Bi-directional overrunning clutch

A bi-directional overrunning clutch for controlling torque transmission between a pinion input shaft and at least one output shaft, the clutch comprising

• a differential housing;
• a pinion input shaft having an end rotatably disposed within the differential housing, the pinion input shaft adapted to rotate an input gear located within the differential housing;
• a ring gear disposed within the housing and rotatably engaged with the input gear;
• a clutch housing attached to the ring gear and rotatably disposed within the differential housing, the clutch housing having a cam surface formed on one side;
• at least one race disposed adjacent to the cam surface and engaged with an output shaft;
• a roll cage disposed between the race and the cam surface, the roll cage including a plurality of slots formed in and spaced circumferentially about the roll cage, each slot having a roll located therein, the roll cage movable with respect to the clutch housing and the at least one race;
• a first armature plate located adjacent to the roll cage;
• a first coil mounted within the differential housing adjacent to the first armature plate, the first coil adapted to produce an electromagnetic field when energized which hinders the rotation of the first armature plate causing the roll cage to drag with respect to the clutch housing;
• a second armature plate located adjacent to the roll cage;
• and
• a second coil mounted within the differential housing adjacent to the second armature plate, the second coil adapted to produce an electromagnetic field when energized which hinders the rotation of the second armature plate and causes the roll cage to advance with respect to the clutch housing, the advancement of the roll cage with respect to the clutch housing adapted to cause the clutch housing to drivingly engage with the at least one race.

A vehicle having four wheel drive capability comprising:

• a transmission;
• a primary drive shaft rotatably driven by the transmission;
• two primary half shafts rotatably engaged with the primary drive shaft, each primary half shaft engaged with a corresponding primary wheel;
• a secondary drive shaft rotatably engaged with the transmission;
• an overrunning clutch assembly engaged to the secondary drive shaft, the overrunning clutch assembly including:
• a differential housing;
• a pinion input shaft rotatably disposed within the differential housing and engaged with the secondary drive shaft;
• a clutch housing disposed within the differential housing and rotatably connected to the pinion input shaft, the clutch housing having an inner surface;
• at least one race disposed adjacent to the inner surface of the clutch housing, the at least one race being engaged with an output shaft;
• a cage disposed between the at least one race and the inner surface of the clutch housing, the cage having a plurality of slots formed in and spaced circumferentially about the cage, each slot having a movable member located therein, the cage being adjustable with respect to the clutch housing and the at least one race;
• a first armature plate located adjacent to and adapted to engage with the cage;
• a first coil mounted within the differential housing adjacent to the first armature plate, the first coil adapted to produce an electromagnetic field when energized which hinders the rotation of the first armature plate causing the cage to move to a first position with respect to the clutch housing, the first position of the cage locating the movable members so as to wedge between the inner surface and the at least one race when one of the primary wheels loses traction;
• a second armature plate located adjacent to the cage;
• a second coil mounted within the differential housing adjacent to the second armature plate, the second coil adapted to produce an electromagnetic field when energized which hinders the rotation of the second armature plate and causes the cage to move to a second position with respect to the clutch housing, the second position of the cage adapted to wedge the movable members between the inner surface and the at least one race;
• and
• an electronic control system connected to the first and second coils, the electronic control system providing signals for controlling energizing of the first and second coils.

An overrunning clutch assembly comprising:

• a differential housing;
• a pinion input shaft having an end rotatably disposed within the differential housing;
• a clutch housing disposed within the differential housing and rotatably connected to the pinion input shaft, the clutch housing having an inner surface;
• at least one race disposed adjacent to the inner surface of the clutch housing, the at least one race being engaged with an output shaft;
• a cage disposed between the at least one race and the inner surface of the clutch housing, the cage having a plurality of slots formed in and spaced circumferentially about the cage, each slot having a movable member located therein, the cage being adjustable with respect to the clutch housing and the at least one race;
• a first armature plate located adjacent to and adapted to engage with the cage;
• a first coil mounted within the differential housing adjacent the first armature plate, the first coil adapted to produce an electromagnetic field when activated which hinders the rotation of the first armature plate causing the cage to move to a first position with respect to the clutch housing, the first position of the cage locating the movable members so as to wedge between the inner surface and the at least one race;
• a second armature plate located adjacent to the cage;
• and
• a second coil mounted within the differential housing adjacent to the second armature plate, the second coil adapted to produce an electromagnetic field when activated which hinders the rotation of the second armature plate and causes the cage to move to a second position with respect to the clutch housing, the second position of the cage adapted to wedge the movable members between the inner surface and the at least one race.