Abstract: A structure and a method for supporting an electromagnetic coupling (1) onto a vehicle body (347) is disclosed as being interposed between a center support bearing (37) remaining closer to a propeller shaft (319) and a center support bearing (37) remaining closer to a propeller shaft (321). The center support bearings (37, 37) are fixedly mounted to the vehicle body via shock absorbing members (35, 35), respectively.

Abstract: A power transfer device including a main clutch, a cam mechanism and an electromagnetic pilot clutch mechanism coaxially assembled within a cylindrical space between an external cylindrical rotary member and an internal rotary member, wherein an electromagnetic coil of the pilot clutch mechanism is applied with an electric current to produce pilot torque, the cam mechanism is applied with the pilot torque to produce thrust force in an axial direction, and the main clutch is engaged by the thrust force applied from the cam mechanism to effect drive connection between the rotary members. In the power transfer device, residual thrust force of the cam mechanism is electrically or mechanically decreased at an instance when differential rotation of the rotary members is reversed.

Abstract: A clutch control for shifting a vehicle drive system as between automatic four-wheel drive, locked four-wheel drive and two-wheel drive. An engagement system for engaging drive and driven components of the drive system may include roller clutch engagement or pawl clutch engagement. The clutch system is provided with a coupling mechanism for coupling the engagement member to ground or to the driven member to thereby achieve automatic four-wheel drive and locked four-wheel drive, respectively. The engagement member is decoupled from both ground and the driven member to achieve two-wheel drive.

Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch having a solenoid coil (80), a coil housing (81) disposed surrounding the solenoid coil (80), an armature plate (82) disposed facing the side of the coil housing, and a wet-type multi-plate clutch mechanism, the armature plate being linked to the clutch housing (52). The current flowing to the solenoid coil (80) is controlled so as to control the clamping of the armature plate (82) to the coil housing (81), and the clamping force acting on the armature plate is used made to act on the clutch mechanism via a ball cam mechanism (65).

Abstract: A driving force transmission device transmits driving force between an outer case made of magnetic substance and inner shaft. A main clutch mechanism, an electromagnetic type pilot clutch mechanism and cam mechanism are arranged between the outer case and inner shaft. The main clutch mechanism transmits driving force between the outer case and inner shaft. The pilot clutch mechanism controls operation of the main clutch mechanism and comprises an electromagnet, an armature and a friction clutch. The cam mechanism amplifies output of the pilot clutch mechanism and transmits amplified output to the main clutch mechanism. The driving force transmission device further comprises a first regulation member and/or a second regulating member. The first regulating member adjusts a clearance between the cam mechanism and the armature to be more than a predetermined distance. The second regulating member adjusts an axial position of the friction clutch.

Abstract: A ball ramp mechanism is used to apply a clamping load to a clutch pack to rotationally couple an input shaft to an output shaft. The ball ramp mechanism is comprised of a control plate having a control extension radially extending therefrom and an activation plate having an activation extension radially extending therefrom and an intermediate plate disposed between the control extension and the activation extension where the control extension and the activation extension and the intermediate plate are frictionally rotationally coupled upon application of an electromagnetic field generated by a stationary coil acting through a rotating coil armature to activate the ball ramp mechanism. A gap sleeve contacts the control plate and the activation extension to limit the separation between the control extension, the intermediate plate and the activation extension.

Abstract: A clutch assembly for disposition in a motor vehicle drive line includes an internal reaction force circuit. The clutch assembly includes a multiple disc friction clutch disposed adjacent an operator assembly which selectively applies force to the friction clutch to selectively transfer torque therethrough. The clutch components are disposed between a flange and a stop on an elongate member which functions as a reaction force member to self-contain the reaction force from the clutch operator. The clutch finds particular application in motor vehicle drive line components such as a rear (secondary) axle wherein it is disposed in pairs to independently control torque supplied to each axle and in applications where it is advantageous to contain or ground the reaction force generated by and associated with the clutch operator compactly within the clutch structure rather than its housing.

Abstract: A two-way clutch for allowing limited torque to be transferred until a roller clutch mechanism is forced to an engaged position. The present invention includes a roller clutch, with a torque generating device mounted thereon, including an actuator for producing an axial force onto a clutch pack. A torque transfer device is disposed between the torque generating device and the roller clutch. The torque transfer device is adapted to receive torque from the torque generating device and to transfer torque to the roller clutch. When a predetermined level of torque is produced by the torque generating device, the torque transfer device moves the roller clutch into an engaged position.

Abstract: A friction clutch such as an electromagnetic clutch, in which a driving friction surface is formed on a rotor integral with a rotationally driven pulley and a driven friction surface in opposed relation to the driving friction surface is formed on an intermediate member pivotally mounted on a boss by a pin, is disclosed. When the rotor is in rotation, the armature portion of the intermediate member is attracted by an initial energizing means for generating a comparatively small force such as an electromagnetic coil so that the intermediate member is rotated around the pin. When the friction surface of the intermediate member is lightly pressed against the friction surface of the rotor, the friction force exerted tangentially to the contact surface causes the intermediate member to rotate further around the pin and generate a large force along the normal. Thus, the friction force is increased thereby making it possible to transmit a large power from the rotor to the boss through the intermediate member.

Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch assembly for transfer cases and other motor vehicle powertrain applications includes a friction disc clutch pack and an electromagnetic operator that applies compressive force to the clutch pack. The electromagnetic operator includes an electromagnetic coil, a rotor partially surrounding the coil, an armature and a ball ramp operator assembly that provides compressive force when the coil is energized. The rotor and armature include aligned paths or tracks of arcuate slots separated by webs or spokes which create a sinuous magnetic flux path and improve performance. The number of slots and thus the number of spokes in the rotor and armature paths are unequal. This inequality greatly reduces pulsations caused by small fluctuations in clutch engagement associated with the repeated, simultaneous alignment and non-alignment of the spokes in a rotor and armature having equal numbers of spokes. This results in improved smoothness of operation and reduces noise and vibration.

Abstract: A force transmitting and converting mechanism for an electric braking device comprising a gear, a nut, a rotating body, a ramp mechanism, a screw member, and a brake element. The gear is rotated by the electric motor, and the nut disposed being opposed to the gear. The rotating body is disposed between the gear and the nut. The ramp mechanism is operated so that the gear and the nut can be separated from each other by a relative rotation of the gear with the nut. The screw member is screwed to the nut, and the brake element is capable of coming into contact with the screw member.

Abstract: A driving torque transmission control apparatus that is rotatably supported onto a vehicle body through a support bearing supported by a bearing holding device including an absorber and a bearing holding member, and that is serially disposed between driving force transmission axles. The apparatus further includes a first rotating member and a second rotating member rotatably connected around a common axis relatively with each other, to electro-magnetically control a driving torque transmitted from one of driving force transmission axles to the other thereof. A frictional engage section is provided between the first and second rotating members, to transmit from one of the first and second rotating members to the other thereof. Between the first and second rotating members, there is provided an annular electro-magnet to control a transmission torque of the frictional engage section.