GB706947A - Improvements in or relating to one-way engaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

706,947. One-way brakes. BORG-WARNER CORPORATION. Dec. 19, 1951 [Dec. 22, 1950], No. 29729/51. Class 103(1) [Also in Group XXIV] Sprags 24, which tilt about centres 29, 30 into and out of wedging positions between cylindrical inner and outer races 18, 21 of a one-way clutch or detent, are spaced and resiliently urged into the wedging position by a cage 31 formed of a single sheet metal strip or tube having openings 34 to receive the sprags, and tabs 35 in the openings which press inwards on shoulders 27 or grooves in one side of the sprags. As shown the strip 31 is of relatively thick (0.025-0.030 inch) spring steel, phosphor-bronze or beryllium-copper, in which the openings 34 are punched whilst flat so that when subsequently the strip is bent to permanent cylindrical form, the tabs 35 project outwards. Staggered shoulders 28, or narrower grooves in the opposite sides of the sprags retain the latter in the openings as a sub-assembly. In Figs. 4-7 (not shown), the cage is of considerably thinner strip e.g. clockspring or cold rolled stainless steel (0.007-0.009 inch thick) or beryllium copper (0.012-0.015 inch thick) and does not take a permanent set when bent to cylindrical form. The side walls flex as well as the tabs to apply pressure to the sprags, and the overlapped ends of the strip press resiliently on each other. The sprag sides have staggered grooves and the tabs lever the sprags about the opposite groove with with an increased lever-arm in comparison with that given, as in Fig. 2, by a fulcrum on the inner race. In Figs. 8 and 9, (not shown), a similar thin cage has axial corrugations for circumferential resilience, in which case the cage may be put in longitudinal tension or compression so that the pressure of the sprags on one race may exceed that on the other to reduce rubbing wear on the relatively rotating race during overrun. The openings at the two ends of the cage are both sprung over the same sprag to retain the sprags and cage as a sub-assembly. In Figs. 10 and 11 (not shown), the tabs 35 are given an initial inward set, to increase their pressure on the sprags. The cage and sprags may be assembled for rotation in either direction.