Freewheel mechanism having an interlock connection between a sheet metal cage and a freewheel member by a coupling disk

Abstract

Freewheeling mechanisms are used, for example, as one-way clutches and often consist of an outer or inner ring with wedge ramps, sometimes a plastic cage, a compression spring, and a roll as a clamping part. They transmit torque in one direction of rotation and are constructed as compact components. A freewheel mechanism (1) is proposed, comprising a freewheel member (3) including a clamping structure (4), further comprising a plurality of clamping parts (5) arranged on the clamping structure (4), and comprising a sheet metal cage (7) for maintaining a distance between the clamping parts (5) in a rotational direction (101), the sheet metal cage (7) is provided on an axial side with a coupling rim (8) arranged on the freewheel member (3) and having a coupling structure (14) for interlocking coupling to the clamping structure (4), whereby the sheet metal cage (7) is connected to the freewheel member (3) and co-rotates with the freewheel member (3) in the rotational direction (101), the freewheel member (3) being an inner part, and the coupling rim (8) having a coupling portion (13), the coupling structure (14) being formed on an inner circumference of the coupling portion (13).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a freewheel mechanism having the features of the preamble of claim 1.

Background Art

[0002] Freewheel mechanisms are used, for example, as one-way clutches and often consist of an outer or inner ring with wedge ramps, sometimes a plastic cage, a compression spring, and rollers as clamping parts. They transmit torque in one direction of rotation and are configured as space-saving components.

[0003] A document, for example, German Patent Application Publication No. 102010052922, discloses a freewheel mechanism cage comprising a base body having two annular, substantially radially extending edge disks, these edge disks being connected to each other by a plurality of circumferentially adjacent, axially extending connecting struts, thereby forming a gap for receiving the clamping parts. A clamping structure is provided on the inner ring of the freewheel mechanism. Rollers having pins on their end faces are movably guided in elongated holes of the edge disks and are biased against the clamping structure by wire springs arranged on the sides of the edge disks.

[0004] German Patent Application Publication No. 102011005245 is a freewheel mechanism having an internal star, the clamping parts of which are guided within a cage. The cage is cup-shaped and has a cup coupling structure cut out from the bottom of the cup, this cup coupling structure being adapted to the ramp shape of the freewheel mechanism ring and being interlocked with the freewheel mechanism ring.

[0005] A general freewheel mechanism is known from German Patent Application Publication No. 102008037972. The freewheel mechanism is provided with a freewheel member embodied as an outer ring and having a clamping structure. The clamping parts are arranged on the clamping structure and guided within a sheet metal cage. The sheet metal cage is provided, on one axial side, with a coupling rim having a coupling structure. The coupling structure is used for an interlocking coupling to the clamping structure such that the sheet metal cage is held on the freewheel member for conjoint rotation in the rotational direction with the freewheel member. The coupling structure is formed on a coupling disk, and the coupling disk is coaxially fixed to the base body of the sheet metal cage. For this purpose, the coupling rim is provided with a support portion. The support portion extends radially outward, similar to the coupling structure. The coupling disk is axially joined to the support portion such that the coupling rim has a double material thickness. By the interlocking coupling of the coupling structure and the clamping structure, the sheet metal cage is connected to the outer ring for conjoint rotation in the rotational direction together with the outer ring. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0006] The underlying object of the present invention is to propose a freewheel mechanism configured to facilitate manufacturing. MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM

[0007] This object is achieved by a freewheel mechanism having the features of claim 1. Preferred or advantageous embodiments of the present invention are disclosed by the dependent claims, the following description, and the attached drawings.

[0008] According to the present invention, the support portion and the coupling disk have the same outer diameter. Additionally, according to the present invention, an assembly recess is provided on the outer periphery, and the assembly recesses overlap each other in the assembled state and are configured as a passage that opens at the edge.

[0009] The freewheel mechanism is specifically configured as a one-way clutch or an overrunning clutch. The freewheel mechanism can be used, for example, as an indexing mechanism, a reverse prevention device, an overrunning clutch, etc. The freewheel mechanism preferably undertakes an overrunning function and / or a holding function. The freewheel mechanism can be used, for example, in an automobile transmission.

[0010] The clamp structure has a plurality of wedge ramps extending in the rotational direction with respect to the rotation axis. Specifically, the clamp structure has more than three, preferably more than six, specifically more than ten such wedge ramps.

