Freewheel Accordion Spring Radial Support Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing freewheel designs with accordion springs suffer from buckling and deflection issues, leading to increased wear and limited functionality over the lifecycle, particularly due to structural limitations and high radial support requirements.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a spring support element that radially supports corrugation peaks and troughs of the accordion spring, reducing the need for direct support on the races and enhancing buckling and deflection behavior, while using a material with lower hardness than the races and spring to minimize wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the corrugation peaks of the accordion spring are supported outwardly on the first race, then the radial stability is improved, but the structural limitation of the first race increases and the raceway for clamping element movement is constrained
Solution Approach 1:
A spring support element is introduced as an intermediary component between the accordion spring and the first race. This spring support element has a spring support surface that radially supports the corrugation peaks of the accordion spring, while being rotatably connected to the first race. This intermediary structure resolves the contradiction by providing radial stability through the spring support element rather than direct support on the first race, thereby preserving the flexibility and adaptability of the raceway configuration for clamping element movement.
2Force
If a larger spring path of the accordion spring is necessary, then the clamping force is improved, but the buckling and deflection behavior of the accordion spring deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The spring support element acts as a mediator that provides continuous radial support to the corrugation peaks of the accordion spring throughout its spring path. This allows the accordion spring to achieve a larger spring path for increased clamping force while the spring support element prevents buckling and deflection by maintaining proper geometric support, thus resolving the contradiction between force and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring support element introduces an additional dimensional aspect to the support system by being rotatably connected to the first race while providing radial support. This rotational degree of freedom allows the spring support element to accommodate the accordion spring's movement in the axial direction while maintaining radial stability, enabling a larger spring path without compromising buckling resistance.
3Device complexity
If the accordion spring is directly supported on the first race, then the device complexity is reduced, but the wear of the accordion spring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring support element serves as a mediator between the accordion spring and the first race, introducing an additional component that reduces wear. Although this increases device complexity slightly, it significantly extends the service life of the accordion spring by preventing direct contact and wear against the first race, thereby improving reliability over the long term.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring support element is designed to be self-lubricating or wear-resistant, and it automatically performs the function of protecting the accordion spring from wear through its rotational connection and spring support surface. This self-service mechanism reduces the need for external lubrication systems while extending component life.
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 configuration improves the operating behavior and extends the lifecycle of the freewheel by reducing wear on both the spring and races, allowing for more flexible arrangement and reduced risk of structural failure.
Implementation Method 1
biasing means have an accordion spring, which is supported directly or indirectly on the first race and which comprises corrugation peaks lying radially outward and corrugation troughs lying radially inward
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a freewheel (4) comprising a first race (38), a second race (40), a clamping gap (46) designed between the first and second race (38, 40), at least one clamping element (48) in the clamping gap (46), and biasing feature (64) for biasing the clamping element (48) into a clamping position within the clamping gap (46), wherein the biasing feature (64) have an accordion spring (66), which is supported directly or indirectly on the first race (38) and which comprises corrugation peaks (70) lying radially outward, corrugation troughs (72) lying radially inward, and a support leg (76) for direct or indirect support on the clamping element (48). In addition, disclosed is a freewheel arrangement (2) comprising such a freewheel (4).