Seesaw Locking Member Reduces Transition Moment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locking members in one-way clutches require significant movement to transition between engaged and disengaged positions at high rotational speeds due to centrifugal frictional forces, leading to increased moment requirements.
Innovation Solution
A seesaw-shaped locking member with projecting inner and outer pivots that allow frictional engagement near the pivot axis, reducing the overall moment needed to move between engaged and disengaged positions, featuring a notched inner pivot for additional frictional engagement and a center of gravity within the main body to facilitate sliding movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If traditional locking members are used in one-way clutches, then they can provide basic locking function, but they require significant movement and generate high moment requirements at high rotational speeds due to centrifugal frictional forces
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member is designed with a seesaw shape and dual pivots that allow it to dynamically adapt its position based on rotational speed. At high speeds, the centrifugal forces cause the locking member to naturally shift toward a position where frictional engagement occurs near the pivot axis, reducing the moment arm and thereby reducing the moment requirement while maintaining locking effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a second pivot point in addition to the traditional single pivot. This creates a seesaw-shaped locking member that can engage at multiple points along its length. By distributing the engagement points along the longitudinal axis, the design reduces the overall moment arm distance from the rotation axis, thereby reducing the moment requirement without sacrificing locking force
2Force
If locking members are designed to engage at a distance from the pivot axis, then they provide sufficient locking force, but they require larger moment to transition between engaged and disengaged positions
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member is segmented into multiple engagement zones along its length, with the ability to engage at different positions depending on operating conditions. The seesaw shape with dual pivots creates distinct engagement regions that can be activated based on the required balance between locking force and transition moment
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows the effective engagement position to change as a parameter based on rotational speed and load conditions. At high speeds, the centrifugal forces shift the engagement point closer to the pivot axis, automatically adjusting the moment arm length to reduce transition moment while maintaining sufficient locking force through the dual-pivot mechanism
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 significantly reduces the moment required to transition the locking member between positions, enhancing torque transfer efficiency and reducing the mechanical stress at high rotational speeds.
Implementation Method 1
allow frictional engagement of an end surface of the outer pivot with an outer wall of the pocket to occur near the pivot axis during rotation of the first coupling member and the retained locking member above a predetermined RPM
Implementation Method 2
at high rotational speeds, such as 2000 RPM and above, the strut locks itself against outer walls 18 of the pocket 12 due to centrifugal frictional affects
Data Source
AI summary
A locking member for controllably transmitting torque between first and second coupling members of a coupling assembly is provided. The locking member includes projecting inner and outer pivots which extend laterally from a main body portion for enabling pivotal motion of the locking member about a pivot axis which intersects the pivots. The pivots are sized, shaped and located with respect to the main body portion to allow frictional engagement of an end surface of the outer pivot with an outer wall of a pocket to occur near the pivot axis during rotation of the first coupling member and the locking member above a predetermined RPM thereby reducing overall moment on the locking member about the pivot axis that has to be overcome to move the locking member between the engaged and disengaged positions.