Unidirectional clutch assembly

摘要

A unidirectional clutch assembly for coupling an input shaft to a driven shaft, uses an internal shaft positioned within a moveable clutch disc and a stationary clutch disc. The moveable disc has an engaging element for releasably engaging the internal shaft when the moveable clutch disc is rotated in a primary rotation direction by the driven shaft. The stationary clutch disc has a second engaging element for releasably engaging the internal shaft when the internal shaft is rotated relative to the stationary clutch disc in the opposite direction. When the driven shaft rotates in the primary rotational direction, the moveable clutch disc engages, and the stationary clutch disc disengages, the internal shaft, allowing it to rotate freely in the primary rotational direction. When the driven shaft rotates in the opposite direction, the moveable clutch disc disengages, and the stationary clutch disc engages, the internal shaft preventing its rotation.

主权项

1. A unidirectional clutch assembly for coupling an input shaft to a driven shaft associated with a stationary body, said unidirectional clutch assembly comprising:
(a) an internal shaft having an outer surface, a first end, and a second end, wherein the second end of the internal shaft is adapted to be coupled to the input shaft, and wherein the driven shaft, the internal shaft, and the input shaft are sequentially aligned and axially displaced along a common longitudinal axis; (b) a moveable clutch disc coupled to the driven shaft and positioned orthogonal to the common longitudinal axis, and having a first opening shaped for receiving the internal shaft and a first engaging element for releasably engaging the internal shaft when the moveable clutch disc is rotated relative to the internal shaft in a primary rotation direction; (c) a stationary clutch disc positioned orthogonal to the common longitudinal axis and parallel to the moveable clutch disc, said stationary clutch disc having its motion restrained by the stationary body such that it remains substantially stationary relative to the stationary body, said stationary clutch disc having a second opening shaped for receiving the internal shaft and a second engaging element for releasably engaging the internal shaft when the internal shaft is rotated relative to the stationary clutch disc in a direction opposite to the primary rotation direction; (d) said internal shaft being positioned within the opening of each of the moveable clutch disc and the stationary clutch disc such that the second end of the internal shaft extends from the stationary clutch disc in a direction away from the moveable clutch disc and the outer surface of the internal shaft is in continuous rolling contact with the first and second engaging elements, such that:
(I) when the driven shaft rotates in the primary rotation direction, the movable clutch disk is rotated in the primary direction and the first engaging element engages the moveable clutch disc with the internal shaft and transfers rotation to the internal shaft in the primary rotation direction and the second engaging element disengages the stationary clutch disc from the internal shaft to allow the internal shaft to rotate freely; and(II) when the driven shaft rotates in the direction opposite to the primary rotation direction, the movable clutch disk is rotated in the direction opposite to the primary rotation direction and the first engaging element disengages the moveable clutch disc from the internal shaft and the second engaging element engages the stationary clutch disc with the internal shaft to prevent the internal shaft from rotating.