阅读说明：本技术 可切换式滚子单向离合器 (Switchable roller one-way clutch ) 是由 J·盖泽 M·霍奇 于 2019-02-15 设计创作，主要内容包括：提供一种驻车锁止器,其包括：基部构件；定位销,其安装到所述基部构件,被构造成能够被压缩以及恢复原状的弹性构件,且具有弹动端；棘爪,其能相对于所述基部构件转动地安装；滚子组件,其包括滚子架和固定安装到所述滚子架的型线板,所述定位销的弹动端抵接所述型线板,所述滚子组件经由所述滚子架相对于所述基部构件可移动地安装到所述基部构件,所述滚子组件的移动能够使所述棘爪摆动。所述定位销的复位弹力驱动所述型线板移动,从而使所述滚子组件相对于所述基部构件移动直到驻车锁止状态,所述定位销的弹力方向与所述滚子组件的移动方向相交。(Provided is a parking lock, including: a base member; a positioning pin mounted to the base member, configured as an elastic member that can be compressed and restored, and having an elastic end; a pawl rotatably mounted relative to the base member; a roller assembly including a roller frame and a profile plate fixedly mounted to the roller frame, a spring end of the locating pin abutting the profile plate, the roller assembly being movably mounted to the base member relative to the base member via the roller frame, movement of the roller assembly enabling the pawl to oscillate. The reset elastic force of the positioning pin drives the molded line board to move, so that the roller assembly moves relative to the base component until the parking locking state, and the elastic force direction of the positioning pin is crossed with the moving direction of the roller assembly.)

1. A switchable one-way clutch comprising:

a housing;

an outer race extending about an axis and having an inner surface;

an inner race extending about the axis and having an outer surface, wherein the inner race is fixed relative to the housing;

a roller cage assembly extending about the axis and having:

a plurality of rollers contactable with the inner race and the outer race, an

A roller cage configured to seat and house the plurality of rollers;

an annular carriage extending about the axis and contacting the outer surface of the inner race, wherein the carriage is rotationally fixed to the roller cage and is movable in an axial direction relative to the roller cage; and

an electromagnet assembly configured to be magnetized in response to electrical energy;

wherein the switchable one-way clutch is switchable between:

a first mode in which the electromagnet assembly is energized, the carriage is in a first axial position in contact with the electromagnet assembly, and the carriage and the roller cage are rotationally fixed relative to the housing; and

a second mode in which the electromagnet assembly is de-energized, the carriage is in a second axial position axially spaced from the electromagnet assembly, and the carriage and the roller cage assembly are free to rotate about the axis relative to the housing.

2. The switchable one-way clutch of claim 1, wherein in the first mode the inner and outer races are locked in a first rotational direction and free to rotate relative to each other in a second rotational direction.

3. The switchable one-way clutch of claim 2, wherein in the second mode the inner and outer races are locked in the first rotational direction and in the second rotational direction.

4. The switchable one-way clutch of claim 1, wherein the inner surface of the outer race defines a plurality of ramped surface features, wherein in the first mode the outer race is constrained to rotate via the rollers rolling along the ramped surface features.

5. The switchable one-way clutch of claim 1, wherein the electromagnet assembly is fixed to the housing via an interference fit.

6. The switchable one-way clutch of claim 1, the electromagnet assembly comprising a magnetized region that directly contacts the carriage in the first mode.

7. A switchable one-way clutch comprising:

an outer race including an outer surface and an inner surface having a plurality of inclined surface features;

an inner race;

a roller cage assembly having a plurality of rollers disposed radially between the inclined surface features of the inner and outer races to selectively enable torque to be transmitted when rotating in a first rotational direction and not when rotating in a second rotational direction; and

a ring-shaped carriage constrained to rotate with the roller cage in both rotational directions, wherein activation of the electromagnetic force moves the carriage in a first axial direction to rotationally lock the roller cage assembly to prevent movement of the outer race, and removal of the electromagnetic force allows the carriage to move in a second axial direction to rotationally unlock the roller cage assembly to enable rotational movement of the outer race.

8. The switchable one-way clutch of claim 7, further comprising an electromagnet assembly configured to selectively supply the electromagnetic force to move the carriage in the first direction.

9. The switchable one-way clutch of claim 8, further comprising a housing having an inner surface in contact with the outer surface of the outer race, wherein the electromagnet assembly is fixed within the housing.

