Title of Invention

ONE-WAY CLUTCH

Abstract

A one-way clutch 1 has an outer shaft 3, rollers 6, wavy plate springs 7, a cover 8, and a plate 9. The outer shaft 3 is arranged radially outside the shaft member 2, and has a plurality of pockets 11 hollowed radially outward from its inner peripheral portion. The rollers 6 and the wavy plate springs 7 are arranged in the plurality of pockets 11, and the wavy plate springs 7 circumferentially bias the rollers 6. The cover 8 and the plate 9 axially cover the sides of the pockets 11. The plate 9 has a plurality of protrusions 30 inserted into the plurality of pockets 11 to support the plate 9 on the outer shaft 3.

Full Text

[NAME OF DOCUMENT] SPECIFICATION [TITLE OF THE INVENTION] ONE-WAY CLUTCH [TECHNICAL FIELD] [0001] The present invention relates to a one-way clutch arranged on a shaft member. [BACKGROUND ART] [0002] A one-way clutch generally includes an outer shaft, rollers, elastic members a cover, and a plate. The outer shaft has a plurality of pockets arranged radially outside the shaft member. The rollers and elastic members are arranged in the plurality of pockets. The cover axially covers one side of each pocket, and the plate axially covers the other side of each pocket [0003] In this one-way clutch, when the shaft member rotates in a first direction, the pockets and the elastic members keep the rollers unmovable so that the rollers transmit power of the shaft member to the outer shaft. When the shaft member rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the rollers become movable in the pockets. Therefore, the rollers freely rotate in the pockets, and do not transmit the power from the shaft member to the outer shaft. [0004] In the above one-way clutch, which is disclosed, e.g., in a Patent Reference 1, a plate is provided with protrusions, and these protrusions are fitted into attaching apertures formed in an outer shaft for attaching the plate to the outer shaft. Patent Reference 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2003-172377 [DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION] [0005] In a conventional one-way clutch, it is necessary to form apertures in the outer shaft for attaching the plate to the outer shaft, and to form the protrusions on the plate for fitting into the apertures in the extemal shaft. Therefore, it is necessary to effect working on both the extemal shaft and the plate. An object of the invention is to simplify a structure that supports the plate on the outer shaft. [0007] A one-way clutch of claim 1 is attachable to a shaft member, and has an annular outer shaft, rollers, biasing members, a cover, and an annular plate. The outer shaft is arranged radially outside the shaft member, and has a plurality of pockets hollowed radially outward from its inner peripheral portion. The rollers are arranged in the plurality of pockets. The biasing members are arranged in the plurality of pockets to bias circumferentially the rollers. The cover axially covers one side of the pockets. The plate axially covers the other side of the pockets, and has a plurality of supporting portions inserted into at least one of the plurality of pockets to support the plate on the outer shaft. [0008] In this one-way clutch, the biasing member always circumferentially biases the roller in one direction (i.e., first direction). When the shaft member rotates in the first direction, each roller is fritter moved in the first direction according to the rotation of the shaft member. In this state, the roller is unmovably engaged in between the shaft member and the outer shaft, and power is transmitted from the shaft member via the roller to the outer shaft. When the shaft” member rotates oppositely to the first direction, the rotation of the shaft member moves the roller toward the biasing member against the biasing force of the biasing member. In this operation, since a space allowing movement of the roller is present between the shaft member and the pocket, the roller finely rotates between the shaft member and the outer shaft, and does not transmit power from the shaft member to the outer shaft. [0009] In the above one-way clutch, the plate is supported by the pockets of the extemal shaft via the supporting portions formed at the plate, and the structure that supports the plate can be simple. Thus, it is required to form the structure that supports the plate on only the plate side. [0010] According to claim 2, the one-way clutch of claim 1 fritter has a feature such that the plurality of supporting portions is formed by bending the radially inner end of the plate toward the cover. In this structure, the supporting portion of the plate can have a simple structure. [0012] According to claim 3, the one-way clutch of claim 2 further has a feature such that the plurality of supporting portions is arranged such that the supporting portions are located in each of the plurality of pockets, and is in contact with the circumferentially opposite ends of the pocket. [0013] According to claim 4, the one-way clutch of claim 3 further has a feature such that the plurality of supporting portions prevent dropping of the rollers and the biasing members from the pocket when the outer shaft is not attached to the shaft member. [0014] According to claim 5^ the one-way clutch of claim 1 further has a feature such that the biasing member is a wavy plate spring having one end being in contact with an end of the pocket and the other end being contactable with the roller. [BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS] Fig. 1 is a plan of a one-way clutch 1. Fig. 2 is a cross section of the one-way clutch 1. Fig. 3 shows, on an enlarged scale, a pocket 11 in a power-off state. Fig. 4 shows, on an enlarged scale, the pocket 11 in a power-on state. Fig. 5 shows, on an enlarged scale, protrusions 30. Fig. 6 shows, on an enlarged scale, protrusions 31 of another embodiment. Fig. 7 shows, on an enlarged scale, protrusions 32 of still another embodiment. [BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMBERS] [0016] 1 one-way clutch outer shaft roller wavy plate spring 8 cover 11 pocket 30 protrusion [PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FOR IMPLEMENTING THE INVENTION] [0017] A one-way clutch 1 shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is arranged on a shaft member 2, and has an outer shaft 3 arranged around the shaft member 2, rollers 6 and wavy plate springs 7 arranged within the outer shaft 3, a cover 8 covering a side surface of the outer shaft 3, and a plate 9 covering the side surface of the outer shaft 3 [0018] The outer shaft 3 is an armular member that receives a power from the shaft member 2, and is provided at its radially inner side with a plurality of (six in this embodiment) pockets IL The outer shaft 3 is provided with six apertures 13 that are circumferentially equally spaced from each other^ and is also provided with six pockets 11 each located between the neighboring two apertures 13. A bolt (not shown) is inserted into each aperture 13 so that the one-way clutch 1 is attached to another member of a drive system. [0019] Since the six pockets 11 have the same form, only one of the pockets 11 will be described below. [0020] As shown in Fig. 1, the pocket 11 is formed at the radially inner end of the outer shaft 3, and is hollowed radially outward from the radially inner end. The pocket 11 has a radially extending first side wall 21, a circumferentially extending second side wall 22, a third side wall 23 connecting the first and second side walls 21 and 22, a radially extending fourth side wall 24, a circumferentially extending fifth side wall 25, a sixth side wall 26 