Isolating Decoupler

Abstract

To provide an isolating decoupler capable of controlling squeaking noise caused by belt slip and preventing shortening of a belt operating life.SOLUTION: An isolating decoupler 1000 comprises a shaft, a pulley pivotally supported on the shaft in at least one bearing, a one-way clutch 50 engaged with the shaft, and a torsion spring 40 engaged between the one-way clutch and the pulley. The shaft has an inner race of at least one bearing. The torsion spring has one end part welded to the one-way clutch, and the other end part welded to the pulley.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an isolating decoupler, and more particularly to an isolating decoupler comprising a shaft having an inner race of at least one bearing and a torsion spring having one end welded to a one-way clutch and the other end welded to a pulley. [Background technology]

[0002] The use of diesel engines in passenger vehicle applications is increasing due to their fuel economy advantages. Furthermore, gasoline engines are increasing their compression ratios to improve fuel economy. As a result, accessory drive systems for diesel and gasoline engines must overcome greater vibrations from the crankshaft due to the aforementioned changes in the engine.

[0003] In addition to increased crankshaft vibration, due to the high acceleration / deceleration rates and large inertia of the alternator, engine accessory drive systems often experience squealing caused by belt slippage, which also shortens the belt's operating life.

[0004] Crankshaft isolator-decouplers and alternator decoupler-isolators have been widely used for engines with high angular vibration to eliminate vibrations in the engine operating speed range and to control belt squeal.

[0005] Isolator decouplers are typically assembled using an interference or press fit between components. In other cases, mechanical elements such as tongues that engage receiving grooves are used. In still other cases, the use of some welds is known to be combined with the use of separate components. Components include bearings, pulleys, and shafts.

[0006] Representative of this technology is U.S. Pat. No. 9,759,266, which discloses an isolating decoupler comprising a shaft, a pulley journaled on the shaft, and a torsion spring, the torsion spring having a flat at each end of the torsion spring that lies in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation AA, a one-way clutch engaged between the torsion spring and the shaft, a weld bead joining one end of the torsion spring to the one-way clutch, and a weld bead joining the other end of the torsion spring to the pulley.

[0007] What is needed is an isolating decoupler that includes a shaft having an inner race of at least one bearing and a torsion spring having one end welded to a one-way clutch and the other end welded to a pulley. The present invention meets this need. Summary of the Invention

[0008] A primary feature of the present invention is an isolating decoupler that includes a shaft having an inner race of at least one bearing and a torsion spring having one end welded to a one-way clutch and the other end welded to a pulley.

[0009] Other features of the present invention will be set forth in, and will become apparent from, the following description of the invention and the accompanying drawings.

[0010] The present invention is an isolating decoupler comprising a shaft, a pulley journalled on the shaft by at least one bearing, a one-way clutch engaged with the shaft, and a torsion spring engaged between the one-way clutch and the pulley, the shaft having an inner race of the at least one bearing, and the torsion spring having a first end welded to the one-way clutch and a second end welded to the pulley. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] 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. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of FIG. 1. [Figure 3A] FIG. [Figure 3B] FIG. 10 is a front view of the weld detail. [Figure 4A] FIG. [Figure 4B] FIG. 10 is a front view of the weld detail. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of FIG. [Figure 8A] FIG. [Figure 8B] FIG. 10 is a front view of the weld detail. [Figure 9A] FIG. [Figure 9B] FIG. 10 is a front view of the weld detail. [Figure 10] FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment. [Figure 16A] FIG. 16 is an exploded view of FIG. [Figure 16B] Detail of FIG. 16A. [Figure 17] Detail of FIG. 16A. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 18. [Figure 20] Detail of FIG. [Figure 21] FIG. [Figure 22] FIG. [Figure 23] FIG. [Figure 24] FIG. [Figure 25A] FIG. 19 is an exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 18. [Figure 25B] Detail of FIG. 25A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] 1 is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment. The isolating decoupler 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 be a needle bearing.

