# US 10,502,272 B2 · One way clutch cage with integrated return spring > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,502,272 B2 - Document ID: US10502272B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/679,365 - Filed: 2017-08-17 - Published: 2019-02-21 - Granted: 2019-12-10 - Earliest claimed: 2017-08-17 - Assignees: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG - Applicants: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG - Inventors: Jeremiah Bauman - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10502272B2 ## CPC - F16D 41/067: and the members being distributed by a separate cage encircling the axis of rotation - F16D 2041/0605: {Spring details} - F16D 2250/0023: Shaping by pressure - F16D: COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES ## Abstract A one way clutch with an integrated spring is disclosed. The assembly includes an inner ring and an outer ring, one of which has a ramped portion. A cage defines a plurality of rolling element pockets, and includes first and second sidewalls each having an integrated tab. Rolling elements are biased by the integrated tabs toward both the inner and outer rings. The force angle of the integrated tabs is calibrated for a predetermined application. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A one way clutch assembly comprising: an inner ring; an outer ring; a ramp formed in one of the inner ring or the outer ring facing the other of the inner ring or the outer ring; and a cage defining at least one rolling element pocket, including: a substantially planar first sidewall, a first tab (a) coplanar with the first sidewall or (b) extending substantially parallel to a plane of the first sidewall and extending from the first sidewall, and rolling elements located in the pockets, the rolling elements are biased by the first tab toward at least one of the inner ring or the outer ring. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The one way clutch assembly of claim 1, further comprising a substantially planar second sidewall, wherein each said pocket has a second tab extending in or parallel to a plane of the second sidewall. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The one way clutch assembly of claim 2, wherein each said first tab is integrally formed with the first sidewall, and each said second tab is integrally formed with the second sidewall. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The one way clutch assembly of claim 2, wherein each said first tab includes a first indent that receives a detent on a first axial end of the respective rolling element, and each said second tab includes a second indent that receives a detent on a second axial end of the respective rolling element. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The one way clutch assembly of claim 1, wherein the first tab extends at an angle Θ relative to a tangent at a contact point of the rolling element on the inner ring. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The one way clutch assembly of claim 5, wherein Θ is between about 4 degrees and about 9 degrees. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The one way clutch assembly of claim 5, wherein Θ is about 5 degrees. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The one way clutch assembly of claim 2, wherein the first tab and the second tab each extend at an angle Θ relative to a tangent at a contact point of the rolling element on the inner ring, and wherein due to the angle Θ, at a rotational speed at or above a predetermined RPM causing centrifugal forces on the rolling element, the first and second tabs are adapted to minimize contact between the rolling element and the inner ring and the first and second tabs are adapted to minimize contact between the rolling element and the outer ring. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The one way clutch assembly of claim 1, wherein each said first tab includes a bend in a proximal portion of the first tab, the bend extending from the respective sidewall of the cage in an axial direction of the clutch assembly. ### Claim 10 A circular cage for a one way clutch, the cage comprising: a plurality of pockets each adapted to receive a rolling element, the plurality of pockets each including: a first resilient tab integrally formed with the cage and extending generally circumferentially along a portion of the cage, the first resilient tab adapted to bias a rolling element in a respective pocket in a radial direction of the cage, wherein the first resilient tab includes an indent formed concavely toward a center of the cage, the indent being adapted to receive a detent of a rolling element. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The circular cage of claim 10, further comprising a second resilient tab integrally formed with the cage axially opposite to the first resilient tab. ### Claim 12 A circular cage for a one way clutch, the cage comprising: opposing first and second sidewalls each having a circular inner rim; a plurality of webs extending between the first and second sidewalls to define a plurality of pockets adapted to receive roller bearings; and a plurality of resilient tabs integrally formed with the first and second sidewalls and adapted to engage a roller bearing, wherein each said tab has a bend at a proximal portion and wherein each said tab is substantially coplanar to or substantially parallel with the respective sidewall. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The circular cage of claim 12, the proximal portion of each said tab extending obliquely from the respective sidewall in an axial direction of the circular cage. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The circular cage of claim 12, wherein each said tab has a distal portion including an indent facing the opposing sidewall. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The circular cage of claim 14, wherein each said tab extends at an angle Θ relative to a radial line aligned with the respective indent of the tab. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The circular cage of claim 15, wherein Θ is between about 2 degrees and about 23 degrees.