connecting the fourth and fifth side walls 24 and 25, and a seventh side wall 27 connecting the second and fifth side walls 22 and 25, The first side wall 21 is defined by a plane extending radially outward from the radially inner end of the outer shaft 3. The second side wall 22 is in contact with a radially outer side of the roller 6, and is configure such that a distance to the inner peripheral portion of the outer shaft decreases when the position moves from the side where the wavy plate spring 7 is arranged toward the side of arrangement of the roller 6. The third side wall 23 smoothly connects the first and second side walls 21 and 22. The fourth side wall 24 carries one end of the wavy plate spring 7, which will be described later, and extends radially outward in a plane form from the radially inner end of the outer shaft 3. The fifth side wall 25 is formed radially inside the second side wall 22. The sixth side wall 26 smoothly connects the fourth and fifth side walls 24 and 25. The seventh side wall 27 smoothly connects the second and fifth side walls 22 and 25. [0021] The roller 6 is a cylindrical member arranged in each of the pockets 11 to transmit power transmitted from the shaft member 2 to the outer shaft 3. The wavy plate spring 7 biases the roller 6 toward the first side wall 21 of the pocket 11. [0022] The wavy plate spring 7 is arranged in each of the pockets 11 to bias circumferentially the roller 6. The wavy plate spring 7 has one end in contact with the roller 6 and the other end located near the fourth side wall 24 of the pocket 11. [0023] The cover 8 is a member axially covering the side surface on one side of the ^pocket 11. As shown in Fig. 2, the cover 8 has an annular plate portion 8a provided to prevent the roller 6 and the wavy plate spring 7 from moving axially from the pocket 11, and also has a cylindrical portion 8b formed at the outer periphery of the annular plate portion 8a. [0024] The plate 9 is an annular member axially covering the side surface on the side remote from the cover 8 of each pocket 11, and prevents the roller 6 and the wavy plate spring 7 from axially moving. The plate 9 is provided at its inner peripheral portion with twelve plate-like protrusions 30 protruding toward the cover 8. As shown on an enlarged scale in Fig, 5, each protrusion 30 is formed by bending a portion of the radially inner end of the plate 9 toward the cover, and is arranged such that the protrusions 30 are in contact with the circumferentially opposite ends of the radially inner end of the pocket 11, respectively. The protrusions 30 are also arranged as follows. When the one-way clutch 1 is not attached to the shaft member 2 and the roller 6 is in contact vetch the first side wall 21 of the pocket 11, plane portions (surfaces on the radially outer side) of the protrusions 30 are in contact with the roller 6 and the wavy plate spring 7. Operations will be described below. [0026] When the shaft member 2 rotates in a direction R shown in Fig. 1 with respect to the outer shaft 3, the rotation of the shaft member 2 moves the roller 6 toward the first side wall 21 of the pocket 11, Thereby, the roller 6 engages in between the first side wall 21 of the pocket 11 and the outer peripheral surface of the shaft member 2 as shown in Fig. 4 so that the shaft member 2 and the outer shaft 3 restrict the movement of the roller 6. Thereby, the torque of the shaft member 2 is transmitted to the outer shaft 3 via the rollers 6. [0027] When the shaft member 2 rotates oppositely to the direction R with respect to the outer shaft 3, the rotation of the shaft member 2 moves the roller 6 against the biasing force of the wavy plate spring 7 toward the fourth side wall 24 of the pocket 11, Thereby, as shown in Fig. 3, a space is formed between the second side wall 22 of the pocket 11 and the outer peripheral surface of the shaft member 2, and the roller 6 freely rotates in the pocket 11. In this state, the shaft member 2 and the outer shaft 3 are in the fi"ee state, Thereby, the torque is not transmitted from the shaft member 2 to the outer shaft 3. [0028] In an operation of attaching the one-way clutch 1 to the shaft member 2, the protrusions 30 of the plate 9 are inserted into the radially inner portions of the pockets 11 in the outer shaft 3 so that the outer shaft 3 supports the plate 9. Thereby, the whole one-way clutch 1 can be provisionally assembled as a unit, which facilitates attaching of the one-way clutch 1 to the shaft member 2. Before attaching the one-way clutch 1 to the shaft member 2, the protrusions 30 suppress dropping of the rollers 6 and the wavy plate springs 7 from the pockets 11. This further facilitates the assembling operation of attaching the one-way clutch 1 to the shaft member 2, [0029] [Other Embodiments] (a) In the embodiment already described, the inner peripheral portion of the plate 9 has portions protruding radially inward, and these protruding portions are bent toward the cover to form the protrusions. However, the protrusion may have another structure. For example, the structure of Fig. 6 may be employed. A circumferential slit 9a of a predetermined length is formed radially outside the radially inner end of the plate 9, such a radial slit is formed that extends from a circumferentially middle portion of the slit 9a to the inner periphery of the plate 9, and the left and right portions thus formed are bent toward the cover to form protrusions 31 [0031] The structure of Fig. 7 may also be employed. Two slits 9b are formed corresponding to a circumferential length of each pocket, such a slit is formed that extends from an end of each slit 9b to the inner periphery, and the end portion thus formed is bent toward the cover to form a protrusion 32. [0032] (b) In the foregoing embodiments, the protrusions of the plate are inserted into all the pockets. However, the protrusions may be inserted into only some of the pockets. [INDUSTRIALLY APPLICABLE FIELD] [0033] The invention can simplify the structure for attaching the plate to one side surface ofthe output shaft. AMENDMENT [NAME OF DOCUMENT] SCOPE OF CLAIMS [Claim 1] [Amend] A one-way clutch arranged on a shaft member comprising: an annular outer shaft being arranged radially outside said shaft member, and having a hole in which the shaft is provided and a plurality of pockets hollowed radially outward from its inner peripheral portion; rollers being arranged in said plurality of pockets; biasing members being arranged in said plurality of pockets to bias circumferentially said rollers; a cover axially covering one side of said pockets; and an annular plate axially covering the other side of said pockets, said plate having a plurality of supporting portions being arranged in said hole and inserted into at least one of said plurality of pockets to support said plate on said outer shaft. [Claim 2] The one-way clutch according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of supporting portions is formed by bending a radially inner end of said plate toward said cover. [Claim 3] The one-way clutch according to claim 2, wherein said plurality of supporting portions is arranged such that said supporting portions are located in each of said plurality of pockets, and are in contact with the circumferentially opposite ends of the pocket [Claim 4] The one-way clutch according to claim 3, wherein said plurality of supporting portions prevents dropping of said roller and said biasing members from the pocket when said outer shaft is not attached to said shaft member. [Claim 5] The one-way clutch according to claim 1, wherein said biasing member is a wavy plate spring having one end being in contact with an end

