Switchable ratcheting wedge clutch

A switchable ratcheting clutch, comprising:

• an axis of rotation;
• an inner race including a pocket;
• an outer race;
• a cage:
• radially disposed between the inner race and the outer race;
• and,
• including a ramp sloping radially inwardly in a first circumferential direction around the axis of rotation;
• and,
• a pawl including:
• a portion disposed in the pocket and pivotable around a pivot axis parallel to the axis of rotation and passing through the portion;
• a first circumferential end;
• and,
• a second circumferential end, wherein:
• in a locked mode of the switchable ratcheting clutch:
• the ramp contacts the pawl;
• the first circumferential end contacts the outer race;
• and,
• the inner race and the outer race are non-rotatably connected;
• in a one-way mode of the switchable ratcheting clutch:
• the second circumferential end contacts the outer race;
• and,
• relative rotation of the inner race around the axis of rotation and with respect to the outer race is enabled only in a second circumferential direction, opposite the first circumferential direction;
• in a freewheel mode of the switchable ratcheting clutch:
• the pawl is free of contact with the outer race;
• and,
• the inner race is rotatable, with respect to the outer race, in the first circumferential direction and in the second circumferential direction;
• and,
• the cage is arranged to be rotated, around the axis of rotation and with respect to the inner race, by an actuator to switch the switchable ratcheting clutch among the locked mode, the one-way mode, and the freewheel modes.

A switchable ratcheting clutch, comprising:

• an axis of rotation;
• an inner race including a pocket and a radially outermost surface;
• an outer race;
• a cage:
• radially disposed between the inner race and the outer race;
• and,
• including a ramp sloping radially inwardly in a first circumferential direction;
• a pawl including:
• a portion pivotably disposed in the pocket;
• a first circumferential end;
• and,
• a second circumferential end;
• and,
• a resilient element:
• in contact with the inner race and the first circumferential end;
• and,
• urging the pawl around a pivot axis passing through the portion of the pawl and parallel to the axis of rotation, wherein:
• in a locked mode of the switchable ratcheting clutch:
• the cage is in a first circumferential position around the axis of rotation and with respect to the inner race;
• the ramp contacts the pawl;
• the second circumferential end of the pawl contacts the outer race;
• and,
• the inner race and the outer race are non-rotatably connected;
• in a one-way mode of the switchable ratcheting clutch:
• the cage is in a second circumferential position around the axis of rotation and with respect to the inner race;
• the first circumferential end of the pawl contacts the outer race;
• and,
• relative rotation of the inner race around the axis of rotation and with respect to the outer race is enabled only in a second circumferential direction, opposite the first circumferential direction;
• in a freewheel mode of the switchable ratcheting clutch:
• the cage is in a third circumferential position around the axis of rotation and with respect to the inner race;
• the ramp contacts the pawl;
• and,
• the inner race is rotatable with respect to the outer race in the first circumferential direction and in the second circumferential direction;
• and,
• the cage is arranged to be rotated, around the axis of rotation and with respect to the inner race, by an actuator to switch the switchable ratcheting clutch among the locked mode, the one-way mode, and the freewheel modes.