ROLLER AND CAM SHIFT CLUTCH UNIT

Abstract

One object of the present invention is to provide a roller for use in a cam-type clutch unit which is able to reduce contact with a spring, and to provide a cam-type clutch unit which uses the roller. The rollers 20, 30, 40 are used in a cam-type clutch unit 10, which has at least a plurality of cams 11 arranged between an inner ring and an outer ring, which are provided to be coaxial and relatively rotatable, and an annular spring 12 for pre-tensioning the cams 11, wherein the rollers 20, 30, 40 are arranged between the inner ring and the outer ring together with the cams 11 and have a pair of roller sections 21, 31, 41 and pin sections 22, 32, 42, which are provided between the roller sections 21, 31, 41, wherein at least one of the roller sections 21, 31, 41 and the pin section 22, 32, 42 are separate units.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a roller and a cam-type clutch unit. 2. Description of the relevant state of the art

[0002] A cam-type clutch unit for transmitting and disconnecting torque between an input shaft and an output shaft comprises a plurality of cams and a plurality of rollers arranged circumferentially between an inner ring and an outer ring, which are coaxially and rotatably arranged, and an annular spring for pre-tensioning the cams. A further cam-type clutch unit includes a cage ring with a plurality of pockets for limiting the relative circumferential movement of the cams and rollers.

[0003] In a cam-type clutch unit equipped with a cage ring, as described in Japanese patent application No. 2023-161566, for example, a plurality of cams and a plurality of rollers are housed in pocket sections of the cage ring, and the relative movement of the cams and rollers in the circumferential direction is restricted.

[0004] In this case, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 8, a roller has a groove section 102 formed in the circumferential direction between a pair of roller sections 101 acting as a roller 100, and a spring 103 is accommodated in the groove section 102 to preload the roller 100 towards an inner ring. OVERVIEW OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In the cam-type clutch assembly that uses such a roller 100, there is a risk that, because the groove section 102 of the roller 100 is not deep enough relative to the roller surface of the roller sections 101, the groove section 102 will come into contact with the spring 103, causing a drag torque (frictional sliding) between the spring 103 and the roller 100. Furthermore, the spring 103 can be damaged by wear on the roller 100, thus reducing the service life of the cam-type clutch assembly itself. Since the groove section 102 is higher than the spring contact point of the cam, there is also a possibility that the cam adjacent to the roller 100 cannot be effectively compressed by the spring 103.

[0006] On the other hand, since the groove section 102 of the roller 100 is formed by cutting or rolling, the depth of the groove that can be formed is limited, and the groove depth cannot be set to a depth that can reduce the contact with the spring 103.

[0007] Accordingly, the present invention was achieved with regard to the problems described above, and one object of the present invention is to provide a roller for use in a cam-type clutch unit which is able to reduce contact with a spring, and to provide a cam-type clutch unit which uses the roller and can suppress the generation of a drag torque.

[0008] A roller of the present invention is used in a cam-type clutch unit, which has at least a plurality of cams arranged between an inner ring and an outer ring, which are provided coaxially and rotatably, and an annular spring which preloads the cams, wherein the roller is arranged between the inner ring and the outer ring together with the cams and has a pair of roller sections and a pin section provided between the roller sections, wherein at least one of the roller sections and the pin section are separate units.

[0009] The roller of the present invention comprises a pair of roller sections and a pin section provided between the roller sections, wherein at least one of the roller sections and the pin section are separate units, so that the diameter of the pin section can be adjusted as desired. Thus, the depth of a roller surface of a groove section, which consists of opposing end faces of the roller sections and a surface of the pin section, can be adjusted to a desired depth, and the contact with the spring can be reduced.

[0010] It is preferred that the roller section, separated from the pin section, is provided with a through-hole that penetrates its end face, and that the pin section is inserted into the through-hole. Since the pin section is inserted into the through-hole, the roller can be formed by simply assembling the parts.

[0011] It is preferred that the roller section separated from the pin section has a recessed section formed on its end face, and that the pin section is inserted into the recessed section. Since the pin section is inserted into the recessed section, the roller can be formed by simply assembling components.

[0012] It is preferred that the pin is inserted such that it penetrates the through-hole and projects outwards from the end face on the outside of the roller. In this embodiment, the contact with the cage ring or the like is not an end face of the roller, but an end that projects outwards from the pin section, which leads to a reduction in the contact area and a reduction in frictional sliding between the roller and a housing.

[0013] It is preferred that the pin section be provided with a clearance fit relative to the roller section. If the roller is constructed with a clearance fit, the pin section preferably acts as a retaining pin in the direction of the roller's outer diameter.

[0014] It is preferred that the roller sections and the pin section are all separate. Since these sections are separate units, it is advantageous that cutting work is reduced, making the roller easy to construct.

[0015] The cam-type clutch assembly of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a plurality of cams arranged between an inner ring and an outer ring, which are coaxial and rotatably arranged, a roller as described in one of the preceding paragraphs, and an annular spring which preloads the cams. Since the roller as described in one of the preceding paragraphs can reduce the contact with the spring, the generation of a drag torque between the roller and the spring can be suppressed.

