Abstract: An improved clutch for use with an electric power steering assembly is disclosed. The improved clutch has an outer member, and a cage mounted between the outer and inner members and formed with a plurality of pockets. The improved clutch further comprises a pair of rolling elements mounted in each pocket, and a spring mounted between the rolling elements so as to bias the rolling elements away from each other into wedge-like spaces in the pocket. In the event that an associated driving system fails, the improved clutch of this invention is disconnected from the steering wheel since the outer member coupled to the driving system becomes unlocked from the inner member which is coupled to the steering wheel.

Abstract: A friction element to be secured to a hub member in a friction clutch, comprises a back plate (21) provided with a friction facing (23) on at least one side thereof, the friction facing (23) being of trefoil shape with a first lobe (24) extending radially inwardly and second and third lobes (25, 26) extending radially outwardly and in opposite circumferential directions from the first lobe. The shape of the friction facing provides a desirable distribution of material while using a minimum quantity thereof.