Reverse Input Shutoff Clutch With Radial Engaging Element
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reverse input shutoff clutches face issues with large axial dimensions and increased part counts, particularly in lock-type clutches using coil springs and rolling elements, which hinder compact design and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A lock-type reverse input shutoff clutch design featuring an input member, an output member, a pressed member, and an engaging element that moves radially to transmit or shut off rotational torque, with a configuration that allows for reduced axial dimension and part count, utilizing a pressed surface and engaging elements with specific geometric features to manage torque transmission and shutdown.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If lock-type reverse input shutoff clutch uses coil springs and rolling elements to prevent rotation, then torque shut-off function is improved, but axial dimension and part count increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the torque transmission and torque shut-off functions into a single engaging element without requiring separate coil springs and rolling elements. The engaging element directly transmits torque when engaged with the input member and automatically shuts off reverse torque through its geometric design, eliminating the need for additional components that increase axial dimension.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary components (coil springs, rolling elements) from the traditional lock-type clutch design. By removing these elements, the axial dimension is reduced while maintaining the essential torque shut-off function through a simplified engaging element mechanism.
2Reliability
If lock-type reverse input shutoff clutch uses coil springs and rolling elements to prevent rotation, then torque shut-off function is improved, but number of parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions (torque transmission, torque shut-off, and locking) into a single engaging element. This integration eliminates the need for separate coil springs, rolling elements, and other components, thereby reducing the total number of parts while maintaining reliable torque shut-off functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The engaging element is designed to perform multiple functions: transmitting torque in the forward direction, shutting off reverse torque, and providing locking capability. This multi-functionality reduces the need for specialized components for each function, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
3Length of moving object
If engaging element moves radially to transmit or shut off rotational torque, then axial dimension is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The engaging element incorporates asymmetric geometric features that enable it to move radially and selectively engage with the input member. The asymmetric design allows the element to naturally position itself during radial movement, reducing the need for high-precision manufacturing while maintaining effective torque transmission and shut-off functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from axial movement to radial movement of the engaging element. This dimensional change allows the clutch to achieve compact axial dimensions while using radial geometry to control engagement and disengagement, thereby managing manufacturing precision requirements through geometric design rather than tight tolerances.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A reverse input shutoff clutch in which the axial dimension may be shortened and the number of parts may be reduced. The reverse input shutoff clutch (1) includes: an input member (2), an output member (3) coaxially arranged with the input member (2), a pressed member (4) having a pressed surface (10), and an engaging element (5). The engaging element (5), when rotational torque is inputted to the input member (2), moves in a direction away from the pressed surface (10) due to engagement with the input member (2) and transmits the rotational torque to the output member (3), and when rotational torque is reversely inputted to the output member (3), moves in a direction toward the pressed surface (10) due to engagement with the output member (3), and prevents or suppresses relative rotation between the output member (3) and the pressed member (4).