One-way isolator for high torque devices
AssigneeLitens Automotive
InventorsJames W. Dell, John R. Antchak, Trevor S. Smith
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A one way isolator for high torque devices, such as alternator-starters, driven by a flexible drive means includes a hub and a sheave each of which includes at least one stop member. The hub and sheave are linked by a isolating spring and, via a bearing and/or bushing, can rotate with respect to each other to provide isolation, through the spring, from torque variations when torque is transferred from the flexible drive means to the device. When substantial amounts of torque are transferred from the device to the flexible drive means, the sheave rotates with respect to the hub to bring the stop members into contact such that the isolator then acts like a solid pulley to facilitate the transfer of the torque from the device.
Claims21
A one way isolator to transfer torque between a flexible drive means and a device, comprising:
- a hub configured for mounting to an input shaft of the device, the hub including at least one stop member;
- a sheave rotatably mounted to the hub and including at least one stop member;
- a torsion spring extending longitudinally along a rotational axis of the hub between the hub and the sheave, the torsion spring having a first end engaging the hub and a second end engaging the sheave to elastically couple the hub and sheave;
- wherein rotary power is transmitted between the at least one stop member of the hub and the at least one stop member of the sheave when torque is transferred in a first rotational direction from the hub to the sheave to drive the flexible drive means and, when torque is transferred from the sheave to the hub in the first rotational direction, the sheave is rotatable with respect to the hub such that the torque is not transmitted between the at least one stop member of the hub and the at least one stop member of the sheave and the torque is transferred from the sheave, through the torsion spring and into the hub.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.