Bi-directional Overrunning Clutch Engagement Control Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bi-directional overrunning clutch systems face challenges in achieving consistent activation while preventing inadvertent engagement and undesirable wedging, which can lead to delayed torque transfer and unequal sharing of torque between rollers.
Innovation Solution
The engagement control assembly includes an electronically controlled device, such as an electromechanical coil or solenoid, that rotates the roll cage to engage or disengage the rolls with the cam surface and hub, combined with a torsion spring that biases the roll cage into its neutral position, ensuring consistent torque transfer and preventing premature engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an electronically controlled device is used to rotate the roll cage for engagement control, then the activation consistency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical engagement control mechanisms with an electronically controlled device that rotates the roll cage. This electronic control system provides more precise and consistent activation control compared to purely mechanical systems, directly addressing the reliability improvement while accepting increased device complexity as a trade-off.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes a torsion spring to bias the roll cage into its neutral position, changing the mechanical parameter of spring force to ensure consistent torque transfer. This parameter change helps maintain reliability by ensuring predictable engagement behavior while working within the constraints of the electronically controlled system.
2Reliability
If the roll cage is biased into neutral position using a spring, then premature engagement is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The torsion spring is pre-configured to bias the roll cage into its neutral position before engagement is requested. This preliminary positioning action ensures that the clutch is ready for engagement but prevents premature engagement, directly improving reliability while adding a mechanical component that increases device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring assembly automatically returns the roll cage to its neutral position after engagement, providing self-service functionality that maintains reliable operation without requiring additional active control mechanisms. This self-service capability improves reliability while the spring mechanism itself adds to device complexity.
3Productivity
If the rolls are engaged with the cam surface and hub, then torque transfer efficiency is improved, but unwanted wedging occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent carefully controls the engagement parameters of the rolls with the cam surface and hub, optimizing the contact geometry and force distribution. By changing these parameters, the system achieves efficient torque transfer while preventing the harmful wedging effect that would occur with improper engagement parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronically controlled device provides precise control over roll cage rotation, enabling real-time adjustment of engagement parameters. This feedback control ensures that the rolls engage optimally with the cam surface and hub, maximizing torque transfer efficiency while preventing unwanted wedging through active parameter management.
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 solution ensures consistent and efficient torque transfer between the input shaft and output hub, preventing unwanted wedging and ensuring all rollers engage simultaneously, thereby improving the operational reliability and longevity of the clutch system.
Implementation Method 1
a torsion spring that biases the roll cage into its neutral position
Implementation Method 2
an electronically controlled device, such as an electromechanical coil or solenoid, that rotates the roll cage to engage or disengage the rolls
Data Source
AI summary
A bi-directional overrunning clutch differential for controlling torque transmission between a pinion input shaft and at least one output hub. The clutch having a clutch housing and the roll cage mounted within the housing. An engagement control assembly is provided for controlling the relative position of the roll cage with respect to a cam surface on the clutch housing. The engagement control assembly includes an electronically controlled actuation device, such as a coil or solenoid, which when activated causes the roll cage to rotate into a second position relative to the clutch housing to engage the rolls with the cam surface and an outer surface of the hub. A spring is engaged with the clutch housing and has an end engaged with the roll cage for biasing the roll cage into a neutral position when the roll cage is in its second position.