Electromagnetic wedge disconnect clutch

A wedge clutch, comprising:

• an axis of rotation;
• an inner race including:
• a first side facing a first axial direction;
• a second side facing a second axial direction opposite the first axial direction;
• and,
• a first radially outermost surface sloping radially outward from the first side to the second side;
• an outer race including a portion located radially outward of the inner race;
• a wedge plate radially disposed between the inner race and the portion of the outer race, the wedge plate including:
• third and fourth sides facing in the first and second axial directions, respectively;
• and,
• a first radially innermost surface sloping radially outward from the third side to the fourth side;
• and,
• an actuation assembly including:
• a resilient element urging the inner race in the first axial direction;
• and,
• an electromagnet, wherein:
• to initiate a locked mode in which the inner race, the wedge plate and the outer race are non-rotatably connected to each other the electromagnet is arranged to be un-energized and the resilient element is arranged to displace the inner race in the first axial direction;
• and,
• to initiate a free-wheel mode in which the inner and outer races are rotatable with respect to each other the electromagnet is arranged to be energized to displace the inner race in the second axial direction.

A wedge clutch, comprising:

• an inner race including:
• a first side facing a first axial direction;
• a second side facing a second axial direction opposite the first axial direction;
• and,
• a first radially outermost surface sloping radially outward from the first side to the second side;
• a first plate of magnetic material non-rotatably connected to the inner race;
• an outer race with a portion located radially outward of the inner race and having a first radially innermost surface including first and second chamfers;
• a wedge plate radially disposed between the inner race and the portion of the outer race, the wedge plate including:
• third and fourth sides facing in the first and second axial directions, respectively;
• a second radially innermost surface sloping radially outward from the third side to the fourth side;
• a second radially outermost surface including third and fourth chamfers;
• and,
• an actuation assembly including:
• a housing;
• a resilient element:
• engaged with the housing and the inner race;
• and,
• urging the inner race in the first axial direction;
• and,
• an electromagnet disposed within the housing, wherein:
• to non-rotatably connect the inner race, the wedge plate and the outer race the electromagnet is arranged to be un-energized and the resilient element is arranged to displace the inner race in the first axial direction to frictionally engage the first and second chamfers with the third and fourth chamfers, respectively;
• and,
• to initiate a free-wheel mode in which the inner and outer races are rotatable with respect to each other the electromagnet is arranged to be energized to displace the first plate of magnetic material in the second axial direction.