阅读说明：本技术 主动式空气动力学部件的不可反向驱动的离合器装置 (Non-back drivable clutch device for active aerodynamic components ) 是由 布伦东·R·林德伯格 安托尼·J·波维内利 马丁·R·马修斯 王垚 于 2020-03-06 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种用于双向致动器的不可反向驱动的离合模块,双向致动器比如为车辆上用于主动空气动力学部件的致动器。该模块具有止动器模式和离合器模式。在止动器模式期间,使用锁定的支承构件将反向驱动力远离致动器转移。如果该力过大,离合器模式将使反向驱动力与连接至致动器的轴完全地断开接合,从而防止对致动器的损坏。(A non-back drivable clutch module for a bi-directional actuator, such as an actuator for an active aerodynamic component on a vehicle. The module has a detent mode and a clutch mode. During the detent mode, the reverse driving force is transferred away from the actuator using the locked support member. If the force is too great, the clutch mode will completely disengage the reverse driving force from the shaft connected to the actuator, thereby preventing damage to the actuator.)

1. A non-back drivable clutch module for an actuator, comprising:

a housing having an inner surface defining a cavity;

an input shaft gear having: a shaft portion extending from the housing and connected to an external actuator; and a gear portion rotatably positioned in the cavity of the housing, wherein the gear portion comprises a plurality of bearing recesses and a plurality of drive recesses each having a first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side, wherein the first side and the second side are each formed by one of a plurality of teeth extending from a surface of the gear portion, and the third side is defined by the inner surface of the cavity of the housing;

a clutch output shaft having: a shaft portion of the clutch output shaft extending from the housing and connected to a device driven by the actuator through the non-back drivable clutch module; and a clutch gear receiving portion rotatably positioned within the cavity of the housing;

a clutch gear located between the input shaft gear and the clutch output shaft, wherein the clutch gear has both an elastic connection and a braking connection with the clutch output shaft.

2. The non-back drivable clutch module as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of teeth of the clutch gear, wherein each tooth of the plurality of teeth is configured to mate with and engage one of the plurality of drive recesses of the input shaft gear.

3. The non-back drivable clutch module as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of flat surfaces of the clutch gear configured to form the fourth side of a respective one of the plurality of bearing recesses; and

a bearing positioned in each of the plurality of bearing recesses.

4. The non-back drivable clutch module as set forth in claim 3, further comprising:

a detent mode of the non-back drivable clutch module in which, when a first reverse driving force is applied to the clutch output shaft, the clutch gear is prevented from transmitting the reverse driving force to the actuator through the input shaft gear by: moving the plurality of flat surfaces forming a fourth wall of the respective plurality of support recesses such that each support in the plurality of support recesses is locked between the fourth wall and a third wall that is the inner surface of the housing, thereby preventing the reverse driving force from being transmitted to the input shaft gear.

5. The non-back drivable clutch module as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

a clutch mode in which the clutch output shaft will disengage the brake connection between the clutch output shaft and the clutch gear when a second reverse driving force is greater than the first reverse driving force and the second reverse driving force is sufficient to overcome the resilient connection between the clutch output shaft and the clutch gear, and the clutch output shaft will move freely against the force of the resilient connection, wherein the resilient connection causes the brake connection to re-engage when the second reverse driving force ceases.

6. The non-back drivable clutch module as set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one bearing member is a ball bearing, a roller bearing, a conical bearing.

7. The non-back drivable clutch module as set forth in claim 1, wherein the elastic member is a coil spring having a first end connected to the clutch gear and a second end connected to the clutch output shaft.

8. The non-back drivable clutch module as set forth in claim 1, wherein the elastic member is one selected from the group consisting of a wave spring, a coil spring and a combination thereof.

9. The non-back drivable clutch module as set forth in claim 1, wherein the device is one selected from the group consisting of: a movable spoiler actuator, an active air dam actuator, an active tire house actuator, an active D-pillar actuator, a lift door actuator, a side view mirror actuator, a window actuator, a retractable pedal actuator, a sliding door actuator, and a seat actuator.

10. A non-back drivable clutch module for an actuator, comprising:

a housing having an inner surface;

an input shaft gear having: a shaft portion extending from the housing and connected to an actuator located outside the housing; and a gear portion connected to the shaft portion of the gear portion, the gear portion rotatably positioned in the housing, wherein the gear portion includes a plurality of bearing recesses and a plurality of drive recesses each having a first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side, wherein the first side and the second side of each of the plurality of bearing recesses and the plurality of drive recesses are formed by a plurality of teeth extending from a surface of the gear portion, and the third side is defined by the inner surface of the housing;

a clutch output shaft having: a shaft portion of the clutch output shaft extending from the housing and connected to a device driven by the actuator through the non-back drivable clutch module; and a clutch gear receiving portion rotatably positioned within the cavity of the housing; and

a clutch gear located between the input shaft gear and the clutch output shaft, wherein the clutch gear has both an elastic connection and a braking connection with the clutch gear portion of the clutch output shaft, wherein the clutch gear has: a clutch mode to disengage the clutch gear from the clutch output shaft; and a detent mode in which the clutch gear acts on at least one support member between the clutch gear and the housing and locks the clutch gear to prevent the clutch gear from moving the input shaft gear.

