Segmented wedge clutch with spring clips
AssigneeSchaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
InventorsBrian Lee, Carsten Ohr
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A clutch for selectively coupling first and second rotational members includes a hub rotatable about an axis and connectable to the first rotational member, and a carrier rotatable about the axis and connectable to the second rotational member. One of the hub and the carrier defines an annular groove and the other of the hub and the carrier defines a ramped surface. A wedge plate of the clutch has a first edge disposed on the ramped surface, a second edge disposed in the annular groove, and a face extending between the edges and defining an annular shoulder. An annular resilient member is seated against the shoulder.
Claims20
A clutch for selectively coupling first and second rotational members, the clutch comprising:
- a hub rotatable about an axis and connectable to the first rotational member;
- a carrier rotatable about the axis and connectable to the second rotational member, wherein a one of the hub or the carrier defines an annular groove and the other one of the hub or the carrier defines a ramped surface;
- a wedge plate including a first edge disposed on the ramped surface, a second edge disposed in the annular groove, and a face extending between the edges and defining an annular shoulder;
- and
- an annular resilient member seated against the shoulder.
A wedge plate for a wedge clutch having first and second concentric races supported for rotation about a common axis, the wedge plate comprising:
- a plurality of arcuate segments arranged to form a disk, each of the segments including an inner edge engageable with the first race, an outer edge engageable with the second race, and first and second opposing faces extending between the inner and outer edges;
- a retaining ring adjacent the first face on each of the arcuate segments to secure the segments as the disk;
- and
- at least one clip including a retaining portion disposed against the retaining ring and a clip portion connected to the disk.
A clutch comprising:
- a hub supported for rotation about an axis;
- a carrier supported for rotation about the axis;
- and
- a wedge plate that frictionally engages between the hub and the carrier when the clutch is locked to couple the hub and the carrier, the wedge plate including:
- a plurality of wedge segments arranged for rotation about the axis,
- a retaining ring interconnecting the wedge segments to form a disk, and
- a clip that secures the retaining ring to the disk.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.