Selectable One-Way Clutch With Actuated Pivoting Pawls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current one-way clutches in power transmissions lack a reliable mechanism for selective engagement and disengagement, particularly in multi-speed automatic shifting systems, which limits their functionality and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A selectable one-way clutch design featuring an inner member with clutch teeth, an outer clutch assembly with pivoting pawls, and an actuator to selectively engage or disengage the pawls with the inner member, allowing for controlled torque transmission in specific directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a selectable one-way clutch is provided with an actuator mechanism to selectively engage and disengage the clutch, then the functionality and efficiency of power transmissions are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: the inner member with clutch teeth, the outer clutch assembly with pawls, and the actuator mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall design by distributing complexity across modular elements rather than requiring a monolithic complex structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivoting pawls are designed to automatically engage with the clutch teeth when in the engaged position, utilizing their own geometry and pivot movement to maintain engagement without requiring continuous actuation. The actuator only needs to initiate the engagement/disengagement motion, after which the pawls self-maintain their state, reducing the complexity of the actuator mechanism.
2Reliability
If the one-way clutch is designed with multiple pivoting pawls and an actuator mechanism for selective control, then the torque transmission control is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The notches are pre-formed in the side plate during manufacturing, creating predetermined engagement paths for the inner member. This preliminary structuring ensures that during assembly, the inner member automatically aligns with the correct orientation relative to the pawls, eliminating the need for complex alignment procedures and reducing assembly complexity while maintaining reliable torque control.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer clutch assembly is designed as a separate modular unit containing the pawls and side plate, which can be manufactured and tested independently before final assembly with the inner member. This segmentation allows for specialized manufacturing processes for each sub-assembly and simplifies quality control and repair operations.
3Ease of manufacture
If the side plate is designed with notches to facilitate assembly, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The notches in the side plate are designed with localized geometry that concentrates material in critical load-bearing regions while providing clearance only where needed for the inner member passage. The notches are positioned and dimensioned to minimize material removal from high-stress areas, maintaining the side plate's structural integrity while enabling easy assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A selectable one-way clutch includes an inner member having a plurality of clutch teeth on an outer perimeter thereof. An outer clutch assembly includes at least one side plate supporting a plurality of pivoting pawls engageable with the clutch teeth of the inner member and an actuator operable to engage the plurality of pivoting pawls to selectively allow and or prevent the plurality of pivoting pawls from engaging the inner member. The at least one side plate includes an opening therethrough with a plurality of inner peripheral notches corresponding to the plurality of clutch teeth that allow the inner member to be received through the opening in the at least one side plate during assembly.