CN110914564A

CN110914564A - Improved one-way clutch bearing and method of making same

Info

Publication number: CN110914564A
Application number: CN201880046203.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 维沙尔·马克瓦纳
Original assignee: Tesiping Bearing Co Ltd
Current assignee: Tesiping Bearing Co Ltd
Priority date: 2017-07-11
Filing date: 2018-07-06
Publication date: 2020-03-24
Also published as: WO2019012396A1; JP2020526724A

Abstract

Disclosed is a one-way clutch bearing comprising an outer ring 11b and an inner ring 12 between which rollers 13 are disposed. The rollers are supported by springs 15 for engagement with the outer periphery of the inner ring 12 such that the rollers 13 allow the inner ring to freewheel in a first direction but enable torque to be transferred to the outer ring by camming action when the inner ring is rotated in the opposite direction. A plurality of cam pins 14 containing cam profiles 141 are retained within a plurality of recesses 113 on the inner periphery of the outer race for engagement with respective rollers and provide a camming action to enable rotational torque to be transmitted to the outer race. Each of the cam pin 14 and the recess 113 is shaped to allow the cam pin to be retained in the respective recess without the need for other fixing means.

Description

Improved one-way clutch bearing and method of making same

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an improved roller type one-way clutch bearing and a method of manufacturing the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved one-way clutch bearing; the one-way clutch bearing is a lightweight, one-piece assembly, easy to manufacture, and cost effective. In addition, the improved one-way clutch bearing does not allow the roller to move out of position. Further, the improved one-way clutch is highly consistent in manufacturing process, has high productivity, and is cost effective.

Background

Roller-type one-way clutches are widely used in the automotive industry as torque transmitting or reverse blocking devices. The roller type one-way clutch is mainly used with a starter motor of an engine in an automobile to start the engine.

As shown in fig. 1, a conventional roller type one-way clutch 1A includes: an outer ring 10 including a recess 103, a cam surface 102, a hole 101, and a protrusion 104 provided inward in a radial direction and extending toward the inner ring 12; an inner ring 12 disposed concentrically with the outer ring 10; a plurality of rollers 13 disposed between the outer surface of the inner race 12 and the cam surface 102 of the outer race 10 and adapted to transmit torque. These rollers are tangentially spring loaded by a folding spring 15 or a helical spring (not shown). In addition, the bore 101 has a counterbore to accommodate the head of a mounting bolt.

As the one-way clutch assembly 1A shown in fig. 1, the inner race 12 can rotate only in one direction with respect to the outer race 10 by means of a cam mechanism constituted by the rollers 13 and the cam surface 102 of the outer race 10. That is, the inner race 12 is designed to idle in one direction relative to the outer race 10, and on the other hand, it applies a rotational torque to the outer race via the cam surface only in the opposite direction.

In the roller type one-way clutch 1A, in order to obtain the forced engagement, the rollers 13 as the torque transmitting members and the springs 15 for biasing the rollers 13 are provided in the respective recesses 103 provided in the outer race 10.

However, the conventional one-way clutch has the following disadvantages:

◆ typically, outer race 10 is made of forged steel the internal shape is machined which is a very cumbersome process because the shape includes cam profiles 102 and lobes 104.

◆ additionally, the opening a1 of the recess 103 is larger than the diameter of the roller, which allows the roller 13 to move out radially.

◆ further, there is a possibility that the spring 15 may come into contact with the inner race 12, which wears the spring 15 and causes malfunction of the one-way clutch.

◆ further, the thickness of the projection 104 is equal to 105 and 110% of the length of the roller to accommodate the roller 13 and spring 15 in the recess 14, making the one-way clutch bulky and expensive.

◆ further, because of the large thickness of the lugs, machining of the mounting holes 101 and counterbores is required, and the machining process is a cumbersome, time consuming, and expensive process.

Accordingly, there is a need to provide an assembly that eliminates the problems of conventional assemblies.

