Abstract: A first ball ramp half includes a first ball ramp plate grounded within a housing against translation that defines first portions of respective one or more ramped ball receiving recesses. A second ball ramp half includes a gear plate supported within the housing for rotation relative to the first ball ramp plate and grounded within the housing against translation relative to the first ball ramp plate that has gear teeth, a second ball ramp plate supported within the housing for rotation relative to the first ball ramp plate that defines complementary second portions of the respective one or more ramped ball receiving recesses, and a joint coupling the gear plate to the second ball ramp plate. The joint imparts rotation of the gear plate to the second ball ramp plate, and is permissive of translation of the second ball ramp plate relative to the first ball ramp plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a clutch assembly of a motor vehicle, in particular a clutch-controlled differential unit, comprising a switchable clutch apparatus that is able to transmit driving power from a drive element on the input side with regard to the clutch device to a drive element on the output side with regard to the clutch device, wherein an oil conveying apparatus is provided for the clutch oiling, which oil conveying apparatus conveys oil of an oil circuit serving the clutch device depending on the operating state. In order to ensure that the lubrication of components arranged on the output side with regard to the clutch device is ensured in operating states in which the oil conveying apparatus does not convey any oil, an oil accumulating device is provided.

Abstract: A dual mass flywheel and dual clutch module assembly includes a connector plate and a drive plate. The connector plate is fastened to a center plate of the dual clutch module and has a plurality of castellation tabs disposed on an inner periphery of the connector plate. The drive plate drivingly connected to a flywheel member of the dual mass flywheel and includes a plurality of castellation tabs disposed on an inner periphery of the drive plate. The plurality of castellation tabs of the connector plate are interleaved with the plurality of castellation tabs of the drive plate.

Abstract: The present application for patent provides a belt clutch having a drum with a drum-side friction surface, an open ended belt with a belt-side friction surface, and an externally controlled actuator on one end of the belt. The belt is configured to be coupled to a source of torque on the other end of the belt. The belt-side and drum-side friction surfaces engage frictionally when in use, such that the effective coefficient of friction between the drum-side friction surface and the belt-side friction surface varies across the width or length of the belt.

Abstract: Disclosed is a motorcycle clutch actuator, with mechanically linked foot clutch pedal and hand clutch lever, to be installed on motorcycles made with or to be converted from a conventional configuration of hand activated clutch and foot activated gear selection lever, to a configuration of foot activated clutch and hand activated gear selection lever, providing optimal clutch control with either a foot clutch pedal or a hand clutch lever, by means of innovative control linkage geometry and minimization of friction throughout the control linkage, releasing the rider's left foot from the foot clutch pedal, while holding the clutch in the disengaged position with a hand clutch lever, as the motorcycle is running while in gear, thereby enabling the rider to balance the motorcycle with both feet. The disclosed invention will improve safety in the operation of motorcycles equipped with a hand gear selection lever and a foot clutch pedal.

Abstract: A method of controlling a multi-function torque converter including a cover, an impeller shell, a turbine shell, a first pressure chamber at least partially formed by the turbine shell and the cover; a second pressure chamber at least partially formed by the impeller and turbine shells, and a third pressure chamber at least partially formed by the impeller shell and the cover, an impeller clutch including a portion of the impeller shell, and a turbine clutch including a portion of the turbine shell, the method including: pressurizing the first pressure chamber to substantially a first fluid pressure level or to a second fluid pressure level greater than the first level; pressurizing the second pressure chamber to a third fluid pressure level greater than the first and second levels; passively draining the third pressure chamber to be substantially at the first level; and connecting the impeller shell to the cover.

Abstract: A clutched device that includes a pulley, a shaft member, a first one-way clutch having a first wrap spring, and an actuator having an electromagnetic coil and an armature. The first one-way clutch rotationally couples the pulley and the shaft member when the actuator is actuated and rotary power is transmitted from a first one of the pulley and the shaft member to the other one of the pulley and the shaft member in a first rotational direction. A frictional force is applied to the armature when the actuator is activated. The frictional force is configured to resist rotation of the armature to cause the first wrap spring to radially expand into driving engagement with a clutch surface that is coupled to the pulley for common rotation.

