WO1993000521A1

WO1993000521A1 - Self containing clutch

Info

Publication number: WO1993000521A1
Application number: PCT/US1992/005264
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rudolph Richard Castens
Original assignee: Hybo Science, Inc.
Priority date: 1991-06-20
Filing date: 1992-06-22
Publication date: 1993-01-07

Abstract

A self containing unidirectional clutch (10) of either the solid or shell race variety wherein a simple and inexpensive, generally resilient, member (32) is used to interconnect the inner (12) and outer (20) race members against axial displacement with respect to one another, yet which permits the clutch to still behave as a torque transmitting coupling with respect to rotation of one race relative to the other in a first direction, yet which behaves as a roller bearing and axial thrust bearing with respect to relative rotation of said race members in the opposite direction.

Description

SELF CONTAINING CLUTCH BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to couplings and more particularly relates to a self containing hyperboloidal type clutch which is held together as an integral, operable unit once assembled. 2. Background of the Invention In the use of hyperboloidal type clutches in a mass production setting where the clutches are not immediately installed into a working component of a machine, it is necessary to provide a means for maintaining the inner and outer races thereof in operable association with each other after the clutch is assembled. Because unidirectional clutches of the hyperboloidal type have not been sold in commercial quantities, no one has proposed a self containing clutch which can stand alone after assembly thereof but before installation in a machine. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To this end, the instant invention is comprised of a self containing unidirectional clutch of either the solid or shell race variety wherein a simple and inexpensive, generally resilient, member is used to interconnect the inner and outer race members against axial displacement with respect to one another, yet which permits the clutch to still behave as a torque transmitting coupling with respect to rotation of one race relative to the other in a first direction, yet which behaves as a roller bearing and axial thrust bearing with respect to-relative rotation of said race members in the opposite direction. It is an object of the instant invention to provide a self contained unidirectional clutch of the hyperboloidal type. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a simple and inexpensive device for maintaining the inner and outer races of a unidirectional clutch of the hyperboloidal type in operable association with each other regardless of whether the clutch is incorporated into a machine or standing alone. It is a still further object of the instant invention to provide a device for retaining the inner and outer races of a hyperboloidal type unidirectional clutch against axial displacement without significantly adding to the friction generated within the clutch during freewheeling. In accordance with these and other objects which will be apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of a self containing clutch constructed in accordance with the instant invention. Figure 2A is a partially exploded perspective view of the clutch of Figure 1. Figure 2B is an enlarged view of the area of detail shown in Figure 2A. Figure 3A is a cross-sectional elevational view taken along lines 3-3 of Figure 1. Figure 3B is an enlarged view of the area of detail shown in Figure 3A. Figure 4A is a self containing clutch constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the instant invention. Figure 4B is an exploded view of the ssseal ring mechanism of Figure 4A. Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the second embodiment of the self containing clutch shown in Figure 4A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, Figures 1 through 3B show a first embodiment of the self containing unidirectional clutch 10 of the instant invention comprised of an inner race member 12 defining a hollow inner bore 14 and an inner race surface 16, and an outer race member 20 having an outer race surface 21, which may be grooved, splined, finned to enhance heat transfer characteristics, or otherwise treated, said outer race member 20 defining an outer race surface 22 forming a confronting surface with inner race surface 16 and defining a hollow annular volume therebetween. A plurality of thrust transmitting rollers 26 are disposed in said annular volume and are all similarly inclined with respect to radial planes as is well known for clutches of the hyperboloidal type and described in my co-pending United States Patent Application Serial No. 07/418,795, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference as though fully set forth herein. An annular thrust member 28 may be used to support the ends 27 of the rollers near the large diameter end A of the clutch slidably with respect to inner race support shoulder 29. An additional thrust washer 28' may also be employed to retain the upper roller ends 27 near the small diameter end B of the clutch. In accordance with this invention, there is provided a means for retaining the inner race 12 in position axially with respect to the outer race 20 comprised generally of an annular retaining member 32 adapted to mate in interfitting engagement with means connected to the inner or outer race and to overlap an annular secondary shoulder 39 associated with said outer or inner race, respectively. Additional means for distributing frictional forces, such as thrust bearing 34 may be employed between the secondary shoulder 39 and the retaining member 32. As best seen in Figure 3A, retaining member 32 acts to retain inner race member 12 firmly in operable engagement with respect to outer race 20. Figures 2a and 2b show the preferred construction of retaining member 32 having a V-shaped peripheral surface 33 adapted to mate with a corresponding V-shaped peripheral surface associated with either the outer or inner race member, respectively. Retaining member 32 further has an extending shoulder portion 37 adapted to overlap secondary shoulder 39. It is obvious from the foregoing that retaining member 32 is suited for attachment to either the inner or outer race member depending upon whether V-shaped surface 33 is formed in the outer or inner peripheral surface thereof. If the retaining member 32 attaches to the inner race member as shown in Figure 1 through 3b, 1 the secondary shoulder 39 must be connected to the outer race

2 member, and vice versa.

