Caged wedge clutch

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10316899-B2
Application number	US-201615388292-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 22, 2016
Priority date	Dec 22, 2016
Publication date	Jun 11, 2019
Grant date	Jun 11, 2019

Abstract

A wedge clutch imparts a wedging effect to selectively transfer power through powertrain components. The wedge clutch includes a plurality of wedge segments arranged annularly about an axis and configured to collectively constrict and expand with respect to the axis to correspondingly lock and unlock the clutch. Each wedge segment includes an aperture. A cage assembly is configured to control relative movement of the plurality of wedge segments with respect to each other. The cage assembly including a plurality of pins, each extending through one of the apertures to control the relative movement of the wedge segments.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A clutch comprising:
a hub;
a plurality of wedge segments arranged annularly about an axis and configured to collectively constrict and expand with respect to the axis, each wedge segment including a tapered surface tapered relative to the axis, wherein the tapered surfaces slide along a corresponding tapered surface of the hub as the wedge segments collectively constrict and expand, each wedge segment including an aperture; and
a cage assembly configured to control relative movement of the plurality of wedge segments with respect to each other, the cage assembly including a plurality of pins, and each of the pins extending through one of the apertures;
wherein the cage assembly includes first and second washers arranged about the axis, and an annular spring about the axis and configured to bias the wedge segments radially.

2. The clutch of claim 1 , wherein the first and second washers each include a plurality of apertures, and each of the pins extending through one of the apertures of each washer.

3. The clutch of claim 2 , wherein the apertures of each wedge segment have an oblong profile and the pins have a cylindrical portion extending through the oblong profile such that relative movement of the apertures about the pins is enabled.

4. The clutch of claim 1 , wherein the spring is disposed axially between the plurality of wedge segments and one of the washers.

5. The clutch of claim 1 , wherein the spring is disposed axially between the first and second washers.

6. A wedge clutch comprising:
an annular disk including a plurality of individual wedge segments arranged about an axis, each wedge segment including a tapered surface tapered relative to the axis, wherein the tapered surfaces slide along a corresponding tapered surface of a hub as the wedge segments collectively radially constrict and expand, wherein radial movement of the wedge segments toward and away from the axis locks and unlocks the clutch;
a cage assembly coupled to each of the wedge segments and configured to control radial movement of the wedge segments during locking and unlocking of the clutch, wherein the cage assembly includes a plurality of pins, each of the pins extending through one of the wedge segments;
first and second washers arranged axially on either side of the annular disk; and
an annular spring extending about the axis and disposed radially between the washers.

7. The wedge clutch of claim 6 , wherein each wedge segment includes an aperture therethrough that receives a respective one of the pins, and the apertures each having a perimeter that exceeds a perimeter of the pins to allow relative movement of the apertures about the pins.

8. The wedge clutch of claim 6 , wherein each wedge segment includes an aperture therethrough to receive a respective one of the pins, the apertures each have an oblong profile, and the pins each have a cylindrical profile.

9. The wedge clutch of claim 6 , wherein each pin extends into the first and second washers.

10. A cage assembly for controlling radial movement of wedge segments of a wedge clutch, the cage assembly comprising:
a pair of spaced-apart annular washers on either side of the wedge segments;
a plurality of pins connecting the washers and extending through the wedge segments; and
an annular spring disposed between the washers for biasing radial movement of the wedge segments.

11. The cage assembly of claim 10 , wherein the pins are fixed to the washers and the wedge segments are moveable while radially guided by the pins.

12. The cage assembly of claim 10 , wherein each of the pins extends through a respective one of the wedge segments such that each of the wedge segments are coupled to one another via the cage assembly.

13. The cage assembly of claim 10 , wherein each of the pins includes a central portion that has a cylindrical profile for extending through a respective oblong aperture in one of the wedge segments to allow relative movement of the wedge segments while guided by the pins.

14. The cage assembly of claim 10 , wherein the spring has a wavy profile to facilitate distribution of a biasing force provided to the wedge segments.

Assignees

• Schaeffler Technologies Ag

Inventors

• Ince Marion Jack
• Zhong Guihui

Classifications

• F16D13/66

  of conical shape · CPC title

• F16D13/68

  Attachments of plates or lamellae to their supports {(one or more discs connected to the linings transmitting torque to one or more discs connected to the hub by helical springs in windows in the discs, i.e. rotary vibration dampers F16F15/12)} · CPC title

• F16D13/16 Primary

  shaped as radially-movable segments · CPC title

• B60K17/34

  for driving both front and rear wheels, e.g. four wheel drive vehicles · CPC title

• B60K17/02

  characterised by arrangement, location, or kind of clutch · CPC title