Abstract: A drive train is used at least including an input shaft and an output shaft. A clutch member is rotatable by a clutch shaft about an axis of rotation. The clutch shaft is supported for lateral movement along the axis of rotation to move the clutch member to cooperate with the drive train at a first lateral position to cause the output shaft to turn and to move the clutch member to a second lateral position to disengage the output shaft from rotation of the input shaft. A permanent magnet is supported by one end of the clutch shaft and arranged for receiving an external magnetic biasing force along the axis of rotation to selectively move the clutch member between the first and second lateral positions. A traveling shaft can be used to support a selected gear for movement by the permanent magnet to implement transmission and reversing configurations.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a safety mechanism (2, 3, 3a, 3b), which is related to and/or integrally formed with a safety coupling (1), wherein the safety coupling, with a related safety mechanism (3a) actuatable toward and into an initial active retaining position or toward and into a final inactive releasing position, is adapted, upon rotary motion, to allow for the transmission of torque between a first, driving coupling member (10) and a second, driven coupling member (20) and wherein said actuatable safety mechanism is adapted to be actuatable in a displacement from an initial active position, via a number of intermediate positions, to a final inactive position.

Abstract: A transmission includes a housing, a first shaft rotatably supported relative to the housing, and a second shaft rotatably coupled to the first shaft. A switch-type clutch assembly is movable between an engaged state having a first clutch member coupled to a second clutch member and a disengaged state having the first clutch member separated from the second clutch member. The housing rotates with the first shaft when the switch-type clutch assembly is in the engaged state. A friction clutch is movable between an engaged state having a first friction plate coupled to a second friction plate and a disengaged state having the first frication plate separated from the second frication plate. The second shaft is fixed for rotation with the first shaft via the housing when the switch-type clutch assembly and the friction clutch assembly are both in the engaged state.

Abstract: A first electric motor cooling flow passage (120A) and a first electric motor lubrication flow passage (121A) supply oil from an electric oil pump (70) through the outer side of one end (E1) of the first electric motor (2A) to the portions (A1, A2) of the first electric motor (2A) which are to be cooled/lubricated. A second electric motor cooling flow passage (120B) and a second electric motor lubrication flow passage (121B) supply oil from the electric oil pump (70) through the outer side of the other end (E2) of the second electric motor (2B) to the portions (B1, B2) of the second electric motor (2B) which are to be cooled/lubricated.

Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch includes an armature 42 having a rotor contact surface 46a segmented in the radial direction by an annular groove 44 to form a plurality of rings, the groove being formed concentrically with the armature 42 for obstructing magnetic flux; and a rotor 43 having a contact surface, wherein the armature 42 is attracted toward the contact surface of the rotor 43 by magnetic force caused by an electromagnetic coil to couple the armature with the rotor for transmitting power. The armature 42 is formed by the steps of: preparing an armature material 42 with a groove 44 formed thereon, the groove having a width of w1; and narrowing the groove width from w1 to w2 by applying pressure on a pressed portion 47 in a peripheral edge region of the groove 44 to cause plastic flow in a horizontal direction along the material 42.

Abstract: A park lock having an actuator assembly for pivoting a pawl relative to a dog ring. The actuator assembly has a first linear actuator, a locking mechanism, a first biasing spring and a second linear actuator. The first linear actuator has a first output member that is movable along a movement axis that is parallel to a pivot axis of the pawl. The locking mechanism is configured to selectively couple the first output member and a cam for common movement along the movement axis. The first biasing spring is configured to move the cam along the movement axis relative to the first output member when the locking mechanism decouples the cam from the first output member. The second linear actuator is configured to move the cam along the movement axis and against the first biasing spring when the cam is decoupled from the first output member.

