192 clutches and power-stop control – Clutches – Automatic
Reissue Patent
1999-01-28
2004-04-20
Marmor, Charles A. (Department: 3681)
192 clutches and power-stop control
Clutches
Automatic
C192S045100, C192S071000, C074S57700S, C188S082800
Reissue Patent
active
RE038498
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to clutches, and more particularly to a one-way clutch apparatus.
DISCUSSION
Clutches are used in a wide variety of applications to selectively couple power from an input member, such as a driving disk or plate, to a second independently rotatable member such as a driven plate or disk. In some applications, it is further desirable to incorporate a clutch which allows for rotational movement of the driving member in a second rotational direction in which no clutch engagement occurs, and therefore in which no rotation of the driven member occurs. Such clutches are commonly referred to as “one-way” clutches. With a one-way clutch, when a driving member is rotated in a first direction, the clutch causes engagement of the driving member with an external driven member. When the driving member is rotated in a second rotational direction opposite to that of the first rotational direction, the clutch releases the driven member from engagement with the driving member. The driving member is then allowed to rotate (“over-run”) freely or to “free wheel” relative to the driven member.
Previously designed one-way clutches typically include some form of “strut” which is positioned in a notch formed in either the driving member or the driven member. The strut typically “floats” in the notch during operation. While this design has proven to be a success and to work satisfactorily in many applications, it would nevertheless be even more desirable to provide a one-way clutch having some form of strut-like member which is more positively supported, and which does not “float” with respect to its supporting plate, but rather which “rotates” between engaged and disengaged positions relative to its supporting plate. Such an apparatus would be even more stable at higher rmp applications such as those in connection with transmissions being used with aircraft engines.
Yet another area where even further improvements over previously designed one-way clutches would be desirable is in connection with providing a strut-like engaging element for a one-way clutch which is not as critically dependent upon a copious amount of lubricant, such as oil, for proper operation. With previously designed one way clutches it is critically important that the pockets in the plate within which the strut is disposed be very well lubricated. This lubrication requirement becomes more difficult to satisfy as the transmission or other apparatus within which the one-way clutch is disposed is oriented in different angles, such as when a vehicle or aircraft associated with the transmission incorporating the one-way clutch changes its attitude relative to the earth's surface. In such instances there may be momentary lapses of lubrication to the notches wherein the struts are housed. These lapses, in some extreme instances, could adversely impact the wear of the one-way clutch.
Still another area where even further improvement over previously designed one-way clutches could be achieved is the design of the strut or “key” which engages with the driven member when the clutch is rotated in one direction and disengages to allow free-wheeling when the driving member is rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction. In some clutch designs the key rests within a recess or relief of a driving member and has one end thereof biased outwardly by a biasing member such as a spring. Since the key is not physically pivotally secured to the member upon which it rests, the entire key is free to “lift”, sometimes to a relatively large degree, which in turn might cause undesirable wear in the driven member positioned closely adjacent the key. Such wear might occur if, for example, the back end of the key (i.e., the end opposite to that which engages the driven member) lifts significantly to contact a surface of the driven member when the driven member is being rotated in a free-wheeling direction. Accordingly, it would be preferable to include some surface on the driven member which limits the lifting of the back end of the key to a very small degree even when the driving member is being rotated in a free-wheeling direction.
Yet another area where it would be desirable to reduce the wear-and-tear of a key of a one-way clutch apparatus would be in the design of the arm portions of the strut. At present, when the key is disposed on a driving member, a relatively large degree of clearance between the key and the driven member is required so that the arm portions of the key do not interfere with a surface of the driven member when the key is engaging a notch of the driven member. Thus, if the driven member is designed such that portions of a surface thereof limit the travel of the back end of the key, then the shape of the key arms becomes extremely important in allowing the key to pivot fully and engage the driven member without interfering with a surface of the driven member as the key engages therewith.
Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a one-way clutch apparatus which is adapted to couple a driving member with a driven member when the driving member is moved in a first rotational direction, and to allow the driving member to be moved freely relative to the driven member when the driving member is moved in a second rotational direction.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a one-way clutch having an engaging element which does not “float” in a related supporting member but is instead more positively supported for rotational movement relative to its supporting member, and which therefore is more stable in higher rpm applications.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a one-way clutch apparatus which is more immune to undesirable operating characteristics caused by a temporary lack of lubricant to the areas adjacent its engaging element, to thereby permit the one-way clutch to be used in applications where a transmission within which it is operating can be operated in a variety of attitudes relative to the earth's surface without fear of a momentary lack of lubricant to the one-way clutch adversely affecting the wear and tear on the one-way clutch.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a one-way clutch apparatus which is adapted for use with concentrically disposed inner and outer annular ring members such as annular gears to allow one of the concentrically disposed gears to drive the other when rotated in a first direction and to allow the two concentrically disposed gears to be uncoupled from one another when the former gear is driven in an over-running direction.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a one-way clutch apparatus in which portions of a surface of a driven member are used to limit movement of a back end portion of a key or strut disposed on a driving member when the driving member is rotated in a free-wheeling direction relative to the driven member.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a one-way clutch apparatus in which portion of the surfaces of a driven member are used to restrict movement of a back end of a strut or key disposed on a driving member, and where a pair of arm portions about which the strut or key pivots are shaped such that the arm portions do not interfere with the surface portions of the driven member when the strut is engaging the driven member. In this manner, an automatic degree of “damping” would be provided to the key or strut by the close proximate relation of various surface portions of the driven member which would limit undesirable lifting or other movement of the back end of the key or strut while the driving member is rotated in a free-wheeling direction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above and other objects are provided by a one-way clutch apparatus in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention. The apparatus generally includes a carrier plate having a cut-out portion and an engaging element in the form of a key supported within the cut-out portion for pivotal or rot
Frank A. Richard
Klecker Brian D.
Ruth Stephen M.
Brooks & Kushman P.C.
Marmor Charles A.
Means Industries Inc.
Rodriguez Saul
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