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US 10,378,594 B2Granted
Wedge clutch with clamshell carrier
AssigneeSchaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
InventorBrian Lee
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A clutch includes an inner race and an outer race. The outer race has first and second portions that cooperate to define a split annulus with a gap defined between the first and second portions. A wedge element is radially disposed between the inner and outer races and is configured to lock the inner and outer races in response to the first and second portion being closed together.
Claims20
A clutch comprising:
- a hub defining an outer circumferential surface having ramps;
- a clamshell carrier circumscribing the hub and including first and second arcuate portions cooperating to form a split annulus having a gap defined between tips of the arcuate portions, the first and second arcuate portions being pivotally connected to each other and movable between a closed position in which the gap has a first width and an open position in which the gap has a second width that is larger than the first width, wherein the first and second arcuate portions cooperate to define at least one circular groove;
- and
- a wedge element radially disposed between the hub and the clamshell carrier, the wedge element including a cylindrical body defining an outer circumferential surface having at least one raised ring disposed in the at least one groove and an inner circumferential surface having lobes that cooperate with the ramps to radially expand the wedge element from a contracted position to an expanded position in response to relative rotation between the inner race and the wedge element, wherein the least one raised ring is configured to frictionally lock with the at least one groove when in the expanded position, and the least one raised ring is configured to not frictionally lock with the at least one groove when in the contracted position;
- wherein
- the clutch is disengaged when the clamshell carrier is in the open position due to the lack of frictional engagement between the at least one raised ring and the at least one groove resulting in the wedge element biasing to the contracted position, and
- the clutch is engaged when the clamshell carrier is in the closed position due to the frictional engagement between the at least one raised ring and the at least one groove rotating the wedge element relative to the hub to expand the wedge element to the expanded position.
4 more elements
A clutch comprising:
- an inner race defining a cammed profile having radially extending ramps;
- an outer race including first and second portions that cooperate to define a split annulus with a first end defined on the first portion and second end defined on the second portion, wherein a gap is defined between the first and second ends;
- and
- a wedge element radially disposed between the inner and outer races, the wedge element defining a cammed profile having lobes that are configured to engage with the ramps to radially expand the wedge element in response to relative rotation between the inner race and the wedge element, wherein the wedge
- element is configured to lock the inner and outer races in response to the first and second ends being closed together.
2 more elements
A clutch comprising:
- an inner race having an outer surface defining ramps;
- an outer race concentrically supported relative to the inner race so that the inner and outer races are rotatable relative to each other when the clutch is disengaged, the outer race including first and second portions pivotally attached to each other and movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein tips of the first and second portions are closer together in the closed position than in the open position;
- and
- a circular wedge element radially disposed between the inner and outer races and having an inner surface circumscribing the inner race, the wedge element defining lobes that cooperate with the ramps to radially expand the wedge element to lock the inner and outer races in response to relative rotation between the inner race and the wedge element caused by the outer race being in the closed position.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.