Leaf-Spring Reverse-Input Blocking Clutch for Rattle Suppression
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing reverse-input blocking clutch designs suffer from rattling and abnormal noise due to loose dimensional relationships between components, particularly when reversing the direction of rotational torque, leading to potential collisions and increased rattling.
Innovation Solution
A reverse-input blocking clutch design incorporating a pressed member, input member, output member, engaging element, and leaf spring, with specific elastic and positional constraints to minimize rattling, including a leaf spring with held portions and a biasing member to regulate component alignment and reduce gaps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the dimensional relationships between components are made loose to avoid excessively high shape precision and ensure assembly workability, then manufacturing precision and assembly ease are improved, but rattling and abnormal noise occur due to gaps between components
Solution Approach 1:
A leaf spring is introduced as an intermediary component between the input member and the engaging element. The leaf spring fills the gap created by loose dimensional relationships and applies elastic force to maintain contact between the input-side engaging portion and the input-side engaged portion, thereby preventing rattling and abnormal noise while allowing easy assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the gap between components by introducing an elastic element (leaf spring) that dynamically adjusts the contact force. The leaf spring transforms the static gap into a dynamically controlled interaction through elastic deformation, maintaining stable engagement without requiring high precision manufacturing
2Power
If the engaging element is allowed to move freely to transmit torque, then torque transmission efficiency is improved, but rattling occurs when reversing the direction of rotational torque
Solution Approach 1:
The leaf spring provides beforehand cushioning by maintaining pre-compression or pre-tension between the input member and engaging element. This elastic pre-force ensures that when reverse torque is applied, the components remain in stable contact without rattling, while still allowing free movement during forward torque transmission
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 design effectively minimizes rattling and abnormal noise by ensuring precise component alignment and reducing gaps, enhancing operational stability and reducing noise generation.
Implementation Method 1
a leaf spring (6), which applies elasticity to the input-side engaging portion (14) and the engaging element (5)
Implementation Method 2
pressing the pressing surface (33) against the pressed surface (7) so as to frictionally engage the pressing surface (33) with the pressed surface (7)
Data Source
AI summary
A reverse-input blocking clutch includes a leaf spring having: two held portions that is arranged on both sides of an input-side engaging portion of an input member with respect to a second direction perpendicular to a first direction which is a direction of movement of a pressing surface of an engaging element moving away from or toward a pressed surface of a pressed member and a center axis of the input member, and elastically held between the input-side engaging portion and an input-side engaged portion of the engaging member; and a base portion that connects the two held portions.