Ratcheting Coupling Locking Member With High-Speed Engagement Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coupling assemblies with overrunning capabilities face failure when locking members engage the notch plate at high speeds, leading to potential clutch failure and transmission issues due to non-synchronous engagement and exposure during overrun modes.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a blocking structure within the locking member and/or notch plate that prevents engagement with the notch plate until a predetermined safe rotational speed is reached, ensuring the locking member remains in a non-abutting position during high-speed rotations, thus enhancing the robustness and safety of the coupling assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If locking members are exposed during overrun mode to enable engagement with notch plate, then torque transfer capability is improved, but high-speed engagement causes non-synchronous locking leading to clutch failure
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking structure is pre-configured on the locking member to prevent engagement above a predetermined speed threshold. This preliminary protective action ensures that before high-speed conditions can cause damage, the blocking structure is already in place to block the engagement path, thus preventing harmful high-speed locking while allowing safe low-speed engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking structure changes the effective engagement parameters of the locking member by introducing a speed-dependent geometric constraint. The blocking portion extends radially outward to interfere with notch plate engagement when rotational speed exceeds the threshold, effectively modifying the engagement characteristics based on operating conditions.
2Reliability
If blocking structure is added to prevent high-speed engagement, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking structure is integrated directly into the locking member as a unified component rather than being a separate assembly. The blocking portion is formed as part of the locking member body, merging the torque transmission function and the speed-protection function into a single element, thus minimizing additional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking structure operates automatically based on the rotational speed of the coupling assembly itself, without requiring external control systems or additional sensors. The centrifugal force and geometric constraints cause the blocking portion to naturally engage or disengage based on speed conditions, making the system self-regulating and avoiding added complexity from control mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A coupling assembly includes first and second coupling members, a locking member, and a blocking structure. The locking member may be a strut, a pawl, or the like. The locking member is disposed between the coupling members and is movable between coupling and uncoupling positions. The coupling position is characterized by abutting-engagement of the locking member with each coupling member. The uncoupling position is characterized by non-abutting engagement of the locking member with at least the first coupling member. The blocking structure is associated with at least one of the first coupling member and the locking member. The blocking structure prevents the locking member from entering the coupling position, and thereby prevents abutting engagement of the locking member with the first coupling member, while rotation of the first coupling member in an engagement direction relative to the second coupling member is above a predetermined rotational speed.