Harmonic drive camshaft phaser with a harmonic drive ring to prevent ball cage deflection
US8516983B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 30, 2011 |
| Grant date | Aug 27, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 8, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16C2361/61
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A camshaft phaser includes a housing. A harmonic gear drive unit is disposed within the housing and includes a circular spline and a dynamic spline, a flexspline disposed within the circular spline and the dynamic spline, a wave generator disposed within the flexspline, and a rotational actuator connectable to the wave generator. A wave generator bearing includes an inner race with an inner race axial end, an outer race, a plurality of balls between the inner and outer races, and a ball cage. The ball cage includes an annular section disposed axial from the balls proximal to the inner race axial end and a plurality of ball separators such that consecutive balls are separated by one of the ball separators. A rigid support ring extends axially beyond the inner race axial end toward the annular section to limit axial distortion of the annular section.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.