[0016] According to the present invention, a roller for a cam-operated clutch unit that can set a desired groove depth and a cam-operated clutch unit that uses this roller can be provided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective view illustrating a cam-type clutch unit according to embodiment 1 of the present invention; Fig. Figure 2 shows a perspective view depicting a roller according to embodiment 1 of the present invention; Fig. Figure 3 shows a front view illustrating the roller according to embodiment 1 of the present invention; Fig. Figure 4 shows a perspective exploded view showing the roller according to embodiment 1 of the present invention; Fig. Figure 5 shows a perspective view depicting a roller according to embodiment 2 of the present invention; Fig. Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view illustrating the roller according to embodiment 2 of the present invention; Fig. Figure 7 shows a schematic front view depicting a roller according to embodiment 3 of the present invention; and Fig. Figure 8 shows a front view depicting a conventional roller. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EXECUTION FORMS Execution format 1

[0017] Fig. Figure 1 shows a cam-type clutch assembly 10 according to the present invention. The cam-type clutch assembly 10 comprises a plurality of cams 11 and a plurality of rollers 20 arranged between an inner ring and an outer ring (not shown), which are arranged coaxially in a circumferential direction, an annular spring 12 for pre-tensioning the cams 11, and a cage ring 14 having pocket sections 13 for accommodating the cams 11 and the rollers 20, respectively. The plurality of cams 11 and the plurality of rollers 20 are housed in the pocket sections 13 of the cage ring 14, thereby restricting their relative movement in the circumferential direction.

[0018] The roles 20 are referred to Fig. The roller 20 of the present embodiment has a pair of roller sections 21, which function as rollers, and a pin section 22, which is provided between the roller sections 21. The roller section 21 is cylindrical and has two end faces 210 and a roller surface 212. The roller sections 21 are each provided with a through-hole 211 that penetrates the centers of the end faces 210 on both sides. The opening of the through-hole 211 is circular, and a pin section 22 with a solid cylindrical shape is inserted into the through-hole 211. In the present embodiment, both ends of the pin section 22 are press-fitted into the through-hole 211 and secured, and the ends 221 of the pin section 22 are exposed through the opening of the through-hole 211.In the present embodiment, the ends 221 of the pin sections 22 are designed such that, in the inserted and fastened state, they are flush with the end surfaces 210 of the roller sections 21.

[0019] In the present embodiment, since the roller section 21 and the pin section 22 are provided separately and joined by a press fit, the pin section 22 does not need to be formed by cutting or the like, and the diameter of the pin section 22 can be determined arbitrarily. Accordingly, the depth H of a groove section 23, formed by the opposite end faces 210 of the roller sections 21 and the surfaces of the pin sections 22, can be determined arbitrarily relative to the roller surface 212, and as a result, the depth H of the groove section 23 can be made deeper than in the conventional embodiment. In the conventional roller formed by cutting, as described in Fig. As shown in Figure 8, the ratio of the diameter of the pin section to the diameter of the end surface of the roller section is, for example, more than 40%, but in the present embodiment the ratio of the diameter of the pin section 22 to the diameter of the end surface 210 of the roller section 21 may be, for example, 40% or less.

[0020] Thus, contact between roller section 21 and spring 12 can be suppressed, and frictional sliding between the roller section 21 and spring 12 can be reduced. Furthermore, manufacturing costs can be lowered due to the simplified assembly of rollers and pins. Since contact between pin section 22 and spring 12 can be suppressed, the set load on spring 12 can also be reduced. Because the compressive force from spring 12 to roller 20 is reduced, cam 11 can be effectively depressed, wear and tear on spring 12 is prevented, and the service life of the cam-shift clutch unit 10 itself is extended.

[0021] In the present embodiment, the pin section 22 is inserted and secured in the roller section 21 by an interference fit; however, the insertion method is not limited to this; the pin section 22 can be inserted into the roller section 21 with a clearance fit. In the case of a clearance fit, the pin section 22 can be used to prevent the roller section 21 from loosening in the direction of its outer diameter, and even this case is preferable because contact with the spring 12 can be suppressed. Although the cam-type clutch unit 10, provided with the cage ring 14, is shown in the present embodiment, the roller 20 of the present embodiment can also preferably be applied to a cam-type clutch unit that does not have a cage ring 14. Design 2

[0022] A roller 30 according to the present embodiment is referred to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 described. It should be noted that the descriptions of the same points as in the other embodiment are omitted and the same components are used as required.

[0023] The roller 30 of the present embodiment has a pair of roller sections 31, which function as rollers, and a pin section 32 provided between the roller sections 31. The roller sections 31 are each provided with a recess section 311 in the center of their opposite end faces 310. The opening shape of the recess section 311 is circular. The recess section 311 is not formed on the end faces 312 located at both ends of the roller 30; that is, the end faces 312 do not face each other. In the present embodiment, the pin section 32 is inserted and secured into the recess sections 311 by a press fit, and the ends 321 of the pin section 32 are in close contact with the bottom surfaces of the recess sections 311 of the roller section 31 when inserted and secured.

