Overrunning clutch without cage structure

Abstract

The present invention discloses an overrunning clutch without a cage structure, comprising an outer ring, an inner ring, and a plurality of wedges arranged between the outer ring and the inner ring and distributed along an annular track, wherein a tension spring groove is provided at one end of the wedge corresponding to the outer ring, and all the wedges are tightened on the inner ring by an annular tension spring, and the tension spring is embedded in the tension spring groove; the plurality of wedges are also isolated from each other by cylindrical rollers, so as to support the inner ring and the outer ring when the wedges are in a disengaged state, and a tension spring groove is also provided on the cylindrical roller at a position corresponding to the tension spring; the depth of the tension spring groove is greater than the diameter of the tension spring. The present invention can increase the maximum torque and increase the service life of the wedges.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a clutch, in particular to an overrunning clutch without a cage structure. Background Art

[0002] An overrunning clutch is a type of clutch that automatically engages and disengages by utilizing the change in speed or direction of rotation of the active and passive parts. When the active part drives the passive part to rotate together, it is called the engaged state; an overrunning clutch is a special mechanical clutch that automatically engages or disengages by the change in relative speed of the active and passive parts or the change in the direction of rotation in mechanical transmission. The driving element can only rotate the passive element in a single direction. If the driving element changes direction, the passive element will automatically disengage and not transmit power, so it is also called a one-way clutch or a one-way bearing. It is generally selected according to the overrunning speed, so it is collectively called an overrunning clutch.

[0003] The wedge overrunning clutch places a gap tightening element (wedge) between the inner ring and the outer ring (raceway). Torque can only be transmitted when the inner and outer rings rotate in the same direction and have the same or greater speed. Otherwise, they are all relative sliding. This sliding state without transmitting torque is called overrunning.

[0004] In the existing structure, a retaining frame is generally required to install the wedge block, and the retaining frame needs to occupy a certain space. Therefore, in the case of a fixed installation space, the retaining frame occupies a certain space, which leads to the limitation of the strength of the wedge block. Therefore, the maximum torque of the wedge block in the existing solution is still insufficient. Summary of the invention

[0005] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, the object of the present invention is to provide an overrunning clutch without a cage structure, which can increase the maximum torque and prolong the service life of the wedge.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention provides the following technical solutions: an overrunning clutch without a retaining frame structure, comprising an outer ring, an inner ring, and a plurality of wedge blocks arranged between the outer ring and the inner ring and distributed along an annular track, wherein a tension spring groove is provided at one end of the wedge block corresponding to the outer ring, and all the wedge blocks are tightened on the inner ring by an annular tension spring, and the tension spring is embedded in the tension spring groove; the plurality of wedge blocks are also isolated from each other by cylindrical rollers so as to support the inner ring and the outer ring when the wedge blocks are in a disengaged state, and a tension spring groove is also provided on the cylindrical roller at a position corresponding to the tension spring; the depth of the tension spring groove is greater than the diameter of the tension spring.

[0007] As a further improvement of the present invention, the number of the cylindrical rollers is four, and they are respectively located at four quadrant points of the annular track where the wedge block is located.

[0008] As a further improvement of the present invention, the width of the wedge block is the same as the width of the cylindrical roller.

[0009] As a further improvement of the present invention, the cylindrical rollers and the wedge blocks are distributed at intervals.

[0010] As a further improvement of the present invention, the tension spring is a strip-shaped spring connected at the head and tail to form a ring, and the tail portion is a cone with a reduced diameter for embedding into the head portion; and the spring is embedded through the pitch.

[0011] As a further improvement of the present invention, a marking groove for preventing errors is provided on one side surface of the wedge block.

[0012] As a further improvement of the present invention, the tension spring groove on the cylindrical roller extends along the circumference of the cylindrical roller to form a ring shape.

[0013] As a further improvement of the present invention, the tension spring groove on the wedge block has a protrusion, and the protrusion is eccentrically arranged to cooperate with the tension spring to make the protrusion of the wedge block close to the outer ring.