[0013] Pulley 20 is journalled on shaft 10 by bearings 30 and 60. Torsion spring 40 engages between pulley 20 and one-way clutch carrier 51. Dust cover 80 prevents debris from entering the device.

[0014] The outer race 62 of the bearing 60 has a radially outwardly extending flange 61. The flange 61 is welded to the bearing race 62 and also to the pulley 20.

[0015] An end 42 of the torsion spring 40 is welded to a flange 61. The other end 41 of the torsion spring 40 is welded to a clutch carrier 51. The clutch carrier 51 is press-fit into a one-way clutch 50. The one-way clutch 50 has a non-rotating characteristic that prevents the pulley from rotating in a given direction while allowing it to rotate in the opposite direction.

[0016] The receiver 11 is used to hold the shaft 10 in a fixed position during assembly.

[0017] All embodiments have at least one bearing located inside the axially extending portion of the outer circumferential surface of the torsion spring, such as bearing 60 in this embodiment. This reduces the overall axial length of the device, making it easier to use the device in increasingly smaller engine compartments.

[0018] Figure 2 is an exploded view of Figure 1. The end 41 of the torsion spring 40 is welded to a carrier 51. The inner race 31 of the bearing 30 further has a hub 70. A dust cover 80 covers the end of the device.

[0019] The hub 70 has an extension of the shaft 10 and an inner race of the bearing 30. The hub 70 is press fit onto one end 12 of the shaft 10.

[0020] 3a is a perspective view of the weld detail. Weld bead 42 attaches end 41 to carrier 51. The weld may be accomplished using methods known in the welding art, such as MIG, SMAW, GMAW, TIG, and laser welding. Bead 42 extends circumferentially over an angle α of approximately 70 degrees, although the length of the weld may vary between approximately 45 degrees and approximately 90 degrees depending on the operational requirements.

[0021] Figure 3b is a front view of the weld detail.

[0022] 4a is a perspective view of the weld detail. The weld bead 44 attaches the end 43 of the torsion spring 40 to the outer race 62. The weld may be accomplished using methods known in the welding art, such as MIG, SMAW, TIG, and laser welding. The bead 44 extends circumferentially over an angle α of approximately 70 degrees. However, the length of the weld bead 44 may vary between approximately 45 degrees and approximately 90 degrees depending on the operational requirements.

[0023] Figure 4b is a front view of the weld detail.

[0024] 5 is a perspective view of the welded portion. Flange 61 is welded to pulley 20 and bearing 60. Weld bead 63 welds flange 61 to pulley 20. Weld bead 64 welds flange 61 to outer race 62. Welds 63 and 64 may be accomplished using methods known in the welding art, such as MIG, SMAW, GMAW, TIG, and laser welding. Weld bead 63 and weld bead 64 each extend the entire circumference of flange 61.

[0025] 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.

[0026] The "L" shaped flange 66 is press fit onto the outer race of the bearing 65.

[0027] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of FIG.

[0028] 8a is a perspective view of the weld detail. Weld bead 42 attaches end 41 to carrier 51. Weld 42 may be accomplished using methods known in the welding art, such as MIG, SMAW, GMAW, TIG, and laser welding. Weld bead 42 extends circumferentially over an angle α of approximately 70 degrees, although the length of the weld bead may vary between approximately 45 degrees and approximately 90 degrees depending on the operational requirements.

[0029] Figure 8b is a front view of the weld detail.

[0030] FIG. 9a is a perspective view of the weld detail. Weld bead 45 attaches end 43 to outer flange 66. The weld may be accomplished using methods known in the welding art, such as MIG, SMAW, GMAW, TIG, and laser welding. Weld 45 extends approximately 70 degrees circumferentially. However, the length of the weld bead may vary between approximately 45 degrees and approximately 90 degrees depending on the operational requirements.

[0031] Figure 9b is a front view of the weld detail.

[0032] 10 is a perspective view of the weld detail. Flange 66 is welded to pulley 20. Weld bead 65 welds flange 66 to pulley 20. Weld 65 may 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.

