Concept of a new overrunning clutch with the characteristic of reverse force transfer at high speed

Abstract

To extend the functionality of the overrunning clutch. A new overrunning clutch with the characteristic of reverse torque transfer direction at high speed is proposed in this paper. This clutch consists of a traditional one-way overrunning clutch and a reverse torque transfer direction subsystem. It has three work scenarios according to the angular velocity relationship between the master shaft and the slave part, which are positive torque transfer direction, overrunning, and reverse torque transfer direction. The principle and schematic structure of this clutch are detailed, relationships among the rollers, springs, and hammers are discussed, and threshold angular velocity of reverse torque transfer direction is achieved. The dynamic model of the reverse torque transfer direction part of this concept is established with Simulink software. A series of simulation scenarios that the slave shaft's rotational speed changed at different spring stiffness is conducted. The results show that the threshold value of the reverse torque transfer direction is increasing with the decrease of the spring stiffness. At last, a prototype system is made to roughly validate the feasibility of this concept.