Isolation disconnector

Abstract

An isolation decoupler comprising: a shaft; a pulley which is journal-connected to the shaft on at least one bearing; a one-way clutch engaged with the shaft; a torsion spring engaged between the one-way clutch and the pulley; the shaft comprises an inner race of the at least one bearing; the end of the torsion spring is welded to the one-way clutch, and the other end of the torsion spring is welded to the belt wheel.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application named "Isolator", with an international application date of July 18, 2019, an international application number of PCT / US2019 / 042324, and a national application number of 201980055445.0. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to an isolating disconnect, and more particularly to an isolating disconnect comprising: a shaft comprising an inner race of at least one bearing; and a torsion spring, one end of the torsion spring being welded to a one-way clutch and the other end being welded to a pulley. Background Art

[0003] Due to their improved fuel economy, the use of diesel engines for passenger vehicles is increasing. Furthermore, the compression ratios of gasoline engines are being increased to improve fuel efficiency. As a result, diesel and gasoline engine accessory drive systems must overcome greater vibrations from the crankshaft due to these engine changes.

[0004] Due to increased crankshaft vibrations combined with higher acceleration / deceleration and higher alternator inertia, engine accessory drive systems often experience belt squealing noises due to belt slippage, which also shortens belt life.

[0005] Crankshaft isolators / decouplers and alternator decouplers / isolators are widely used on engines with higher angular vibrations to filter vibrations and control belt noise within the engine operating speed range.

[0006] Isolator disconnects are typically assembled with an interference fit or press fit between components. In other cases, mechanical connections are used, such as tangs that engage with receiving slots. In other cases, welding is known to be used in conjunction with the use of discrete components. Components include bearings, pulleys, and shafts.

[0007] Representative of the prior art is U.S. Patent No. 9,759,266, which discloses an isolating disconnect comprising: a shaft; a pulley journaled to the shaft; a torsion spring comprising a flat surface at each end of the torsion spring in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation AA; a one-way clutch engaged between the torsion spring and the shaft; a weld connecting an end of the torsion spring to the one-way clutch; and a weld connecting the other end of the torsion spring to the pulley.

[0008] There is also a need for an isolating disconnect having a shaft including an inner race of at least one bearing and a torsion spring having one end welded to the one-way clutch and the other end welded to the pulley. The present invention satisfies this need. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The main aspect of the present invention is an isolating decoupler having a shaft including an inner race of at least one bearing and a torsion spring having one end welded to the one-way clutch and the other end welded to the pulley.

[0010] Other aspects of the present invention will be pointed out or become apparent from the following description of the invention and the accompanying drawings.

[0011] The present invention includes an isolating disconnect, which includes: a shaft; a pulley, which is journaled to the shaft on at least one bearing; a one-way clutch, which is engaged with the shaft; a torsion spring, which is engaged between the one-way clutch and the pulley, the shaft including the inner race of the at least one bearing, and one end of the torsion spring is welded to the one-way clutch and the other end is welded to the pulley. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0013] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment.

[0014] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Exploded diagram of .

[0015] Figure 3a is a perspective view of a welding detail.

[0016] FIG3b is a front view of the welding detail.

[0017] FIG4a is a perspective view of a welding detail.

[0018] FIG4b is a front view of the welding detail.

[0019] Figure 5 It is a perspective view of the welding details.

[0020] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment.

[0021] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 Exploded diagram of .

[0022] Figure 8a is a perspective view of a welding detail.

[0023] Figure 8b is a front view of the welding details.

[0024] Figure 9a is a perspective view of a welding detail.

[0025] Figure 9b is a front view of the welding details.

[0026] Figure 10 It is a perspective view of the welding details.

[0027] Figure 11 is a sectional view of the third embodiment.

[0028] Figure 12 It is a perspective view of the welding details.

[0029] Figure 13 It is a perspective view of the welding details.

[0030] Figure 14 It is a perspective view of the welding details.

[0031] Figure 15 is a sectional view of the third embodiment.

[0032] Figure 16A yes Figure 15 Exploded diagram of .

[0033] Figure 16B yes Figure 16A Detailed drawing.

[0034] Figure 17 yes Figure 16A Detailed drawing.

[0035] Figure 18 is a sectional view of the fourth embodiment.

[0036] Figure 19 yes Figure 18 A cross-sectional view of an embodiment in FIG.

[0037] Figure 20 yes Figure 18 Detailed drawing.

[0038] Figure 21 It's a perspective drawing.

[0039] Figure 22 It is a perspective view of the welding details.

[0040] Figure 23 It is a perspective view of the welding details.

[0041] Figure 24 It is a perspective view of the welding details.

[0042] Figure 25A yes Figure 18 Exploded diagram of .

