed by sealing elements configured to retain lubrication and prevent ingress of contaminants, the sealing elements comprising an O-ring associated with a thrust-bearing retaining washer and a shaft seal positioned between the circular lip of the brake mover and its externally threaded portion.Claim 11The system of any preceding claim, wherein the brake body comprises friction pad retaining recesses configured to receive and hold friction pads.Claim 12The system of any preceding claim, wherein the compression spring is retained between a circular groove on a face of the brake body and a corresponding circular groove on an opposing face of the flange of the brake mover.Claim 13The system of Claim 12, wherein the flange includes adjustable axial loading elements located within the flange spring-retaining groove and configured to bear against the compression spring2026202285   17 Jun 2026to vary its installed length while maintaining the spring within the groove to adjust the braking torque.

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