11. The non-back drivable clutch module as set forth in claim 10, wherein the at least one bearing member is a ball bearing, a roller bearing, a conical bearing.

12. The non-back drivable clutch module as set forth in claim 10, wherein the elastic member is a coil spring having a first end connected to the clutch gear and a second end connected to the clutch output shaft.

13. The non-back drivable clutch module as set forth in claim 10, wherein the resilient member is one selected from the group consisting of a wave spring, a coil spring and combinations thereof.

14. The non-back drivable clutch module as set forth in claim 10, wherein the clutch mode further comprises: when a second reverse driving force is greater than the first reverse driving force and the second reverse driving force is sufficient to overcome the resilient connection between the clutch output shaft and the clutch gear, the clutch output shaft will disengage the braking connection between the clutch output shaft and the clutch gear and the clutch output shaft will move freely against the force of the resilient connection, wherein the resilient connection causes the braking connection to re-engage when the second reverse driving force ceases.

15. The non-back drivable clutch module as set forth in claim 10, wherein the device is one selected from the group consisting of: a movable spoiler actuator, an active air dam actuator, an active tire house actuator, an active D-pillar actuator, a lift door actuator, a side view mirror actuator, a window actuator, a retractable pedal actuator, a sliding door actuator, and a seat actuator.

16. A non-back drivable clutch module for a bi-directional actuator, comprising:

a housing having an inner surface defining a cavity;

an input shaft gear having: a shaft portion extending from the housing and connected to an external actuator; and a gear portion rotatably positioned in the cavity of the housing, wherein the gear portion comprises a plurality of bearing recesses and a plurality of drive recesses each having a first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side, wherein the first side and the second side are each formed by one of a plurality of teeth extending from a surface of the gear portion, and the third side is defined by the inner surface of the cavity of the housing;

a clutch output shaft having: a shaft portion of the clutch output shaft extending from the housing and connected to a device driven by the actuator through the non-back drivable clutch module; and a clutch gear receiving portion rotatably positioned within the cavity of the housing;

a clutch gear located between the input shaft gear and the clutch output shaft, wherein the clutch gear has both an elastic connection and a braking connection with the clutch output shaft;

a plurality of teeth of the clutch gear, wherein each tooth of the plurality of teeth is configured to mate with and engage one of the plurality of drive recesses of the input shaft gear;

a plurality of flat surfaces of the clutch gear configured to form the fourth side of a respective one of the plurality of bearing recesses;

a bearing positioned in each of the plurality of bearing recesses;

a detent mode in which, when a first reverse driving force is applied to the clutch output shaft, the clutch gear is prevented from transmitting the reverse driving force to the actuator through the input shaft gear by: moving the plurality of flat surfaces forming a fourth wall of the respective plurality of support recesses such that each support in the plurality of support recesses is locked between the fourth wall and a third wall that is the inner surface of the housing, thereby preventing a reverse driving force from being transmitted to the input shaft gear; and

a clutch mode in which the clutch output shaft will disengage the brake connection between the clutch output shaft and the clutch gear when a second reverse driving force is greater than the first reverse driving force and the second reverse driving force is sufficient to overcome the resilient connection between the clutch output shaft and the clutch gear, and the clutch output shaft will move freely against the force of the resilient connection, wherein the resilient connection causes the brake connection to re-engage when the second reverse driving force ceases.

17. The non-back drivable clutch module as set forth in claim 16, wherein said at least one bearing member is a ball bearing, a roller bearing, a conical bearing.

18. The non-back drivable clutch module as set forth in claim 16, wherein the elastic member is a coil spring having a first end connected to the clutch gear and a second end connected to the clutch output shaft.

19. The non-back drivable clutch module as set forth in claim 16, wherein the resilient member is one selected from the group consisting of a wave spring, a coil spring and combinations thereof.

20. The non-back drivable clutch module as set forth in claim 16, wherein the device is one selected from the group consisting of: a movable spoiler actuator, an active air dam actuator, an active tire house actuator, an active D-pillar actuator, a lift door actuator, a side view mirror actuator, a window actuator, a retractable pedal actuator, a sliding door actuator, and a seat actuator.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a non-back drivable clutch module for a bi-directional actuator, such as an actuator for active aerodynamic components on a vehicle.

