Clutch Unit Plate Spring N-Shape Cross Section Wedge Gap
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Solution Overview
Problem
The conventional clutch unit's brake-side clutch section experiences issues with plate springs being caught in wedge gaps during actuation, leading to frictional forces and difficulty in engaging and disengaging cylindrical rollers, which affects the actuation performance.
Innovation Solution
The clutch unit incorporates plate springs with an N-shape cross-section, where the outside dimension between the ends of the intermediate oblique portion is set smaller than the maximum wedge gap dimension, and the upright portions are at least ¾ of the engagement element's radius, preventing moment loads and ensuring easy restoration, thus avoiding the plate spring from being caught in the wedge gap.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If plate springs are used in the brake-side clutch section to impart repulsive force to cylindrical rollers, then the engagement and disengagement control is improved, but the plate springs are caught in wedge gaps during actuation causing frictional forces and operational difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the plate spring by specifying an N-shape cross-section with specific dimensional relationships. The outside dimension between ends of the intermediate oblique portion is set to be smaller than the maximum wedge gap dimension, and the upright portion length is set to be at least 3/4 of the cylindrical roller radius. These parameter changes prevent the plate spring from being caught in the wedge gap while maintaining its function of imparting repulsive force to the cylindrical rollers for engagement and disengagement control.
2Force
If the plate spring has sufficient length to provide adequate repulsive force, then the engagement control is improved, but the plate spring is more likely to be caught in the wedge gap due to increased moment loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the length parameter of the upright portion of the plate spring to be at least 3/4 of the cylindrical roller radius. This parameter change provides sufficient repulsive force through the N-shaped configuration while preventing the plate spring from being caught in the wedge gap by avoiding excessive moment loads. The specific dimensional relationship balances force generation with prevention of harmful catching behavior.
3Ease of manufacture
If the plate spring design is simplified for easy manufacturing, then the production cost is reduced, but the plate spring may be more easily deformed or caught during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies precise geometric parameters for the N-shaped cross-section of the plate spring, including the outside dimension between ends of the intermediate oblique portion being smaller than the maximum wedge gap dimension, and the upright portion length being at least 3/4 of the cylindrical roller radius. These parameter changes provide a balanced design that can be manufactured with standard precision while ensuring operational reliability by preventing the plate spring from being caught in the wedge gap during actuation.
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 design enhances the actuation performance by preventing plate springs from being caught in the wedge gap, ensuring reliable operation and stable posture, and facilitating easy assembly and handling of the plate springs.
Implementation Method 1
plate springs each inserted between each of the plurality of pairs of engagement elements, for imparting a repulsive force to the each of the plurality of pairs of engagement elements
Implementation Method 2
An outside dimension between both the ends of the intermediate oblique portion is set smaller than a maximum gap dimension of each of the wedge gaps formed between the stationary-side member and the output-side member. Note that, it is desired that the each of the plurality of pairs of engagement elements of the brake-side clutch section comprise a cylindrical roller.
Data Source
AI summary
A brake-side clutch section on an output side transmits rotational torque input from a lever-side clutch section on an input side, for controlling transmission and interruption of the rotational torque to the output side through lever operation, to the output side, and interrupts rotational torque reversely input from the output side.