The prior art and the defects thereof are as follows:

many attempts have been made to overcome the problem of roller dislodgement, to reduce weight, minimize complexity of processing, and increase productivity;

◆ U.S. patent 8931609 describes a method of making a one-way clutch so that the rollers do not move from their position.

◆, the apparatus includes machining of the recess, which is a time consuming and expensive process, and additionally, because of the large thickness of the projection, machining of the mounting hole and the counterbore of the hole is required, which is a cumbersome, time consuming and expensive process.

◆ U.S. patent 2011/0108382 describes a method of manufacturing a one-way clutch such that machining complexity is reduced by providing a strut on one of the flanges rather than a projection.

◆ the method, however, involves spot welding of the struts and complex machining, which is not desirable for mass production.

◆ U.S. patent 2002/0148696 describes an apparatus for manufacturing a one-way clutch by stacking sheets of a stamped plate to reduce tooling complexity and reduce the overall size of the product.

◆, the device does not prevent the rollers from moving out of their position, it does not provide sufficient dimensional accuracy to stack the plates and is therefore not used in common practice.

◆ U.S. patent 4106602 describes a method of making a one-way clutch that makes the product economical because of the material savings provided by the clamping elements by providing clamping elements, the lugs are eliminated.

◆ however, the device does not prevent the rollers from falling out of the one-way clutch assembly.

Therefore, the available prior art teaches about one-way clutches having the disadvantages of dimensional inaccuracy and non-positive engagement, which results in deterioration of the function of the one-way clutch bearing, and of being manufactured by means of relatively complicated and expensive manufacturing processes.

Disclosure of Invention

The purpose of the invention is as follows:

the main object of the present invention is to provide an improved one-way clutch bearing; the one-way clutch bearing is a lightweight, one-piece assembly, easy to manufacture, and cost effective.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved one-way clutch bearing as a one-piece assembly; wherein, the outer ring is manufactured by metal plate processing, cold forging or hot forging technology.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved one-way clutch bearing in which the recess is made by a pressing operation (such as punching, blanking or fine blanking) which is highly consistent, has high productivity and is cost effective.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved one-way clutch bearing as a one-piece assembly; wherein the recess is designed such that the roller does not move out radially.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved one-way clutch bearing in which the top and bottom plates are forcibly locked together with the outer race so that the rollers and springs do not move axially out.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved one-way clutch bearing wherein the cam mechanism is provided by a cam pin and a roller.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved one-way clutch; wherein the cam pin is made by a sheet metal machining or cold forging operation that is highly consistent, has high productivity, and is cost effective.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved one-way clutch bearing in which the projection prevents the spring from contacting the rotating inner race, thereby preventing the spring from being worn.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved one-way clutch bearing; the one-way clutch bearing is a lightweight, one-piece assembly, does not have roller dislodgment issues, is easy to manufacture, highly consistent, has high productivity, and is cost effective.

Technical scheme of the invention

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a one-way clutch bearing, the bearing including: an outer ring; an inner ring; and a plurality of rollers provided in a space between an inner periphery of the outer ring and an outer periphery of the inner ring. Each of the rollers is supported by a spring for engaging the roller with an outer periphery of the inner race such that the plurality of rollers allow the inner race to freewheel in a first direction relative to the outer race, but enable torque to be transferred to the outer race through a camming action when the inner race rotates in a second direction opposite the first direction relative to the outer race.

In one aspect, the bearing further comprises: a plurality of cam pins, there may be one corresponding to each of the rollers, each of the cam pins may contain a cam profile for engagement with a respective roller, and each of the cam pins may provide the camming action to enable transmission of rotational torque to the outer race. In another aspect, the plurality of cam pins may be held within a plurality of recesses, one recess for each of the cam pins, the recesses being located on an inner circumference of the outer ring.

In one aspect, each of the cam and the recess may be shaped to allow the cam pin to be retained in the respective recess without the need for other securing means.

In one aspect, the bearing may further comprise a top cover and a bottom plate. The top and bottom plates may be designed to fit on the top and bottom sides of the collar, respectively. Additionally, the top and bottom plates may prevent the plurality of cam pins from being axially displaced, thereby helping to hold the plurality of cam pins and the outer race together in place.

