초록 ▼

A one-way clutch assembly (15) including a driven member (37) defining a plurality of driven pockets (41), with a radially moveable pawl (59) disposed in each pocket. The pockets (41) are interconnected by circumferentially-extending grooves (47), and disposed in each groove (47) is a spring member

A one-way clutch assembly (15) including a driven member (37) defining a plurality of driven pockets (41), with a radially moveable pawl (59) disposed in each pocket. The pockets (41) are interconnected by circumferentially-extending grooves (47), and disposed in each groove (47) is a spring member (53). Each spring member (53) includes a retaining portion (55) engaging a radially outer surface (67) of one pawl (59a), to retain the pawl in its pocket (41), and a spring portion (57) engaging a radially inner surface (69) of another pawl (59b), biasing part of the pawl toward the drive position (FIG. 6). The arrangement of the invention makes it practical to provide a one-way clutch having as few parts as possible, and being adapted for "drop-in" assembly of the clutch within a device such as a torque converter stator.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [1.] A one-way clutch assembly of the type including a radial driven member mounted for rotation about an axis, said radial driven member including a cylindrical driven face disposed parallel to said axis; a radial drive member mounted for rotation about said axis, and having a drive dir

[ I claim:] [1.] A one-way clutch assembly of the type including a radial driven member mounted for rotation about an axis, said radial driven member including a cylindrical driven face disposed parallel to said axis; a radial drive member mounted for rotation about said axis, and having a drive direction of rotation, said radial drive member including a cylindrical drive face, disposed concentrically about said driven face, and spaced apart therefrom; said radial drive member defining a plurality of drive pockets, each including a drive surface; said driven face defining a plurality of driven pockets, each including a driven surface; a plurality N of pawls disposed in one of said drive and driven pockets, each of said pawls comprising a separate member, and having a retracted position in which each pawl is disposed wholly within said one of said drive and driven pockets, and a drive position in which each pawl engages both said drive surface and said driven surface, as said drive and driven members transmit torque in said drive direction of rotation; means operable to bias said pawls toward said drive position; characterized by:(a) said means operable to bias said pawls comprising a plurality N of circumferentially-elongated spring members, each being disposed circumferentially between first and second adjacent pawls;(b) each spring member including a retaining portion in engagement with a radially outer surface of said first pawl to retain one portion of said first pawl in its pocket, and a spring portion in engagement with a radially inner surface of said second pawl to bias another portion of said second pawl toward said drive position.