US 6,148,977 AGranted

Free-wheel clutch

AssigneeMannesmann VDO AG

InventorNouhad Bachnak

Life of this patent

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Abstract

Known free-wheel clutches are directionally operated clutches, which permit a shaft (12) and a hub (16) to carry each other along in one relative direction of rotation, for example by means of frictional connection. From time to time it is desired, on the one hand, to permit free-wheeling in both directions and, on the other hand, for example when a secondary drive is engaged, to obtain a frictional connection optionally in one relative direction of rotation. This is achieved in that, in the rest position, the clamping elements (28) have a frictional connection to the hub (16), and, with a contact face (36) interact with a fixed element (18). Only when the hub (16) begins a rotational movement is it possible for the clamping elements (28) to jam in a first locked position or a second locked position which acts in the opposite direction. The free-wheel clutch (10) can be used, for example, for coupling an electric servomotor to a steering column of a motor vehicle.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A free-wheel clutch having a shaft (12;

112), a hub (16;
116) and clamping elements (28;
128) which are arranged between these and can be moved between a rest position, in which the shaft (12, 112) and the hub (16, 116) can be rotated freely with respect to each other, and a locked position, in which said clamping elements produce a frictional connection between shaft (12;
112) and hub (16;
116) in a first relative direction of rotation, wherein, in the rest position, the clamping elements (28;
128) have a frictional or positively locking connection either to the shaft (12;
112) or the hub (16;
116) and each has a contact face (36;
132) which interacts with a fixed element (18, 38, 40;
118, 138, 140), so that, as a result of the shaft (12;
112) or the hub (16;
116) rotating in relation to the fixed element (18;
118), depending on the direction of rotation, the clamping elements (28;
128) move into the first or into a second locked position, in which they produce a frictional connection between the shaft (12;
112) and the hub (16;
116) in the second relative direction of rotation;
and
wherein each of said clamping elements has plural regions of contact with respective parts of said clutch including said hub and said shaft and said fixed element, at least two of said contact regions being surfaces upon which said clamping element rolls upon rotation of said clamping element, one of said contact regions being said contact face, and wherein interfaces between said two contact regions and two corresponding ones of said clutch parts are configured to provide for alternating times of contact of said clamping element with said two clutch parts upon rotation of said clamping element.

15 more elements

A free-wheel clutch having a shaft (12;

112), a hub (16;
116) and clamping elements (28;
128) which are arranged between these and can he moved between a rest position, in which the shaft (12, 112) and the hub (16, 116) can be rotated freely with respect to each other, and a locked position, in which said clamping elements produce a frictional connection between shaft (12;
112) and hub (16;
116) in a first relative direction of rotation, wherein, in the rest position, the clamping elements (28;
128) have a frictional or positively locking connection either to the shaft (12;
112) or the hub (16;
116) and each has a contact face (36;
132) which interacts with a fixed element (18, 38, 40;
118, 138, 140), so that, as a result of the shaft (12;
112) or the hub (16;
116) rotating in relation to the fixed element (18, 118), depending on the direction of rotation, the clamping elements (28;
128) move into the first or into a second locked position, in which they produce a frictional connection between the shaft (12;
112) and the hub (16;
116) in the second relative direction of rotation;
wherein the clamping elements (28) each have two frictional faces (46) on the outer faces of associated segment regions (42), which adjoin a segment region (34) of the contact face (36) on both sides over a specific angle and whose radii are such that, when the clamping element (28) is pivoted in one direction, a frictional face (46) produces the frictional connection to a cylindrical peripheral face (50) of the shaft (12) in the corresponding relative direction of rotation.

13 more elements

A free-wheel clutch having a shaft (12;

112), a hub (16;
116) and clamping elements (28;
128) which are arranged between these and can be moved between a rest position, in which the shaft (12, 112) and the hub (16, 116) can be rotated freely with respect to each other, and a locked position, in which said clamping elements produce a frictional connection between shaft (12;
112) and hub (16;
116) in a first relative direction of rotation, wherein, in the rest position, the clamping elements (28;
128) have a frictional or positively locking connection either to the shaft (12;
112) or the hub (16;
116) and each has a contact face (36;
132) which interacts with a fixed element (18, 38, 40;
118, 138, 140), so that, as a result of the shaft (12;
112) or the hub (16;
116) rotating in relation to the fixed element (18;
118), depending on the direction of rotation, the clamping elements (28;
128) move into the first or into a second locked position, in which they produce a frictional connection between the shaft (12;
112) and the hub (16;
116) in the second relative direction of rotation;
wherein the clamping elements each comprises a rolling body (128) on whose at least one end wall an eccentric part (130) is formed which, in the rest position, rests with its face (132) which is on the outside in relation to the rolling-body center on a cylindrical peripheral face (138, 140) of the fixed element (118).

14 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 09/371,870Filed 5 Aug 1999
Priority: DE 198 36 01910 Aug 1998
Granted: 21 Nov 2000
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification4 codes

F16D 41/069
With intermediate wedging coupling members between an inner and an outer surface: the intermediate members wedging by pivoting or rocking, e.g. sprags
F16D 41/064
With intermediate wedging coupling members between an inner and an outer surface: the intermediate members wedging by rolling and having a…
F16D 41/10
With provision for altering the freewheeling action: with self-actuated reversing
F16D
Couplings for transmitting rotation