In one aspect, the collar, top cover and bottom plate may contain a plurality of apertures for mounting purposes.

In one aspect, the bottom side of the outer race may include a circular recess, and the bottom plate may fit in the recess of the outer race by an interference fit.

In an aspect, the top cover may be designed to wrap around a top side and an outer periphery of the outer race and may be fixed by at least one of crimping and press-fitting (calking) operations.

In one aspect, the plurality of recesses are defined by a plurality of projections. The projection may be a radially inward projection extending from an inner periphery of the outer ring toward a center of the outer ring. Thus, each of the recesses may be located between two adjacent projections.

In one aspect, the thickness of the lobes may be substantially less than the thickness of the outer race, thereby saving material and reducing the weight of the bearing.

In one aspect, the thickness of the cam pin may be substantially the same as the thickness of the outer race, but may be less than the thickness of the outer race so that the base plate may be fitted in the recess on the bottom side of the outer race.

In one aspect, the thickness of the plurality of projections may be 30-50% of the length of the roller.

In one aspect, the projections may be shaped to provide openings in the recesses, which may be located adjacent the outer periphery of the inner ring such that the respective rollers may engage the outer periphery of the inner ring through the openings. In one embodiment, the openings may be 5-10% smaller than the diameter of the roller. Openings smaller than the roller diameter prevent the rollers from moving radially apart when the inner ring is not in place.

In one aspect, the cam pins may include an outer face that is convex and has a curvature that matches an inner circumference of the outer race for the plurality of cam pins to abut against the inner circumference of the outer race. The cam pin may also have a spring seat surface for being abutted by an end of the spring. The cam pin may further have an inner face opposite the outer face, the inner face containing a cam profile to provide said camming action to the respective roller to enable transmission of rotational torque to the outer race.

In an alternative arrangement of the cam pin, the cam pin may be shaped such that one end of the spring abuts one side of the respective recess.

Drawings

Fig. 1 discloses a top view of a conventional one-way clutch bearing.

Fig. 2 discloses an exploded view of the improved one-way clutch bearing of the present invention.

FIG. 3 discloses a cross-section of an outer race of a manufactured improved one-way clutch bearing at a first step.

Fig. 4 discloses a cross section of an outer race of a one-way clutch bearing manufactured in a second step.

Fig. 5 discloses the final step of manufacturing the outer race of the improved one-way clutch bearing.

FIG. 6 discloses a top view of the improved one-way clutch bearing of the present invention.

FIG. 7 discloses a cross-sectional view of the improved one-way clutch bearing of the present invention.

Fig. 8 discloses a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the invention showing the cam pin, the roller, the spring and the recess.

Fig. 9 discloses a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the invention showing the cam pin, the roller, the spring and the recess.

Reference numerals for the various components of the invention:

1: the improved one-way clutch bearing of the invention

1A: conventional one-way clutch assembly

10: conventional outer ring

101: hole(s)

102: cam profile

103: concave part

104: projecting part

11: improved original piece of outer ring

11 a: improved outer ring of semi-finished product

11 b: improved outer ring

111: guide surface

112: lower groove

113: concave part

113 a: recess of the second embodiment

113 b: recess of the third embodiment

114: projecting part

115: hole(s)

116: inner peripheral surface of the recess

117: peripheral surface

12: inner ring

121: outer face of inner ring

13: roller

14: cam pin

14 a: cam pin of the second embodiment

14 b: cam pin of the third embodiment

141: cam profile

141 a: cam profile of the second embodiment

141 b: cam profile of the third embodiment

142: exterior face

143: spring seat surface

15: spring

16: top cover

161: holes in the roof

17: base plate

171: holes in the base plate

Detailed Description

An improved one-way clutch bearing 1 and method of manufacturing the same of the present invention provides an improved roller one-way clutch bearing and a method for manufacturing the same, wherein the improved one-way clutch bearing is a lightweight, one-piece assembly that is easy to manufacture and cost effective. In addition, the improved one-way clutch is highly consistent in manufacturing process and has high productivity.

