Wedge clutch with tapered profile and cage
AssigneeSchaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
InventorsMarion Jack Ince, Guihui Zhong
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A wedge clutch imparts a wedging effect to selectively transfer power through powertrain components. The wedge clutch includes a hub configured to rotate about an axis and having a tapered hub surface. A rotatable member is configured to rotate about the axis. A plurality of wedge segments are arranged annularly about the axis and are disposed radially between the hub and the rotatable member. The wedge segments can collectively radially expand and contract to lock and unlock the clutch. Each wedge segment defines an aperture therethrough. A cage assembly includes a plurality of pins that each extend through a respective one of the apertures to control relative radial movement of the wedge segments.
Claims20
A wedge clutch comprising:
- a hub configured to rotate about an axis and having a tapered hub surface;
- a rotatable member configured to rotate about the axis;
- a plurality of wedge segments circumferentially separable from one another and arranged annularly about the axis and disposed radially between the hub and the rotatable member, each wedge segment defining an aperture extending entirely therethrough;
- and
- a cage assembly including a plurality of pins each extending through a respective one of the apertures to control relative radial movement of the wedge segments.
A wedge clutch comprising:
- an outer race arranged about an axis and having an inner surface;
- an inner race having an outer surface facing the inner surface of the outer race;
- a plurality of wedge segments separable from one another, disposed about the axis and radially between the inner and outer surfaces, wherein relative axial movement between the outer surface and the inner surface moves the wedge segments radially into engagement and disengagement with one of the inner and outer surfaces to lock and unlock the clutch;
- and
- a cage assembly connected to each of the wedge segments to guide radial movement of the wedge segments.
A clutch comprising:
- a first rotatable member rotatable about an axis and having an inner surface facing the axis;
- a second rotatable member rotatable about the axis and having an outer surface facing the inner surface of the first rotatable member, wherein one of the inner surface and the outer surface has a groove defined therein, and the other of the inner surface and the outer surface is a first tapered surface;
- a plurality of wedge segments separable from one another, each wedge segment having a second tapered surface in sliding engagement with the first tapered surface to cause radial movement of the wedge segments;
- and
- a cage assembly including a plurality of pins extending entirely through the wedge segments to guide radial movement of the wedge segments.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.