WO2022159907A1

WO2022159907A1 - Winch having a bi-directional, backstopping clutch and/or torque coupler, and torque coupler for a winch

Info

Publication number: WO2022159907A1
Application number: PCT/US2022/013761
Authority: WO
Inventors: William A. HELLINGER
Original assignee: Allied Motion Technologies Inc.
Priority date: 2021-01-25
Filing date: 2022-01-25
Publication date: 2022-07-28

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a winch having a bi-direction backstopping clutch and/or a torque coupler. In another aspect, a torque coupler for a winch includes an output shaft having a first end with a plurality of guide sleeves. Each guide sleeve contains a ball bearing. A driven end of a spool surrounds at least a portion of the output shaft. The driven end has a plurality of grooves configured to cooperate with the guide sleeves of the output shaft such that the ball bearings engage the grooves when the grooves are aligned (e.g., rotationally aligned) with the guide sleeves. A drive shaft is configured to selectively translate axially within the output shaft. The drive shaft has an engaged axial position configured to urge the ball bearings radially outward. In a disengaged axial position, the drive shaft is configured to allow the ball bearings to move radially inward.

Description

WINCH HAVING A BI-DIRECTIONAL, BACKSTOPPING CLUTCH AND/OR TORQUE COUPLER, AND TORQUE COUPLER FOR A WINCH

Cross-Reference to Related Applications

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/141,448, filed on January 25, 2021, now pending, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Field of the Disclosure

[0002] The present disclosure relates to winches, and in particular, vehicle-mounted winches.

Background of the Disclosure

[0003] When using a winch, the winch motor can operate to let out the winch cable and take in the cable. Most winches also include a freespool mode, which allows an operator to pull out the winch cable manually rather than using the motor to let out the rope. This is generally quicker and saves wear on the motor.

Brief Summary of the Disclosure

[0004] An embodiment of the present disclosure includes a winch having a motor with a shaft. A spool is in mechanical communication with the shaft. A bi-directional, backstopping clutch is provided to couple the shaft of the motor with the spool. In this way, a position of the spool may be held when the motor is deactivated. Additionally, retracement of the rope caused by transient forces of load (e.g., traveling over irregular terrain) may be prevented even while the motor is running. The back-stopping capability of the clutch may advantageously prevent damage to the motor from forces caused by the load.

[0005] Another embodiment of the present disclosure includes a winch having a motor with a shaft. A spool is in mechanical communication with the shaft. A torque coupler is provided to selectively couple the shaft and the spool. In this way, the torque coupler may be selectively operated to couple the shaft and the spool in an engaged state, or to decouple the shaft and the spool in a disengaged state. [0006] Another embodiment of the present disclosure may include winch having both a bi-directional, backstopping clutch and a torque coupler to connect a motor shaft and a spool.

[0007] In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a ball-detent torque coupler selectively operable to couple an input shaft and a spool of a winch.

Description of the Drawings

[0008] For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the disclosure, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a winch having a clutch according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 2 is a winch having a torque coupler according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 3 is a winch having a clutch and torque coupler according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 4 is a winch having a clutch and torque coupler according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional side view of a coupler according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 6A is a cross-sectional side view of the coupler of Figure 5 where the coupler is in an engaged state;

Figure 6B is a cross-sectional end (axial) view of the coupler of Figure 6A;

Figure 7A is a cross-sectional side view of the coupler of Figure 5 where the coupler is in a disengaged state;

Figure 7B is a cross-sectional end (axial) view of the coupler of Figure 7A;

Figure 8 A is a cross-sectional side view of the coupler of Figure 5 where the coupler is in a transition state; and

Figure 8B is a cross-sectional end (axial) view of the coupler of Figure 8 A.

Detailed Description of the Disclosure

[0009] With reference to Figure 1, in an aspect, the present disclosure may be embodied as a winch 10 having a motor 20 with a shaft 22. A spool 30 is mechanically coupled to the shaft 22 of the motor 20 such that a rope 32 may be wound or unwound from the spool 30 according to a rotational direction of the shaft 22. In some embodiments, the spool 30 and shaft 22 may be coupled using a bi-directional, backstopping clutch 24 (which may be referred to herein simply as a clutch, unless stated otherwise). Backstopping clutches are known in the art for transmitting torque from a powered side of the clutch (e.g., the motor side) to the load side of the clutch (e.g., the spool side), and providing a holding capability on the load side when power is stopped on the powered side. In this way, for example, a load may be prevented from retracement when a drive motor is stopped. A bi-directional backstopping clutch provides these modes of operation in both directions — transmitting torque from the motor regardless of the rotational direction of the motor, and holding position when the motor is stopped. In some embodiments, such as the winch 400 depicted in Figure 4 (further described below), a gearbox 426 is provided between the shaft 422 and the spool 430.

