Selectively controlled rocker one-way clutch
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorJohn W. Kimes
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An overrunning clutch assembly includes a first ring having pockets spaced mutually about an axis, rockers each located in a pocket, springs each urging a rocker to pivot in a respective pocket, and first notches arranged around the axis. A second ring includes second pockets spaced mutually about the axis, second rockers each located in a second pocket such that at least one second rocker is engageable with a notch, second springs each urging a second rocker toward engagement with a notch, and second notches around the axis, at least one rocker being engageable with at least one second notch. A control member moves about the axis alternately to prevent the first rockers from engaging the second notches and to permit the first rockers to engage the second notches.
Claims19
An overrunning clutch assembly, comprising:
- a first ring including first pockets spaced mutually about an axis;
- first rockers, each first rocker located in a first pocket;
- first springs, each first spring urging a first rocker to pivot in a respective first pocket;
- and first notches;
- a second ring including second pockets;
- second rockers, each second rocker located in a second pocket, at least one second rocker being engageable with a first notch;
- second springs, each second spring urging a second rocker toward engagement with a first notch;
- and second notches, at least one first rocker being engageable with at least one second notch.
An overrunning clutch assembly, comprising:
- a first ring including first pockets spaced mutually about an axis;
- first rockers, each first rocker located in a first pocket;
- first springs, each first spring urging a first rocker to pivot in a respective first pocket;
- and first notches;
- a second ring including second pockets;
- second rockers, each second rocker located in a second pocket, at least one second rocker being engageable with a first notch;
- second springs, each second spring urging a second rocker toward engagement with a first notch;
- and second notches, at least one first rocker being engageable with at least one second notch;
- and
- a control member whose movement in a first direction permits at least one first rocker to engage a second notch and requires concurrent presence of first and second coaxial forces whose sum exceeds and opposes a third force, and whose movement in a second direction preventing said engagement requires absence of at least one of said first and second forces.
A clutch control assembly for an automatic transmission, comprising:
- a case secured against rotation;
- a pinion carrier located in the case and supported for rotation;
- an overrunning clutch located in the case and including
- a first ring secured to the case and including first pockets spaced mutually about an axis;
- first rockers, each first rocker located in a first pocket;
- first springs, each first spring urging a first rocker to pivot in a respective first pocket;
- and first notches;
- a second ring secure to the carrier and including second pockets;
- second rockers, each second rocker located in a second pocket, at least one second rocker being engageable with a first notch;
- second springs, each second spring urging a second rocker toward engagement with a first notch;
- and second notches around the axis, at least one first rocker being engageable with at least one second notch;
- and
- a control member whose movement in a first direction permits at least one first rocker to engage a second notch and requires concurrent presence of first and second coaxial forces whose sum exceeds and opposes a third force, and whose movement in a second direction preventing said engagement requires absence of at least one of said first and second forces.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.