Bearing with integrated wedge locking assembly
AssigneeSchaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
InventorBrian Lee
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A drive assembly including a wedge clutch assembly is disclosed. The wedge clutch assembly includes a first cage having a first plurality of tapered crossbars that at least partially define a plurality of tapered wedge pockets. A plurality of wedges are each arranged within a respective one of the plurality of wedge pockets and within a circumferential groove of one of an outer ring or an inner ring. The plurality of wedges each including a ramped surface facing a corresponding one of a plurality of ramps defined in the outer ring or inner ring. Movement of the first plurality of tapered crossbars in a first axial direction or a second axial direction circumferentially drives the plurality of wedges into contact with the circumferential groove such that an input drive gear drives an output.
Claims19
A bearing assembly comprising:
- a first ring defining a first raceway and including a plurality of ramps;
- a second ring defining a second raceway and including a circumferential groove;
- a plurality of rolling elements supported to run on the first raceway and the second raceway;
- a plurality of wedges each arranged within the circumferential groove and including a ramped surface facing a corresponding one of the plurality of ramps;
- and
- a first cage having a first plurality of tapered crossbars that at least partially define a plurality of tapered wedge pockets, and the plurality of wedges are each arranged within a respective one of the plurality of tapered wedge pockets,
- wherein the first plurality of crossbars and the plurality of tapered wedge pockets taper in an axial direction.
A drive assembly comprising:
- an input drive gear;
- an output adapted to be selectively driven by the input drive gear;
- a bearing assembly including an outer ring on the input drive gear defining an outer raceway, an inner ring on the output defining an inner raceway, and a plurality of rolling elements supported to run on the outer raceway and the inner raceway, a first one of the outer ring or the inner ring includes a plurality of ramps, and a second one of the outer ring or the inner ring includes a circumferential groove;
- a wedge clutch assembly including a first cage having a first plurality of tapered crossbars that at least partially define a plurality of tapered wedge pockets, and a plurality of wedges each arranged within a respective one of the plurality of wedge pockets and within the circumferential groove of the second one of the outer ring or the inner ring, the plurality of wedges each including a ramped surface facing a corresponding one of the plurality of ramps;
- and
- an actuator configured to selectively move the first cage in at least one of a first axial direction or a second axial direction;
- movement of the first plurality of tapered crossbars in one of the first axial direction or the second axial direction circumferentially drives the plurality of wedges into contact with the circumferential groove such that the input drive gear drives the output.
A method of driving an output, the method comprising:
- providing a drive assembly including:
- an input drive gear;
- an output adapted to be selectively driven by the input drive gear;
- a bearing assembly including an outer ring on the input drive gear defining an outer raceway, an inner ring on the output defining an inner raceway, and a plurality of rolling elements supported to run on the outer raceway and the inner raceway, a first one of the outer ring or the inner ring includes a plurality of ramps, and a second one of the outer ring or the inner ring includes a circumferential groove;
- a wedge clutch assembly including a first cage having a first plurality of tapered crossbars that at least partially define a plurality of tapered wedge pockets, and a plurality of wedges each arranged within a respective one of the plurality of wedge pockets and within the circumferential groove of the second one of the outer ring or the inner ring, the plurality of wedges each including a ramped surface facing a corresponding one of the plurality of ramps;
- a biasing element configured to move the first cage in the second axial direction;
- an actuator configured to axially move the first cage in at least one of a first axial direction or a second axial direction;
- and
- driving the first plurality of tapered crossbars in one of the first axial direction or the second axial direction by the actuator or the biasing element to circumferentially drive the plurality of wedges into contact with the circumferential groove such that the input drive gear drives the output.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.