FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE:
The present disclosure generally relates to clutch assemblies and more particularly relates to a one-way clutch assembly with spring cage.

BACKGROUND
A transmission assembly includes a clutch assembly for transmission of torque/power from a drive shaft to a driven shaft. The driving shaft is typically driven by an engine or a motor. The driven shaft transmits torque/power to a drive wheel via a gearbox. A one-way clutch assembly is typical example of a clutch which is configured to transmit torque/power in one rotational direction and not in a reverse direction. More particularly, the drive shaft rotating in one-direction, through the one-way clutch, is able to transmit torque/power from the drive shaft to the driven shaft. However, as the drive shaft rotates in opposite direction, the one-way clutch gets locked and stops transmission of the torque/power from the drive shaft to the driven shaft. This state of the one-way clutch is referred to as freewheeling.
Generally, the one way clutch assemblies known in the art include an outer and an inner placed coaxially within the outer. Typically, the inner is mounted on the drive shaft and the outer is mounted on the driven shaft. The inner and the outer rotates relative to one another using a plurality of rolling elements placed between oppositely facing surfaces the inner and outer, plurality of springs and cam profiles on the oppositely facing surfaces of the inner and the outer so as to provide the power/ torque from the drive shaft to the driven shaft.
The fundamental operating principle of one-way clutches including preventing relative rotation of inner and outer in one direction, enabling the transmission of torque across the clutch, while inner and outer elements can overrun or freewheel in the opposite direction, etc., is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
All types of one-way clutch assemblies including roller, ratchet, or sprag-type work satisfactorily depending upon the particular application in which they are used. The basic construction of all these clutches includes an outer race, an inner race, a set of locking elements (rollers, sprags or pawls) that can interlock the races, and springs that activate the locking elements.
The conventional one way clutch assemblies utilize inner and outer with multiple profiles and rolling elements/cams for facilitating transmission of power/ torque between the inner and the outer. Further, the conventional one way clutch assemblies are difficult to manufacture and/or assemble as these have a large number of independent parts to be put together. As such, these clutch assemblies are less reliable, are susceptible to frequent breakdowns and require regular maintenance.

OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at-least one embodiment is able to satisfy, are described herein below:
It is an object of the present disclosure to ameliorate one or more problems of the art or to at least provide a useful alternative.
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a one-way clutch assembly having configuration that ensures substantial contact of the rolling elements with the inner and outer, wherein either of the inner and outer is cam profiled.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a one-way clutch assembly that is simple in construction.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a one-way clutch assembly that has simplified assembly and is therefore easy to assemble.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a one-way clutch assembly that requires lesser number of parts.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a one-way clutch assembly that is reliable.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a one-way clutch assembly having configuration that provides more space for the rolling elements, thereby resulting in better torque transmission.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a one-way clutch assembly that is simple to manufacture.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a one-way clutch assembly that can effectively transmit torque/power.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a one-way clutch assembly that consumes less power.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a one-way clutch assembly that exhibits enhanced service life.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a one-way clutch assembly with configuration that result in material savings.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a one-way clutch assembly that is inexpensive.

