Damper controlled wrap spring clutch

A wrap spring clutch comprising:

• a rotatable input;
• a spring comprising a first and a second end and having an equilibrium state and a flexed state;
• a damper mechanism engaged with one of the first and second ends such that the damper mechanism causes the spring to change from its equilibrium to its flexed state when the input transitions from stationary to rotational, and such that the damper mechanism allows the spring to change from its flexed to its equilibrium state when the input transitions from rotational to stationary;
• and
• a rotatable output positioned relative to the spring such that the output alternately rotates independently and synchronously with the input when the spring changes between its flexed and equilibrium states;
• wherein the rotatable output comprises an output hub against which the spring engages and which is the only hub with which the spring engages such that the spring does not cross over more than one hub.

A bi-directional wrap spring clutch comprising:

• a rotatable input with a first drive surface and a second drive surface;
• a spring with a first end and a second end and having an equilibrium state and a flexed state, the first end of the spring being driven by the first drive surface such that the spring rotates with the input when the input rotates in a clockwise direction and the second end of the spring being driven by the second drive surface such that the spring rotates with the input when the input rotates in a counterclockwise direction;
• a control with a damper, wherein the control engages the second end of the spring when the spring rotates in the clockwise direction and engages the first end of the spring when the spring rotates in the counter clockwise direction, and in each case when the control engages the spring end, the control with damper causes the spring to change from its equilibrium to its flexed state when the input transitions from stationary to rotational, and such that the control with damper allows the spring to change from its flexed to its equilibrium state when the input transitions from rotational to stationary;
• and
• a rotatable output positioned relative to the spring such that the output synchronously rotates with the input when the spring is in its flexed state, and rotates independently of the input when the spring is in its equilibrium state.