Releasable Roller Clutch with Movable Cage for Bidirectional Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional roller clutches allow rotation in only one direction, lacking the ability to freely rotate in both directions and provide overload protection, which is essential for applications requiring bidirectional rotation and torque management.
Innovation Solution
A releasable roller clutch design featuring a shaft, clutch housing, and movable cage that transitions between locked and unlocked positions, along with torque elements to inhibit rotation and provide asymmetrical friction, enabling bidirectional rotation and overload protection by allowing the shaft to rotate when a predetermined torque is exceeded.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional roller clutches are used to prevent rotation in the undesired direction, then rotation control in one direction is achieved, but bidirectional rotation capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The roller clutch mechanism is designed with a movable cage that can dynamically transition between locked and unlocked positions. When unlocked, the mechanism permits bidirectional rotation; when locked, it prevents rotation in the undesired direction. This dynamic state change allows the system to adapt between different operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The friction torque parameter is made adjustable through the movable cage mechanism. By changing the position of the cage between locked and unlocked states, the friction torque parameter transitions from a high value (preventing rotation) to a low value (allowing free rotation), thereby enabling bidirectional rotation capability when needed.
2Ease of operation
If roller clutches are designed to lock in the undesired direction, then rotation prevention is achieved, but overload protection is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The torque element is designed with movable components that can dynamically adjust the friction torque based on load conditions. When normal operation occurs, the mechanism maintains rotation prevention. When overload occurs, the movable components allow the friction torque to decrease, enabling the shaft to rotate and providing overload protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The friction torque parameter is made variable through the movable cage and torque element design. The system transitions from a fixed high friction torque state (for rotation prevention) to a variable state where friction torque can decrease under overload conditions, allowing the shaft to rotate and protecting the system from damage.
3Ease of operation
If friction torque is increased to prevent unwanted rotation, then rotation control is improved, but bidirectional free rotation is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The cage is designed as a movable component that can transition between locked and unlocked positions. In the unlocked position, the friction torque is minimized to allow bidirectional free rotation. In the locked position, friction torque is increased to prevent unwanted rotation. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between rotation control and free rotation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The friction torque parameter is made adjustable through the movable cage mechanism. By changing the cage position between locked and unlocked states, the system can switch between high friction torque (for rotation control) and low friction torque (for bidirectional free rotation), thereby resolving the contradiction.
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 solution enables bidirectional rotation and overload protection, reducing the risk of damage from excessive loads and enhancing the functionality of systems like tray table assemblies by allowing the clutch housing to rotate freely in both directions while preventing unwanted wedging.
Implementation Method 1
The torque element provides friction torque and inhibits rotation of the shaft when the cage of the roller clutch is in the locking position and when the rollers are in the locked position
Data Source
AI summary
According to one aspect, a releasable roller clutch includes a shaft and a clutch housing positioned around the shaft. The shaft and clutch housing together defining a space there between with rollers positioned in said space. The rollers permit rotation of the shaft relative to the clutch housing when in an unlocked position in which the rollers are not wedged and prevent rotation of the shaft relative to the clutch housing when in a locked position in which the rollers are wedged. A cage extends into the space defined between the shaft and clutch housing. The cage is moveable relative to the clutch housing between an unlocking position and a locking position. The cage has a contact edge positionable to prevent the rollers from moving from the unlocked position to the locked position when the cage is in an unlocking position. The releasable roller clutch permits rotation of the shaft relative to the clutch housing in both directions when the cage is in the unlocking position.