Abstract: An overrunning, non-friction coupling and control assembly, an engageable coupling assembly and locking members for use in the assemblies are provided. A centroid or center of mass of at least one of the locking members is substantially centered on a pivot axis of the locking member so that the locking member is substantially centrifugally neutral or balanced thereby making the locking member easier to pivot between engaged and disengaged positions with respect to the coupling members of its corresponding assembly at high rotational speeds.

Abstract: A power transmission apparatus includes: an input shaft; a selectable one-way clutch; a housing case; a center support; a lubricating oil reservoir; and an oil passage. The oil passage extends through a pocket plate disposed between the lubricating oil reservoir and a selector plate. The selector plate includes a through-hole. The through-hole is located at a position where the through-hole is not lined up with the opening of the oil passage in a radial direction and a circumferential direction of the selector plate in a non-engagement state of the selectable one-way clutch, and also at a position where the through-hole is lined up with the opening of the oil passage in the radial direction and the circumferential direction of the selector plate in an engagement state of the selectable one-way clutch.

Abstract: An electromechanical apparatus for use with a controllable coupling assembly and a coupling and electromechanical control assembly are provided. The apparatus includes a locking member pivotable between an uncoupling position and a coupling position characterized by abutting engagement with a load-bearing shoulder of the coupling assembly. Also included is a bi-directional, electrically-powered, actuator and transmission assembly including a rotary output shaft and a set of interconnected transmission elements including an input transmission element coupled to the output shaft to rotate therewith. An output transmission element translates upon rotation of the output shaft to actuate the locking member and cause the locking member to pivot between the coupling and uncoupling positions which correspond to different operating modes of the coupling assembly.

Abstract: A coupling assembly having an overrun mode and a locking member for use therein are provided. The locking member includes a first member-engaging nose, a second member-engaging tail diametrically opposite the nose and a main body between the nose and the tail. A control element-engaging appendage extends downwardly from a lower face of the main body. A pair of oppositely projecting pivots extend laterally from the tail for enabling pivotal motion of the locking member about a pivot axis which intersects the pivots. A control element engages the appendage to create a moment of the locking member about the pivot axis to urge the locking member from a coupling position towards an uncoupling position. The moment decreases the amount of force needed by the control element to move the locking member out of the coupling position.

Abstract: An overrunning, non-friction coupling and control assembly, an engageable coupling assembly and locking members for use in the assemblies are provided. A centroid or center of mass of at least one of the locking members is offset from a pivot axis of the locking member so that as the locking member moves from an engaged position, a moment arm of the centroid relative to the pivot axis decreases from a maximum value to substantially zero in a disengaged position to facilitate disengagement of the locking member at high rotational speeds.

Abstract: A selectable one-way clutch includes: a pocket plate including pockets provided along a circumferential direction on one surface; a notch plate that is rotatable with respect to the pocket plate, the notch plate including notches provided along a circumferential direction on a surface facing the one surface; struts that are plate-shaped and housed in the respective pockets; and a selector plate disposed between the pocket plate and the notch plate, and configured to switch, by rotating coaxially with the pocket plate, between: a state in which the struts have risen toward the notch plate; and a state in which the struts are housed in the respective pockets. The notch plate includes flat portions between the notches that are adjacent in the circumferential direction, and each flat portion includes a first recess at a position where the corresponding strut having risen toward the notch plate is brought into contact.

Abstract: A coupling assembly having an overrun mode and a channeled locking member are provided. The locking member has a ramped, open channel extending through a nose and main body of the locking member to an upper face of the main body. The locking member is movable between first and second positions. The first position is a coupling position and the second position is an uncoupling position. Pressurized fluid directed to a bottom of the channel urges the locking member towards the second position upon rotation of a first member of the assembly in a first direction relative to a second member of the assembly above a predetermined RPM to prevent abutting engagement of the locking member with a shoulder of the first member in the overrun mode.

