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US 11,285,527 B2Granted
Methods of assembly for wedge clutch with wedge chain
AssigneeSchaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
InventorsBrian Lee, Carsten Ohr
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of assembling a clutch includes assembling a wedge chain by connecting a plurality of wedges together with links such that the wedges are movable relative to each other, and wrapping the wedge chain around an inner race. The method further includes connecting an end one of the links to an end one of the wedges to secure the chain to the inner race. The may also include installing the inner race into an outer race such that the wedge chain is radially disposed between the inner and outer races.
Claims16
A method of assembling a clutch comprising:
- assembling a wedge chain by connecting a plurality of wedges together in a stack by grouping a series of wedges in an axially spaced arrangement and interconnecting plural such stacks with links such that the stacks are movable relative to each other;
- wherein each of the wedges have a ramped surface and an arcuate surface, and further comprising:
- wrapping the wedge chain around an inner race having an outer circumferential surface that defines a plurality of grooves such that the arcuate surfaces of the wedges are disposed in the grooves, wherein each of the wedges of a common one of the wedge stacks is disposed in a different one of the grooves;
- and
- connecting an end one of the links to an end one of the wedges to secure the chain to the inner race.
2 more elements
A method comprising:
- forming a plurality of wedge stacks by grouping a series of wedges having a ramped surface and an arcuate surface in an axially spaced arrangement;
- arranging the wedge stacks in pairs;
- attaching a first link between each of the pairs to form segments;
- attaching a second link between each of the segments to form a chain;
- and
- providing an inner race having an outer circumferential surface that defines a plurality of grooves;
- wrapping the chain around the inner race such that the arcuate surfaces of the wedges are disposed in the grooves, wherein each of the wedges of a common one of the wedge stacks is disposed in a different one of the grooves;
- and
- securing the chain by attaching ends of the chain to each other.
6 more elements
A method comprising:
- assembling a wedge chain to include a plurality of wedges interconnected to each other by links, wherein each of the wedges has an inner edge, a ramped outer edge, a first edge, and a second edge shorter than the first edge, and orientations of the wedges alternate along a length of the chain such that placements of the first and second edges of adjacent ones of the wedges are flipped relative to one another, and installing resilient members between the first edge ends of the adjacent ones of the wedges to bias the adjacent wedges away from each other.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.