Bi-directional four-mode clutch

A bi-directional clutch assembly comprising:

• an inner race, an outer race and an engagement mechanism supported therebetween, said engagement mechanism including a first set of pawls and a second set of pawls operatively supported between said inner and outer races;
• a pair of actuating cams supported for incremental, coaxial rotational movement relative to said inner and outer races, each one of said pair of actuating cams associated with one of said first and second sets of pawls and including a plurality of disengagement portions and a plurality of engagement portions, said engagement and disengagement portions cooperating with said first and second pawls to selectively disengage said first and second pawls to provide freewheeling relative rotation between said inner and outer races;
• to selectively actuate at least one pawl of said first set of pawls so that torque is translated in a first rotational direction but allowing freewheeling relative rotation between said inner and outer races in a second rotational direction that is opposite to said first rotational direction;
• to selectively actuate at least one pawl of said second set of pawls so that torque is translated in said second rotational direction opposite to said first rotational direction but allowing freewheeling relative rotation in said first rotational direction;
• and to selectively actuate at least one pawl of said first and second sets of pawls so that torque is translated between said inner and outer races in both of said first and second rotational directions.

An automotive transmission assembly having at least one shaft and at least one gear set operatively coupled to said shaft to provide low and reverse gear ratios, said transmission assembly comprising:

• a transmission casing for supporting the shaft and the gear set of said transmission assembly;
• said gear set including a sun gear operatively coupled to a source of torque in said transmission assembly, a ring gear mounted for rotation about said sun gear and a plurality of pinion gears supported by a carrier for rotation about said sun gear and between said ring gear and said sun gear, said carrier operatively coupled to said shaft;
• a bi-directional clutch assembly having an inner race operatively coupled to said ring gear of said gear set, an outer race operatively coupled to said transmission casing and an engagement mechanism supported between said inner and outer races, said engagement mechanism including a first set of pawls and a second set of pawls operatively supported between said inner and outer races;
• at least one actuating cam disposed adjacent said inner and outer races and including a plurality of disengagement portions and a plurality of engagement portions, said engagement and disengagement portions cooperating with said first and second pawls to selectively disengage said first and second pawls to provide freewheeling relative rotation between said inner and outer races;
• to selectively actuate at least one pawl of said first set of pawls so that torque is translated in a first rotational direction when said transmission assembly is in low gear but allowing freewheeling relative rotation between said inner and outer races in a second rotational direction that is opposite to said first rotational direction when said transmission assembly is in any higher gear;
• to selectively actuate at least one pawl of said second set of pawls so that torque is translated in said second rotational direction opposite to said first rotational direction when said transmission assembly is in reverse gear but allowing freewheeling relative rotation in said first rotational direction when said transmission assembly is in any gear greater than first;
• and to selectively actuate at least one pawl of said first and second sets of pawls so that torque is translated between said inner and outer races in both of said first and second rotational directions to provide engine breaking.