Cam Clutch Auxiliary Member Layout for Stable Torque Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cam clutches face issues such as reduced design flexibility, excessive performance when torque requirements are low, destabilized torque transmission due to cam sliding, and increased manufacturing costs due to complex structures.
Innovation Solution
A cam clutch design featuring auxiliary members with engaging portions and biasing means that reduce sliding resistance and stabilize torque transmission, allowing for optimized cam arrangement and reduced parts, thereby improving engagement and design flexibility while lowering manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If cams are arranged with no gaps to ensure high torque transmission capacity, then torque transmission is improved, but design flexibility is reduced and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A retainer is introduced as an intermediary component between adjacent cams to provide structural support and maintain proper spacing. This allows the cams to be arranged with gaps rather than continuously, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining adequate torque transmission capacity through the retainer's structural support.
2Power
If cams are arranged with no gaps to ensure high torque transmission capacity, then torque transmission is improved, but design flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cam arrangement is segmented into discrete cam units separated by gaps, with retainers providing structural support. This segmentation allows for flexible design configurations where the number, size, and spacing of cams can be optimized based on specific torque requirements, enhancing design flexibility while maintaining adequate power transmission.
3Device complexity
If adjacent cams operate without auxiliary members, then structure is simpler, but sliding resistance increases and engagement is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Auxiliary members are introduced as intermediary elements between adjacent cams to reduce sliding resistance and improve engagement stability. These auxiliary members facilitate smoother operation and reduce wear between cams while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, thereby improving reliability without significantly increasing complexity.
4Manufacturing precision
If a cam cage ring is provided to maintain cam posture, then cam positioning is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single complex cam cage ring, the cam support function is segmented into multiple simpler retainer components. Each retainer supports specific cams and can be manufactured independently using standard wire bending processes, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining adequate cam positioning accuracy through the distributed support structure.
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
The design enhances engagement performance, stabilizes torque transmission, and reduces manufacturing costs by optimizing cam and roller numbers, while maintaining free rotation of inner and outer rings.
Implementation Method 1
biasing means configured to bias the plurality of cams in a radial direction
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a cam clutch that has a simple structure, ensures good engagement and stable torque transmission, offers a high degree of design flexibility, and enables reduced manufacturing costs. The cam clutch includes a plurality of cams 130 arranged between an inner ring and an outer ring provided coaxially and rotatably relative to each other, at least one auxiliary member 150 arranged between the plurality of cams 130, and biasing means 160 configured to bias the plurality of cams 130 and the auxiliary member 150 in a radial direction, and the auxiliary member 150 has an engaging portion that is engageable with the biasing means 160 and has a radial dimension that is equal to or less than the dimension between the inner ring and the outer ring.