Selectable Dual-Direction One-Way Clutch With Low-Loss Locking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional one-way clutches lack the ability to fully disconnect and connect in both directions, and provide limited functionality, leading to parasitic losses and increased package size, while existing solutions either rely on friction or have limited torque capability.
Innovation Solution
A dual direction, selectable one-way clutch with an electromechanical actuator that allows for fully free rotation, full locking, and one-way clutch options in both directions, utilizing a center plate with drive openings and pivotable struts, and actuator plates to manage engagement and disengagement, reducing axial space and requiring power only for state changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional hydraulic clutch system is used, then the clutch can be controlled to connect or disconnect, but the package size is large and parasitic losses occur due to hydraulic pump and continuous power requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the hydraulic pump, passages, and piston from the clutch system, replacing them with a simplified mechanical design using spring-biased struts and actuator plates. This extraction of unnecessary components directly reduces package size while maintaining clutch functionality through a more compact mechanical arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The clutch design uses spring-biased struts that automatically engage and disengage based on rotational direction and actuator plate position, eliminating the need for continuous hydraulic power. The system serves itself by using the rotational motion and spring force to control engagement without external hydraulic control, reducing both package size and parasitic losses.
2Ease of operation
If a roller one-way clutch is used, then the clutch can rotate freely in both directions, but the torque capability relies on friction and is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs struts that dynamically change their engagement state based on rotational direction. The struts are biased by springs to engage with drive openings in one rotational direction to transmit torque, while allowing free rotation in the opposite direction. This dynamic adaptation allows the clutch to provide high torque capability when needed while maintaining free rotation capability when appropriate.
3Force
If a ratcheting pawl one-way clutch is used, then the clutch can carry substantial torque in a small package, but the functionality is limited to one direction only
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the clutch to provide multiple functional modes: it can operate as a one-way clutch in either rotational direction, as a two-way clutch that transmits torque in both directions, or as a free-rotating disconnect clutch. The spring-biased struts and actuator plates work together to enable these different operational modes, providing universal functionality that exceeds traditional one-way clutch capabilities while maintaining substantial torque capability.
4Reliability
If continuous power is applied to maintain clutch engagement, then the clutch remains connected, but energy is wasted through continuous power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch uses intermittent actuation through actuator plates that are moved only when state changes are required. The spring-biased struts maintain engagement stability without continuous power input, relying on the periodic action of the actuator plates to change state when needed. This eliminates continuous power consumption while maintaining reliable engagement through the mechanical spring bias.
Data Source
AI summary
A dual direction, selectable one-way clutch is provided that can be set to be fully free to rotate in both directions, can be fully locked in both directions, and can provide a one-way clutch option in both directions. The actuator to change the clutch state is electromechanical and only requires power to change a coupling state of the clutch. The clutch is formed by two sets of struts carried by pocket plates on opposite sides of a center plate that includes spaced apart drive openings, and the struts are engageable/disengageable with the drive openings in order to provide for the different locked and one-way clutch states. One or more actuator rings are provided to activate or disengage the struts.