Abstract: Drive systems or powertrains including transmissions for electric and hybrid electric vehicles are provided. In some embodiments, dynamic, 2-position linear motor, one-way clutches are provided. In other embodiments, 3-position linear motor, 2-way clutches are provided. In a fixed speed ratio operating mode of an electric vehicle powertrain, torque values for two electric motors are determined by control logic to optimize overall efficiency of the motors. In a fixed torque ratio operating mode of the powertrain, speed values for the two motors are determined to optimize overall efficiency. A hybrid electric powertrain of at least one embodiment uses the optimized electric vehicle powertrain, an engine and the one-way and 2-way clutches to obtain a highly optimized hybrid powertrain.

Abstract: A switchable linear actuator device and an overrunning, non-friction, radial coupling and control assembly using the device are provided. The device has magnetic sources which produce corresponding magnetic fields to create net translational forces. The device includes a first and locking members and a stator structure including a first and second electromagnetic sources configured to create first and second electronically-switched magnetic fields, respectively. A translator structure includes first and second cams having contour surfaces and a magnetically-latching, permanent magnetic source magnetically coupled to the stator structure across a radial air gap.

Abstract: A coupling assembly having an overrun mode and a channeled locking member are provided. The locking member has a ramped, open channel extending through a nose and main body of the locking member to an upper face of the main body. The locking member is movable between first and second positions. The first position is a coupling position and the second position is an uncoupling position. Pressurized fluid directed to a bottom of the channel urges the locking member towards the second position upon rotation of a first member of the assembly in a first direction relative to a second member of the assembly above a predetermined RPM to prevent abutting engagement of the locking member with a shoulder of the first member in the overrun mode.

Abstract: A selectable one-way clutch includes a pocket plate having accommodating recessed portions; engaging pieces accommodated in the accommodating recessed portions; a notch plate relatively rotatable with respect to the pocket plate, and having engaging recessed portions; and a selector plate between the pocket plate and the notch plate, including window holes and switches a state where the engaging pieces pass through the window holes and rise, and a state where the engaging pieces are accommodated in the accommodating recessed portions. Further, the engaging pieces include groove portions formed in centers of the selectable one-way clutch, the selector plate includes protruding portions protruding from inner surface of the window holes, and the protruding portions are fit into the groove portions, and the engaging pieces and the selector plate are layered in a rotation axis direction of the selectable one-way clutch, when the selectable one-way clutch is not engaged.

Abstract: A drive system or powertrain including an automatic transmission (AT) for an electric vehicle is provided. At least one 3-position linear motor, 2-way clutch (i.e. CMD) is included in the transmission. The transmission includes a planetary gear set. A magnetic coupling device such as an eddy current by-pass clutch is provided to magnetically transfer a portion of rotating mechanical energy of a single electric powerplant or motor to a transmission output shaft in response to an electrical signal to synchronize angular velocities of the transmission output shaft and an output shaft of the electric powerplant during a change in state of the at least one CMD. Torque is transferred to the transmission output shaft during the change in state. A park function is also provided.

Abstract: A selectable one-way clutch includes: a pocket plate including a plurality of accommodating recess portions formed in one surface; a plurality of engaging pieces accommodated in the respective accommodating recess portions; a notch plate relatively rotatable with respect to the pocket plate, and including a plurality of engaging recess portions formed in a surface facing the one surface of the pocket plate; and a selector plate positioned between the pocket plate and the notch plate, and configured to be coaxially rotated with the notch plate to switch between: a state in which the engaging pieces rise toward the engaging recess portions; and a state in which the engaging pieces are accommodated in the respective accommodating recess portions.

