Cam Clutch Roller Pocket Layout for Lower Rotational Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cam clutch units face high manufacturing complexity, restricted width, and increased rotational resistance due to groove portions accommodating the annular spring, which affects the lifespan and optimal positioning of rollers.
Innovation Solution
The cam clutch unit design includes pocket portions for rollers that do not interfere with the spring in the axial direction, allowing for simple cylindrical shapes and flexible positioning, reducing processing difficulty and weight, and minimizing rotational resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If groove portions are provided at the center in the axial direction of cams and rollers to accommodate the annular spring, then the spring can bias the cams and rollers, but the width of the cam clutch unit cannot be reduced and processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the spring accommodation function from the center axial position of cams and rollers. Instead of providing groove portions in the cams and rollers, the spring is accommodated in a separate retainer component, simplifying the cam and roller structures to basic cylindrical shapes without complex grooves.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a retainer as an intermediary component that accommodates the annular spring and transmits the spring force to the cams and rollers. This mediator component separates the spring accommodation function from the rotating elements, reducing their structural complexity.
2Strength
If the annular spring is accommodated in groove portions of cams and rollers, then the spring can bias the rollers, but rotational resistance increases due to friction and sliding between the spring and groove portions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the spring interaction from the roller surface by providing a dedicated retainer component. The spring contacts the retainer and cams/rollers only at discrete engagement portions, not along extended groove surfaces, thereby minimizing friction and sliding contact that generate rotational resistance.
3Ease of manufacture
If groove portions extending in the circumferential direction are provided to accommodate the spring, then the spring can be installed, but manufacturing time and difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the spring accommodation function from the cams and rollers themselves and places it in a separate retainer component. This allows cams and rollers to be manufactured as simple cylindrical shapes without time-consuming groove machining, while the retainer can be manufactured separately with the necessary spring engagement features.
4Adaptability or versatility
If rollers are elongated in the axial direction to cover optimum locations, then roller positioning flexibility improves, but extra rolling resistance occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the roller support function by providing multiple discrete rollers at different axial positions rather than using single elongated rollers. Each roller is supported by the retainer at its optimal axial location, providing positioning flexibility without the excessive rolling resistance of elongated rollers.
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 configuration reduces manufacturing complexity, enables optimal roller placement, and decreases rotational resistance, thereby enhancing the cam clutch's performance and longevity.
Implementation Method 1
an annular spring that biases the cams
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of rollers arranged between an inner ring and an outer ring that are provided so as to be coaxially rotatable relative to each other
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a cam clutch unit for which the rotational resistance of rollers can be reduced, the rollers can be arranged at optimum locations, and the weight can be reduced.The cam clutch unit includes: a plurality of cams and a plurality of rollers aligned in a circumferential direction between an inner ring and an outer ring; a cage ring that includes a plurality of pocket portions that restrict relative movement of the cams and the rollers in the circumferential direction; and an annular spring that biases the cams, the cams each include an engagement portion that is engageable with the spring, the pocket portions that accommodate the rollers are provided at positions not interfering with the spring in an axial direction, and are arranged in a circumferential direction in a different manner on two sides relative to the spring.