3 Figures 4 and 5 show a self containing unidirectional ^■ 4 clutch of the hyperboloidal type in accordance with the instant

5 invention. In this embodiment, inner race member 52 and outer race

6 member 60 are formed of thin-walled material and are commonly

7 referred to as ^■■shell" or "cup" type races. Inner race member 52

8 defines an inner race surface 56, which is a sub-derivative

9 hyperboloidal surface of revolution about the axis of rotation R of

10 the clutch. Outer race member 60 defines an outer race surface 62,

11 which is a super-derivative hyperboloidal surface of revolution

12 about axis R. Race surfaces 56 and 62 form confronting race

13 surfaces defining an annular volume therebetween. A plurality of

14 thrust transmitting rollers 26 are located in said annular volume,

15 all similarly inclined with respect to radial planes. Said rollers

16 may be supported by an annular thrust member 68 at the large

17 diameter in the clutch.

18 Inner race member 52 must be firmly connected to shaft

19 55, which may be a splined shaft or other structure, by using, for

20 example, splines 54 connected to both the large and small diameter

21 ends of the inner race member 52. Retaining C-clip 76 may also be

22 employed to fix the clutch in position axially with respect to

23 shaft 55.

24 In order to retain the inner and outer race members 52 ₍ 25 and 60 in operable association with one another, even while the

26 clutch is standing alone prior to installation in a mechanism, a means for retaining said races in association with each other 50 is disclosed comprised of a collar 72 releasably connected to outer race member 60 by interfitting engagement between an annular relief portion 73 with a corresponding raised annular shoulder portion 74 connected to outer race member 60. As best seen in Figure 4B, when collar 72 is "snapped" onto outer race member 60, retaining leg 78, which is disposed inwardly at right angles to collar 72, acts as a retainer against axial movement of the inner with respect to the outer race. Oil seal ring 70 may be used to retain lubrication in and around rollers 26. Additional or alternative structures may be used as necessary, such as axial thrust bearing means, without effecting the scope of the invention. The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

Claims

What I Claim Is :

l. A unidirectional clutch of the hyperboloidal type having an inner race member surrounded by an outer race member and a plurality of thrust transmitting rollers disposed therebetween at an angle relative to radial planes, and means for connecting said inner and outer race members so as to prevent said race members from separating but yet permitting the clutch to function in its normal capacity as a freewheel, a roller bearing and an axial thrust bearing, said means for connecting comprised of an annular snap ring having an inner periphery and an outer periphery, either said inner or outer periphery comprising a shoulder adapted to overlap a corresponding shoulder connected to said inner or outer race member, respectively, said outer or inner periphery comprising a first means for engaging adapted to be urged into interfitting engagement with a corresponding second means for engaging connected to said outer or inner race, respectively.

2. A self containing unidirectional clutch of the hyperboloidal type having an inner race member, an outer race member and a plurality of thrust transmitting rollers disposed therebetween at an angle relative to radial planes, said clutch having means for operably connecting said inner and outer races comprising a first portion rigidly connectable to either said inner or outer race member and a second portion adapted to at least partially overlap either said outer or inner race member, respectively.

3. The clutch of claim 1, further comprising an annular washer between said shoulder of said snap ring and said shoulder of said inner or outer race member to reduce radial friction within the clutch.

4. The clutch of claim 3, wherein said annular washer is comprised of a flexible material means for maintaining a constant axial bias between said inner and outer races to maintain the inner and outer races in constant engagement with said rollers.

5. The clutch of claim 4, wherein said annular washer is .a wave washer.

6. A clutch of claim 4, wherein said annular washer is a Belleville spring.

7. A self containing unidirectional clutch of the hyperboloidal type having an inner race member and an outer race member formed of thin-walled material, a plurality of thrust transmitting rollers disposed therebetween at an angle with respect to radial planes, and means for retaining the inner and outer races in position with respect to each other for operation of the clutch, said means for retaining comprised of a collar adapted to surround a first end of the outer race member of said clutch and having a raised annular shoulder projecting from the inner peripheral surface of said collar adapted to mate in interfitting engagement with a corresponding raised shoulder portion integrally connected to the outer peripheral surface of said outer race member, said collar having a means for resisting axial displacement of said rollers.

8. The clutch of claim 7, wherein said means for resisting is comprised of an annular shoulder portion integrally connected to said collar at right angles thereto and projecting from said collar toward the inner race member.

9. The clutch of claim 8, further comprising means for sealing associated with said means for retaining adapted to assist in the retention of lubrication fluid in and about the rollers of the clutch.