Acceleration sensitive double overrunning clutch
AssigneeBorg-Warner Automotive, Inc.
InventorDan J. Showalter
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An acceleration sensitive double overrunning clutch is directionally preset by a change in speed, i.e., acceleration, rather than relative rotation. The clutch is especially adapted for use in power transmission devices such as motor vehicle transfer cases. The clutch includes a plurality of rollers disposed in a like plurality of spaces having symmetrically arranged oblique walls formed by adjacent portions of an inner member and a concentric outer member. The rollers are arranged within a spacing cage which is coupled to an annular weight. A speed change, i.e., acceleration or deceleration, shifts the weight and presets the cage and rollers to function in their engaged or overrunning modes in one direction or the other depending upon the direction of such acceleration.
Claims28
A double overrunning clutch assembly for use in a motor vehicle drive line comprising, in combination,
- a first clutch member having a plurality of chordal surfaces,
- a second clutch member having a cylindrical surface disposed adjacent said chordal surfaces and defining an axis,
- a plurality of clutch rollers disposed between said clutch members,
- a cage disposed between said clutch members and receiving said rollers,
- at least one spring member secured to one of said clutch members and said cage and,
- a weight secured to said at least one spring member and disposed for movement about said axis relative to said one of said clutch members, whereby acceleration of said weight presets said rollers for overrunning operation.
A double overrunning clutch assembly adapted for use in a motor vehicle drive line comprising, in combination,
- a plurality of clutch rollers disposed about an axis,
- a first clutch member having a plurality of chordal surfaces for receiving respective ones of said plurality of clutch rollers,
- a second clutch member having a surface spaced from said chordal surfaces,
- a cage having openings adapted to receive said clutch rollers,
- at least one spring member secured to one of said clutch members and said cage and,
- a weight secured to said at least one spring member and disposed for movement relative to said one of said clutch members about said axis, wherein acceleration of said weight in a first direction presets said rollers in a first position.
A double overrunning clutch assembly adapted for use in a motor vehicle transfer case comprising, in combination,
- a first clutch member having a plurality of chordal surfaces,
- a second clutch member having a cylindrical surface spaced from said chordal surfaces,
- a clutch roller associated with each of said chordal surfaces,
- a circumferential cage having a plurality of openings adapted to receive a respective one of said clutch rollers and moveable between at least a first neutral position and a second engageable position,
- a plurality of springs secured to one of said clutch members and said cage and,
- a weight secured to said plurality of springs, wherein acceleration of said weight rotates said cage and said rollers from said first position to said second position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.