# US 11,994,176 B2 · Clutch actuator > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,994,176 B2 - Document ID: US11994176B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/327,501 - Filed: 2023-06-01 - Published: 2023-09-28 - Granted: 2024-05-28 - Earliest claimed: 2020-12-03 - Assignees: Denso Corporation - Applicants: Denso Corporation - Inventors: Akikazu Uchida; Takumi Sugiura - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11994176B2 ## CPC - F16D 28/00: Electrically-actuated clutches (arrangements for synchronisation F16D23/02; clutches actuated directly by means of an electromagnet F16D27/00; automatic clutches F16D43/00 - F16D45/00; external control F16D48/00) - F16D 23/12: Mechanical clutch-actuating mechanisms arranged outside the clutch as such (specific for combined clutches F16D21/00; mechanisms specific for synchronisation F16D23/02) - F16H 25/12: with reciprocation along the axis of rotation, e.g. gearings with helical grooves and automatic reversal - H02K 7/108: with friction clutches - F16D 13/52: Clutches with multiple lamellae {; Clutches in which three or more axially moveable members are fixed alternately to the shafts to be coupled and are pressed from one side towards an axially-located member (F16D13/385 takes precedence)} - F16D 2023/123: {Clutch actuation by cams, ramps or ball-screw mechanisms} - F16D 2121/24: using motors - F16D 2125/50: with parallel non-stationary axes, e.g. planetary gearing - F16D 2300/14: Clutches which are normally open, i.e. not engaged in released state - H02K 7/06: Means for converting reciprocating motion into rotary motion or vice versa - H02K 7/116: with gears - F16D: COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES - F16H: GEARING - H02K: DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINES (dynamo-electric relays H01H53/00; conversion of DC or AC input power into surge output power {H03K3/53}) ## Abstract A prime mover is provided in a housing, and can operate by energization and output a torque. A speed reducer can decelerate and output the torque of the prime mover. A rotational translation unit including a rotation portion that rotates relative to the housing when the torque output from the speed reducer is input, and a translation portion that moves relative to the housing in an axial direction when the rotation portion rotates relative to the housing and can change a state of a clutch to an engaged state or a non-engaged state. The speed reducer includes an output unit that outputs the decelerated torque of the prime mover to the rotation portion. The rotation portion is formed of a material different from that of the output unit separately, and is provided to be rotatable integrally with the output unit. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A clutch actuator to be used in a clutch device, the clutch device including a clutch provided between a first transmission portion and a second transmission portion that are rotatable relative to each other and whose state is changeable to an engaged state in which torque transmission between the first transmission portion and the second transmission portion is permitted or a non-engaged state in which the torque transmission between the first transmission portion and the second transmission portion is blocked, the clutch actuator comprising: a housing; a prime mover provided in the housing and configured to operate by energization and output a torque; a speed reducer configured to output the torque of the prime mover at a reduced speed; and a rotational translation unit including a rotation portion, which is configured to rotate relative to the housing when the torque output from the speed reducer is input, and a translation portion, which is configured to move relative to the housing in an axial direction when the rotation portion rotates relative to the housing and change the state of the clutch to the engaged state or the non-engaged state, wherein the speed reducer includes an output unit configured to output the decelerated torque of the prime mover to the rotation portion, the rotation portion is formed separately from the output unit and formed of a material different from a material of the output unit, the rotation portion is configured to rotate integrally with the output unit, the rotation portion includes a drive cam main body in an annular plate shape, a drive cam inner cylinder portion in a cylindrical shape and extending in an axial direction from an outer edge portion of the drive cam main body, and a drive cam plate portion in an annular plate shape and extending to a radially outer side from an end portion of the drive cam inner cylinder portion on a side opposite to the drive cam main body, the rotation portion is provided integrally with the output unit and is not rotatable relative to the output unit, the rotation portion includes a drive cam outer cylinder portion extending from an outer edge portion of the drive cam plate portion in the axial direction, the output unit includes a gear inner cylinder portion in a cylindrical shape, a gear plate portion in an annular plate shape and extending to a radially outer side from one end of the gear inner cylinder portion, and a gear outer cylinder portion in a cylindrical shape and extending from an outer edge portion of the gear plate portion in the axial direction, and an inner peripheral wall of the gear inner cylinder portion is fitted to an outer peripheral wall of the drive cam outer cylinder portion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The clutch actuator according to claim 1, further comprising: a drive cam outer cylinder portion in a cylindrical shape, extending in an axial direction from an outer edge portion of the drive cam plate portion, and coupled to the output unit. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The clutch actuator according to claim 1, further comprising: a rolling body configured to roll between the drive cam main body and the translation portion. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The clutch actuator according to claim 3, wherein the rotation portion includes the drive cam main body, which has a portion on which the rolling body is configured to roll, and the drive cam plate portion, which is formed separately from the drive cam main body, formed of a material different from a material of the drive cam main body, and couples the drive cam main body and the output unit. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The clutch actuator according to claim 1, wherein the material of the output unit and the material of the rotation portion have different strengths according to required strengths. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The clutch actuator according to claim 5, wherein the rotation portion is thermally treated. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The clutch actuator according to claim 1, further comprising: a seal member configured to maintain a space between the housing and the rotation portion in an airtight manner or a liquid-tight manner, wherein the prime mover is provided in the space, and a joint portion between the rotation portion and the output unit is located in the space. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The clutch actuator according to claim 1, wherein the speed reducer is a strange planetary gear speed reducer or a planetary gear speed reducer. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The clutch actuator according to claim 8, wherein the speed reducer includes: a sun gear configured to input the torque from the prime mover; a planetary gear configured to revolve in a circumferential direction of the sun gear while meshing with the sun gear and rotating on its axis; a carrier configured to rotatably support the planetary gear and rotate relative to the sun gear; a first ring gear configured to mesh with the planetary gear; and a second ring gear configured to mesh with the planetary gear, formed such that a number of teeth of a tooth portion is different from that of the first ring gear, and configured to output a torque to the rotation portion, and the output unit is the second ring gear. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The clutch actuator according to claim 1, wherein the rotation portion is fixed to the output unit and is not movable relative to the output unit.