US 6,745,880 B1Granted

Two-way clutch assembly having selective actuation

AssigneeBorgWarner Inc.

InventorKenneth C. Yuergens

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Abstract

A two-way clutch assembly (10) having an inner race (14), an outer race (20), and an engagement mechanism (22) disposed therebetween and operable to shift between a first position providing torque translation between the inner and outer races (14, 20) in one rotational direction while allowing relative freewheeling rotation between the inner and outer races (14, 20) in an opposite rotational direction. Furthermore, the engagement mechanism (22) is operable to shift to a second position that provides torque translation and relative freewheeling rotation between the inner and outer races (14, 20) in rotational directions opposite to that provided by the engagement mechanism when disposed in the first position. An actuator assembly (24) is operatively connected to the engagement mechanism (22) and acts to simultaneously move in an axial direction and rotate about the axis of rotation (A) in an indexing manner to shift the engagement mechanism (22) between the first and second positions.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A two-way clutch assembly (10) comprising:

an inner race (14), an outer race (22) wherein said inner and outer races are supported for rotation about a common axis (A) and wherein said inner and outer races (14, 20) define cam portions (26) between them;
an engagement mechanism (22) disposed between said inner and outer races, said engagement mechanism (22) including a cage assembly (30) and a plurality of rollers (32) supported by said cage assembly (30) in spaced annular disposition relative to one another about said axis of rotation (A), said cage assembly (30) including an axially extending splined hub (50), said engagement mechanism (22) operable to shift between a first position providing torque translation between said inner and outer races (14, 20) in one rotational direction while allowing relative freewheeling rotation between said inner and outer races (14, 20) in an opposite rotational direction and a second position providing torque translation and relative freewheeling rotation between said inner and outer races (14, 20) in rotational directions opposite to that provided by said engagement mechanism when disposed in said first position;
and
an actuator assembly (24) that is operatively connected to said cage assembly (30) and includes an apply plate (52) operatively supported by said splined hub (50) for axial movement relative thereto, said actuator assembly (24) operable to simultaneously move in an axial direction and rotate about said axis of rotation (A) in an indexing manner in response to a biasing force to shift said cage assembly (30) and said plurality of rollers (32) between said first and second positions to selectively provide torque translation and relative freewheeling rotation between said inner and outer races (14, 20) in either rotational direction as said plurality of rollers (32) are selectively moved into and out of engagement with said cam portions (26).

1 more element

An automotive transmission assembly (112) having at least one shaft (18) and at least one gear set (144) operatively coupled to said shaft and adapted to provide low and reverse gear ratios, said transmission assembly comprising:

a transmission casing (82) for supporting the shaft (18) and the gear set (144) of said transmission assembly;
a two-way clutch assembly (10) having an inner race (14) operatively mount d to the shaft (18) and an outer race (20) wherein said inner and outer races are supported for rotation about a common axis (A), a friction clutch assembly (12) including an inner hub (76) and an outer hub (78) wherein said outer hub (78) is fixed to said transmission casing (82) and said inner hub (76) is operatively connected to said outer race (20) of said two-way clutch assembly (10) such that said friction clutch assembly (12) and said two-way clutch assembly (10) are mounted in series relative to each other;
a clutch pack (84) interposed between said inner hub (76) and said outer hub (78) and operable to connect said inner and outer hubs together;
an engagement mechanism (22) disposed between said inner and outer races (14, 20) of said two-way clutch assembly (10), said engagement mechanism (22) operable to shift be ween a first position providing torque translation between said inner and outer races (14, 20) in the forward rotational direction when said transmission assembly (112) is in low gear while allowing relative freewheeling rotation between said inner and outer races ( 14, 20) in an opposite rotational direction when said transmission assembly (112) is in any higher gear and a second position providing torque translation and relative freewheeling rotation between said inner and outer races (14, 20) in the reverse rotational direction when said transmission assembly (112) is in reverse gear while allowing relative freewheeling rotation between said inner and outer races (14, 20) in an opposite rotational direction when said transmission assembly (112) is in any gear greater than first gear;
and
an actuator assembly (24) that is operatively connected to said engagement mechanism (22), said actuator assembly (24) operable to simultaneously move in an axial direction and rotate about said axis of rotation (A) in an indexing manner in response to a biasing force to shift said engagement mechanism (22) between said first and second positions to selectively provide torque translation and relative freewheeling rotation between said inner and outer races (14, 20) in either rotational direction.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.