10. The switchable one-way clutch of claim 7, wherein the roller cage assembly comprises a roller cage having an axially extending projection, and wherein the carriage is configured to slide axially along the axially extending projection while being constrained to rotate with the annular carriage.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to one-way clutches, and more particularly to switchable one-way clutches.

Background

One-way clutches are known, particularly in vehicle transmission settings. One-way clutches enable torque transfer in one rotational direction while preventing torque transfer in the other rotational direction by disengaging or freewheeling. Switchable one-way clutches are also known in which the clutch is selectively lockable in one direction, lockable in both directions or unlocked in neither direction. One example of a switchable one-way clutch is disclosed in U.S. patent application publication No. 2017/0045099.

Disclosure of Invention

According to one embodiment, a switchable one-way clutch includes: a housing; and an outer race extending about the axis and having an inner surface. The switchable one-way clutch also includes an inner race extending about the axis and having an outer surface, wherein the inner race is fixed relative to the housing. The switchable one-way clutch further includes a roller cage assembly extending about the axis and having: a plurality of rollers contactable with the inner race and the outer race; and a roller cage configured to house and accommodate a plurality of rollers. The switchable one-way clutch also includes an annular carriage extending about the axis and contacting the outer surface of the inner race, wherein the carriage is rotationally fixed to the roller cage and is movable in an axial direction relative to the roller cage. The switchable one-way clutch also includes an electromagnet assembly configured to be magnetized in response to electrical energy. The switchable one-way clutch is switchable between two modes: (i) a first mode in which the electromagnet assembly is energized, the carriage is in a first axial position in contact with the electromagnet assembly, and the carriage and the roller cage are rotationally fixed relative to the housing; and (ii) a second mode in which the electromagnet assembly is de-energized, the carriage is in a second axial position axially spaced from the electromagnet assembly, and the carriage and roller cage assembly are free to rotate about the axis relative to the housing.

According to another embodiment, a switchable one-way clutch includes a first race. The switchable one-way clutch also includes a second race concentric with the first race. The switchable one-way clutch also includes a roller cage assembly having a plurality of rollers positioned radially between the first race and the second race. The switchable one-way clutch also includes an electromagnetic assembly configured to be magnetized in response to electrical energy. The switchable one-way clutch also includes a carriage rotatably secured to the roller cage assembly, wherein the carriage is configured to move in an axial direction relative to the roller cage assembly in response to magnetization of the electromagnetic assembly.

In yet another embodiment, a switchable one-way clutch includes an outer race having an outer surface and an inner surface having a plurality of inclined surface features. The switchable one-way clutch also includes an inner race. The switchable one-way clutch also includes a roller cage assembly having a plurality of rollers disposed radially between the inner race and the ramped surface features of the outer race to selectively enable torque to be transmitted when rotating in the first rotational direction and not when rotating in the second rotational direction. The switchable one-way clutch also includes a ring-shaped carriage constrained to rotate with the roller cage in both rotational directions, wherein activation of the electromagnetic force moves the carriage in a first axial direction to rotationally lock the roller cage assembly to prevent movement of the outer race, and removal of the electromagnetic force allows the carriage to move in a second axial direction to rotationally unlock the roller cage assembly to enable rotational movement of the outer race.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a switchable one-way clutch according to one embodiment.

Figure 2 is a front cross-sectional view of a portion of an assembled switchable one-way clutch according to one embodiment.

Figure 3A is a side cross-sectional view of a portion of an assembled switchable one-way clutch according to one embodiment.

Figure 3B is a side cross-sectional view of another portion of an assembled switchable one-way clutch according to one embodiment.

Description of the reference numerals

The following is a list of reference numerals shown in the drawings. It should be understood, however, that the use of these terms is not limited to the illustrated embodiments.

1 switchable one-way clutch (clutch) 10 housing 12 first annular region 14 second annular region 20 electromagnet assembly 22 bobbin 24 magnetic force 30 inner ring 32 outer surface 34 inner surface 40 planker 50 outer ring 52 outer surface 54 inclined surface 60 roller cage assembly 62 roller cage 64 roller cage 66 spring 66 tab 70 biasing spring 80 cover plate

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples and that other embodiments may take various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the embodiments. As one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, various features illustrated and described with reference to any one of the figures may be combined with features illustrated in one or more other figures to produce embodiments that are not explicitly illustrated or described. The combination of features shown provides a representative embodiment of a typical application. However, various combinations and modifications of the features consistent with the teachings of the present disclosure may be desired for particular applications or implementations.