[0014] As a further improvement of the present invention, the protruding portion of the tension spring groove is provided with a plurality of limiting grooves matching the threads of the tension spring. When the tension spring is located in the tension spring groove and is in close contact with the wedge block, the tension spring is embedded in the limiting groove.

[0015] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: the retaining frame is eliminated, so the space saved in the retaining frame can be used to increase the volume of the wedge block, thereby increasing the maximum torque and also helping to extend the service life; the tension spring clamps all the wedge blocks on the inner ring, having the function of a retaining frame, so that the wedge blocks can work stably after being clamped; the outer ring can be supported by the arrangement of cylindrical rollers, avoiding radial force compressing the wedge blocks and causing damage to the wedge blocks. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall assembly state structure of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the wedge block matching state structure of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the wedge structure of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the tension spring structure of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 5 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the assembly state of the present invention.

[0021] Figure numbers: 1, outer ring; 2, inner ring; 3, wedge; 31, raised part; 4, tension spring groove; 5, tension spring; 6, cylindrical roller; 7, marking groove; 8, limit groove. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The present invention will be further described below in detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0023] Reference Figure 1-5 As shown,

[0024] A cage-free overrunning clutch comprises an outer ring 1, an inner ring 2, and a plurality of wedges 3 arranged between the outer ring 1 and the inner ring 2 and distributed along an annular track. A tension spring groove 4 is provided at one end of the wedge 3 corresponding to the outer ring 1. All the wedges 3 are tightened on the inner ring 2 by an annular tension spring 5, and the tension spring 5 is embedded in the tension spring groove 4. A plurality of the wedges 3 are also isolated from each other by cylindrical rollers 6 so as to support the inner ring 2 and the outer ring 1 when the wedges 3 are in a disengaged state. A tension spring groove 4 is also provided on the cylindrical rollers 6 at positions corresponding to the tension springs 5. The depth of the tension spring groove 4 is greater than the diameter of the tension spring 5.

[0025] The existing overrunning clutch needs a cage, which takes up a certain amount of space when installed, so the original installation space actually includes the volume of the cage and the volume of the wedge 3. In this solution, the cage is eliminated, so the space saved by the cage can be used to increase the volume of the wedge 3, thereby increasing the maximum torque and also helping to extend the service life. The wedge 3 in this solution can be in the shape of a fist.

[0026] The tension spring groove 4 in this solution can also be used to install the tension spring 5, which tightens all the wedges 3 on the inner ring 2 and acts as a retainer, so that they can work stably after being tightened. There are also cylindrical rollers 6. Since the inner ring 2 where the wedge 3 is located can only generate transmission force to the outer ring 1 when the rotation speed is greater than the outer ring 1, and has no supporting effect on the outer ring 1 when the speed is insufficient, the outer ring 1 can be supported by the cylindrical rollers 6 to avoid radial force pressing on the wedge 3 and causing damage to the wedge 3.

[0027] Preferably, the number of the cylindrical rollers 6 is four, and they are respectively located at four quadrant points of the annular track where the wedge block 3 is located.

[0028] The positions of the cylindrical rollers 6 correspond to four quadrants, which is equivalent to evenly dividing the multiple wedges 3, so that the supporting and force transmission functions can be more uniform and stable. Moreover, the cylindrical rollers 6 will not affect the driving effect of the transmission force on the outer ring 1.

[0029] Furthermore, the width of the wedge 3 is the same as the width of the cylindrical roller 6 .

[0030] The same width of the two makes it easier to divide them evenly, facilitates installation, and reduces looseness between the wedge block 3 and the cylindrical roller 6.

[0031] Different from the solution of using four cylindrical rollers 6 , the following also provides a solution of distributing the cylindrical rollers 6 and the wedge blocks 3 at intervals.

[0032] The interval distribution scheme can provide stronger support and can be used when higher radial load requirements are required.

[0033] Preferably, the tension spring 5 is a strip-shaped spring connected at the head and tail to form a ring, and the tail portion is a cone with a reduced diameter for embedding into the head portion; and the spring is interlocked through the pitch.