[0011] The freewheel mechanism has a plurality of clamp components, and the clamp components are preferably configured as rollers, specifically as cylindrical rollers. The freewheel mechanism defines a rotation axis, and the rotation axis of the roller is aligned parallel to the rotation axis. Preferably, one clamp component is assigned to each wedge ramp of the freewheel mechanism.

[0012] The freewheel mechanism has a sheet metal cage for separating the clamp components in the rotational direction. Specifically, the sheet metal cage provides a spring support portion for the clamp components in the rotational direction. For this purpose, the sheet metal cage can function as a support for a spring device disposed within the sheet metal cage and applying a spring force to the clamp components in the rotational direction. Specifically, the freewheel mechanism includes a spring device.

[0013] The freewheel member preferably has a positive-type clamping structure. The sheet metal cage, specifically the coupling rim, preferably has a coupling structure and / or shape that is at least partially or completely complementary, and / or oppositely formed, and / or negative-type, and fits into the positive-type clamping structure. Preferably, the clamping structure of the freewheel member and / or the coupling structure of the sheet metal cage and / or the coupling rim extends in an axial direction parallel to the axis of rotation and / or has a constant cross-section in the axial direction with respect to the axis of rotation. In this embodiment, the sheet metal cage can be easily pushed onto the freewheel member. The at least negative-type coupling structure and / or shape is preferably configured to be non-rotationally symmetric and / or deviate from a constant diameter. For example, the negative-type coupling structure and / or shape is configured as a wavy and / or uneven edge.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a contact area is formed between the coupling rim and the freewheel member, specifically the outer peripheral surface of the clamping structure, and the coupling rim and the freewheel member are in an interlocking contact in the contact area. The contact area extends over at least 50%, preferably at least 80%, specifically at least 95% of the outer peripheral length of the freewheel member in the circumferential direction in the rotational direction around the axis of rotation. Specifically, the coupling rim forms a contact of at least 50%, preferably at least 80%, specifically at least 95% with the wedge ramp in the rotational direction. The contact area can be formed continuously in the rotational direction, but the contact area can also be divided into a number of individual areas. The high degree of overlap in the rotational direction creates a large connection area between the sheet metal cage and the freewheel member, so the freewheel mechanism is particularly prone to loading.

[0015] Specifically, the contact area can extend axially over at least 0.5 mm, preferably at least 1 mm, specifically at least 1.5 mm.

[0016] As already described above, for the purposes of the present invention, it has been proposed that the freewheel member be configured as an inner component. In this case, the clamping structure is arranged on the outer periphery of the inner component. The inner component can be configured as an inner ring or, for example, as a shaft portion of a solid shaft or a hollow shaft. Specifically, the freewheel mechanism is configured as an internal star-type freewheel mechanism. Thereby, the coupling structure is formed on the inner periphery of the coupling portion. Therefore, the coupling portion of the coupling rim extends radially inwards in order to form a rotationally interlocking connection in the contact region between the sheet metal cage and the freewheel member. By arranging the coupling structure on the sheet metal cage, the freewheel mechanism can be implemented in a manufacturing-suitable manner.

[0017] Specifically, the sheet metal cage is composed of two parts. The coupling disk is specifically configured as a flat coupling disk. For example, the coupling disk takes the form of a punched part. The coupling disk is arranged axially on the base body. Particularly preferably, the coupling disk is permanently and / or firmly connected to the base body. The connection can be configured to be a force lock, a material bond, and / or an interlock. For example, the connection can be created by molding. Alternatively, the connection is formed by adhesion such that the base body and the coupling disk are permanently connected to each other without tolerance. The coupling disk can be provided with a coupling portion having a coupling structure. Specifically, the coupling structure is arranged on the inner periphery of the coupling disk, specifically arranged such that the coupling disk is configured non-rotationally symmetrically at the inner periphery.

[0018] Particularly preferably, in each case, the coupling disk having a coupling part and a support part extends in a radial plane with respect to the axis of rotation. The support part and the coupling disk having a coupling part are directly overlapped with each other or in contact with each other such that the coupling rim has a material thickness twice as large due to the coupling disk having a coupling part and the support part. This configuration improves the ease of manufacture on the one hand and increases the stability and / or structural rigidity of the sheet metal cage on the other hand.

