US 7,350,632 B2 · Mechanical clutch unit

Abstract

The present invention provides clutch systems for the control of the transmission of torque to the front (or rear) wheels of a vehicle (e.g., an ATV), thus being operable to change the vehicle from a two-wheel, rear-drive (or front-drive) vehicle to a four wheel drive vehicle by engaging the clutch systems thereof. The clutch system is contained within an extended portion of a housing that also contains a differential system, thus eliminating the need for fastening a separate clutch system housing to the differential housing. The clutch system is actuated by energizing a coil which in turn causes tab members of an actuation disk to disengage from notches formed on an inner race, allowing the actuation of a roller clutch system. When the coil is de-energized, the actuation disk engages the inner race and prevents inadvertent or undesired actuation of the clutch system.

Claims38

Dependent claims

A selectively operable clutch system for a vehicle, comprising:

an inner race member;
an outer race member, a portion of which is disposed about a portion of the inner race member, said outer race member having a hub portion at least partially enveloped by said inner race member;
an actuation member operably associated with the inner race member;
and
an actuation system operably associated with the actuation member;
wherein the actuation system is operable to cause the actuation member to either engage or disengage the inner race member;
wherein when the actuation member is engaged with the inner race member, the clutch system is not operable to apply a torque force to a drivable member;
wherein when the actuation member is disengaged from the inner race member, the clutch system is operable to apply a torque force to a drivable member.

5 more elements

A selectively operable torque transmission system for a vehicle, comprising:

a differential system disposed within a housing;
and
a clutch system;
wherein the housing includes an extended portion operable to receive at least a portion of the clutch system;
wherein the clutch system is operably associated with the differential system;
wherein the clutch system comprises:
an inner race member;
an outer race member, a portion of which is disposed about a portion of the inner race member, said outer race member having a hub portion at least partially enveloped by said inner race member;
a roller clutch system operably associated with the inner and outer race members;
an actuation member operably associated with the inner race member;
and
an actuation system operably associated with the actuation member;
wherein the actuation system is operable to cause the actuation member to either engage or disengage the inner race member;
wherein when the actuation member disengages from the inner race member, the roller clutch system is operable to cause the inner and outer race members to rotate together in the same direction;
wherein when the actuation member is engaged with the inner race member, the roller clutch system is not operable to apply a torque force to a drivable member;
wherein when the actuation member is disengaged from the inner race member, the roller clutch system is operable to apply a torque force to a drivable member.

13 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Mechanical clutch unit

Life of this patent

Mechanical clutch unit

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims38