Segmented Cam Clutch Roller Structure for Lower Drag Torque
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cam clutch units face issues with drag torque due to insufficient groove depth in rollers, leading to frictional sliding and spring wear, which affects the clutch's lifespan and effective cam pressurization.
Innovation Solution
The roller design features separate roller portions and pin portions, allowing for adjustable groove depth and reduced contact with the spring, achieved through press-fitting or clearance-fitting of the pin into the roller portions, thereby minimizing frictional sliding and wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the groove portion depth is increased to reduce spring contact, then drag torque is reduced, but the groove depth cannot be sufficiently increased due to manufacturing limitations of cutting or rolling
Solution Approach 1:
The roller is divided into multiple independent components: a body portion and a groove portion that can be manufactured separately and then assembled together. This segmentation allows the groove portion to be designed with optimal depth without being constrained by the manufacturing limitations of traditional cutting or rolling methods, while also enabling precise control over the groove geometry to minimize spring contact and reduce drag torque.
2Reliability
If the groove portion is made deeper to prevent spring contact, then frictional sliding is reduced, but the roller structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the roller into a body portion and a groove portion that can be assembled separately, the design achieves deeper grooves without significantly increasing overall structural complexity. The groove portion is designed as a distinct component that fits into the body portion, allowing for optimized groove depth and shape while maintaining a relatively simple overall roller structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The groove portion acts as an intermediary component between the spring and the roller body. It is specifically designed to interface with the spring while being mounted on the roller body, allowing the groove to be optimized for spring contact reduction without complicating the main roller structure. The groove portion serves as a mediator that absorbs the complexity of spring interaction.
3Force
If the groove depth is increased to reduce spring contact, then cam pressurization is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Segmenting the roller into separately manufacturable body and groove portions allows for optimized groove depth and geometry. The groove portion can be manufactured with precise dimensions using appropriate processes, then assembled to the body portion. This segmentation enables achieving the necessary manufacturing precision for optimal cam pressurization without requiring the entire roller to be manufactured with uniformly high precision.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design reduces drag torque, extends the clutch's lifespan by minimizing spring wear and improving cam pressurization, while also reducing manufacturing costs and assembly complexity.
Implementation Method 1
an annular spring for biasing the cams
Implementation Method 2
there is a risk that the groove portion 102 comes into contact with the spring 103, causing drag torque (frictional sliding) between the spring 103 and the roller 100
Data Source
AI summary
An object of the present invention is to provide a roller for use in a cam clutch unit, capable of reducing contact with a spring, and a cam clutch unit that uses the roller.Rollers 20, 30, 40 are used in a cam clutch unit 10 including at least a plurality of cams 11 arranged between an inner ring and an outer ring provided coaxially and relatively rotatably, and an annular spring 12 for biasing the cams 11, the rollers 20, 30, 40 being arranged between the inner ring and the outer ring together with the cams 11, and comprising a pair of roller portions 21, 31, 41, and pin portions 22, 32, 42 provided between the roller portions 21, 31, 41, wherein at least one of the roller portions 21, 31, 41 and the pin portions 22, 32, 42 are separate entities.