[0043] Figure 25B yes Figure 25A Detailed drawing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] Figure 1 1 is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment. The isolating disconnector 1000 includes a shaft 10, a pulley 20, a ball bearing 30, a torsion spring 40, a one-way clutch 50, and a bearing 60. The ball bearing 30 may also include a needle bearing.

[0045] The pulley 20 is journaled with the shaft 10 by means of bearings 30 and 60. A torsion spring 40 is engaged between the pulley 20 and the one-way clutch carrier 51. A dust cover 80 prevents debris from entering the device.

[0046] The outer race 62 of the bearing 60 includes a radially extending flange 61. The flange 61 is welded to the bearing race 62 and also to the pulley 20.

[0047] The end 42 of the torsion spring 40 is welded to the flange 61. The other end 41 of the torsion spring 40 is welded to the clutch carrier 51. The clutch carrier 51 is press-fitted onto the one-way clutch 50. The one-way clutch 50 is an anti-rotation feature that prevents the pulley from rotating in a predetermined direction while allowing the pulley to rotate in the opposite direction.

[0048] The receiving portion 11 serves to hold the shaft 10 in a fixed position during assembly.

[0049] All embodiments have at least one bearing located within the axial extent of the torsion spring envelope, such as bearing 60 in this embodiment. This reduces the overall axial length of the device, thereby facilitating its use in increasingly smaller engine compartments.

[0050] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The end 41 of the torsion spring 40 is welded to the carrier 51. The inner race 31 of the bearing 30 also includes a hub 70. A dust cover 80 covers the end of the device.

[0051] The hub 70 comprises both the inner race of the bearing 30 and an extension of the shaft 10. The hub 70 is press-fit onto one end 12 of the shaft 10.

[0052] FIG3 a is a perspective view of a weld detail. Weld 42 attaches end 41 to carrier 51. Welding can be accomplished using methods known in the welding art, such as MIG, SMAW, GMAW, TIG, and laser welding. Weld 42 extends circumferentially through an angle α of approximately 70 degrees, although the length of the weld can vary from approximately 45 degrees to approximately 90 degrees depending on operational requirements.

[0053] FIG3b is a front view of the welding detail.

[0054] FIG4 a is a perspective view of a weld detail. Weld 44 attaches end 43 of torsion spring 40 to outer race 62. Welding can be accomplished using methods known in the welding art, such as MIG, SMAW, TIG, and laser welding. Weld 44 extends circumferentially through an angle α of approximately 70 degrees. However, depending on operational requirements, the length of weld 44 can vary between approximately 45 degrees and approximately 90 degrees.

[0055] FIG4b is a front view of the welding detail.

[0056] Figure 5 is a perspective view of welding details. Flange 61 is welded to pulley 20 and bearing 60. Weld 63 welds flange 61 to pulley 20. Weld 64 welds flange 61 to outer race 62. Welds 63 and 64 can be performed using methods known in the welding art, such as MIG, SMAW, GMAW, TIG, and laser welding. Welds 63 and 64 each extend around the entire circumference of flange 61.

[0057] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment in which the inner race of the ball bearing 65 is an integral part of the shaft 10 .

[0058] The “L” shaped flange 66 is press-fitted onto the outer race of the bearing 65 .

[0059] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 Exploded diagram of .

[0060] FIG8 a is a perspective view of a weld detail. Weld 42 attaches end 41 to carrier 51. Weld 42 can be accomplished using methods known in the welding art, such as MIG, SMAW, GMAW, TIG, and laser welding. Weld 42 extends circumferentially through an angle α of approximately 70 degrees, although the length of the weld can vary from approximately 45 degrees to approximately 90 degrees depending on operational requirements.

[0061] Figure 8b is a front view of the welding details.

[0062] FIG9 a is a perspective view of a weld detail. Weld 45 attaches end 43 to outer flange 66. Welding can be accomplished using methods known in the welding art, such as MIG, SMAW, GMAW, TIG, and laser welding. Weld 45 extends approximately 70 degrees around the circumference. However, depending on operational requirements, the length of the weld can vary between approximately 45 degrees and approximately 90 degrees.

[0063] Figure 9b is a front view of the welding details.

[0064] Figure 10is a perspective view of a weld detail. Flange 66 is welded to pulley 20. Weld 65 welds flange 66 to pulley 20. Weld 65 can be accomplished using methods known in the welding art, such as MIG, SMAW, GMAW, TIG, and laser welding. Weld 65 extends around the entire circumference of flange 66.

[0065] Figure 11 1 is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment. In this embodiment, a bearing assembly 600 is threadedly engaged with the shaft 100. A torsion spring 400 is engaged between the flange 68 and the carrier 51. The pulley 21 is journaled with the shaft 100 via the bearing 20.

