# US 2008/0185253 A1 · Selectively controlled rocker one-way clutch > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2008/0185253 A1 - Document ID: US20080185253A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 11/703,033 - Filed: 2007-02-06 - Published: 2008-08-07 - Earliest claimed: 2007-02-06 - Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Inventors: John W. Kimes - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20080185253A1 ## CPC - F16D 41/12: with hinged pawl co-operating with teeth, cogs, or the like (F16D41/02, F16D41/24 take precedence) - F16D 41/084: {the intermediate coupling members wedging by pivoting or rocking} - F16D 41/16: the action being reversible - F16H 57/08: of gearings with members having orbital motion - F16H 3/66: composed of a number of gear trains without drive passing from one train to another - F16D: COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES - F16H: GEARING ## Abstract An overrunning clutch assembly includes a first ring having pockets spaced mutually about an axis, rockers each located in a pocket, springs each urging a rocker to pivot in a respective pocket, and first notches arranged around the axis. A second ring includes second pockets spaced mutually about the axis, second rockers each located in a second pocket such that at least one second rocker is engageable with a notch, second springs each urging a second rocker toward engagement with a notch, and second notches around the axis, at least one rocker being engageable with at least one second notch. A control member moves about the axis alternately to prevent the first rockers from engaging the second notches and to permit the first rockers to engage the second notches. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An overrunning clutch assembly, comprising: a first ring including first pockets spaced mutually about an axis; first rockers, each first rocker located in a first pocket; first springs, each first spring urging a first rocker to pivot in a respective first pocket; and first notches arranged around the axis; a second ring including second pockets spaced mutually about the axis; second rockers, each second rocker located in a second pocket, at least one second rocker being engageable with a first notch; second springs, each second spring urging a second rocker toward engagement with a first notch; and second notches around the axis, at least one first rocker being engageable with at least one second notch; and a control member moveable about the axis alternately to prevent the first rockers from engaging the second notches and to permit the first rockers to engage the second notches. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The clutch of claim 1, wherein: the first ring further comprises an annular recess surrounding the axis and located radially between the first notches and first rockers, the second ring being located in the recess. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The clutch of claim 1, wherein: the first ring further comprises an annular recess surrounding the axis and located radially between the first notches and first rockers, the second ring being located in the recess such that the first rockers face the second notches, and the second rockers face and are adjacent the first notches. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The clutch of claim 1, wherein the second ring further includes a connector ring that extends from a surface of the second ring, and spline teeth formed on the connector ring and spaced mutually about the axis. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The clutch of claim 1, wherein: the first ring further includes first spring recesses, each first spring recess containing a first spring and including a closed end and an open end located opposite the closed end and communicating with a first pocket; and the second ring further includes second spring recesses, each second spring recess containing a second spring and including a closed end and an open end located opposite the closed end and communicating with a second pocket. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The clutch of claim 1, further comprising: an actuator secured to the control elements for actuating the control elements to control movement of the first rockers; and a summing device secured to the actuator and having potentially applied thereto a first force representing a first status condition and a second force representing a second status condition, the actuator activating the control elements to prevent engagement of one of the first rockers with one of the second notches when the first and second forces are concurrently applied to the summing device. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The clutch of claim 1, further comprising: an actuator secured to the control elements for actuating the control elements to control movement of the first rockers; and a summing device secured to the actuator and having applied thereto a first force representing a first status condition and a second force representing a second status condition, the actuator activating the control element to permit engagement of one of the first rockers with one of the second notches when the first force and the second force are concurrently applied to the summing device. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The clutch of claim 1, further comprising: a chamber; a valve spool located in the chamber and connected to control element; a spring urging the spool in a first direction within the chamber; a source of producing on the valve spool a first force directed opposite the spring force; and a source producing on the valve spool a second force directed opposite the spring force, such that the sum of the first force and second force is greater than the spring force, and the actuator moves in response to movement of the valve spool. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The clutch of claim 8, wherein the first force is produced by hydraulic pressure in the chamber and the second force is produced by an electrically actuated solenoid. ### Claim 10 A clutch control assembly for an automatic transmission, comprising: a case secured against rotation; a pinion carrier located in the case and supported for rotation; an overrunning clutch located in the case and including a first ring secured to the case and including first pockets spaced mutually about an axis; first rockers, each first rocker located in a first pocket; first springs, each first spring urging a first rocker to pivot in a respective first pocket; and first notches arranged around the axis; a second ring secure to the carrier and including second pockets spaced mutually about the axis; second rockers, each second rocker located in a second pocket, at least one second rocker being engageable with a first notch; second springs, each second spring urging a second rocker toward engagement with a first notch; and second notches around the axis, at least one first rocker being engageable with at least one second notch; and a control member moveable about the axis alternately to prevent the first rockers from engaging the second notches and to permit the first rockers to engage the second notches. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The assembly of claim 10, wherein: the first ring further comprises an annular recess surrounding the axis and located radially between the first notches and first rockers, the second ring being located in the recess. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The assembly of claim 10, wherein: the first ring further comprises an annular recess surrounding the axis and located radially between the first notches and first rockers, the second ring being located in the recess such that the first rockers face the second notches, and the second rockers face and are adjacent the first notches. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The assembly of claim 10, wherein: the carrier includes first spline teeth; the second ring further includes second spline teeth engaged with the first spline teeth. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The assembly of claim 10, wherein: the first ring further includes first spring recesses, each first spring recess containing a first spring and including a closed end and an open end located opposite the closed end and communicating with a first pocket; and the second ring further includes second spring recesses, each second spring recess containing a second spring and including a closed end and an open end located opposite the closed end and communicating with a second pocket. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The assembly of claim 10, further comprising: an actuator secured to the control elements for actuating the control elements to control movement of the first rockers; and a summing device secured to the actuator and having potentially applied thereto a first force representing a first status condition and a second force representing a second status condition, the actuator activating the control elements to prevent engagement of one of the first rockers with one of the second notches when the first and second forces are concurrently applied to the summing device. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The assembly of claim 10, further comprising: an actuator secured to the control elements for actuating the control elements to control movement of the first rockers; and a summing device secured to the actuator and having applied thereto a first force representing a first status condition and a second force representing a second status condition, the actuator activating the control element to permit engagement of one of the first rockers with one of the second notches when the first force and the second force are concurrently applied to the summing device. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The assembly of claim 10, further comprising: a chamber; a valve spool located in the chamber and connected to control element; a spring urging the spool in a first direction within the chamber; a source of producing on the valve spool a first force directed opposite the spring force; and a source producing on the valve spool a second force directed opposite the spring force, such that the sum of the first force and second force is greater than the spring force, and the actuator moves in response to movement of the valve spool. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The assembly of claim 17, wherein the first force is produced by hydraulic pressure in the chamber and the second force is produced by an electrically actuated solenoid.