Background

The following devices were designed: the device may transfer torque applied from the input drive to the output drive, but may not transfer torque from the output drive back to the input drive. The output drive should also be able to decouple itself from the input drive for high torque inputs to protect the system. Additionally, the device should also transmit output shaft vibration and shock loads to the device structure and not through the input drive, thereby protecting the actuator. During the impact, the output shaft will be uncoupled, once the load is removed, the device should return to the designated position by a mechanical solution and no electric position sensor is required.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention relates to a non-back drivable clutch module for a bidirectional actuator. The non-back drivable module includes a housing having an inner surface. The housing is connectable to an actuator located outside the housing. An inner surface forming a cavity is disposed within the housing. An input shaft gear is partially disposed in the cavity of the housing, the input shaft gear having a shaft portion extending from the housing, the shaft portion being connected to an actuator located outside the housing. The input shaft gear also has a gear portion rotatably positioned in the housing. The gear portion includes a plurality of bearing recesses and a plurality of drive recesses each having a first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side. The first and second sides of each of the plurality of support recesses and the plurality of drive recesses are formed by one of a plurality of teeth extending from a surface of the gear portion, and the third side is defined by an inner surface of the housing;

the module also has a clutch output shaft having a shaft portion extending from the housing, the shaft portion being connected to a device driven by the actuator. The clutch output shaft also has a clutch gear receiving portion rotatably positioned within the cavity of the housing.

The module also includes a clutch gear located between the input shaft gear and the clutch output shaft. The clutch gear has both an elastic connection and a braking connection with the clutch gear portion of the clutch output shaft. The clutch gear has a detent mode in which the clutch gear acts on at least one support member between the clutch gear and the housing and locks the clutch gear to prevent the clutch gear from moving the input shaft gear. The clutch gear also has a clutch mode that disengages the clutch gear from the clutch output shaft.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. Detailed description and specific embodiments while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

Drawings

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

fig. 1 is an exploded isometric top view of a non-back drivable clutch module for a bi-directional actuator.

FIG. 2 is a second exploded isometric top view of a non-back drivable clutch module for a bi-directional actuator.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side isometric view of a non-back drivable clutch module.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side plan view of a non-back drivable clutch module.

FIG. 5 is a side isometric view of a clutch gear according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side isometric view of a clutch output shaft coupled with a spring element according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of a clutch gear coupled to an actuator of the device.

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of a clutch gear connected to an actuator or device.

Detailed Description

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

Referring to the drawings, the present invention relates to a non-back drivable clutch module or module 10 for a bi-directional actuator. The module 10 includes a housing having a body member 12 and a cover member 11, the body member 12 having a mounting flange 14 and the cover member 11 having a mounting flange 14', the mounting flanges 14, 14' being used to connect the housing to a bi-directional actuator 13 located outside of the components of the module 10. Although the module 10 is described as being separate from the actuator 13, it is within the scope of the invention to integrate the module into the actuator 13. Body member 12 includes an inner surface 16, with inner surface 16 forming a cavity 18, with cavity 18 for receiving portions of the other components of module 10.

An input shaft gear 20 having a shaft portion 22 is partially disposed in the cavity 18 of the housing 12, the shaft portion 22 extending from the housing 12 and being connected to the actuator 13 outside the housing 12. The input shaft gear 20 also has a gear portion 24 that is rotatably positioned in the housing 12. The gear portion 24 includes a plurality of bearing recesses 26, 28 and a plurality of drive recesses 30, 32, the plurality of bearing recesses 26, 28 and the plurality of drive recesses 30, 32 each having a first side 34 a-34 d, a second side 36 a-36 d, a third side 38 and a fourth side 40a, 40 b. The first and second sides 34 a-34 d, 36 a-36 d of each of the plurality of support recesses 26, 28 and the plurality of drive recesses 30, 32 are formed by one of a plurality of teeth 42, 42', 42 ", 42'" extending from a surface of the gear portion 24, and the third side 38 is defined by the inner surface 16 of the housing 12.

The module 10 also has a clutch output shaft 44, the clutch output shaft 44 having a shaft 46 portion, the shaft 46 portion extending from the housing 12 and being connected to a device 45 driven by the actuator 13. As shown in fig. 7 and 8, the driven device 45 is an active aerodynamic system, more specifically an air dam, and the shaft 46 is connected to a torque transfer tube 43, which torque transfer tube 43 is connected to a linkage and then moves the deflector 49 between the deployed and undeployed positions. Although the device 45 is shown as part of an active aerodynamic system, it is within the scope of the invention for the module 10 to be used in any system where damage from reverse driving forces is a concern. Examples of devices include movable spoiler actuators, active air dam actuators, active tire house actuators, active D-pillar actuators, lift gate actuators, side view mirror actuators, window actuators, retractable pedal actuators, sliding gate actuators, and seat actuators.

