Wedge plate with rotated segments and a clutch including a wedge plate with rotated segments

A wedge plate clutch, comprising:

• an axis of rotation;
• an outer race with a first radially inner surface at a radial distance from the axis of rotation;
• an inner race;
• and,
• a wedge plate radially disposed between the inner race and the outer race and including a first plurality of segments, the first plurality of segments including:
• a first segment with a first radially outer surface:
• in contact with the first radially inner surface;
• and,
• in a shape of a portion of a first circle having a radius equal to the radial distance;
• and,
• a second segment with a second radially outer surface:
• in contact with the first radially inner surface;
• and,
• in a shape of a portion of a second circle having a radius equal to the radial distance.

A method of operating a wedge plate clutch, the wedge clutch including:

• an inner race with a first radially outer surface having a first ramp sloping radially outwardly in a first circumferential direction about an axis of rotation for the wedge plate clutch;
• an outer race including a first radially inner surface at a uniform radial distance from the axis of rotation;
• and a wedge plate radially disposed between the inner and outer races, the wedge plate including a first segment with a second radially outer surface in a shape of a portion of a first circle having a radius equal to the uniform radial distance and with a second radially inner surface including a second ramp sloping radially outwardly in the first circumferential direction, the method comprising:
• contacting the first radially inner surface with the second radially outer surface;
• contacting the first ramp with the second ramp;
• rotating the inner race in a second circumferential direction, opposite the first circumferential direction;
• sliding, in the second circumferential direction, the first ramp along the second ramp;
• displacing the wedge plate radially outwardly;
• and,
• non-rotatably connecting the inner race, the wedge plate and the outer race.