COUPLING MECHANISM FOR A COMPRESSOR

A coupling mechanism for a compressor of an automotive air conditioning system which is equipped with a safety mechanism for preventing damage to the en gine due to compressor failure or malfunction. A front end plate with a tubular exten sion which extends in the direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the drive sha ft is attached to one end of the compressor housing. A pulley is rotatably supported o n said extension by means of a bearing. At its terminal end, the drive shaft is connect ed to an armature which includes a centrally located hole through which the drive shaft e xtends. The armature is connected by means of a bolt and a nut and rotates with the driv e shaft. The pulley transmits rotational motion from the engine to the drive shaft throug h an armature plate by means of coupling plate members which are interposed between t he pulley and the armature plate. Coupling plate members include breakaway portions which may be easily broken if excessive torque is applied due to compressor fail ure or malfunction. If the compressor failure or malfunction occurs and the drive shaft stops rotating, damage to the engine is avoided because the excessive torque applied b y the pulley causes the breakaway portions of the coupling plate members to break and allows the pulley and coupling members to be disconnected from each other. This allows each to continue to rotate independently without contacting or biting each other.