Freewheel bearing device with torque limiter

• US 20070074945A1
• Filed: 06/25/2004
• Published: 04/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Skf France (ABet SKF)
• Original Assignee: Skf France (ABet SKF)
• Inventors: Hamada, Virginie, Lescorail, Romuald, Caillault, Claude, Ponson, Frederic, Pulle, Thierry
• Granted Patent: US 7,766,140 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 192/41.A
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 19/06 with a single row or balls
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 41/001 Integrated brakes or clutches for stopping or coupling the relatively movable parts
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 41/07 between two cylindrical surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 41/206 having axially adjacent coils, e.g. helical wrap-springs
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 43/211 with radially applied torque-limiting friction surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 7/021 with radially applied torque-limiting friction surfaces F16D7/022 takes precedence

Abstract

The invention concerns a freewheel bearing device including an outer element and inner element arranged inside the outer element, and a free wheel provided with at least a wedging element, arranged between the inner element and the outer element to allow a free rotational movement in one direction between the outer element and the inner element and for transmission of a torque in the other direction between the outer element and the inner element, the free wheel including a ring provided with a cylindrical inner surface and a cylindrical outer surface, substantially aligned on a radial plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the device, and a torque limiting member adapted to limit the torque transmitted by the free wheel, the torque limiting member being arranged radially between said ring and the outer element or the inner element in contact with said ring and said element.

Claims

1. A freewheel bearing device, of the type comprising an outer element, an inner element placed in the outer element, and a freewheel provided with at least one jamming element, placed between the inner element and the outer element to leave free a rotation movement in one direction between the outer element and the inner element and to transmit a torque in the other direction between the outer element and the inner element, wherein the freewheel comprises a race provided with an inner cylindrical surface and an outer cylindrical surface, substantially aligned on a radial plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the device, and a torque limiter member capable of limiting the torque transmitted by the freewheel, the torque limiter member being placed radially between said race and the outer element or the inner element in contact with said race and said element.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the torque limiter member is mounted in series with the freewheel to limit the torque transmitted by the unidirectional engagement member in the torque transmission position.

3. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the torque limiter member comprises at least one friction element.

4. The device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the friction element comprises a radial friction surface.

5. The device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the friction element comprises an axial friction surface delimited by two radial planes.

6. The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a bearing allowing the outer element to rotate relative to the inner element.

7. The device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the bearing is a rolling bearing.

8. The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein raceways for the rolling elements of said bearing are arranged in the inner and outer elements.

9. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the torque limiter member is placed on an outer surface of the freewheel.

10. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the torque limiter member is placed in a bore of the freewheel.

11. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the torque limiter member comprises an open elastic ring provided with an outer friction surface and an inner friction surface.

12. The device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the ring is made of steel sheet and has a U-channel provided with two axial flanges.

13. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the torque limiter member comprises a plurality of elastic tongues.

14. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the torque limiter member comprises an elastic ring made of synthetic material provided with an outer or inner friction surface and a respectively inner or outer attachment surface.

15. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the torque limiter member comprises at least one friction ring and an elastic washer for placing the friction ring bearing axially on a friction surface.

16. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the torque limiter member comprises a body in the shape of an open ring.

17. The device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the torque limiter member further comprises an elastic element for prestressing said body.

18. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the freewheel comprises a spring provided with an end fixedly attached to the torque limiter member and coils in friction contact on the inner or outer element.

19. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the jamming elements of the freewheel are cams, rollers or pawls.

20. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the torque limiter member comprises a friction element and an element for prestressing the friction element against said race or the outer element or the inner element.

21. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the torque limiter member is prestressed between two separate pieces.

22. A freewheel bearing device, comprising an outer element, an inner element placed in the outer element, and a freewheel placed between the inner element and the outer element, wherein the freewheel comprises a race provided with an inner cylindrical surface and an outer cylindrical surface, substantially aligned on a radial plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the device, and a torque limiter member mounted in series with the freewheel to limit the torque transmitted by the unidirectional engagement member in the torque transmission position.