[0066] Bearing assembly 600 is threaded into shaft 100. Bearing assembly 600 includes a bearing 601, a carrier 602, and a dust cover 603. Bearing 601 is press-fitted onto carrier 602. One end of carrier 602 includes a threaded projection 604. Threaded projection 604 engages threaded receiver 101 of shaft 100. A tool, such as a ratchet (not shown), can engage portion 605 to thread bearing assembly 600 into shaft 100. Pulley 21 is journaled onto shaft 100 on bearing 601.

[0067] Figure 12 is a perspective view of a weld detail. Weld 420 attaches end 410 to carrier 51. Weld 420 can be performed using methods known in the welding art, such as MIG, SMAW, TIG, and laser welding. Weld 420 extends approximately 70 degrees around the circumference. However, depending on operational requirements, the length of the weld can vary between approximately 45 degrees and approximately 90 degrees.

[0068] Figure 13 is a perspective view of a weld detail. Weld 440 attaches end 430 to pulley 21. Weld 440 can be accomplished using methods known in the welding art, such as MIG, SMAW, TIG, and laser welding. Weld 440 extends approximately 70 degrees around the circumference, although the length of the weld can vary between approximately 45 degrees and approximately 90 degrees depending on operational requirements.

[0069] Figure 14 is a perspective view of a weld detail. Flange 68 is welded to pulley 21. Weld 69 welds flange 68 to pulley 21. Weld 69 can be accomplished using methods known in the welding art, such as MIG, SMAW, GMAW, TIG, and laser welding. Weld 69 extends around the entire circumference of flange 68.

[0070] Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of the third embodiment. There is a clearance fit between the bearing 601 and the flange 68, which allows the bearing 601 to slide into the flange 68 during assembly.

[0071] The welded assembly of the components torsion spring 400 , carrier 51 , flange 68 and pulley 21 is as described elsewhere in this specification for other embodiments.

[0072] Figure 16A yes Figure 15 Exploded diagram of . Figure 16B yes Figure 16A Detailed view of the bearing assembly 600. The bearing assembly 600 includes a bearing 601, a dust cover 603, and a threaded protrusion 602. The threaded protrusion 602 is threadedly connected to the shaft 100, as shown in FIG16.

[0073] Figure 17 yes Figure 16A The shaft 100 includes a threaded inner surface 102. When connected to an installation tool, the receiving portion 103 temporarily holds the shaft 100 while the shaft 100 is threaded onto an alternator shaft (not shown) via the threaded portion 102.

[0074] Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment. This embodiment includes a shaft 110, a pulley 22, a ball bearing 30, a torsion spring 500, a one-way clutch wrap spring 550, and a bearing assembly 700. The ball bearing 30 may also include a needle bearing.

[0075] The pulley 22 is journaled with the shaft 110 through the bearing 30 and the bearing 701. The torsion spring 500 is engaged between the shaft 110 and the one-way clutch wrap spring 51.

[0076] The torsion spring 500 is welded to the boss 112 on the shaft 110. The other end of the torsion spring 40 is welded to the wrap spring 550.

[0077] In operation, the torsion spring 500 is loaded in the winding direction. This causes the spring 500 to contract radially under the load. The wrap spring 550 expands radially under the load, thereby pressing into the inner surface 23.

[0078] The ends 501 of the torsion spring 500 are welded to the ends of the wrap spring 550. The welding can be done using methods known in the welding art such as MIG, SMAW, GMAW, TIG, and laser welding.

[0079] Figure 19 yes Figure 18 FIG. A cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a bearing assembly 700 includes a bearing 701 and a carrier 702. Portion 704 includes a dust shield. Bearing 701 is press-fitted onto carrier 702. One end of carrier 702 includes a threaded projection 704. Threaded projection 704 engages threaded receiver 111 of shaft 110. A tool, such as a ratchet (not shown), can be engaged with portion 705 to threadably couple bearing assembly 700 to shaft 110.

[0080] Figure 20 yes Figure 18 Detailed view of the shaft 110. Shaft 110 includes a shoulder 112. Shoulder 112 protrudes radially from shaft 110. The end of torsion spring 500 is welded to shoulder 112. Welding can be accomplished using methods known in the welding art, such as MIG, SMAW, GMAW, TIG, and laser welding. Inner surface 111 is threaded to receive threaded projection 704.

[0081] Figure 21 is a perspective view. End 552 of wrap spring 550 engages end 503 of spring 500. In an over-torque condition, end 502 presses against end 551, causing the wrap spring to wind. As the wrap spring winds, it contracts radially inward. This causes wrap spring 550 to gradually loosen its frictional engagement with surface 23, freeing shaft 110 to rotate relative to pulley 22. This alleviates the over-torque condition, thereby preventing damage to the device.

