Wedge clutch with axially displaceable wedge plate

A wedge clutch, comprising:

• an inner race;
• an outer race with an inner circumferential surface sloped radially outward in the first axial direction;
• a wedge plate:
• disposed between the inner and outer races in a radial direction;
• and,
• including an outer circumferential surface substantially parallel to the inner circumferential surface;
• a first displacement element engaged with the wedge plate and arranged to urge the wedge plate in a second axial direction, opposite the first axial direction, to close the clutch to non-rotatably connect the inner and outer races;
• and,
• a second displacement element arranged to displace the wedge plate in the first axial direction to open the clutch to enable relative rotation between the inner and outer races.

A wedge clutch, comprising:

• an inner race with an outer circumferential surface sloped radially outward in a first axial direction;
• an outer race;
• a wedge plate:
• disposed between the inner and outer races in a radial direction;
• and,
• including an inner circumferential surface substantially parallel to the outer circumferential surface;
• a first displacement element engaged with the wedge plate and arranged to urge the wedge plate in a second axial direction, opposite the first axial direction, to close the clutch to non-rotatably connect the inner and outer races;
• and,
• a second displacement element arranged to displace the wedge plate in the first axial direction to open the clutch to enable relative rotation between the inner and outer races.