In various embodiments described below, a switchable roller one-way clutch is disclosed. Switchable roller one-way clutches are also referred to herein interchangeably as selectable roller one-way clutches, two-way roller one-way clutches, switchable one-way clutches, or simply "one-way clutches", "OWCs", or "clutches". In an exemplary embodiment, the switchable one-way clutch includes an electromagnet assembly that moves the carriage to cause the switchable one-way clutch to change between: (1) a "neutral" or "unlocked" state in which the clutch is locked in one direction (e.g., clockwise) and free in the opposite direction (e.g., counterclockwise); and (2) an "active" or "locked" state in which the clutch is locked in one direction (e.g., clockwise) and also locked in the opposite direction (e.g., counterclockwise).

Reference will not be made to the drawings, in which fig. 1 shows an exploded perspective view of the switchable one-way clutch 1 after disassembly. Fig. 2 shows a front sectional view of a part of the assembled switchable one-way clutch 1, and fig. 3A to 3B show two side sectional views taken from different positions of the assembled switchable one-way clutch 1. As described below, in the locked mode, energizing one or more electromagnets or electromagnet assemblies 20 causes the carriage 40 to move axially, which frictionally secures the roller cage assembly 60 in place. The outer race 50 can then only be moved a small amount in either direction until it contacts the rollers 64 of the roller cage assembly 60, clamping the rollers 64 against the inner race 30, thereby locking the clutch 1 in both directions.

The switchable one-way clutch 1 includes the following components which will be described in more detail below: the electromagnetic clutch comprises a shell 10, an electromagnet assembly 20, an inner ring 30, a carriage 40, an outer ring 50, a roller cage assembly 60, a biasing spring 70 and a cover plate 80.

The housing 10 may be locked in place or fixedly mounted on a transmission housing of a vehicle. The housing 10 has a first annular region 12 and a second annular region 14 between which the remaining illustrated components are radially co-received. In the illustrated embodiment, the first annular region 12 and the second annular region 14 are formed from a single component; however, in other embodiments, the regions 12, 14 are two separate components that are fixed to each other and to the transmission housing.

An outer ring (also referred to as an outer race) 50 is a driving rotating member for the switchable one-way clutch 1. The outer ring 50 has an outer surface 52 that is generally cylindrical and slidably engages the housing 10 and an opposing inner surface having a plurality of sloped surface features or surfaces 54. The inclined surfaces 54 are collectively valley-shaped in that they constitute a plurality of valleys and peaks. The inner ring (also referred to as an inner race) 30 has a generally cylindrical outer surface 32 and an opposing inner surface 34 that faces radially inward and is locked or otherwise secured to the housing 10.

In its default mode or position, the clutch 1 functions as a one-way clutch, locking in one rotational direction with rollers traveling up inclined surfaces and sandwiched or wedged between the inner and outer rings 30, 50, and freewheeling in the other rotational direction. More specifically, according to various embodiments, the clutch 1 can function as a one-way clutch because the roller cage assembly 60 has a roller cage 62 and a plurality of rollers (also referred to as rolling elements) 64 that are received by the roller cage 62. A roller cage 62 is provided to seat and position the rollers 64. That is, the roller cage 62 includes pockets for positioning the rollers 64 such that they are circumferentially spaced and rotatable together relative to the inner and outer rings 30, 50, while also rotating relative to the cage 62 in their respective pockets. The roller cage assembly 60 may also include springs 66, one on either side of the respective roller 64, to bias and assist in seating the rollers in their respective pockets. The rollers 64 contact the inner race 30 and the inclined surface 54 of the outer race 50. When the clutch 1 is activated in its locked mode via the electromagnet assembly 20, which will be described below, the outer ring 50 can only be rotated a small amount (e.g., between one and five degrees) in either direction until the rollers 64 clamp or lock the outer ring 50 to the inner ring 30 by traveling up the inclined surfaces 54.

A carriage 40 (also referred to as a control plate) may be provided to selectively lock and unlock the clutch 1 to switch between operating modes (i.e., an unlocked/OWC mode and a locked mode). In one embodiment, the carriage 40 is axially offset from the roller cage assembly 60, except for axially extending projections or tabs 68 extending axially from the roller cage 62. The tabs 68 may be positioned within recesses or grooves of the carriage 40 such that the carriage 40 and the roller cage assembly 60 are rotationally fixed. In another embodiment, the rotationally fixed engagement between the carriage 40 and the roller cage 62 is via tabs extending from the carriage 40 that extend into corresponding grooves of the roller cage 62. The carriage 40 is also axially slidable relative to the roller cage assembly 60.