[0019] In a preferred further development of the invention, the sheet metal cage and / or the base body has a neutral rim on the other axial side, i.e., on the side located opposite to the coupling rim, and the neutral rim extends radially outwards. Specifically, the neutral rim is formed from a single layer. The base body has a U-shape on one half side in the longitudinal cross-section, one upright leg is formed by the neutral rim, and the other upright leg is formed by the support part as a part of the coupling rim. The associated axial side of the sheet metal cage is supported and reinforced by the neutral rim. Overall, the design as a U-shape exhibits a very high inherent stability and is also easy to manufacture technically.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the inner circumference of the neutral rim is circular and / or is not coupled to the clamping structure and / or the freewheel member in the rotational direction. Accordingly, the sheet metal cage is driven only by the coupling part of the coupling rim and / or the coupling disk, while the neutral rim is decoupled from the freewheel member in the rotational direction. In this embodiment, a design having a coupling structure is provided inexpensively only on one axial side, so that the manufacturing cost can be reduced. The free inner diameter of the neutral rim is preferably dimensioned narrowly such that the sheet metal cage can be radially supported on the freewheel member, specifically on the clamping structure, via the neutral rim.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sheet metal cage and / or the base body has a plurality of web portions, and the clamping part is disposed between the web portions. The web portions specifically function to guide the clamping part in the rotational direction. Specifically, the web portions include a holding portion for holding the spring device. The web portions are integrally formed with the base body. Specifically, they are made from a common base material piece such as the base body. The web portions define a free inner diameter, the coupling portion having a coupling structure projects into the free inner diameter, and / or the neutral rim is radially inwardly bounded by the free inner diameter. Therefore, specifically, the free inner diameter corresponding to the maximum outer diameter of the freewheel member is determined by the neutral rim and the web portions. The coupling portion having a coupling structure projects radially inwardly within the free inner diameter. Thereby, the web portions and / or the neutral rim are placed on the clamping structure, and the coupling structure can be interlockingly engaged with the clamping structure.

[0022] Specifically, starting from the web portion and / or the free inner diameter, the coupling rim extends radially outwardly at least partially or entirely within a material thickness that is twice as thick.

[0023] It is particularly preferred that the base body is integrally made from a common piece of material. The coupling disk can be made from the same material or, preferably, as a separate component from a different material, specifically a steel plate. Specifically, the piece of material is in the form of a steel plate. The base body preferably takes the form of a molded part. Specifically, it is a molded part manufactured without cutting, specifically configured as a deep drawing part.

[0024] Preferably, the sheet metal cage is pressed axially against the freewheel member such that the coupling structure engages the clamp structure in a shape-connecting manner in the rotational direction and the neutral rim is placed in contact with the clamp structure on the inner circumference. Preferably, the clamping structure extends axially further than the axial range of the sheet metal cage so that it cannot accidentally slip off the clamping structure.

[0025] The holding part of the base body is made from a common base material of the base body, and the holding part is first separated, specifically punched out, and then bent so as to be able to constitute a base part or a bearing part for the spring device, which is preferable.

[0026] Optionally, the freewheel mechanism has an outer ring or an outer ring part having a cylindrical track for the clamping part.

[0027] Further features, advantages and effects of the present invention will be clarified by the following description of the preferred exemplary embodiments of the present invention and the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0028]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5a

Figure 5b

Figure 6

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0029] FIG. 1 shows a schematic three-dimensional view of a freewheel mechanism 1 as an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The freewheel mechanism 1 is formed in an intermediate portion or an end portion of a shaft 2. The freewheel mechanism 1 has a freewheel member 3, and the freewheel member 3 is formed by a shaft portion. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the freewheel member 3 can also be configured as an inner ring. In this exemplary embodiment, the freewheel member 3 is configured as an inner portion. A clamp structure 4 is installed on the freewheel member 3. The clamp structure 4 can be, for example, injection molded, or alternatively, the clamp structure 4 is separately introduced into the freewheel member 3. In other exemplary embodiments, the clamp structure 4 can also be formed on the mounting portion of the shaft 2 or the freewheel member 3. The freewheel mechanism 1 defines a rotation axis 100.

[0030] The freewheel mechanism 1 has a plurality of clamp parts 5, and the clamp parts 5 are configured as cylindrical rollers. The clamp parts 5 are placed on the clamp structure 4 and can move in the rotational direction 101 thereon. Looking more closely, the clamp structure 4 has a plurality of, specifically, rising wedge ramps 6 extending in the rotational direction 101, and the wedge ramps 6 form a track for the clamp parts 5. In the rotational direction 101, the wedge ramps 6 reduce the radial installation space for the clamp parts 5 together with the cylindrical track of an outer ring (not shown) so that the clamp parts 5 can assume a clamping position. The clamp structure 4 and / or the wedge ramps 6 extend on the freewheel member 3 with a constant cross-sectional shape. The clamp structure 4 forms a positive-type shape of the freewheel member 3 that rotates around the rotation axis 100.

