Rolling-element clutch assembly

Details Rolling-element clutch assembly Rolling-element clutch assembly

1998-12-07

2001-01-16

Bonck, Rodney H. (Department: 3681)

192 clutches and power-stop control

Clutches

Automatic

C192S046000, C192S11000B

Reexamination Certificate

active

06173824

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to the field of clutching mechanisms, and, in particular, to a rolling-element clutch.
2. Description of the Related Art
A freewheel clutch is a device that will drive a rotating load in one direction, but will allow it to freewheel or spin at any speed in the other direction. There is a need to make a more compact and rugged freewheel clutch. All current designs need separate devices to support the rotating load on the shaft and to have the shaft drive this load. Current techniques are called ratchet and pawl, wrap spring, sprag, roller clutch, ball clutch, tilting plate, and so forth. Each of these related art devices needs the addition of some bearing device to support the driven load when it is in the freewheel mode.
The typical related art is represented by a one-way clutch bearing having an outer race with an annular inner surface, an inner race with an annular outer surface corresponding to and concentric with the inner surface, and rolling members disposed in an annular space formed between the inner surface and the outer surface, whereby relative rotation of the inner and outer races in one direction is prevented by displacement of the rolling members in the space and a torque is transmitted. A holding means for holding the rolling members is provided at a displacement position whereat the rolling members transmit a predetermined transmission torque, and a means is provided for decreasing a wedge angle at a position before the rolling members arrive at the displacement position.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,573,094, which is assigned in common with the present invention and incorporated herein by reference, discloses a combination bearing/freewheel clutch that is provided with an inner race member defining an inner race surface, an outer race member defining an outer race surface concentric with the inner race member, and a raceway between the inner and outer races. The inner and outer race members each have a series of short radially oriented sawtooth inclines in their respective inner and outer race surfaces at right angles to the raceway. A plurality of modified ball bearings, for instance ball bearings have flattened poles, are disposed in the raceway between the inner and outer race members, such that the modified ball bearings serve to prevent relative rotation of the inner and outer race members in one direction, and to transmit a torque between the inner and outer races.
Although the invention of U.S. Pat. No. 5,573,094 represents a significant development in the art of combination bearing/freewheel clutches, there is need for improvement to provide a rolling-element clutch that is stronger, lighter, more reliable, easier to manufacture, and easier to assemble.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The advantages and purpose of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The advantages and purpose of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
To attain the advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the rolling-element clutch assembly of the invention, in a first aspect, includes a first race member, a second race member and a plurality of rolling elements. The first race member defines a first race surface having a first ratchet surface portion. The second race member defines a second race surface having a second ratchet surface portion. The first race surface and the second race surface define a raceway therebetween. A plurality of rolling elements are disposed in the raceway. The rolling elements provide rolling support between the first race member and the second race member when the first race member moves in a first direction relative to the second race member. At least one of the plurality of rolling elements engages the first and second ratchet surface portions when the first race member moves in a second direction relative to the second race member. The engagement of the rolling element with the first and second ratchet surfaces impedes relative motion between the first race member and the second race member, thereby providing load transmission capability. The first ratchet surface portion including a plurality of inclines extending along the first race surface in the first direction, each incline embedded in the first race surface and having a profile adapted for engaging one of the plurality of rolling elements, the profile of each incline being formed from one or more flat planes.
In a second aspect, the rolling-element clutch assembly of the invention includes a first race member, a second race member and a plurality of rolling elements. The first race member defines a first race surface having a first ratchet surface portion. The second race member defines a second race surface having a second ratchet surface portion, and the first race surface and the second race surface define a raceway therebetween. The plurality of rolling elements are disposed in the raceway and provide rolling support between the first race member and the second race member when the first race member moves in a first direction relative to the second race member. At least one of the plurality of rolling elements engage the first and second ratchet surface portions when the first race member moves in a second direction relative to the second race member, thereby impeding relative motion between the first race member and the second race member and providing load transmission capability. The first race member defines a third race surface, the second race member defines a fourth race surface, and the third race surface and the fourth race surface define a second raceway therebetween. A plurality of rolling elements are disposed in the second raceway.
In a third aspect, the rolling-element clutch assembly of the invention includes a first race member, a second race member and a plurality of rolling elements. The first race member defines a first race surface having a first ratchet surface portion. The second race member defines a second race surface having a second ratchet surface portion and the first race surface and the second race surface define a raceway therebetween. The plurality of rolling elements are disposed in the raceway and provide rolling support between the first race member and the second race member when the first race member moves in a first direction relative to the second race member. The plurality of rolling elements disposed in the raceway include pairs of rolling elements. At least one of the pairs of rolling elements cooperate to engage the first and second ratchet surface portions when the first race member moves in a second direction relative to the second race member, thereby impeding relative motion between the first race member and the second race member and providing load transmission capability.
In a fourth aspect, the rolling-element clutch assembly of the invention includes a first race member, a second race member and a plurality of rolling elements. The first race member defines a first race surface having a first ratchet surface portion. The second race member defines a second race surface having a second ratchet surface portion and the first race surface and the second race surface define a raceway therebetween. The plurality of rolling elements are disposed in the raceway and provide rolling support between the first race member and the second race member when the first race member moves in a first direction relative to the second race member. At least one of the plurality of rolling elements engage the first and second ratchet surface portions when the first race member moves in a second direction relative to the second race member, thereby impeding relative motion between the first race member and the second race member and providing load transmission capability. The first ratchet surface is adjustably c

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