Referring to fig. 1 to 9, an embodiment of the present invention provides an improved one-way clutch bearing, wherein the improved one-way clutch bearing 1 mainly includes:

◆ outer ring 11b

◆ inner race 12

◆ roller 13

◆ cam pin 14

◆ spring 15

◆ Top cover 16

◆ bottom plate 17

The outer ring 11b further includes a guide surface 111, a lower groove 112, a recessed portion 113, a projection 114 extending inward in the radial direction, and a hole 115 for mounting the one-way clutch bearing 1 on a rotor (not shown).

The cam pin 14 is provided to constitute the cam mechanism between the roller 13, the cam pin 14, and the inner race 12, and further includes an outer face 142, a spring seat face 143, and a cam profile 141. The outer face 142 is configured to receive the cam pin 14 in the recess 113, wherein the outer face 142 of the cam pin 14 has a radius R similar to the radius R of the inner circumferential surface 116 of the recess 113. Said inner face 116 of the recess 113 is provided at the innermost peripheral face 117 of the outer ring 11b to provide full support for the outer face 142 of the cam pin 14. The roller 13 is tangentially spring loaded by a spring 15.

Referring to fig. 6, the spring 15 is provided for biasing the roller 13 and is located between the roller 13 and the spring seat surface 143 of the cam pin 14 in the corresponding recess 113 of the outer race 11 b. The rollers 13 are placed such that they are engaged by the cam surfaces 141 of the cam pins 14 and the outer face 121 of the inner race 12, thereby providing a state in which the one-way clutch bearing 1 is locked in one direction.

As can be seen from fig. 6. The cam pin 14 is held in the recess 113 without any additional means for fixing the cam pin 14. Due to the matching profiles of the two, these cam pins are retained in the respective recesses 113.

Referring to fig. 7, the roller 13 and the spring 15 are located between the cam pin 14 and the inner race 12, wherein the thickness of the projection 114 is maintained to be 30-50% of the roller length, thereby reducing the weight and cost of the one-way clutch bearing of the present invention. In addition, as shown in fig. 6, the projection 114 is designed such that the opening of the recess 113 is 5-10% smaller than the diameter of the roller 13 to prevent the roller 13 from moving radially out of its position. Furthermore, the projections 114 prevent the spring 15 from coming into contact with the outer face 121 of the inner ring 12, thus preventing any wear of said spring 15. The top cover 16 made of a steel plate is engaged with the outer race 11b in such a manner as to be attached by a method including crimping, press-fitting, or a similar positive engagement (positive engagement) method. The top cover 16 and bottom plate 17 include

apertures

161 and 171 for mounting purposes. The base plate 17 includes an interference fit with the guide surface 111 and has a clearance fit with the lower groove 112 so that the base plate can be secured in the outer race 11 b. In addition, the bottom plate 17 may be mechanically locked with the outer race 11 b.

Referring to fig. 6 and 7, the one-way clutch bearing 1 of the present invention is provided in the form of a single unit, which further prevents the rollers 13 and the springs 15 from being removed from their positions, thereby providing a one-way clutch bearing. Another alternative to the one-way clutch bearing of the present invention is to reduce the accumulation of foreign particles in the recess 114 due to the top cover 16 and the bottom plate 17 being fixed together with the outer ring 11b by providing a seal for the bottom plate 17 and the inner periphery of the top cover 16.

The present embodiments are useful in all aspects of a roller type one-way clutch that is also lightweight, easy to manufacture, highly consistent, has high productivity, and is cost effective.