[0082] Figure 22 5 is a perspective view of welding details. End 501 of spring 500 is welded to end 552 of wrap spring 550 by weld 504. Weld 504 can be accomplished using methods known in the welding art, such as MIG, SMAW, GMAW, TIG, and laser welding.

[0083] Figure 23 5 is a perspective view of welding details. The end 502 of the spring 500 is welded to the shoulder 112 by a weld 503. The weld 503 can be completed using methods known in the welding art (such as MIG, SMAW, GMAW, TIG and laser welding).

[0084] Figure 24 6 is a perspective view of welding details. Flange 680 is welded to pulley 22 by weld 681. Weld 681 can be accomplished using methods known in the welding art, such as MIG, SMAW, GMAW, TIG, and laser welding.

[0085] Figure 25 is Figure 18 Exploded view of the pulley 22. Outer surface 552 frictionally engages surface 23. This prevents pulley 22 from rotating relative to shaft 110.

[0086] In each of the aforementioned embodiments, one or more of the welds may be replaced by a suitable adhesive system. For example, structural adhesive pastes and epoxies, both of which are used for metal-to-metal bonding, may be used. Various types are known in the aerospace industry; for example, these products are available from 3M®, Permabond, and Masterbond. Friction welding may also be used to weld the connection between the shaft and the torsion spring.

[0087] An isolating disconnector includes: a shaft having a threaded inner surface; a pulley journaled with the shaft on a bearing assembly, the bearing assembly including a bearing carrier and a bearing, the bearing carrier being threadably engaged with the threaded inner surface, the bearing carrier having a receiving portion for engaging with a tool; a one-way clutch engaged with the shaft; and a torsion spring engaged between the one-way clutch and the pulley, with one end of the torsion spring welded to the one-way clutch and the other end welded to the pulley.

[0088] An isolating disconnector includes: a shaft; a pulley, which is journaled with the shaft on at least one bearing; a one-way clutch, which is engaged with the shaft; a torsion spring, which is engaged between the one-way clutch and the pulley, the shaft being set as the inner race of the at least one bearing, and at least one end of the torsion spring being connected to the one-way clutch or the pulley by welding.

[0089] Although the forms of the invention have been described herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations in the structure and relationships of the components can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described herein. Unless otherwise specifically noted, the components shown in the drawings are not drawn to scale. Furthermore, no appended claim or claim element shall invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) unless the phrase "means for..." or "step for..." is explicitly used in a particular claim. The present invention is in no way limited to the exemplary embodiments or numerical dimensions shown in the drawings and described herein.

Claims

1. An isolating disconnector, comprising: a shaft having a threaded inner surface; a pulley journaled to the shaft on a bearing assembly comprising a bearing carrier and a bearing, The bearing carrier is threadedly engaged with the threaded inner surface, a one-way clutch engaged with the shaft; a torsion spring engaged between the one-way clutch and the pulley, and One end of the torsion spring is welded to the one-way clutch, and the other end is welded to the pulley; The bearing assembly (600) is threadedly connected to the shaft (100), the bearing (601) is press-fitted onto the bearing carrier (602), and one end of the bearing carrier (602) includes a threaded protrusion (604) that engages with a threaded receiver (101) of the shaft (100).

2. The isolating disconnect according to claim 1, wherein: The bearing is a ball bearing.

3. The isolating disconnector according to claim 1, further comprising: A clutch carrier is disposed between the torsion spring and the one-way clutch.

4. The isolating disconnector according to claim 1, further comprising: Second bearing.

5. The isolating disconnect according to claim 1, further comprising: A flange is arranged between the at least one bearing and the pulley, and the torsion spring is welded to the flange.

6. The isolating disconnect according to claim 1, wherein: The shaft includes an anti-rotation feature.

7. An isolating disconnector, comprising: a shaft having a threaded inner surface; A pulley is journaled with the shaft on a bearing assembly. The assembly includes a bearing carrier and a bearing; The bearing carrier is threadedly engaged with the threaded inner surface, the bearing carrier having a receiving portion for engaging a tool. a wrap spring clutch engaging an inner surface of the pulley; a torsion spring engaged between the wrap spring clutch and a shaft; and One end of the torsion spring is welded to the wrap spring clutch, and the other end is welded to the shaft; The bearing assembly (600) is threadedly connected to the shaft (100), the bearing (601) is press-fitted onto the bearing carrier (602), and one end of the bearing carrier (602) includes a threaded protrusion (604) that engages with a threaded receiver (101) of the shaft (100).

8. The isolating disconnect according to claim 7, wherein: The bearing is a ball bearing.

9. The isolating disconnect according to claim 7, further comprising: Second bearing.

Images