[0024] In the present embodiment, since the depth H of a groove section 33 can be determined arbitrarily by the diameter of the pin section 32, similar to embodiment 1, the depth H of the groove section 33 of the roller 30 can be increased to suppress the contact between the roller 30 and the spring 12, and the frictional sliding between the roller 30 and the spring 12 can be reduced.

[0025] In the present embodiment, the pin section 32 is also inserted and secured in the roller section 31 by an interference fit; however, the insertion method is not limited to this; the pin section 32 can be inserted into the roller section 31 with a clearance fit. In embodiment 1, when the pin section 22 is inserted into the roller section 21 with a clearance fit, the roller section 21 can come close to the center and contact the spring 12, but when the pin section 32 is mounted to the recess section 311 as in the present embodiment, such contact can be suppressed, even if they are mounted with a clearance fit. Although the cam-type clutch unit 10, provided with the cage ring 14, is shown in the present embodiment, the roller 30 of the present embodiment can also preferably be applied to a cam-type clutch unit that does not have a cage ring 14. embodiment 3

[0026] A roller 40 according to the present embodiment is referred to Fig. 7 described. It should be noted that the descriptions of the same points as in the other embodiments are omitted and the same components are used as required.

[0027] The roller 40 of the present embodiment comprises a pair of roller sections 41, which function as rollers, and a pin section 42, which is provided between the roller sections 41. Each roller section 41 is provided with a through-hole 411 that penetrates the centers of the end faces 410 on both sides. The opening of the through-hole 411 is circular, and each end of the pin section 42, which has a solid cylindrical shape, is press-fitted into the through-hole 411 and secured. In the present embodiment, the ends of the pin section 42 are inserted and secured such that they project outwards from the end faces 410 of the roller sections 41.

[0028] In the present embodiment, since the diameter of the pin section 42 can be adjusted to a desired value in the same way as in embodiment 1, the depth H of the groove section 43 of the roller 40 can be increased to suppress contact between the roller section 41 and the spring 12, and the frictional sliding between the roller section 41 and the spring 12 can be reduced. Furthermore, in embodiment 1, the end face 210 of the roller section 21 comes into contact with the cage ring 14, but in the present embodiment, the pin section 42, which projects outwards from the roller section 41, comes into contact with the cage ring 14, so that the contact area decreases and the frictional sliding between the roller 40 and the cage ring 14 can be further reduced.It should be noted that if the pin section 42 is inserted and secured into the roller section 41 by a press fit, as in the present embodiment, the cam-type clutch assembly can be used as a cam-type clutch assembly without a cage ring. In this case, a housing (not shown) for holding the cam-type clutch assembly itself can come into contact with the pin section 42, which projects outwards from the roller section 41. Accordingly, even with such a structure, the pin section 42 projecting outwards from the roller section 41 comes into contact with the housing, thus reducing the contact area and the frictional sliding between the roller 40 and the housing. Modifications

[0029] The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. For example, in each of the embodiments, the materials from which the pin sections 22, 32, and 42 are made are not limited to steel materials but can also consist of resin or non-ferrous metal. Although in the embodiments described above both roller sections 21, 31, 41 are configured to be separate from the pin sections 22, 32, 42, the present invention is not limited thereto, and one of the two roller sections 21, 31, 41 is configured to be integrated with the pin sections 22, 32, 42, and only the other roller sections 21, 31, 41 can be provided separately.Even if one of the roller sections 21, 31, 41 and the pin sections 22, 32, 42 are formed in one piece from the same element, the diameters of the pin sections 22, 32, 42 can be set arbitrarily due to the absence of the other roller section 21, 31, 41. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] JP 2023-161566

[0003]

Claims

[1] Roller for use in a cam-type clutch assembly, comprising at least a plurality of cams arranged between an inner ring and an outer ring, which are provided to be coaxial and rotatable relative to each other, and an annular spring for pre-tensioning the cams, wherein the roller is arranged between the inner ring and the outer ring with the cam, and wherein the roller comprises a pair of roller sections and a pin section provided between the roller sections, wherein at least one of the roller sections and the pin section are separate units. [2] Roller according to claim 1, wherein the roller section separated from the pin section is provided with a through-hole which penetrates the end face of the same, and wherein the pin section is inserted into the through-hole. [3] Roller according to claim 1, wherein a recessed section is provided at an end face of the roller section separated from the pin section, and wherein the roller section is inserted into the recessed section. [4] Roller according to claim 2, wherein the pin section penetrates the through hole in such a way that it projects outwards from the end face on the outside of the roller section. [5] Roller according to claim 1, wherein the pin section is provided with a clearance fit in relation to the roller section. [6] Roller according to claim 1, wherein the roller sections and the pin section are separated from each other. [7] Cam shift clutch unit comprising at least: a multitude of cams arranged between an inner ring and an outer ring, which are designed to be coaxial and relatively rotatable; the role according to claim 1; and a ring-shaped spring for pre-tensioning the cams.

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