[0034] In this solution, the tension spring 5 itself can be deformed by pulling, and it is in the shape of a long strip, and one end is tapered, which is convenient for inserting into the other end, and is embedded by its own deformation, and overlapped and embedded as a whole by using threads to form a ring. This structure has lower processing requirements, and the tail connection method is reliable and stable, and the installation strength is appropriate.

[0035] Since the shape of the wedge block 3 itself is easy to be installed incorrectly, resulting in the failure of the driving function of the one-way rotation, a marking groove for preventing mistakes is set on one side of the wedge block 3 in this solution. The setting of the marking groove 7 is convenient for workers to touch and feel the front and back during installation, avoiding installation errors that lead to unqualified product quality inspection and rework, which delays manpower and material resources.

[0036] In addition, the tension spring groove 4 on the cylindrical roller 6 extends in a ring shape along the circumference of the cylindrical roller 6. The ring-shaped tension spring groove 4 allows the cylindrical roller 6 to rotate without affecting the tension spring 5, so that the tension spring 5 can always be in the ring-shaped groove when the cylindrical roller 6 rotates, which has a tightening effect on the cylindrical roller 6 to prevent loosening.

[0037] In order to make the fit between the wedge block 3 and the outer ring 1 more stable, the tension spring groove 4 on the wedge block 3 has a protrusion 31, and the protrusion 31 is eccentrically arranged to cooperate with the tension spring 5 to make the protrusion of the wedge block 3 close to the outer ring 1.

[0038] Since the protrusion 31 is eccentrically arranged, the protrusion 31 will be pressed down when the tension spring 5 abuts against the protrusion 31. At this time, the wedge block 3 will have an angular offset. The offset effect is used to make the protrusion position of the wedge block 3 close to the outer ring 1. At this time, the transmission force is generated faster and more stably.

[0039] The protrusion 31 of the tension spring groove 4 is provided with a plurality of limit grooves 8 matching the threads of the tension spring 5. When the tension spring 5 is located in the tension spring groove 4 and is in close contact with the wedge block 3, the tension spring 5 is embedded in the limit groove 8. When the tension spring 5 is tightening the wedge block 3, the side thread structure of the tension spring 5 can be embedded in the limit groove 8, which can make the tightening effect of the tension spring 5 on each wedge block 3 more uniform.

[0040] The above is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the protection scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. All technical solutions under the concept of the present invention belong to the protection scope of the present invention. It should be pointed out that for ordinary technicians in this technical field, some improvements and modifications without departing from the principle of the present invention should also be regarded as the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An overrunning clutch without a cage structure, comprising an outer ring, an inner ring, and a plurality of wedges arranged between the outer ring and the inner ring and distributed along an annular track, It is characterized in that A tension spring groove is provided at one end of the wedge block corresponding to the outer ring, and all the wedge blocks are tightened on the inner ring through an annular tension spring, and the tension spring is embedded in the tension spring groove; a plurality of the wedge blocks are isolated from each other by cylindrical rollers so that the inner ring and the outer ring can be supported when the wedge blocks are in a disengaged state, and a tension spring groove is also provided at the position corresponding to the tension spring on the cylindrical roller; the depth of the tension spring groove is greater than the diameter of the tension spring; the width of the wedge block is the same as that of the cylindrical roller; the tension spring is a strip-shaped spring connected at the head and tail to form a ring, and its tail is straight A tapered shape with a reduced diameter is used to embed the head; and an interlocking is formed by the pitch; an identification groove for preventing errors is provided on one side of the wedge block; the tension spring groove on the cylindrical roller extends along the circumference of the cylindrical roller to form a ring; the tension spring groove on the wedge block has a protrusion, and the protrusion is eccentrically arranged to cooperate with the tension spring to make the protruding position of the wedge block close to the outer ring; the protrusion of the tension spring groove is provided with a plurality of limit grooves matching the threads of the tension spring, and when the tension spring is located in the tension spring groove and close to the wedge block, the tension spring is embedded in the limit groove.

2. The overrunning clutch without a cage structure according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The number of the cylindrical rollers is four, and they are respectively located at four quadrant points of the annular track where the wedge block is located.

3. The overrunning clutch without a cage structure according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The cylindrical rollers and wedge blocks are distributed at intervals.

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