Abstract: A check valve assembly for a clutch, including: an annular-shaped ring element including a first portion with: a first channel wholly enclosed by the first portion; a first through-bore between a radially inner surface of the first portion and the first channel; and a second through-bore between a radially outer surface of the first portion and the first channel. The assembly includes a first pressure regulating assembly at least partially disposed within the first channel and including: a spool axially displaceable within the first channel and including a space enclosed by the spool; a first ball disposed within the space and the first channel; and a first spring engaged with the spool. The spool is arranged to axially displace in response to hydraulic pressure at the first through-bore and axial force applied by the first spring to displace the first ball to block or unblock flow between the first and second through-bores.

Abstract: A friction switch coupling for torque transmission from a rotor which can be driven about an axis to an element to be driven, including a friction disk clutch with an electromagnet arrangement which includes a coil body and a ferromagnetically conductive coil carrier supporting and at least partly surrounding the coil body, which the carrier has a web segment lying radially outermost in relation to the coil body and oriented parallel to the axis, and an inner web segment, and between the inner and outer web segments of the coil carrier are provided permanent magnet means via which an axially movable friction segment of the friction switch coupling can be connected magnetically with the rotor, so that when the electromagnet arrangement is in electrically connected state, by weakening of the magnetic attraction effect of the permanent magnet means, the contact of the friction segment on the rotor can be eliminated.

Abstract: A coupling assembly such as a ratcheting-type, one-way clutch assembly having reduced undesirable noise and contact stress caused by a transition between operating modes of the assembly is provided. The assembly includes at least one set of elements disposed between coupling faces of members of the assembly. Each set of elements includes a movable locking element and a plurality of movable impact energy storage elements disposed at angularly spaced positions about a rotary axis to dampen rotation between the members in stages prior to engagement of the locking element with respective shoulders of each member. The storage elements absorb and store impact energy in stages to reduce undesirable noise and contact stress in a controlled fashion.

Abstract: A lock-up device is a device disposed in a space produced between a front cover and a turbine in a torque converter so as to mechanically connect the front cover and the turbine, and includes a clutch part and a release part. The clutch part is disposed in a power transmission path from the front cover to the turbine, and is configured to be in a clutch-on state of transmitting a power from the front cover to the turbine in a set posture. The release part is configured to be actuated by means of a hydraulic pressure, turn the clutch part of the clutch-on state into a clutch-off state, and block transmission of the power from the front cover to the turbine.

Abstract: A device for coupling together two elements mounted to rotate about a common axis of rotation (X) in order to enable one of the elements to be selectively driven in rotation by the other. There are two members (3, 4), one per element, the elements being axially movable relative to each other between a remote decoupled position and an engaged position in which the members provide a rotary connection between the two elements. One of the members forms a plate (3) having a face (P) perpendicular to the axis of rotation and in which a plurality of housings (15) are formed. The other one of the elements carrying rollers (23) that are mounted to rotate about radial axes to project from said element so that each of them can penetrate into any one of the housings and provide a rotary connection between the two members.

Abstract: A driving force transmission apparatus includes: an electric motor; a multi-disc clutch including outer clutch plates and inner clutch plates that are disposed coaxially with each other so as to be rotatable relative to each other and that are frictionally engaged with each other by being pressed in an axial direction; an input rotary member that rotates together with the outer clutch plates; an output rotary member that rotates together with the inner clutch plates; a cam mechanism that generates cam thrust force for pressing the multi-disc clutch in the axial direction upon reception of torque generated by the electric motor; a strain sensor that detects reaction force against the cam thrust force; and a spring member that is disposed between the cam mechanism and the strain sensor and that buffers an impact transmitted from the cam mechanism to the strain sensor.

Abstract: In at least one illustrative embodiment, a clutch may comprise an outer race, an inner race, and an engagement assembly disposed in a space located radially between the outer and inner races. The engagement assembly may comprise a plurality of locking members and a biasing shoe frictionally engaged with one of the outer race and the inner race. The locking members may be configured to move with the biasing shoe within the space between an unlocked position, in which the locking members are free to move relative to the outer race and to the inner race, and a locked position, in which the locking members are wedged between the outer and inner races to couple the outer and inner races for rotation together.