Patent ID: 12188529

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein. It should be appreciated that like drawing numbers appearing in different drawing views identify identical, or functionally similar, structural elements. Also, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples and other embodiments can take various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features could be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the embodiments. As those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, various features illustrated and described with reference to any one of the figures can be combined with features illustrated in one or more other figures to produce embodiments that are not explicitly illustrated or described. The combinations of features illustrated provide representative embodiments for typical applications. Various combinations and modifications of the features consistent with the teachings of this disclosure, however, could be desired for particular applications or implementations.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. Although any methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the disclosure, the following example methods, devices, and materials are now described.

FIG.1is a front view of radially compliant connection100.FIG.2is a perspective view of the radially compliant connection ofFIG.1. The following description is made with reference toFIGS.1-2. Radially compliant connection100includes axis102, plate104with connection portion106, plate108with connection portion110, and intermediate plate112with connection portions114and116. Connection100also includes flexible element118fixed to connection portions106and114, and flexible element120fixed to connection portions110and116. Plate104is arranged for connecting to an engine crankshaft (not shown) and plate108is a portion of a rotor carrier for an electric motor (not shown), for example. Plate104includes axially extending teeth121forming a portion of a rotary position sensor or speed sensor, for example.

Connection portion106includes radially inner surface122with radius124, and connection portion110includes radially outer surface126with radius128, less than radius124. Connection portion114includes radially outer surface130with radius132, equal to radius128, and connection portion116includes radially outer surface134with radius136, equal to radius128and radius132. Flexible elements118and120are disposed at respective radii138and140, between radii124and128.

FIG.3illustrates a front view of radially compliant connection200according to an example aspect of the present disclosure.FIG.4illustrates a perspective view of the radially compliant connection ofFIG.3. The following description is made with reference toFIGS.1-4. Radially compliant connection200is similar to radially compliant connection100with all 2XX labels corresponding to 1XX labels and description, except as noted below. Connection portions106,110,114and116each extend in a circumferential direction and in an axial direction. Connection portion106forms a portion of continuous rim142. Similarly, as shown inFIGS.3and4, connection portion214is a portion of continuous rim215. That is, intermediate plate212has a ring shape instead of having radially extending tabs like intermediate plate112.

As shown inFIGS.1-2, rim142radially supports flexible elements118and120. Similarly, as shown inFIGS.3-4, rim242radially supports flexible element218and rim215radially supports flexible element220. Continuous rim142includes openings144and146at least partially radially aligned with connection portions110and116, respectively. Radially compliant connection100includes exactly two connection portions106arranged circumferentially opposite one another, and exactly two connection portions110arranged circumferentially opposite one another. Radially compliant connection100also includes exactly two connection portions114and exactly two connection portions116.

FIG.5illustrates a front view of radially compliant connection300according to an example aspect of the present disclosure. Radially compliant connection300is similar to radially compliant connection100with all 3XX reference numerals corresponding to 1XX reference numerals and description, except as noted below. The following description is made with reference toFIG.5. Line348extending through connection portions306is orthogonal to line350extending through connection portions310. Radially compliant connection300includes exactly four connection portions314and exactly four connection portions316. Each one of connection portions314is arranged on a same tab315with one of connection portions316

Flexible element318is a leaf spring arranged in circumferential direction352with distal ends354and356fixed to respective connection portions314and middle portion358arranged circumferentially between the distal ends and fixed to connection portion306. Similarly, flexible element320is a leaf spring arranged in the circumferential direction with distal ends360and362fixed to respective connection portions316and middle portion364arranged circumferentially between the distal ends and fixed to connection portion310.

Returning toFIG.1, flexible element118a leaf spring arranged in circumferential direction152and flexible element120is a leaf spring arranged in the circumferential direction. Flexible element118and120are leaf springs arranged with axial widths greater than radial widths. Leaf springs118and120are fixed to the respective connection portions by rivets (not shown, ref. rivets319fixing leaf springs318and320inFIG.5). Plate104includes annular portion105, plate108includes annular portion109, and intermediate plate112includes annular portion113arranged axially between portions105and109.

While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms encompassed by the claims. The words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. As previously described, the features of various embodiments can be combined to form further embodiments of the disclosure that may not be explicitly described or illustrated. While various embodiments could have been described as providing advantages or being preferred over other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more desired characteristics, those of ordinary skill in the art recognize that one or more features or characteristics can be compromised to achieve desired overall system attributes, which depend on the specific application and implementation. These attributes can include, but are not limited to cost, strength, durability, life cycle cost, marketability, appearance, packaging, size, serviceability, weight, manufacturability, ease of assembly, etc. As such, to the extent any embodiments are described as less desirable than other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more characteristics, these embodiments are not outside the scope of the disclosure and can be desirable for particular applications.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

100Radially compliant connection102Axis104Plate (first)105Annular portion106Connection portion (first)108Plate (second)109Annular portion110Connection portion (second)112Intermediate plate113Annular portion114Connection portion (third)116Connection portion (fourth)118Flexible element (first)120Flexible element (second)121Axially extending teeth122Radially inner surface124Radius (first)126Radially outer surface (first)128Radius (second)130Radially outer surface (second)132Radius (third)134Radially outer surface (third)136Radius (fourth)138Radius (fifth)140Radius (sixth)142Continuous rim144Opening (first)146Opening (second)152Circumferential direction200Radially compliant connection202Axis214Connection portion215Continuous rim218Flexible element220Flexible element242Continuous rim300Radially compliant connection302Axis318Flexible element319Rivet320Flexible element348Line (first)350Line (second)352Circumferential direction354Distal end (flexible element318)356Distal end (flexible element318)358Middle portion (flexible element318)360Distal end (flexible element320)362Distal end (flexible element320)364Middle portion (flexible element320)