Rotary clutch assembly with actuator having threadingly engaged two-component armature

A rotary clutch assembly, comprising:

• a first rotary clutch portion that is disposed about a rotary axis and adapted to receive a rotary input;
• a second rotary clutch portion that is disposed about the rotary axis and adapted to be coupled to a rotary output;
• at least one of the first and second rotary clutch portions defining a clutch surface;
• a wrap spring clutch having a power transfer end, a control end and a plurality of helical coils between the power transfer end and the control end, the plurality of helical coils engaging the clutch surface, the wrap spring clutch being configured to transmit or interrupt flow of rotary power between the first rotary clutch portion and the second rotary clutch portion depending on a drag force applied to the control end of the wrap spring clutch;
• and
• an actuator that is selectively operable for generating said drag force, the actuator comprising an electromagnet, a two-component armature and an axial return spring;
• wherein the two-component armature comprises a holding component, a floating component entrained with the holding component, and an angular position biasing member connecting the floating and holding components;
• wherein the floating component is positionable to a first angular position relative to the holding component where the floating component has axial play relative to the holding component and wherein the floating component is positionable to a second angular position relative to the holding component where the floating component has substantially no axial play relative to the holding component;
• wherein the angular position biasing member biasing the floating component to the first angular position;
• wherein the axial return spring is connected to the holding component;
• wherein, in operation, the floating component translates axially under magnetic force applied by the electromagnet without having to overcome the bias of the axial return spring to thereby stop the floating component, whereby the holding component moves to the second angular position and translates axially due to mechanical linkage between the holding and floating components, overcoming the bias of the axial return spring.