One-way clutch operable with one or no races and without race pockets for locking elements
US11047434B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 20, 2008 |
| Grant date | Jun 29, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 9, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16H2041/246
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The present disclosure sets forth a one-way clutch. The one-way clutch can function with one or no races as opposed to conventional prior art one-way clutches. In so doing, the overall size and weight requirements of the one-way clutch are drastically reduced, which in turn drastically reduces the overall size and weight requirements of the transmission and vehicle employing the transmission as well. The present disclosure also provides a one-way clutch having an outer race provided by axially spaced plates. An inner race is rotatably mounted with respect to one of the plates and the inner race has a ratchet surface. Ratchet pawls are pivotably mounted with respect to the plates and have unidirectional engagement with the ratchet surface of the inner race. In addition to reducing material and labor production costs, such lessened size and weight penalties translate into higher transmission efficiency and better vehicle fuel economy.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.