[0033] 11 is a cross-sectional view of the third embodiment. In this embodiment, a bearing assembly 600 is threaded onto the shaft 100. A torsion spring 400 is engaged between the flange 68 and the carrier 51. A pulley 21 is journaled on the shaft 100 at a bearing 20.

[0034] The bearing assembly 600 is threaded onto the shaft 100. The bearing assembly 600 includes a bearing 601, a carrier 602, and a dust cover 603. The bearing 601 is press-fit into the carrier 602. One end of the carrier 602 has a threaded protrusion 604. The threaded protrusion 604 engages with a threaded receptacle 101 on the shaft 100. A tool such as a ratchet (not shown) can engage with portion 605 to thread the bearing assembly 600 onto the shaft 100. The pulley 21 is journaled on the shaft 100 at the bearing 601.

[0035] 12 is a perspective view of the weld detail. Weld bead 420 attaches end 410 to carrier 51. Weld 420 may be accomplished using methods known in the welding art, such as MIG, SMAW, TIG, and laser welding. Weld 420 extends approximately 70 degrees circumferentially. However, the length of the weld bead may vary between approximately 45 degrees and approximately 90 degrees depending on the operational requirements.

[0036] 13 is a perspective view of the weld detail. Weld bead 440 attaches end 430 to pulley 21. Weld 440 may be accomplished using methods known in the welding art, such as MIG, SMAW, TIG, and laser welding. Weld 440 extends approximately 70 degrees circumferentially, although the length of the weld bead may vary between approximately 45 degrees and approximately 90 degrees depending on the operational requirements.

[0037] 14 is a perspective view of the weld detail. Flange 68 is welded to pulley 21. Weld bead 69 welds flange 68 to pulley 21. Weld 69 may 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.

[0038] 15 is a cross-sectional view of the third embodiment. There is a loose fit between the bearing 601 and the flange 68, which allows the bearing 601 to slide into the flange 68 during assembly.

[0039] The elements to be welded, namely the torsion spring 400, the carrier 51, the flange 68 and the pulley 21, are as described herein for other embodiments.

[0040] Figure 16A is an exploded view of Figure 15. Figure 16B is a detail of Figure 16A. Bearing assembly 600 includes bearing 601, dust cover 603, and threaded projection 602. The threaded protrusion 602 is threaded onto the shaft 100. See FIG.

[0041] Figure 17 is a detail of Figure 16A. Shaft 100 has a threaded inner surface 102. In connection with an installation tool, a receiving portion 103 temporarily holds shaft 100 as it is threaded onto an alternator shaft (not shown) via threaded portion 102.

[0042] 18 is a cross-sectional view of the 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 be a needle bearing.

[0043] Pulley 22 is journalled on shaft 110 by bearings 30 and 701. Torsion spring 500 is engaged between shaft 110 and one-way clutch wrap spring 51.

[0044] Torsion spring 500 is welded to shoulder 112 on shaft 110. The other end of torsion spring 40 is welded to wrap spring 550.

[0045] In operation, torsion spring 500 is loaded in a winding direction, which causes spring 500 to radially contract under load. Wrap spring 550 expands radially under load, thereby pressing against inner surface 23.

[0046] End 501 of torsion spring 500 is welded to the end of wrap spring 550. Welding may be accomplished using methods known in the welding art, such as MIG, SMAW, GMAW, TIG, and laser welding.

[0047] Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 18. Bearing assembly 700 includes bearing 701 and carrier 702. Portion 704 includes a dust cover. Bearing 701 is press-fit into carrier 702. One end of carrier 702 includes threaded projection 704. Threaded projection 704 engages threaded receiver 111 on shaft 110. A tool such as a ratchet (not shown) can engage portion 705 to thread bearing assembly 700 onto shaft 110.

[0048] Figure 20 is a detail of Figure 18. Shaft 110 has shoulder 112. Shoulder 112 protrudes radially from shaft 110. The end of torsion spring 500 is welded to shoulder 112. Welding may 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.

[0049] 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, thereby tightening the wrap spring. As the wrap spring tightens, it contracts radially inward. This causes wrap spring 550 to gradually loosen its frictional engagement with surface 23, thereby freeing shaft 110 to rotate relative to pulley 22. This alleviates the over-torque condition, thereby preventing damage to the device.