The clutch output shaft 44 also has a clutch gear receiving portion 48 that is rotatably positioned within the cavity 18 of the housing 12.

The module 10 also includes a clutch gear 50 positioned between the input shaft gear 20 and the clutch output shaft 44. The clutch gear 50 has both a resilient connection 52 and a detent connection with the clutch gear receiving portion 48 of the clutch output shaft 44. The resilient connection 52 is depicted as a spring having: a first end 58, the first end 58 connected to a slot 60 in the clutch gear receiving portion 48; and a second end 62, the second end 62 being connected to a bore 64 in the clutch gear 50. The type of spring used may vary depending on the particular application. In the current embodiment of the present invention, the spring is a coil spring. However, it is within the scope of the present invention to use other springs such as wave springs, coil springs, and combinations thereof. The detent connection is provided by a detent projection 66 on the clutch gear 50, the detent projection 66 engaging a detent recess 68 formed on a surface of the clutch gear 50 receiving portion 48 of the clutch output shaft 44. The clutch gear 50 also includes a plurality of teeth 70 of the clutch gear 50. Each of the plurality of teeth 70, 70' is configured to mate with and engage one of the plurality of drive recesses 30, 32 of the input shaft gear 20. When the input shaft gear 20 rotates in response to torque from the actuator via the shaft portion 22, the plurality of teeth 42, 42', 42 "' of the input shaft gear 20 will press against the plurality of teeth 70, 70' to transmit rotational force, which is transmitted to the clutch output shaft 44.

The plurality of flat surfaces 72, 72 'of the clutch gear 50 also have a plurality of flat surfaces 72, 72' configured to form the fourth side portion 40a, 40b of a respective one of the plurality of bearing recesses 26, 28. A bearing 74, 74' is positioned in each of the plurality of bearing recesses 26, 28. The figures depict ball bearings, however, it is within the scope of the invention for bearings 74, 74' to be different types of bearings such as cylindrical roller bearings, tapered bearings, or double-ended tapered bearings.

The module 10 has a detent mode and a clutch mode. The detent mode occurs when the first reverse drive force is applied to the clutch output shaft 44. The clutch gear 50 stops transmitting the reverse driving force to the actuator through the input shaft gear 20. This occurs by: the force acts on the clutch output shaft 44 to rotate the clutch gear 50 such that the plurality of teeth 70, 70' of the clutch gear 50 rotate away and decouple from the plurality of teeth 42, 42', 42 "' of the input shaft gear 20. During this rotational movement, the plurality of flat surfaces 72, 72' forming the fourth walls 40a, 40b of the respective plurality of bearing recesses 26, 28 act against the bearings 74, 74' in the respective bearing stop recesses 26, 28 such that each bearing 74, 74' in the plurality of bearing recesses 26, 28 is locked between the fourth wall 40a, 40b and the third wall 38, which is the inner surface 16 of the housing 12, thereby preventing a reverse driving force from being transmitted to the input shaft gear 20. Thus, the reverse driving force is transferred away from the input shaft gear 20 to the housing 12, which prevents the actuator from back driving and serves to stop or hold the clutch output shaft 44 in place.

The input shaft gear 20 and the clutch output shaft 44 have a geometry that allows for a friction lock when torque is applied from the input shaft gear 20. Friction is generated between the output shaft gear and a bearing, which may be a cylinder, a sphere, a tapered roller, a ring gear, or other suitable element that locks against the inner or outer ring wall of the housing. Once the friction force is equal to the normal force between the output shaft gears resulting from the angle generated during rotation caused by the applied torque, the system cannot be back driven. The geometry on the input shaft gear does not allow the cylinder to create such friction on the outer race and thus transmit torque to the output shaft. Various shapes and springs may be used to adjust performance, such as limiting free play or clearance of the system or adjusting engagement timing of various functions.

However, if the second driving force, which is larger than the first reverse driving force acting on the clutch output shaft 44, is excessively large, the module 10 has the clutch mode. The clutch mode will occur when the second reverse driving force is sufficient to overcome the resilient connection between the clutch output shaft and the clutch gear. The clutch output shaft will disengage the brake connection between the clutch output shaft and the clutch gear and the clutch output shaft will move freely against the force of the resilient connection which causes the brake connection to re-engage when the second reverse driving force ceases.

The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.