SUMMARY
Described herein is a one way clutch assembly comprising a pair of annular-shaped, relatively rotatable members, wherein an outer of the relatively rotatable members has a cam profiled inner circumferential surface, an inner spaced apart from said outer in a radial inner direction and disposed coaxially with said outer and having an outer circumferential surface, a cage element having pockets provided between said outer circumferential surface of the inner and said inner circumferential surface of the outer, a plurality of rolling elements, each disposed within a corresponding pocket, each rolling element touching the inner circumferential surface of the outer and said outer circumferential surface of the inner, wherein each of the plurality of rolling elements is attached to a spring element formed integrally with the cage element.
In one aspect, the cage element is placed near the inner circumferential surface of the outer.
In one aspect, the cage element is fixed to the outer on at least one point through a protrusion from the cage element and at least one locking mechanism in the outer.
In accordance with an embodiment, a one way clutch assembly comprises a pair of annular-shaped, relatively rotatable members, wherein an inner of the relatively rotatable members has a cam profiled outer circumferential surface, an outer spaced apart from said inner in a radial outward direction and disposed coaxially with said inner and having an inner circumferential surface, a cage element having pockets provided between said outer circumferential surface of the inner and said inner circumferential surface of the outer, a plurality of rolling elements, each disposed within a corresponding pocket, each rolling element touching the inner circumferential surface of the outer and said outer circumferential surface of the inner, wherein each of the plurality of rolling elements is attached to a spring element formed integrally with the cage element.
In one aspect, the cage element is placed near the outer circumferential surface of the inner.
In one aspect, the cage element is fixed to the inner on at least one point through a protrusion from the cage element and at least one locking mechanism in the inner.
In an aspect, the spring element is punched out of the cage element and deformed in a zig-zag configuration.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The disclosure will now be explained in relation to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1(a) illustrates a front view of an assembled one way clutch assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 1(b) illustrates a side view of the one way clutch assembly of Figure 1(a);
Figure 2(a) illustrates a front view of an assembled one way clutch assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 2(b) illustrates a side view of the one way clutch assembly of Figure 2a;
Figure 3 illustrates an isometric view of the one way clutch assembly of Figure 1(a);
Figure 4 illustrates a cut sectional view of the one way clutch assembly of Figure 1(a);
Figure 5 illustrates a close up view of the one way clutch assembly of Figure 1(a); and
Figure 6 illustrates an isometric view of the one way clutch assembly of Figure 2(a).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The present disclosure envisages a one way clutch assembly that efficiently and reliably transmits torque/power when a drive shaft coupled to the one way clutch assembly is configured to rotate in one direction and ceases to do so in the reverse direction. Figure 1(a) and Figure 1(b) illustrates a one way clutch assembly 100. The one way clutch assembly 100 in accordance with the present disclosure includes a pair of annular-shaped, relatively rotatable members, wherein an outer 20 of the relatively rotatable members has a inner circumferential surface with cam profile 22, an inner spaced apart from said outer in a radial inner direction and disposed coaxially with said outer and having an outer circumferential surface. A cage element 40 having pockets 45 is disposed between said outer circumferential surface of the inner and said inner circumferential surface of the outer. The cage element 40 is placed near the inner peripheral surface of the outer 20. In an embodiment, the cage element 40 is fixed to the outer 20 on at least one point through a protrusion (not shown) from the cage element and at least one locking mechanism (not shown), such as a groove, a slot, etc., in the outer.
Each pocket 45 of the cage element 40 is adapted to receive at least one rolling element 30 supported by at least one spring element 42 (hereinafter referred to as spring 42) integrally formed with the cage element 40. In an embodiment, the spring 42 is made as an integrated part of the cage element 40 for improving assembly and facilitating torque transmissibility. More specifically, the spring 42 is used to ensure contact of the rolling elements 30 with the inner 10 and the cam profiled outer 20.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, one end of the spring 42 is attached with the cage element 40 to make the spring 42 an integrated part of cage element 40 and other end of the spring 42 is supporting the rolling elements 30. In an embodiment, the spring 42 is stamped out of a surface of the cage element 40
Such a configuration of the cage element 40 with the integrated spring 42 used in the present one way clutch assembly ensures contact of the rolling surfaces of rolling elements 30 with the outer surface of the inner 10 and the cam profiles in the outer 20. The force applied by the spring element 42 on the rolling element 30 can be designed to work based on either angular stiffness/force or linear stiffness/force or combination of both angular and linear stiffness/force of spring(s). In an embodiment, the spring portion is protruded from a surrounding surface of the cage element 40 and is deformed zigzag. This provides a better spring effect as compared to conventional spring elements.
Figure 2(a) illustrates a front view of an assembled one way clutch assembly 200, wherein a cage element 140 with a plurality of spring elements 142 integrally formed thereon is disposed between an inner surface of an outer 120 and a cam profiled surface of an inner 110. Figure 2b illustrates a side view of the one way clutch assembly 200. In said embodiment, the cage element 140 is placed near the outer peripheral surface of the inner 110. In an embodiment, the cage element 140 is fixed to the inner 110 on at least one point through a protrusion from the cage element 140 and at least one locking mechanism, such as a groove, a slot, etc., in the inner.
Figure 3 illustrates an isometric view of the one way clutch assembly 100. Figure 4 illustrates a cut sectional view of the one way clutch assembly 100. Figure 5 illustrates a close up view of the one way clutch assembly 100. Figure 6 illustrates an isometric view of the one way clutch assembly of Figure 2(a).
The working of the one-way clutch assembly is described hereinafter with reference to the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 6.

