Integrated starter-generator device with unidirectional clutch actuation utilizing biased lever assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11719209-B2
Application number	US-202117216243-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 29, 2021
Priority date	Mar 29, 2021
Publication date	Aug 8, 2023
Grant date	Aug 8, 2023

Abstract

A starter-generator device for a work vehicle having an engine includes a gear set for transmitting power, one or more clutch portions configured to selectively interact with the gear set, an actuator device to power movement of an armature only in a first direction, and a linkage having a first portion extending axially and having a neck region formed as a permanent bend and having a bend radius. The linkage also includes a second portion extending radially from the first portion to a distal end. An actuation pin is connected to the distal end and to the clutch portion such that movement of distal end causes corresponding movement of the clutch portion. Powered movement of the armature moves the distal end in one direction. An elastic return force of the linkage moves the distal end in an opposite direction.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A combination starter-generator device for a work vehicle having an engine, the combination starter-generator device comprising:
a housing arrangement forming a reaction member;
a gear set configured to transmit power flow to and from the engine;
a clutch arrangement configured to selectively interact with the gear set to modify power flow through the gear set;
an actuator device having an armature, the actuator device operable to power movement of the armature in a first axial direction to apply a push force;
a linkage coupled between the actuator device and a portion of the clutch arrangement, the linkage having a first end proximal to the reaction member, a first portion extending from the first end, and a second portion extending radially from the first portion to a second end, the first portion having a neck region formed as a permanent bend having a bend radius, and the second portion having a coupling region configured to interact with the armature, a stiffened region, and a connection region at the second end, wherein the stiffened region includes one or more flanges; and
an actuation pin connected to the connection region and the portion of the clutch arrangement,
wherein the linkage is formed from a flexible resilient material and is movable in a powered stroke from an undeformed, unloaded condition to an elastically deformed, loaded condition by application of the push force, and is movable in a return stroke from the elastically deformed, loaded condition to the undeformed, unloaded condition under an elastic return force with the push force removed,
wherein the second end is displaced in the first axial direction or a second axial direction in the powered stroke to reposition the portion of the clutch arrangement in the same one of the first axial direction or the second axial direction, and
wherein the second end is moved in the other of the first axial direction or the second axial direction in the return stroke to reposition the portion of the clutch arrangement in the same other of the first axial direction or the second axial direction.

2. The combination starter-generator device of claim 1 , wherein the actuator device is energized to apply the push force and is deenergized to remove the push force.

3. The combination starter-generator device of claim 1 , wherein the stiffened region includes at least two flanges forming a channel along at least a portion of a length of the second portion.

4. The combination starter-generator device of claim 1 , wherein the push force elastically deforms the neck region and deflects the second portion in the first axial direction to displace the second end in the first axial direction, such that the actuation pin is moved in the first axial direction with the second end to reposition the portion of the clutch arrangement in the first axial direction.

5. The combination starter-generator device of claim 4 , wherein under the elastic return force, the neck region returns to an undeformed condition to move the second portion and the second end in the second axial direction, such that the coupling region moves the armature in the second axial direction and the actuation pin is moved in the second axial direction with the second end to reposition the portion of the clutch arrangement in the second axial direction.

6. The combination starter-generator device of claim 5 , wherein the portion of the clutch arrangement is repositioned in the first axial direction to disengage a corresponding portion of the gear set and is repositioned in the second axial direction to engage the corresponding portion of the gear set.

7. The combination starter-generator device of claim 4 , wherein the coupling region is arranged at a position along the stiffened region.

8. The combination starter-generator device of claim 1 , wherein the second portion further includes a fulcrum region and the housing arrangement further includes a fulcrum configured to interact with the fulcrum region, wherein the push force elastically deforms the neck region and deflects the coupling region in the first axial direction to urge the fulcrum region into contact with the fulcrum, and the fulcrum interacts with the fulcrum region to displace the second end in the second axial direction, such that the actuation pin is moved in the second axial direction with the second end to reposition the portion of the clutch arrangement in the second axial direction.

9. The combination starter-generator device of claim 8 , wherein under the elastic return force, the neck region returns to an undeformed condition to move the coupling region in the second axial direction, the fulcrum region away from the fulcrum, and the second end in the first axial direction, such that the actuation pin is moved in the first axial direction with the second end to reposition the portion of the clutch arrangement in the first axial direction.

10. The combination starter-generator device of claim 9 , wherein the portion of the clutch arrangement is repositioned in the second axial direction to engage a corresponding portion of the gear set and is repositioned in the first axial direction to disengage the corresponding portion of the gear set.

11. The combination starter-generator device of claim 8 , wherein the coupling region is spaced from the stiffened region along a length of the second portion, and the fulcrum region is arranged between the coupling region and the stiffened region.

12. The combination starter-generator device of claim 1 , wherein the linkage is installed in the undeformed, unloaded condition and is not pretensioned for installation.

13. A combination starter-generator device for a work vehicle having an engine, the combination starter-generator device comprising:
a housing arrangement forming a reaction member;
a gear set configured to transmit power flow to and from the engine;
a clutch arrangement configured to selectively interact with the gear set to modify power flow through the gear set;
an actuator device having an armature, the actuator device operable to power movement of the armature in a first axial direction to apply a push force;
a linkage coupled between the actuator device and a portion of the clutch arrangement, the linkage having a first end proximal to the reaction member, a first portion extending from the first end, and a second portion extending radially from the first portion to a second end, the first portion having a neck region formed as a permanent bend having a bend radius, and the second portion having a coupling region configured to interact with the armature, a stiffened region, and a connection region at the second end; and
an actuation pin connected to the connection region and the portion of the clutch arrangement,
wherein the linkage is formed from a flexible resilient material and is movable in a powered stroke from an undeformed, unloaded condition to an elastically deformed, loaded condition by application of the push force, and is movable in a return stroke from the elastically deformed, loaded condition to the undeformed, unloaded condition under an elastic return force with the push force removed,
wherein the second end is displaced in the first axial direction or a second axial direction in the powered stroke to reposition the portion of the clutch arrangement in the same one of the first axial direction or the second axial direction,
wherein the second end is moved in the other of the first axial direction or the second axial direction in the return stroke to reposition the portion of the clutch arrangement in the same other of the first axial direction or the second axial direction, and
wher

Assignees

• Deere & Co

Inventors

• Gosavi Yuvraj B
• Vignesh K M
• Turner Jeffrey S
• Lloyd Lisa R

Classifications

• F02N11/04 Primary

  the motors being associated with current generators · CPC title

• F02N15/022

  the starter comprising an intermediate clutch · CPC title

• F02N15/063

  with resilient shock absorbers · CPC title

• F02N15/046

  of the planetary type · CPC title