The improved manufacturing method of the outer ring comprises the following steps:

referring to fig. 3, the one-way clutch bearing 1 of the present invention comprises a modified outer ring 11b made of a steel plate or forged steel, wherein the optimum method for manufacturing the modified outer ring is as follows:

a. referring to fig. 3, the original piece 11 of the modified outer race 11b is made from a sheet metal machining or forging process.

b. Then, as shown in fig. 4, the outer ring 11 is machined by a turning operation to obtain an outer ring 11a, the outer ring 11a including a guide surface 111 and a lower groove 112 to fix the bottom plate 17. Alternatively, the outer race 11a is machined from sheet metal, thereby eliminating the first step, which is a highly consistent, highly productive and cost effective process.

c. After the outer race 11a is processed, the recess 113, the projection 114, and the hole 115 are formed by a punching, blanking, or fine blanking process. Wherein the forming of complex shapes is reliably and quickly accomplished due to the punching, blanking or fine blanking process, which further improves consistency and productivity. Therefore, machining of the mounting hole and the counter bore is omitted.

d. After the blanking, piercing or fine blanking process operation, the outer ring 11b is subjected to a hardening treatment in the case of high torque transmission applications.

The manufacturing method of the cam pin comprises the following steps:

the cam pin 14 is provided so as to constitute the cam mechanism between the roller 13, the cam pin 14, and the inner ring 12, wherein the best method of manufacturing the cam pin 14 of the one-way clutch bearing 1 of the present invention is:

a. the cam pin 14 is made of a rectangular steel strip or a rectangular steel bar by a pressing operation or a cold forging process, thereby achieving high uniformity and high productivity;

b. subjecting the cam pin 14 to a further hardening treatment; in the case of low torque transmission, the outer ring 11b does not need to be hardened, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost.

Other embodiments of the invention:

i) second embodiment of the invention:

another embodiment of the present invention is shown in fig. 8. The embodiment comprises the following steps:

◆ outer ring 11b

◆ inner race 12

◆ roller 13

◆ cam pin 14a

◆ spring 15

◆ Top cover 16

◆ the bottom plate 17 of the box body,

wherein the content of the first and second substances,

the outer ring 11b further includes a guide surface 111, a lower groove 112, a recess 113a modified according to the cam pin 14a, a projection 114 extending inward in the radial direction, and a mounting hole 115.

The cam pin 14a includes an outer face 142 and a cam profile 141. The cam pin 14a does not include the spring seat face 143 as described in the main embodiment. The outer face 142 is the same as described in the main embodiment. The roller 13 is tangentially spring loaded by a spring 15. Said spring 15 is accommodated between the roller 13 and the recess 113a, wherein the opening of the recess 113a is kept 5-10% smaller than the roller length to prevent the roller 13 from moving out of its position. In addition, as described in the main embodiment, the top cover 16 and the bottom plate 17 are fixed together with the outer ring 11b, thereby providing a one-piece assembly of the one-way clutch bearing.

ii) a third embodiment of the invention:

another embodiment of the present invention is shown in fig. 9. The embodiment comprises the following steps:

◆ outer ring 11b

◆ inner race 12

◆ roller 13

◆ cam pin 14b

◆ spring 15

◆ Top cover 16

◆ the bottom plate 17 of the box body,

wherein the content of the first and second substances,

the outer ring 11b further includes a guide surface 111, a lower groove 112, a recess 113b modified according to the cam pin 14b, a projection 114 extending inward in the radial direction, and a mounting hole 115.

The cam pin 14b includes an outer face 142 and a cam profile 141 b. As shown in fig. 9, the cam pin 14b includes an alternative to the cam profile 141 b. The outer face 142 is the same as described in the main embodiment. The roller 13 is tangentially spring loaded by a spring 15. Said spring 15 is accommodated between the roller 13 and the recess 113b, wherein the opening of the recess 113b is kept 5-10% smaller than the roller length to prevent the roller 13 from moving out of its position. In addition, as described in the main embodiment, the top cover 16 and the bottom plate 17 are fixed together with the outer ring 11b, thereby providing a one-piece assembly of the one-way clutch bearing.

As can be seen from fig. 8 and 9, also in the case of the alternative embodiment of the one-way bearing, the cam pins 14a/14b are held within the respective recesses 113a/113b without any additional means for fixing the cam pins 14a/14 b. Due to the matching profiles of the two, these cam pins are retained in the respective recesses 113a/113 b.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Thus, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments described herein.

