Bi-stable latching mechanism and the driveline rapid disconnect apparatus made therewith

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11279228-B2
Application number	US-201816630888-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 13, 2018
Priority date	Jul 14, 2017
Publication date	Mar 22, 2022
Grant date	Mar 22, 2022

Abstract

An axle disconnect apparatus having a cam cylinder including a ramp disposed in a radially outer surface thereof. A first clutch element disposed at least partially inside the cam cylinder and an intermediate shaft disposed at least partially within the first clutch element. The intermediate shaft includes a splined portion in constant mesh with the first clutch element. A half shaft may be disposed coaxially with the intermediate shaft, and a second clutch element may be coupled with the half shaft. The first clutch element selectively engages the second clutch element. The axle disconnect apparatus further comprises a latching mechanism whereby the cam cylinder maintains an axial position. The latching mechanism including a radial depression in the cam cylinder ramp, and a cam follower selectively disposed at least partially in the radial depression.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An axle disconnect apparatus, comprising:
a cam cylinder having a ramp disposed in a radially outer surface thereof;
a first clutch element disposed at least partially inside said cam cylinder;
an intermediate shaft disposed at least partially within said first clutch element, wherein said intermediate shaft includes a splined portion in constant mesh with said first clutch element;
a half shaft disposed coaxially with said intermediate shaft;
a second clutch element coupled with said half shaft, wherein said first clutch element is selectively engaged with said second clutch element; and
a latching mechanism whereby said cam cylinder maintains an axial position, comprising:
a radial depression in said cam cylinder ramp; and
a cam follower selectively disposed at least partially in said radial depression, comprising:
a first end coupled with a housing;
a second end at least partially disposed within said cam cylinder ramp;
a bearing coupled with said cam follower second end, wherein said bearing is at least partially disposed within said cam cylinder ramp;
an aperture disposed in said cam follower second end, wherein said aperture is disposed coaxial with a longitudinal axis thereof;
a biasing member disposed within said aperture; and
a plunger at least partially disposed within said aperture, wherein said biasing member selectively actuates said plunger at least partially into said radial depression.

2. The axle disconnect apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a biasing member disposed axially between an end of said cam cylinder and a portion of said first clutch element, wherein said cam cylinder selectively translates axially relative to said first clutch element.

3. The axle disconnect apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said cam cylinder further comprises:
a first axial deceleration stage disposed at a first end of said cam cylinder ramp; and
a second axial deceleration stage disposed at a second end of said cam cylinder ramp.

4. The axle disconnect apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said radial depression further comprises:
a radially descending ramp; and
a radially ascending ramp disposed adjacent to said radially descending ramp.

5. The axle disconnect apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein:
said cam cylinder ramp comprises a width; and
said radially descending ramp and said radially ascending ramp extend the width of said cam cylinder ramp.

6. The axle disconnect apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said cam follower further comprises:
a bearing coupled with said cam follower first end whereby said cam follower may rotate relative to said housing; and
a biasing member disposed between said housing and a portion of said cam follower.

7. The axle disconnect apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein:
said cam follower is disposed through said housing, whereby said cam follower first end is disposed radially exterior to said housing.

8. The axle disconnect apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein:
said cam follower first end comprises a socket cap.

9. The axle disconnect apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said cam follower further comprises:
a body portion disposed axially between said first end and said second end, wherein said body portion comprises a threaded portion.

10. The axle disconnect apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said cam follower plunger further comprises a ball.

11. The axle disconnect apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:
an electric motor drivingly engaged with said cam cylinder, wherein said electric motor does not transfer torque to said cam cylinder to maintain said cam follower in said radial depression.

12. The axle disconnect apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said latching mechanism further comprises:
a radially descending notch disposed within said radial depression.

13. An axle disconnect apparatus, comprising:
a cam cylinder having a ramp disposed in a radially outer surface thereof;
a first clutch element disposed at least partially inside said cam cylinder;
an intermediate shaft disposed at least partially within said first clutch element, wherein said intermediate shaft includes a splined portion in constant mesh with said first clutch element;
a half shaft disposed coaxially with said intermediate shaft;
a second clutch element coupled with said half shaft, wherein said first clutch element is selectively engaged with said second clutch element; and
a latching mechanism whereby said cam cylinder maintains an axial position, comprising:
a radial depression in said cam cylinder ramp; and
a cam follower selectively disposed at least partially in said radial depression,

wherein said cam cylinder ramp comprises a width;
wherein said radial depression comprises a radially descending ramp and a radially ascending ramp disposed adjacent to said radially descending ramp;
wherein said radially descending ramp and said radially ascending ramp extend the width of said cam cylinder ramp; and
wherein said cam cylinder further comprises a first axial deceleration stage disposed at a first end of said cam cylinder ramp, and a second axial deceleration stage disposed at a second end of said cam cylinder ramp.

14. The axle disconnect apparatus according to claim 13 , further comprising:
a biasing member disposed axially between an end of said cam cylinder and a portion of said first clutch element, wherein said cam cylinder selectively translates axially relative to said first clutch element.

15. The axle disconnect apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein said cam follower comprises:
a first end coupled with a housing;
a bearing coupled with said cam follower first end whereby said cam follower may rotate relative to said housing;
a second end at least partially disposed within said cam cylinder ramp; and
a biasing member disposed between said housing and a portion of said cam follower for pressing the cam follower into said radial depression.

16. An axle disconnect apparatus, comprising:
a cam cylinder having a ramp disposed in a radially outer surface thereof;
a first clutch element disposed at least partially inside said cam cylinder;
an intermediate shaft disposed at least partially within said first clutch element, wherein said intermediate shaft includes a splined portion in constant mesh with said first clutch element;
a half shaft disposed coaxially with said intermediate shaft;
a second clutch element coupled with said half shaft, wherein said first clutch element is selectively engaged with said second clutch element; and
a latching mechanism whereby said cam cylinder maintains an axial position, comprising:
a radial depression in said cam cylinder ramp; and
a cam follower selectively disposed at least partially in said radial depression,

wherein said cam follower comprises a biasing member disposed between a housing and a portion of said cam follower for pressing the cam follower into said radial depression.

17. The axle disconnect apparatus according to claim 16 , further comprising:
a first biasing member disposed axially between an end of said cam cylinder and a portion of said first clutch element, wherein said cam cylinder selectively translates axially relative to said first clutch element.

18. The axle disconnect apparatus according to claim 16 , wherein said cam follower further comprises:
a first end coupled with a housing; and
a second end at least partially disposed in said cam cylinder ramp.

19. The axle

Assignees

• Dana Automotive Systems Group

Inventors

• Beesley Peter A

Classifications

• F16D2023/123

  Clutch actuation by cams, ramps or ball-screw mechanisms · CPC title

• F16D2011/006

  Locking or detent means, i.e. means to keep the clutch in engaged condition · CPC title

• F16D28/00

  Electrically-actuated clutches (arrangements for synchronisation F16D23/02; clutches actuated directly by means of an electromagnet F16D27/00; automatic clutches F16D43/00 - F16D45/00; external control F16D48/00) · CPC title

• B60K17/02 Primary

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

• F16D21/00

  Systems comprising a plurality of actuated clutches (for synchronisation F16D23/04) · CPC title