Self-Locking Clutch Raceway for Zero-Hold Energy Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clutches require constant external force to maintain either the open or closed state, leading to unsatisfactory energy balance during operation.
Innovation Solution
A coupling design that allows for selective connection of two shafts with a non-positive connection in a closed state and separation in an open state without external force, using an actuator to move a pressure piece along a track, enabling self-holding in both states with minimal energy usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional clutch is used to maintain open or closed state, then the clutch can selectively connect or separate the two shafts, but a constant external force must be applied to maintain the state, leading to high energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure element is designed with a raceway that allows the pressure piece to automatically maintain the clutch in either open or closed state without external force. The geometry of the raceway creates self-locking positions where the pressure piece naturally rests, enabling the clutch to hold its state autonomously without continuous energy input.
Solution Approach 2:
The raceway is designed with a curved geometry that enables the pressure piece to assume stable positions in both open and closed states. The curved surface allows the pressure piece to rock between these positions while maintaining self-locking, eliminating the need for constant external force to maintain either state.
2Ease of operation
If a conventional clutch mechanism is used, then the clutch can be actuated to switch states, but continuous force application is required, resulting in complex actuation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch mechanism performs the work of maintaining its own state through the self-locking geometry of the pressure element and pressure piece. The actuator only needs to provide brief impulses to transition between states, rather than maintaining continuous force, significantly simplifying the actuation requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator applies force periodically only during state transitions rather than continuously. The pressure piece oscillates briefly during actuation to move between the self-locking positions in the raceway, after which no further actuation force is needed to maintain the selected state.
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 coupling requires energy only for switching between states, with no energy needed to maintain either state, resulting in a low energy requirement and reduced actuation force compared to conventional clutches.
Implementation Method 1
the pressure element is either pressed against a friction element connected to the second shaft in the closed state or is spaced from the friction element in the open state of the clutch
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A clutch (1, 18, 22, 26, 46, 48, 59) for selectively connecting a first shaft (3) to a second shaft (9), wherein the clutch (1, 18, 22, 26, 46, 48, 59) is configured to maintain, without the application of an external force, either a closed state, in which a non-positive connection is established between the two shafts (3, 9), or an open state, in which the two shafts (3, 9) are disconnected from one another, wherein the clutch (1, 18, 22, 26, 46, 48, 59) can be switched by means of an actuator (11) from the closed state into the open state and vice versa, wherein the clutch (1, 18, 22, 26, 46, 48, 59) comprises a pressure piece (15) which can be moved along a running track (5) by means of the actuator (11) and which exerts a force on an axially displaceable pressure element (4) connected fixedly to the first shaft (3) for conjoint rotation, with the result that the pressure element (4) is either pressed in the closed state against a friction element (7) connected to the second shaft (9), or is spaced apart from the friction element (7) in the open state.