The invention has the advantages that:

compared with the prior art and the conventional technology, the invention has many advantages:

1. the present invention provides an improved one-way clutch bearing in the form of a single unit.

2. The present invention provides an improved one-way clutch bearing; wherein the problem of roller and spring dislodgement is eliminated.

3. The present invention provides an improved one-way clutch bearing; wherein the problem of wear of the spring is eliminated.

4. The present invention provides an improved one-way clutch bearing that is lightweight, easy to manufacture, highly consistent, has high productivity, and is cost effective.

Claims

1. A one-way clutch bearing, the bearing comprising:

an outer ring;

an inner ring;

a plurality of rollers disposed in a space between an inner periphery of the outer race and an outer periphery of the inner race, the plurality of rollers supported by a plurality of springs such that the plurality of rollers engage the outer periphery of the inner race such that the plurality of rollers allow the inner race to freewheel in a first direction relative to the outer race, but enable torque to be transferred to the outer race through a camming action when the inner race rotates in a second direction opposite the first direction relative to the outer race;

wherein the bearing further comprises:

a plurality of cam pins, there being one corresponding to each of the plurality of rollers, each of the cam pins containing a cam profile for engaging with a respective roller and providing the camming action to enable transmission of rotational torque to the outer race; wherein the plurality of cam pins are held within a plurality of recesses, one recess for each of the cam pins, the plurality of recesses being located on an inner circumference of the outer ring.

2. The bearing of claim 1, wherein each of the cam pin and the recess is shaped to allow the cam pin to be retained in the respective recess without the need for other securing means.

3. The bearing of claim 1, wherein the bearing further comprises a top cover and a bottom plate adapted to be secured on a top side and a bottom side of the outer race, respectively; the top cover and the bottom plate are adapted to hold the plurality of cam pins with the outer race by preventing the plurality of cam pins from being axially displaced.

4. The bearing of claim 3, wherein the outer race, the top cover, and the bottom plate contain a plurality of holes for mounting purposes.

5. The bearing of claim 3, wherein the bottom side of the outer ring includes a circular recess, and the bottom plate fits in the recess of the outer ring by an interference fit.

6. The bearing of claim 3, wherein the cap is adapted to wrap around the top side and outer periphery of the outer ring and is secured by at least one of a crimping and press-fitting operation.

7. The bearing of claim 1, wherein the plurality of recesses are defined by a plurality of lobes that are radially inward lobes extending from an inner periphery of the outer ring toward a center of the outer ring such that each of the recesses is located between two adjacent lobes of the plurality of lobes.

8. The bearing of claim 7, wherein a thickness of the plurality of lobes is substantially less than a thickness of the outer ring.

9. The bearing of claim 5, wherein a thickness of the plurality of cam pins is substantially the same as a thickness of the outer ring, thereby allowing the bottom plate to fit in the recess on the bottom side of the outer ring.

10. The bearing of claim 8, wherein a thickness of the plurality of projections is 30-50% of a length of the plurality of rollers.

11. The bearing of claim 7, wherein the plurality of projections are shaped to provide openings in the plurality of recesses, the openings being located near an outer periphery of the inner ring for engaging the respective rollers with the outer periphery of the inner ring; and wherein the opening is 5-10% smaller than the diameter of the plurality of rollers to prevent the rollers from moving radially out.

12. The bearing of claim 1, wherein the plurality of cam pins comprises:

an outer face that is convex and has a curvature that matches an inner periphery of the outer ring for abutting the plurality of cam pins against the inner periphery of the outer ring;

the spring seat surface is used for being abutted by one end of the spring; and

an inner face opposite the outer face and containing a cam profile to provide the camming action to the respective roller to enable transmission of rotational torque to the outer race.

13. The bearing of claim 1, wherein the plurality of cam pins comprises:

an outer face that is convex and has a curvature that matches an inner periphery of the outer ring for abutting the plurality of cam pins against the inner periphery of the outer ring; and

an inner face opposite the outer face and containing a cam profile to provide the camming action to a respective roller to enable transmission of rotational torque to the outer race;

wherein one end of the spring abuts against one side of the corresponding recess.