Moldable plastic roller clutch cage with improved concentricity control, mechanical retention, and lubricant retention

摘要

A roller clutch case comprises two molded halves that snap fit into retention grooves on the cam race when inserted from opposite axial directions. The retention features of the cage halves that fit within the retention grooves are inherently stiff, and occupy most of the circumferential extent of the cage halves. Narrow grooves in the cage halves allow the entire structure to shrink inwardly and re expand, so as to allow the retention features to snap into the grooves in spite of their stiffness. In operation, high pressure oil injected between the cage halves pushes the cage halves axially outwardly, but the cage halves are securely retained by the stiff retention features. The oils is substantially trapped between the cage halves by the biasing of the same retention features into the sides of the retention grooves, with only the relatively narrow grooves providing any leak points. Close clearance cross bars in the cage halves help prevent oil migrating to the grooves.