Overrunning decoupler with locking mechanism
AssigneeLitens Automotive Partnership
InventorsJames W. Dell, Hubertus G. Mevissen, John R. Antchak
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An overrunning accessory decoupler with a locking mechanism provides the desired overrunning accessory decoupler functionality and also permits torque to be transferred from the accessory to which the decoupler is installed to the drive of the engine when desired. In one embodiment, the decoupler includes a locking mechanism that is controlled by centrifugal forces developed in the decoupler to lock the decoupler to permit the accessory to transfer torque to the drive to start or boost the engine. In another embodiment, the decoupler locking mechanism includes an electromagnet that can be energized to lock and/or unlock the decoupler.
Claims14
An overrunning accessory decoupler, comprising:
- a hub configured to be mounted on a shaft;
- a pulley rotatably mounted on said hub;
- an isolator spring acting between the pulley and the hub to dampen torsional vibrations therebetween;
- a one-way clutch acting between the pulley and the hub to permit torque to be transferred therebetween in a first rotational sense and to inhibit the transfer of torque therebetween in a second rotational sense, opposite said first sense;
- and
- a locking mechanism movable between a lock position and an unlock position and operable to couple and uncouple the pulley to the hub to selectively permit the transfer of torque in the second rotational sense;
- wherein the locking mechanism does not lock the hub to the pulley in the first rotational sense
- wherein the locking mechanism is biased to the lock position and is moved to the unlock position by centrifugal force overcoming the bias, the centrifugal force being developed by rotation of the pulley.
An overrunning accessory decoupler, comprising:
- a hub configured to be mounted on a shaft;
- a pulley rotatably mounted on said hub;
- an isolator spring acting between the pulley and the hub to dampen torsional vibrations therebetween;
- a one-way clutch acting between the pulley and the hub to permit torque to be transferred therebetween in a first rotational sense and to inhibit the transfer of torque therebetween in a second rotational sense, opposite said first sense;
- and
- a locking mechanism movable between a lock position and an unlock position and operable to couple and uncouple the pulley to the hub to selectively permit the transfer of torque in the second rotational sense;
- wherein the locking mechanism is biased to the lock position and is moved to the unlock position by centrifugal force overcoming the bias, the centrifugal force being developed by rotation of the pulley;
- wherein said locking mechanism comprises a series of teeth on said hub and at least one pawl pivotally mounted on said pulley and configured to engage said series of teeth in said second rotational sense;
- wherein the locking mechanism is operable to move between the lock position and the unlock position at a preselected rotational speed;
- wherein said at least one pawl is L-shaped having a center of mass spaced from a center of rotation enabling said at least one pawl to pivot out of engagement with said series of teeth as a function of rotational speed of said pulley;
- wherein pulley has an annular recess receiving said at least one pawl;
- and
- wherein the locking mechanism is biased to the lock position by energizing an electromagnet and is moved to the unlock position by centrifugal force developed by rotation of the pulley when the electromagnet is de-energized.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.