Case 1
The embodiment as shown in Figures 1 and 3, the cam profile is provided in an inner surface of the outer 20 while the inner 10 has a continuously profiled outer surface. Initially, the inner 10, the outer 20, and a driven member or an output shaft (not shown) coupled to the one-way clutch assembly 100 is in a stationary position. The rollers 30 in between the inner and outer 20 are in transition fit with the inner 10 as well as the outer 20 in the stationary position. As soon as an input shaft (not shown) connected to the inner 10 receives power, for example, from a motor, the input shaft starts to rotate and in turn rotates the inner 10. This makes the rollers 30 roll and lock up in the cam profile on the inner periphery of the outer 20. Due to the geometry of the cam profile, interference occurs among the rollers 30, the inner 10 and the outer 20 and a torque of the inner 10 gets transferred to the outer 20 through the rollers 30.
Subsequently, when a power stroke takes place and the input shaft stops receiving power from the motor, the inner 10 comes to a halt but the outer 20 continues to rotate. Simultaneously, due to the cam profile in the inner periphery of the outer 20, the rollers 30 exert a force on the springs 42 and compress the springs, thereby again providing a transition fit between the rollers 30 and the inner 10. Accordingly, the rotation of the outer 20 does not get transferred to the inner 10, thus leading to a freewheeling of the outer 20.

Case 2
The embodiment as shown in Figures 2 and 6, the cam profile is designed in an outer periphery of the inner 10 while an inner periphery of the outer 20 is continuously profiled in the one-way clutch assembly 200. The working of the one way clutch assembly 200 is substantially the same as in Case 1 described above, and accordingly has not been described again for the sake of brevity.

TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES AND ECONOMIC SIGINIFICANCE
A one-way clutch assembly has several technical advantages including but not limited to the realization of:
• a one-way clutch assembly having configuration that ensures substantial contact of the rolling elements with the inner and cam profiled outer;
• a one-way clutch assembly that is simple in construction;
• a one-way clutch assembly that has simplified assembly, and is therefore easy to assemble;
• a one-way clutch assembly that requires lesser number of parts;
• a one-way clutch assembly that is reliable;
• a one-way clutch assembly having configuration that provides more space for the rolling elements, thereby resulting in better torque transmission;
• a one-way clutch assembly that is simple to manufacture;
• a one-way clutch assembly that can effectively transmit torque/power;
• a one-way clutch assembly that consumes less power;
• a one-way clutch assembly that exhibits enhanced service life; and
• a one-way clutch assembly with configuration that result in material savings.
The numerical values given of various physical parameters, dimensions and quantities are only approximate values and it is envisaged that the values higher or lower than the numerical value assigned to the physical parameters, dimensions and quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure and the claims unless there is a statement in the specification to the contrary.
Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.
The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

CLAIMS:1. A one way clutch assembly (100) comprising:
a pair of annular-shaped, relatively rotatable members, wherein an outer (20) of the relatively rotatable members has a cam profiled inner circumferential surface;
an inner (10) spaced apart from said outer in a radial inner direction and disposed coaxially with said outer and having an outer circumferential surface;
a cage element (40) having pockets (45) provided between said outer circumferential surface of the inner and said inner circumferential surface of the outer;
a plurality of rolling elements (30), each disposed within a corresponding pocket, each rolling element touching the inner circumferential surface of the outer and said outer circumferential surface of the inner, wherein each of the plurality of rolling elements is attached to a spring element (42) formed integrally with the cage element.

2. A one way clutch assembly (200) comprising:
a pair of annular-shaped, relatively rotatable members, wherein an inner (110) of the relatively rotatable members has a cam profiled outer circumferential surface;
an outer (120) spaced apart from said inner in a radial outward direction and disposed coaxially with said inner and having an inner circumferential surface;
a cage element (140) having pockets (45) provided between said outer circumferential surface of the inner and said inner circumferential surface of the outer;
a plurality of rolling elements (130), each disposed within a corresponding pocket, each rolling element touching the inner circumferential surface of the outer and said outer circumferential surface of the inner, wherein each of the plurality of rolling elements is attached to a spring element (142) formed integrally with the cage element.

3. The one way clutch assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cage element is placed near the inner circumferential surface of the outer.

4. The one way clutch assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cage element is fixed to the outer on at least one point through a protrusion from the cage element and at least one locking mechanism in the outer.

5. The one way clutch assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the cage element is placed near the outer circumferential surface of the inner.

6. The one way clutch assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the cage element is fixed to the inner on at least one point through a protrusion from the cage element and at least one locking mechanism in the inner.

7. The one way clutch assembly as claimed in any of the claims 1 and 2, wherein the spring element is punched out of the cage element and deformed in a zig-zag configuration.