[0010] With reference to Figure 2, in another aspect, the present disclosure may be embodied as a winch 100 having a motor 120 with a shaft 122. A spool 130 is selectively, mechanically coupled to the shaft 122 of the motor 120 using a torque coupler 140. In other words, the torque coupler 140 is selectively operable in an engaged state and a disengaged state. In the engaged state, the shaft 122 is coupled to the spool 130 thereby allowing the motor to drive the spool. In the disengaged state, the shaft 122 is decoupled from the spool 130 such that the spool and the motor function independently — e.g., rotation of the motor will not cause rotation of the shaft. In this way, the torque coupler may be disengaged to allow winch rope to be more easily wound off of the spool (e.g., by pulling the rope from the spool), and the torque coupler may then be engaged so as to allow the motor to pull a load connected to the rope.

[0011] In another aspect (see, e.g., Figure 4), a winch 400 of the present disclosure includes both a bi-directional, backstopping clutch 424 and a torque coupler 440 to connect a motor shaft 422 to a spool 430. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, a winch 400 includes a gearbox 426 connected to the shaft 422 of the motor 420 and used to multiply a torque provided by the motor. In this embodiment, both a bi-directional, backstopping clutch 424 and a torque coupler 440 are used to couple the gearbox 426 to the spool 430. Such a configuration advantageously operates to prevent damage to the gearbox and the motor resulting from forces from a load on a winch rope. It should be noted that in any of the embodiments, a clutch, a torque coupler, and/or a gearbox may be connected in any order to provide the benefits described herein, and the orders shown in various examples herein (e.g., motor shaft to gearbox, to clutch, to torque coupler, and to spool) are intended solely as non-limiting examples of winch configurations.

[0012] In another aspect (see Figure 5), a torque coupler 50 is provided, for example, for coupling a motor to a winch spool. Such a torque coupler provides the ability to disengage the motor from the spool through an axial motion on the torque coupler. The action of the coupler can be described in three basic states: engaged, disengaged, and transition. During normal winching operation — e.g., where the winch is being used to pull a load using the rope on the winch spool — the torque coupler is in the engaged state. In the engaged state, the motor is mechanically connected to the winch spool. When the winch operator desires free spool operation of the winch (e.g., to quickly unwind rope by pulling it off of the spool), the torque coupler is disengaged — removing the mechanical connection between the gearbox and the spool. In this way, the spool may be rotated without the motor also being rotated. When re-engaging the coupler (moving the torque coupler back to the engaged states), the torque coupler moves though a transition state where a spring-loaded drive shaft pushes a set of ball bearings into an engaged position. Each of these stages is further described below. Such a torque coupler 50 is sometimes referred to herein as a ball-detent torque coupler.

[0013] In some embodiments, the present disclosure may be embodied as a torque coupler 50 for a winch. The torque coupler 50 includes an output shaft 52 having a hollow first end 53. The first end 53 includes a plurality of guide sleeves 55. The guide sleeves 55 are through holes traversing radially through the hollow wall of the first end of the output shaft. Each guide sleeve 55 contains a ball bearing 58. For example, each guide sleeve encircles a ball bearing. A spool 80 has a driven end 82 which surrounds the output shaft 52 or a portion of the output shaft (e.g., the first end of the output shaft). The driven end 82 includes a plurality of longitudinal grooves 84 (more easily seen in Figures 7A and 7b) which are configured to align with the guide sleeves 55. The spool 80 is rotatable with respect to the output shaft 52, and the ball bearings 58 are configured to cooperate with the grooves 84 of the spool 80 when the grooves are rotated into alignment with the guide sleeves 55.

[0014] A drive shaft 60 is configured to translate axially within the first end 53 of the output shaft 52. The drive shaft may be configured to be selectively translated within the output shaft in an axial direction. The drive shaft 60 has an engaged axial position configured to urge the ball bearings 58 radially outward. In this way, when the drive shaft 60 is in the engaged axial position (an engaged state), the ball bearings 58 are urged through the guide sleeves 55 to engage the grooves 84 of the spool 80. The drive shaft 60 has a disengaged axial position (a disengaged state) configured to allow the ball bearings 58 to move radially inward. The operation of the torque coupler is further described below.

Engaged State (Figures 5, 6 A, and 6B)

[0015] In the engaged state, each ball bearing 58 of the plurality of ball bearings protrudes from the output shaft 52 and rests in a corresponding longitudinal mating groove 84 of the spool 80. In this way, a driving torque from an input shaft 70, is transferred from the output shaft 52, through the ball bearings 58, and to the spool 80 to enable winching. The ball bearings 58 may be made from a hard material, for example, hardened steel. A drive shaft 60 is used to support the ball bearings 58, maintaining the ball bearings in an extended radial position in guide sleeves of the output shaft and protruding from the output shaft into the grooves of the spool.