[0031] The freewheel mechanism 1 has a sheet metal cage 7 for separating the clamping part 5 in the rotational direction 101. The sheet metal cage 7 is arranged on the freewheel member 3, and specifically, is axially pushed onto it. The sheet metal cage 7 has a coupling rim 8 on one side in the axial direction and a neutral rim 9 on the other side. The coupling rim 8 and the neutral rim 9 extend radially outwards and extend in a radial plane with respect to the rotation axis 100. The clamping part 5 is disposed between the coupling rim 8 and the neutral rim 9. Further, the sheet metal cage 7 has a plurality of web portions 10, and the web portions 10 extend between the coupling rim 8 and the neutral rim 9.

[0032] The web portion 10 is specifically joined by a holding portion 11 configured as a lug, and the holding portion 11 is bent radially outwards and is substantially radially aligned. A spring device 12 configured as a compression spring acting in the tangential direction in the rotational direction is disposed on the holding portion 11. The spring device 12 is disposed between the clamping part 5 and the holding portion 11 in the rotational direction 101 such that the clamping part 5 rides up on the wedge ramp 6 against the spring force.

[0033] The sheet metal cage 7 has a coupling portion 13 on the coupling rim 8, and the coupling portion 13 has a coupling structure 14 on its inner circumference. The coupling structure 14 functions to interlock-couple with the clamping structure 4 in the rotational direction, whereby the sheet metal cage 7 is connected to the freewheel member 3 so as to jointly rotate in the rotational direction with the freewheel member 3. While the clamping structure 4 has a positive-type shape, the coupling structure 14 has a negative-type shape that fits into its positive-type shape. For example, the contact region is formed by or at least formed by the wedge ramp 6 and the coupling portion 13. The coupling portion 13 and the freewheel member 3 can be embodied such that a force-locking connection and / or press fit occurs between the two components in the region of the coupling structure 14 or the clamping structure 4.

[0034] Figure 2 is a schematic three-dimensional view of the sheet metal cage 7 into which the clamping part 5 and the mounted spring device 12 are inserted. From this illustration, it can be seen that both the web area 10 and the neutral rim 9 define a uniform free inner diameter 102, and the coupling part 13 having the coupling structure 14 protrudes within the free inner diameter 102. Similarly, the clamping part 5 also protrudes within the free diameter 102. The web part 10 can be placed, for example, on the tangent surface 15 of the clamping structure 4 (Figure 1). The neutral rim 9 can be placed, for example, at least partially on the clamping structure 4. In this case, the inner peripheral surface of the web part 10 and / or the neutral rim 9 can be placed on the freewheel member 3 in a press-fit and / or force-locking manner to prevent the axial movement of the sheet metal cage 7 relative to the freewheel member 3.

[0035] Figure 3 shows the sheet metal cage 7, and in this figure too, it can be seen that the sheet metal cage 7 has a double material thickness at the coupling rim 8.

[0036] However, this can be better seen in Figures 4, 5a and 5b, which show the exploded view of the sheet metal cage 7 and the longitudinal sectional view of the sheet metal cage 7 respectively. These illustrations clearly show that the sheet metal cage 7 is composed of two parts, has a base body 16 and a coupling disk 17, and the coupling disk 17 is coaxially fixed to the base body 16. The coupling disk 17 forms the coupling part 13 and supports the coupling structure 14. Specifically, the coupling disk 17 is made of a steel plate and takes the form of a punched part.

[0037] From the illustration, it can be understood that the neutral rim 9 is located in the radial plane with respect to the axis of rotation 100 and is configured as a collar or radial flange that starts from the web part 10 and extends only radially outwards.

[0038] On the one hand, the coupling rim 8 has a support portion 18, which is joined to the web portion 10, is located in a radial plane with respect to the rotation axis 100, and extends radially outwards. The coupling rim 8 has a coupling disk 17 with a coupling portion 13 directly adjacent and parallel to the support portion 18. The coupling portion 13 also extends within the radial plane with respect to the rotation axis 100 and projects into the region of the free inner diameter 102 together with the coupling structure 14.

