Decoupler assembly with sliding interface between hub and pulley

摘要

In one aspect, the invention is directed to a decoupler assembly for between an endless drive element and a shaft. The endless drive element may be, for example, an accessory drive belt from a vehicular engine. The shaft may be, for example, the input shaft of a belt-driven accessory, such as an alternator or a compressor. The decoupler assembly includes a hub that mounts to the shaft, a pulley that is rotatable with respect to the hub, a dampening spring and a clutch member. A part of the pulley is supported on a pulley support surface on the hub. There is a gap between the pulley and the pulley support surface. The gap has lubricant therein to facilitate sliding between the pulley and the pulley support surface. By eliminating the use of a polymeric bushing between pulley and the hub, there are several advantages that are provided.

主权项

1. A decoupler assembly for transferring torque between an endless drive element and a shaft, comprising:
a hub that is adapted to be coupled to the shaft such that the shaft co-rotates with the hub about a rotational axis; a pulley having an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the outer surface is adapted to engage the endless drive element, wherein a bearing is positioned between the inner surface of the pulley and the hub, and wherein the hub is made from metal and includes a pulley support surface that slidingly supports the inner surface of the pulley, wherein the bearing and the pulley support surface together support the pulley for rotation relative to the hub; an isolation spring positioned to transmit torque between the hub and a carrier; and a wrap spring clutch, wherein the wrap spring clutch expands radially to operatively connect the pulley and the carrier when the pulley is rotated faster than the hub in a first rotational direction, thereby driving the hub with the pulley, and wherein the wrap spring clutch contracts radially to operatively disconnect the pulley and the hub when the pulley rotates more slowly than the hub in the first rotational direction, wherein the pulley and the hub cooperate to define a chamber in which the wrap spring clutch is disposed, and which includes a gap between the pulley support surface and the inner surface of the pulley, wherein the chamber is filled with a lubricant.