[0050] 22 is a perspective view of the weld detail. End 501 of spring 500 is welded to end 552 of wrap spring 550 by weld bead 504. Weld 504 may be accomplished using methods known in the welding art, such as MIG, SMAW, GMAW, TIG, and laser welding.

[0051] 23 is a perspective view of the weld detail. End 502 of spring 500 is welded to shoulder 112 with weld bead 503. Weld 503 may be accomplished using methods known in the welding art, such as MIG, SMAW, GMAW, TIG, and laser welding.

[0052] 24 is a perspective view of the weld detail. Flange 680 is welded to pulley 22 by weld bead 681. Weld 681 may be accomplished using methods known in the welding art, such as MIG, SMAW, GMAW, TIG, and laser welding.

[0053] Figure 25 is an exploded view of Figure 18. Outer surface 552 frictionally engages surface 23. This prevents rotation of pulley 22 relative to shaft 110.

[0054] In each of the above-described embodiments, one or more of the welds can be replaced with a suitable adhesive system. For example, structural adhesive pastes and epoxies can be used for all metal-to-metal bonding. These types are well known, for example, in the aeronautical and space industries, and such products are available from 3M®, Permabond, Masterbond, and others. Friction welding is also available for use in the welded connection between the shaft and the torsion spring.

[0055] The isolating decoupler comprises a shaft having a threaded inner surface, and a pulley journalled on the shaft in a bearing assembly, the bearing having a bearing carrier and a bearing, the bearing carrier threadably engaging the threaded inner surface, the bearing carrier having a receptacle for engaging a tool, a one-way clutch engaged with the shaft, and a torsion spring engaged between the one-way clutch and the pulley, the torsion spring having one end welded to the one-way clutch and the other end welded to the pulley.

[0056] The isolating decoupler includes a shaft, a pulley journaled on the shaft by at least one bearing, a one-way clutch engaged with the shaft, and a torsion spring engaged between the one-way clutch and the pulley, the shaft being configured as an inner race of the at least one bearing, and at least one end of the torsion spring being joined by welding to either the one-way clutch or the pulley.

[0057] While embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made in the structure, relationships of parts, and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention described herein. Unless specifically stated otherwise, elements shown in the drawings are not drawn to scale. Furthermore, unless the phrase "means for" or "step for" is expressly used in a particular claim, it is not intended that any element of the appended claims raise a 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) issue. The present disclosure is not limited to the representative embodiments or numerical dimensions shown in the drawings and described herein.

Claims

1. A shaft and a pulley journalled on the shaft by at least one bearing; a one-way clutch engaged with the shaft; a torsion spring engaged between the one-way clutch and the pulley; a bearing assembly including at least one bearing; The bearing assembly is threaded onto the inner surface of the shaft; the shaft is configured as an inner race of at least one bearing; At least one end of the torsion spring is welded to either the one-way clutch or the pulley. Isolating decoupler.

2. 10. The isolating decoupler of claim 1, further comprising a second bearing.

3. 2. The isolating decoupler of claim 1, wherein said shaft has a non-rotating characteristic due to said one-way clutch.

4. 2. The isolating decoupler of claim 1, wherein said at least one bearing is a ball bearing.

5. 3. An isolating decoupler as recited in claim 2, wherein said second bearing is a ball bearing.

6. 2. The isolating decoupler of claim 1, wherein the second end of said torsion spring is welded to either said one-way clutch or said pulley.

7. A shaft and a pulley journalled on the shaft by at least one bearing; a one-way clutch engaged with the shaft; a torsion spring engaged between the one-way clutch and the pulley; a bearing assembly including at least one bearing; The bearing assembly is threaded onto the inner surface of the shaft; the shaft is configured as an inner race of at least one bearing; At least one end of the torsion spring is attached to either the one-way clutch or the pulley using an adhesive. Isolating decoupler.

8. 8. An isolating decoupler as defined in claim 7, wherein the second end of said torsion spring is attached using an adhesive.

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