[0039] The neutral rim 9 and the support portion 18, together with the web portion 10 and the holding portion 11, form the base body 16. In this exemplary embodiment, the support portion 18 and the coupling disk 17 have the same outer diameter, and an assembly recess 19 is provided on the outer periphery. The assembly recess 19 is configured as a passage that overlaps with each other in the assembled state and opens at the edge. The assembly recess 19 ensures that the coupling disk 17 and the support portion 18, and thus the base body 16, are always assembled at the same angular position with respect to each other.

[0040] FIG. 6 shows the details of FIGS. 5a and 5b, and the coupling rim 8 and / or the support portion 18 and the neutral rim 9 are shown arranged parallel to each other so as to form a U-shape. The web portion 10 that integrally connects the neutral rim 9 and the support portion 18 in the base body 16 can be seen again. Further, the holding portion 11 can be seen and projects at least partially into the free inner diameter by bending. As can be seen from the illustration, the coupling structure 14 replicates the ramp 6 with respect to the contour so that an interlock connection is created.

[0041] The base body 16 is made from a single piece of material, in this case a steel sheet, by a process sequence of forming and cutting. Specifically, the base body 16 is manufactured by cold forming. For example, either the neutral rim 9 or the support portion 18 can be formed as a flange portion during deep drawing. The material used is a steel material because very high temperatures are likely to occur, especially in the vehicle industry. Explanation of reference numerals

[0042] 1 Freewheel mechanism 2 Shaft 3 Freewheel member 4 Clamping structure 5 Clamping parts 6 Wedge ramp 7 Sheet metal cage 8 Coupling rim 9 Neutral rim 10 Web part 11 Holding part 12 Spring device 13 Coupling part 14 Coupling structure 15 Tangent surface 16 Substrate 17 Coupling disk 18 Support part 19 Assembly recess 100 Rotation axis 101 Rotation direction 102 Free inner diameter

Claims

1. A freewheel mechanism (1), comprising: A freewheel member (3) having a clamp structure (4); A plurality of clamp parts (5) disposed on the clamp structure (4); A sheet metal cage (7) for separating the clamp parts (5) in the rotational direction (101), the sheet metal cage (7) having a coupling rim (8) provided with a coupling structure (14) for interlock coupling with the clamp structure (4) on the axial side, and being held on the freewheel member (3) so as to co-rotate with the freewheel member (3) in the rotational direction (101); The sheet metal cage (7) is composed of two parts, a base body (16) and a coupling disk (17). The base body (16) is integrally formed from a common material piece and does not have the coupling structure (14). The coupling disk (17) includes a coupling part (13) having the coupling structure (14), and the coupling disk (17) is coaxially fixed on the base body (16). The base body (16) has a support part (18), the support part (18) extends radially outward, and the coupling disk (17) is joined to the support part (18), whereby the coupling rim (8) has a double material thickness. The freewheel member (3) is configured as an inner part, the sheet metal cage (7) is disposed on the freewheel member (3), and the coupling structure (14) is formed here on the inner circumference of the coupling part (13). The support part (18) and the coupling disk (17) have the same outer diameter, and an assembly recess (19) is provided on the outer circumference. The assembly recess (19) overlaps with each other in the assembled state and is configured as a passage that opens at the edge. A freewheel mechanism (1) characterized by this.

2. The sheet metal cage (7) has a neutral rim (9) on the other axial side, and the neutral rim (9) extends radially outward, so that in a cross-section perpendicular to the circumferential direction, the base body (16) forms a U-shape at both radial ends together with the neutral rim (9) and the support part (18). The overrunning clutch mechanism (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that.

3. The overrunning clutch mechanism (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the inner circumference of the neutral rim (9) is circular and / or is not coupled to the clamping structure (4) in the rotation direction (101).

4. The sheet metal cage (7) and / or the base body (16) have a plurality of web parts (10), the clamping part (5) is arranged between the web parts (10), the web parts (10) define an inner diameter space (102), and the coupling part (13) having the coupling structure (14) projects into the inner diameter space (102), and / or the neutral rim (9) is radially inwardly delimited by the inner diameter space (102). The overrunning clutch mechanism (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that.

5. The overrunning clutch mechanism (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the base body (16) is configured as a formed part.

6. The sheet metal cage (7) is axially pushed onto the overrunning clutch member (3) such that the coupling structure (14) engages in an interlocking manner with the clamping structure (4) in the rotation direction (101), and the neutral rim (9) contacts the clamping structure (4) and is placed on the inner circumference. The overrunning clutch mechanism (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that.

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