One-way clutch and off-axis coupling for an engine starting system

摘要

A starting system for a hybrid vehicle includes a pinion gear driven by a starter motor and a drive plate having a set of teeth in constant meshed engagement with the pinion gear. A one-way clutch assembly drivingly interconnects the drive plate and an engine crankshaft and includes an inner race fixed for rotation with the crankshaft, an outer race coupled for rotation with the drive plate and a plurality of rollers positioned radially therebetween. The outer race includes a first set of teeth drivingly engaging a second set of teeth on the drive plate and arranged to allow the outer race to rotate about an axis misaligned with an axis of rotation of the drive plate. A spring engages the drive plate and the outer race to urge the first and second sets of teeth into alignment with one another.

主权项

1. A starting system for a hybrid vehicle including an internal combustion engine having a crankshaft rotatably supported within an engine block, the starting system comprising:
a starter motor; a pinion gear selectively driven by the starter motor; a drive plate having a set of teeth in constant meshed engagement with the pinion gear; a one-way clutch assembly for drivingly interconnecting the drive plate and the crankshaft, the clutch assembly including an inner race adapted to be fixed for rotation with the crankshaft, and an outer race coupled for rotation with the drive plate and a plurality of rollers positioned radially therebetween, wherein the outer race includes a groove and a first set of teeth drivingly engaging a second set of teeth on the drive plate and arranged to allow the outer race to rotate about an axis misaligned with an axis of rotation of the drive plate; a spring received in the groove of the outer race and engaging the drive plate and the outer race to urge the first and second sets of teeth into alignment with one another, wherein the spring is shaped as a ring surrounding the outer race; and a retaining ring positioned within the groove on the outer race to retain the spring in a compressed state.