Documents:

1080-CHENP-2008 AMENDED CLAIMS 06-08-2013.pdf

1080-CHENP-2008 CORRESPONDENCE OTHERS 20-01-2012.pdf

1080-CHENP-2008 CORRESPONDENCE OTHERS 29-07-2013.pdf

1080-CHENP-2008 EXAMINATION REPORT REPLY RECEIVED 06-08-2013.pdf

1080-CHENP-2008 OTHER PATENT DOCUMENT 06-08-2013.pdf

1080-CHENP-2008 AMENDED CLAIMS 25-04-2012.pdf

1080-CHENP-2008 EXAMINATION REPORT REPLY RECEIVED 25-04-2012.pdf

1080-CHENP-2008 FORM-3 25-04-2012.pdf

1080-CHENP-2008 POWER OF ATTORNEY 25-04-2012.pdf

1080-chenp-2008-abstract.pdf

1080-chenp-2008-claims.pdf

1080-chenp-2008-correspondnece-others.pdf

1080-chenp-2008-description(complete).pdf

1080-chenp-2008-drawings.pdf

1080-chenp-2008-form 1.pdf

1080-chenp-2008-form 18.pdf

1080-chenp-2008-form 3.pdf

1080-chenp-2008-form 5.pdf

1080-chenp-2008-pct.pdf