Switchable one-way clutch

A switchable one-way clutch, comprising:

• a ring-shaped case including a radially inner surface defining a central opening;
• a drive plate radially enclosed by the radially inner surface, supported for rotation around an axis of rotation, arranged to non-rotatably connect to a shaft, and defining a plurality of openings;
• a first plate non-rotatably connected to the radially inner surface and defining a first opening;
• a second plate non-rotatably connected to the radially inner surface and defining a second opening;
• a rotatable actuator plate including a planar surface and a feature extending from the planar surface in an axial direction parallel to the axis of rotation;
• a strut pivotable around a pivot axis, the strut including a central portion disposed in the first opening and through which the pivot axis passes, an engagement portion extending from the central portion, and a control portion extending from the central portion;
• and,
• a spring in contact with the engagement portion and the second plate, wherein in a locked mode of the switchable one-way clutch, the spring urges the engagement portion in a first pivot direction around the pivot axis and into an opening included in the plurality of openings, a rotation of the drive plate with respect to the ring-shaped case and in a first rotational direction around the axis of rotation is enabled, and a rotation of the drive plate with respect to the ring-shaped case in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction is blocked;
• and wherein to transition from the locked mode to a free-wheel mode of the switchable one-way clutch, in which the rotation of the drive plate with respect to the ring-shaped case and in the second rotational direction is enabled, the rotatable actuator plate is arranged to be rotated by an actuator, the rotatable actuator plate is arranged to slide the feature along the control portion in the first rotational direction, and the feature is arranged to pivot the engagement portion out of the opening included in the plurality of openings.

A method of operating a switchable one-way clutch, the switchable one-way clutch including a ring-shaped case including a radially inner surface defining a central opening, a drive plate radially enclosed by the radially inner surface, supported for rotation around an axis of rotation, arranged to non-rotatably connect to a shaft, and defining a plurality of openings, a first plate non-rotatably connected to the radially inner surface and defining a first opening, a second plate non-rotatably connected to the radially inner surface and defining a second opening, an actuator plate including a planar surface and a feature extending from the planar surface in an axial direction parallel to the axis of rotation, a strut including a central portion disposed in the first opening, an engagement portion, and a control portion;

• and a spring in contact with the engagement portion and the second plate, the method comprising:
• urging, with the spring, the engagement portion in a first pivot direction around a pivot axis and into a first opening included in the plurality of openings;
• enabling a rotation of the drive plate with respect to the ring-shaped case and in a first rotational direction around the axis of rotation;
• blocking, with the strut, a rotation of the drive plate with respect to the ring-shaped case in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction;
• rotating, with an actuator, the actuator plate in the first rotational direction;
• sliding the feature along the control portion in the first rotational direction;
• pivoting, with the feature, the engagement portion out of the first opening included in the plurality of openings;
• and,
• enabling a rotation of the drive plate, with respect to the ring-shaped case and in the second rotational direction, around the axis of rotation.