Rotational coupling device with flux conducting bearing shield

A rotational coupling device, comprising:

• a rotor configured for rotation about a rotational axis, the rotor including a rotor hub disposed about the rotational axis and configured to receive a shaft and a rotor disc extending radially outwardly from the rotor hub;
• an armature disposed on a first axial side of the rotor disc;
• an electromagnet disposed on a second axial side of the rotor disc opposite the armature and fixed against rotation;
• a bearing disposed between the rotor hub and the electromagnet, the rotor hub engaging an inner race of the bearing on a first axial side of the bearing and the electromagnet engaging an outer race of the bearing on a second axial side of the bearing;
• a spacer disposed radially inwardly of the electromagnet and engaging the inner race of the bearing on the second axial side of the bearing, an air gap separating the spacer from the electromagnet;
• and,
• a shield supported by the spacer and extending radially outwardly therefrom such that a first portion of the shield is axially aligned with the air gap and at least one of the first portion and a second portion of the shield is spaced from the electromagnet
• wherein magnetic flux travels from the rotor hub to the electromagnet through the shield when the electromagnet is energized.

A rotational coupling device, comprising:

• a rotor configured for rotation about a rotational axis, the rotor including a rotor hub disposed about the rotational axis and configured to receive a shaft and a rotor disc extending radially outwardly from the rotor hub;
• an armature disposed on a first axial side of the rotor disc;
• an electromagnet disposed on a second axial side of the rotor disc opposite the armature and fixed against rotation;
• a bearing disposed between the rotor hub and the electromagnet, the rotor hub engaging an inner race of the bearing on a first axial side of the bearing and the electromagnet engaging an outer race of the bearing on a second axial side of the bearing;
• a spacer disposed radially inwardly of the electromagnet and engaging the inner race of the bearing on the second axial side of the bearing, an air gap separating the spacer from the electromagnet;
• and,
• a shield supported by the spacer and extending radially outwardly therefrom such that a portion of the shield is axially aligned with the air gap
• wherein the shield assumes a first state when the electromagnet is not energized in which the shield is axially spaced from the electromagnet and the shield deforms and assumes a second state when the electromagnet is energized in which the shield contacts the electromagnet.