Abstract: A selectable one-way clutch includes: a pocket plate including accommodating recess portions; a notch plate including engaging recess portions; a plate-shaped engaging piece; and a selector plate configured to switch between: a state in which the engaging piece rises toward the notch plate; and a state in which the engaging piece is accommodated in the accommodating recess portion. The notch plate includes a plane portion including a first inclined surface, and the first inclined surface provides the engaging piece with force in a direction into which the engaging piece is urged away from the notch plate, when the notch plate is rotated in an engaging direction into which the engaging piece rising toward the notch plate is engaged with the engaging recess portion, and one end portion of the engaging piece rises toward the notch plate and comes in contact with the plane portion.

Abstract: A selectable one-way clutch is provided. The selectable one-way clutch comprises a selector member rotated at a predetermined angle between an engagement position and a disengagement position, and an actuator that reciprocates linearly along a tangential line of the selector member to rotate the selector member to the engagement position and to the disengagement position. The actuator comprises an actuation member that is offset from the selector member in a direction along a rotational center axis of the selector member to actuate along the tangential line of the circumference of the selector member. The selectable one-way clutch further comprises an arm connecting the actuation member and the selector member to rotate the selector member by a linear motion of the actuation member.

Abstract: Drive systems or powertrains including transmissions for electric and hybrid electric vehicles are provided. 3-position linear motor, 2-way clutches (i.e. CMDs) are included in the transmissions. An electric 3-speed AMT having a magnetic coupling device such as a magnetic torque converter is provided to magnetically transfer a portion of rotating mechanical energy of an electric powerplant or motor to a transmission output shaft in response to an electrical signal to synchronize angular velocities of the transmission output shaft and an output shaft of the electric powerplant during a change in state of one of the CMDs. Torque is transferred to the transmission output shaft during the change in state.

Abstract: A vehicle drive system including a transmission has a gear set with first, second, third and fourth elements. The second element connects with an output shaft of the transmission. The system has a transmission housing and a first electric motor having an output shaft connecting with the first element for driving the first element in response to a first electrical signal. A second electric motor has an output shaft connecting with the fourth element for driving the fourth element in response to a second electrical signal. The motors operate together to cause transmission ratios to change steplessly through an infinite number of ratios between maximum and minimum values.

Abstract: A coupling assembly having an overrun mode and a locking member for use therein are provided. The locking member includes a first member-engaging nose, a second member-engaging tail diametrically opposite the nose and a main body between the nose and the tail. A control element-engaging appendage extends downwardly from a lower face of the main body. A pair of oppositely projecting pivots extend laterally from the tail for enabling pivotal motion of the locking member about a pivot axis which intersects the pivots. A control element engages the appendage to create a moment of the locking member about the pivot axis to urge the locking member from a coupling position towards an uncoupling position. The moment decreases the amount of force needed by the control element to move the locking member out of the coupling position.

Abstract: A controllable or selectable coupling assembly includes a plurality of forward locking elements, at least one reverse locking element and first and second coupling members supported for relative rotation about a common rotational axis. The coupling members include a first, second and third coupling faces. The first coupling face has a set of forward pockets angularly spaced about the axis. The second coupling face has a set of reverse locking formations adapted for abutting engagement with the at least one reverse locking element. The third coupling face opposes the first coupling face and has a set of forward locking formations. Either forward backlash is a non-zero integer multiple of reverse backlash or the reverse backlash is a non-zero integer multiple of the forward backlash to prevent the coupling assembly from inadvertently binding in both directions (i.e. a “lock-lock” condition) about the axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for controllably actuating a selectable coupling assembly is provided. The apparatus includes a bi-directionally movable, actuating shaft attachable to a movable element of the assembly to provide selective, small displacement element movement to linearly actuate the assembly. An excitation coil is arranged to be magnetically coupled with the shaft and to controllably move the shaft between positions which correspond to different operating modes of the assembly. A controller includes a power inlet terminal adapted to receive electrical power from a vehicle DC power source, a command input terminal adapted to receive a command signal from an electronic control unit and a power switching and supply circuit coupled to the coil to switch and supply received electrical power to the coil based on the command signal. The shaft moves the element and causes the assembly to change its operating mode when the electrical power energizes the coil.