The Analysis and Design of A New Type Wedge Surfaces of Sprag Overrunning Clutch

Sprag overrunning clutch is one of key components in the drive system. It's a meaningful work to design and manufacture high performance sprag clutch to meet the practical working situation. In order to design reliable and durable clutch with good dynamic characteristics, this paper put forward a new type wedge surfaces which is a combination of involute and eccentric arc. On the basis of analysis of a clutch structure, work principles and failure modes, the sprag,key element of the clutch, was demonstrated the feasibility of involute in the use of wedge surface design by analyzing the characteristics of involute, and the main sprag parameters were designed and analysized. The design of the new wedge surface, increasing the strut angle and effective cam rise, increased carrying capacity, reducing the contact stress, and extending service life, which laid the foundation for the sprag overrunning clutch design improvements.