Disengaged State (Figures 7 A and 7B)

[0016] In the engaged state, the ball bearings 58 are retracted in the output shaft 52 — i.e., so as not to protrude into the grooves of the spool. By retracted in the output shaft, the ball bearings may be allowed to retract in the guide sleeves (i.e., they are not necessarily moved in a retracted position). This is achieved by moving the drive shaft 60 into a disengaged axial position such that the ball bearings 58 can move down one or more ball ramps 66 formed in the drive shaft 60. The output shaft may be moved (i.e., axially translated) by a force applied to an input shaft 70, which is connected to the output shaft. For example, the input shaft 70 may be connected to the output shaft 60 via a flanged bushing 62. In some embodiments, the flanged bushing 62 compresses a spring 64 when moved into the disengaged axial position. Once the drive shaft are in the disengaged state, any torque applied to the spool (for example, by pulling rope from the spool) will force the ball bearings down their respective guide sleeves in the output shaft. In this state, the ball bearings may induce an indexing resistance during free spooling due to the ball bearings being allowed to travel between the spool and the drive shaft, however the shape of the grooves and the ball bearings prevent this indexing resistance from adversely affecting performance of the winch. This may be helpful in aligning these components when reengaging the torque coupler. Transition State (Figures 8A and 8B)

[0017] In the transition state, the winch operator acts to re-engage the coupler 50 by applying an opposite axial force to the input shaft 70. In some embodiments, this also releases the flanged bushing 62 acting as a hard stop on the drive shaft 60 keeping it in the disengaged position. Once the hard stop is released, the spring 64 applies an axial load to the drive shaft 60, moving the drive shaft to the engaged axial position. This axial movement of the drive shaft 60 induces a radially-outward force on the ball bearings 58 — i.e., via the ball ramps 66 of the output shaft. The drive shaft 60 may include one or more circumferential ramps 66 for urging the ball bearings radially outward (i.e., engaging the grooves of the spool) and for allowing the ball bearings to retract radially inward. During the disengaged state, the output shaft 52 and spool 80 can become misaligned so a continuous outward force on the ball bearings is advantageous to cause the ball bearings 58 to engage in the grooves 84 of the spool 80 when alignment is reestablished. This realignment can be achieved with rotation of the spool and the output shaft with respect to each other (e.g., from rotation of the spool and/or the input shaft).

[0018] It should be noted that the force applied to the input shaft of the presently- disclosed torque coupler to engage or dis-engage the coupler may be manually applied by an operator and/or applied using an actuator or other component of a winch.

[0019] Unless otherwise stated, the terms “wire rope,” “rope,” and “cable” are used herein interchangeably to describe rope, cable, cord, of any diameter, monofilament, or multifilament, and made from metal, plastic, natural materials, or other materials including combinations of materials.

[0020] Although the present disclosure has been described with respect to one or more particular embodiments, it will be understood that other embodiments of the present disclosure may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A torque coupler for a winch, comprising: an output shaft having a first end with a plurality of guide sleeves, each guide sleeve containing a ball bearing; a spool having a driven end surrounding at least a portion of the output shaft, and wherein the driven end has a plurality of grooves configured to cooperate with the guide sleeves of the output shaft such that the ball bearings engage the grooves when the grooves are aligned with the guide sleeves; and a drive shaft configured to selectively translate axially within the output shaft, wherein the drive shaft has an engaged axial position configured to urge the ball bearings radially outward, and a disengaged axial position configured to allow the ball bearings to move radially inward.

2. The torque coupler of claim 1, further comprising an input shaft configured to rotatable drive the output shaft, and wherein the input shaft is configured to axially translate the drive shaft when an axial force is applied to the input shaft.

3. The torque coupler of claim 1, further comprising a spring configured to bias the drive shaft to one of the engaged axial position or the disengaged axial position.

4. The torque coupler of claim 1, wherein the drive shaft is configured to urge the ball bearings using a one or more circumferential ramps.

5. A winch comprising: a motor with a shaft; a spool in mechanical communication with the shaft; a clutch connecting the shaft with the spool, and wherein the clutch is a bi-directional, backstopping clutch; and a torque coupler of any of claims 1-4, wherein the torque coupler is operable to selectively couple the clutch and the spool.

6. The winch of claim 5, further comprising a gearbox connected between the shaft and the spool, the gearbox configured to multiply a torque provided by the motor.

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7. A winch comprising: a motor with a shaft; a spool in mechanical communication with the shaft; and a torque coupler according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the torque coupler is operable to selectively couple the shaft and the spool.

8. The winch of claim 7, further comprising a gearbox connected between the shaft and the spool, the gearbox configured to multiply a torque provided by the motor.

9. A winch comprising: a motor with a shaft; a spool in mechanical communication with the shaft; and a clutch connecting the shaft with the spool, and wherein the clutch is a bi-directional, backstopping clutch.

10. The winch of claim 9, further comprising a gearbox connected between the shaft and the spool, the gearbox configured to multiply a torque provided by the motor.

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