To axially move the carriage 40, an electromagnet assembly 20 is provided. The electromagnet assembly 20 may include a magnetic core 24 having a U-shaped cross-sectional profile with an open end or pole facing in one axial direction (e.g., to the right in fig. 3A-3B). In this example, a bobbin 22 having a U-shaped cross-sectional profile is within the magnetic core 24 with an open end of the bobbin facing radially outward. This provides a circumferential groove or housing (not shown) for accommodating the windings, for example. The electromagnet assembly 20 may be press or slip fit into the housing 10 to connect with the housing 10 via an interference fit. The electromagnet assembly 20 may be electrically activated via an external power source (not shown) that energizes the magnetic core and defines the magnetic poles. When energized, the electromagnet assembly 20 attracts the carriage 40, thereby pulling the carriage 40 axially toward the electromagnet assembly 20 (i.e., to the left in fig. 3A-3B) until it contacts and locks in place due to friction. That is, when the electromagnet assembly 20 is energized, the electromagnet assembly 20 axially moves the carriage 40 and is rotationally fixed with the electromagnet assembly 20 and the housing 10. For example, upon energization, friction between the poles or ends of the core 24 and the axial surfaces of the carriage 40 perforates. Since the carriage 40 is rotationally fixed to the roller cage 62, energization of the electromagnet assembly 20 also rotationally fixes the roller cage 62 relative to the housing 10. This shifts the clutch 1 to its "locked" state, wherein the outer race 50 can only rotate minimally in either direction due to the rollers 64 being wedged and contained between the ramped surfaces 54 and the inner race 30.

When the electromagnet assembly 20 is de-energized, the carriage 40 may slide axially away from the electromagnet assembly 20 (i.e., to the right in fig. 3A-3B). This allows the carriage 40 and the attached roller cage assembly 60 to rotate relative to the housing 10 and allows the clutch 1 to operate in its one-way clutch mode. A spring 70 may be provided around the roller cage assembly 60 to bias the clutch 1 into OWC mode when the electromagnet assembly 20 is de-energized. Specifically, the springs 70 may contact the roller cage 62 and the cover plate 80 (or the outer race itself or any other component fixed to the outer race) to bias the roller cage assembly 60 in one rotational direction.

According to one embodiment, the cover plate 80 is connected to the input of a clutch (not shown) and has external teeth that engage corresponding notches in the outer ring 50. Thus, rotation of the cover plate 80 drives the outer ring 50 to operate the clutch 1.

Briefly, the present disclosure provides a switchable clutch having an electromagnet assembly for actuating and switching the clutch. Energization of the electromagnet assembly causes the drive plate to move axially toward the magnets, thereby holding the drive plate against rotation relative to the housing. The drag plate is rotationally fixed to the roller cage so holding the drive plate against rotation also holds the roller cage against rotation. Thus, the outer ring is also constrained such that the outer ring can only rotate a few degrees until the rollers roll up the inclined surface of the outer ring. Thus, when rotating in either direction, the outer race is constrained by the rollers of the roller cage assembly, allowing the clutch assembly to clutch lock in both directions. To unlock the clutch, the electromagnet is de-energized, allowing the drive plate to disengage from the magnet, thereby allowing the drag plate, roller cage, and outer ring to rotate together in one direction.

A further alternative embodiment (not shown) is envisaged in which the inner ring comprises the inclined surface 54 instead of the outer ring. In such embodiments, the roller cage assembly is rotatably connected to the inner race rather than the outer race. The outer ring will have a cylindrical inner contour and the inclined surface will be located on the inner ring. And, the electromagnetic assembly will force the carriage into engagement to rotationally fix the outer race and the roller cage assembly to lock the clutch.

While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms encompassed by the claims. The words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. As previously mentioned, features of the various embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention, which may not be explicitly described or shown. While various embodiments may have been described as providing advantages or being preferred over other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more desired characteristics, those skilled in the art will recognize that one or more features or characteristics may be compromised to achieve desired overall system attributes, which depend on the particular application and implementation. These attributes may include, but are not limited to, cost, strength, durability, life cycle cost, marketability, appearance, packaging, size, serviceability, weight, manufacturability, ease of assembly, and the like. Thus, to the extent that any embodiment is described as being less desirable than other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more characteristics, such embodiments are not beyond the scope of the present disclosure and may be desirable for particular applications.