All-wheel drive disconnect clutch
AssigneeSchaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
InventorsCarsten Ohr, Brian Lee
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A wedge clutch, including: an inner hub; an outer race including an axially extending portion; and a plurality of wedge plates radially located between the inner hub and the axially extending portion. In a closed position for the clutch, the plurality of wedges is non-rotatably connected to the inner hub and the axially extending portion. In an open position for the clutch: the plurality of wedge plates is rotatable with respect to the outer race; each wedge plate is separated, in a radial direction, from the axially extending portion by a respective first radial distance; and the respective first radial distance for said each wedge plate is different from the respective first radial distance for each remaining wedge plate in the plurality of wedge plates.
Claims19
A wedge clutch, comprising:
- an inner hub;
- an outer race including an axially extending portion;
- and,
- a plurality of wedge plates radially located between the inner hub and the axially extending portion, wherein:
- in a closed position for the clutch, the plurality of wedges are non-rotatably connected to the inner hub and the axially extending portion;
- and,
- in an open position for the clutch:
- the plurality of wedge plates is rotatable with respect to the outer race;
- each wedge plate is separated, in a radial direction, from the axially extending portion by a respective first radial distance;
- and,
- the respective first radial distance for said each wedge plate is different from the respective first radial distance for each remaining wedge plate in the plurality of wedge plates.
A wedge clutch, comprising:
- an inner hub;
- an outer race including an axially extending portion;
- and,
- a plurality of wedge plates radially located between the inner hub and the axially extending portion, wherein:
- in a closed position for the clutch, the plurality of wedges is non-rotatably connected to the inner hub and the axially extending portion;
- said each wedge plate includes a respective maximum radial extent;
- the respective maximum extent is a respective distance, in radial direction orthogonal to an axis of rotation for the wedge clutch, between:
- a respective first portion of said each wedge plate closest to the axis of rotation;
- and,
- a respective second portion of said each wedge plate furthest from the axis of rotation;
- and,
- the respective maximum radial extent for said each wedge plate is different from the respective maximum radial extent for said each remaining wedge plate in the plurality of wedge plates.
A wedge clutch, comprising:
- an inner hub including an outer circumferential surface;
- an outer race including:
- a radially extending portion;
- and,
- an axially extending portion with an inner circumferential surface, the axially extending portion extending from the radially extending portion in a first axial direction;
- and,
- a plurality of wedge plates radially located between the inner and outer circumferential surfaces,
- wherein:
- in a closed position for the clutch, the plurality of wedges are non-rotatably connected to the outer circumferential surface and the axially extending portion;
- and,
- in an open position for the clutch the plurality of wedge plates is rotatable with respect to the outer race;
- and,
- wherein:
- in the open position, the outer circumferential surface tapers radially inward in a second axial direction, opposite the first axial direction;
- or,
- in the open position, the inner circumferential surface tapers radially inward in the first axial direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.