Synchronous Engagement Clutch Ball Retention Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional synchronous engagement clutches face issues with engagement ball retention, leading to potential escape and wear due to uneven retention ratios between the starter ball guide and carrier support, which can result in the clutch being unable to disengage properly and cause unforeseen wear.

Innovation Solution

The design modifies the starter ball guide to feature an annular groove with a tapering diameter and the carrier support to include radial dividers forming pockets with depths and widths that exceed the engagement ball radius and diameter, respectively, ensuring full face contact and improved retention, thereby transferring the retention responsibility primarily to the carrier support.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional synchronous engagement clutch design is used, then the structure is simple, but engagement ball retention is poor leading to potential escape and wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengagement ball retentionVSAvoidball guide and carrier support structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The carrier support is segmented into multiple pockets by radial dividers, creating individual retention zones for each engagement ball. This segmentation allows each pocket to independently retain a ball with optimized geometry, improving overall retention reliability without significantly increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pockets in the carrier support are designed with specific local geometries including tapered walls and rounded bottoms, while the ball guide features an annular groove with complementary profile. These localized geometric features provide enhanced retention at critical locations without requiring complex modifications throughout the entire structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If engagement balls are retained with conventional retention ratios, then the structure is simple, but uneven retention leads to edge contact and wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretention uniformityVSAvoidpocket and groove geometry

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The retention geometry parameters are optimized by designing pockets with depths and widths that exceed the engagement ball radius and diameter respectively, and creating a tapered annular groove profile. These parameter changes ensure uniform retention distribution and prevent edge contact, improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the carrier support pockets and ball guide groove are designed with improved retention geometry, then ball retention is enhanced, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveball retention capabilityVSAvoidpocket and groove formation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The pockets are designed with curved, rounded bottoms rather than sharp corners, and the annular groove features a smooth tapered profile. These curved geometries improve ball retention by distributing contact forces evenly, while also being manufacturable using standard machining or molding processes, balancing reliability with ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 enhances ball retention capability, eliminating edge contact and ensuring full transmission of axial forces, allowing the clutch to engage and disengage effectively with reduced wear and preventing engagement ball escape.

Implementation Method 1

The starter ball guide and the carrier support are disposable with the first side of the starter ball guide facing the second side of the carrier support such that engagement balls are retainable in the pockets and the annular groove

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical Containment: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 2

The annular groove tapers with increasing radial distance from the aperture and an inner diameter of the first side of the starter ball guide is taller than an outer diameter thereof

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP3534027B1Ball retention assembly for synchronous engagement clutch

Publication Date: 2020.12.02 HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORP

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AI summary

A synchronous engagement clutch (SEC) assembly is provided. The SEC assembly includes a starter ball guide (401) and a carrier support (601). The starter ball guide includes opposed first and second sides (402, 403) and the carrier support includes opposed first and second sides (602, 603). The first side of the starter ball guide defines an annular groove (405) and the second side of the carrier support defines pockets (605). The starter ball guide and the carrier support are disposable with the first side of the starter ball guide facing the second side of the carrier support such that engagement balls are retainable in the pockets and the annular groove.