Differential Overrunning Clutch Inertial Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Overrunning clutch designs in vehicle differentials often result in unintended inertial engagements due to inertial torque imbalances, leading to sudden engagements, driveline shock, and undesirable vehicle dynamics.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an inertial compensation assembly with planetary gear trains and a flywheel plate coupled to an armature plate within the differential, which counteracts inertial movement between the roller cage and clutch cam housing to prevent unintended engagements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If overrunning clutch designs are used in vehicle differentials, then torque transmission capability is improved, but unintended inertial engagements occur causing driveline shock and vehicle dynamics issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetorque transmission capabilityVSAvoidunintended inertial engagements

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the anti-weight principle by introducing a counterbalancing mass or inertial compensation mechanism that offsets the inertial torque generated during differential operation. This counterweight mechanism actively balances the inertial forces that cause unintended roller cage engagements, thereby preventing driveline shock while maintaining torque transmission capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary anti-action by designing the inertial compensation mechanism to preemptively counteract inertial torques before they can cause unintended engagements. The system anticipates inertial effects during acceleration and deceleration phases and applies compensating forces in advance, preventing the roller cage from shifting into unintended operating modes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Ease of operation

If roller cage is allowed to move freely to enable overrunning clutch operation, then clutch functionality is improved, but inertial torque causes unintended engagements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclutch operation flexibilityVSAvoidinertial torque effects

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The inertial compensation mechanism acts as a counterweight system that balances the inertial torque acting on the roller cage. By providing an opposing inertial force, the mechanism allows the roller cage to move freely for clutch operation while preventing unwanted movements caused by inertial effects during vehicle acceleration and deceleration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful inertial torque into a beneficial force by using the inertial compensation mechanism to harness and redirect inertial effects. The system transforms what would be a destabilizing force into a controlled element that actually helps maintain proper roller cage positioning during dynamic vehicle operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 inertial compensation assembly effectively prevents unintended roller cage and clutch cam housing engagements, reducing driveline shock and improving vehicle dynamics by counteracting inertial effects caused by vehicle acceleration, braking, and road irregularities.

Implementation Method 1

The inertial compensation assembly is configured to counteract inertial movement of the roller cage relative to the clutch cam housing to prevent unintended roller cage and clutch cam housing engagements

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInertia: Inertia

Implementation Method 2

The cage centering spring is engaged with roller cage and clutch cam housing and is configured to center each of the plurality of the rollers within an associated cam roller feature in the interior surface of the clutch cam housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS11592094B2Differential having an overrunning clutch with inertial compensation tuning

Publication Date: 2023.02.28 TEAM IND INC

AI summary

A differential having an overrunning clutch provided. The differential includes an inertial compensation assembly that is configured to counteract movement of a roller cage relative to a clutch cam housing to prevent unintended roller cage and clutch cam housing engagements. Unintended roller cage and clutch cam housing engagements may occur when the differential is subject to rotational accelerations caused, for example by, vehicle acceleration/deceleration, sudden braking, sudden changes in traction, road irregularities, bumps, jumps, u-joint phasing, etc.