Overrunning Clutch Roller Cage With Centering Spring Neutral Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing overrunning clutch roller cage designs are complex and have high part counts, leading to increased assembly complexity and potential for unintended torque transfer during neutral operating conditions.
Innovation Solution
A roller cage assembly with a plurality of rollers and roller spring assemblies that provide a bias force away from the cage, featuring attachment members to engage support members and a centering spring to maintain rollers in a central position within cam features, ensuring efficient torque transfer and preventing unintended activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing overrunning clutch roller cage designs are used, then torque transfer capability is achieved, but device complexity and part count increase leading to assembly complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple spring assemblies into a single integrated unit that provides biasing force to multiple rollers simultaneously. The spring assembly includes a central body with multiple legs that each engage with support members, consolidating what would otherwise be separate spring-roller units into one component, thereby reducing part count and assembly complexity while maintaining torque transfer functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The spring assembly serves multiple functions: it provides biasing force to multiple rollers, maintains roller positioning within the cage, and enables the clutch to operate in multiple modes (over-running, under-running, and neutral) through the neutral position mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function
2Ease of operation
If existing roller cage designs are used, then operational functionality is achieved, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring assembly is pre-configured with multiple legs and attachment points during manufacturing, so that during assembly, the entire unit can be installed as one piece rather than assembling multiple springs and rollers separately. The neutral position mechanism is also pre-set, allowing the clutch to automatically transition between operational modes without complex control mechanisms
3Reliability
If existing roller cage designs are used, then torque transfer is achieved, but unintended torque transfer during neutral conditions may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The spring assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism that controls roller positioning relative to the cam features. By adjusting the spring force and neutral position, the system can precisely control when rollers engage with cam features to transfer torque and when they disengage to prevent torque transfer, providing reliable torque control without requiring complex actuation mechanisms
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 solution reduces complexity and assembly complexity while ensuring rollers are always positioned correctly for efficient torque transfer and maintaining the clutch in a neutral position, preventing unintended activation and enhancing operational reliability.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of roller spring assemblies are configured to provide a bias force on each roller away from the roller cage
Implementation Method 2
A centering spring engages the clutch cam housing and the roller cage to position each roller of the plurality of rollers of the roller cage assembly in a central location within an associated cam feature
Data Source
AI summary
A roller cage assembly for an overrunning clutch is provided. The roller cage assembly includes a roller cage, a plurality of rollers and a plurality of roller spring assemblies. The roller cage includes a plurality of spaced support members axially extending between disk shaped first and second end portions. The plurality of rollers are positioned within the roller cage. The plurality of roller spring assemblies engage the roller cage. The plurality of spring roller assemblies are configured to provide a bias force on each roller away from the roller cage. Each roller cage assembly extends between the first and second end portions of the roller cage. Each roller spring assembly further includes at least one pair of attachment members configured to engage a support member of the roller cage.