Abstract: A safety clutch for an electric drive which includes an electric motor and a shaft which is driven thereby. A transmission of torque between the electric motor and the shaft can be brought about by at least one connecting element. A controllable locking device via which an interruption in the transmission of torque between the electric motor and the shaft can be brought about, is assigned to the connecting element. The use of the safety clutch in an electric drive for a wheeled vehicle is disclosed, a controller evaluating the transmission of torque between the electric motor and the shaft using a vehicle state, and when a fault state is detected the controller transmitting a control signal to the controllable locking device, as a result of which an interruption is brought about in the transmission of torque between the electric motor and the shaft.

Abstract: An electromagnetic (EM) clutch assembly includes input and output discs, a plunger, a control solenoid, and a controller. The input disc is connected to a rotatable input member, and defines an input face having a mechanical feature. The output disc is connected to a rotatable output member, and includes a bore wall defining a bore. The plunger is positioned at least partially within the bore. The controller transmits a time-varying electrical control signal to the solenoid to thereby resonate the plunger toward the input disc, and transmits a steady-state electrical control signal to capture the plunger in an engaged position. Rotation of the discs is controlled until the plunger encounters the mechanical feature, thereby placing the assembly in an engaged state. A vehicle having a transmission and the EM clutch assembly is also disclosed, as is a method for controlling the clutch assembly via the electrical control signals.

Abstract: A vehicle stabilizer bar assembly having a pair of stabilizer bar members that are selectively uncoupled via a clutch. The clutch includes a plurality of engagement pins that can be selectively moved via an actuator to effect the uncoupling of the stabilizer bar members. The actuator is configured to apply a force to the moving element concentrically about the axis along which the moving element translates. A method for operating a vehicle stabilizer bar assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A locking clutch comprises a toothed member and a slide assembly which are connectable to drive and driven parts. The two members are movable between an engaged position in which the clutch transfers power and/or torque to the driven part and a disengaged position in which power and/or torque is not transferred. The toothed member comprises a cylindrical surface and a plurality of teeth spaced about and extending from the cylindrical surface. The slide assembly comprises a body having a circumferential surface with a plurality of channels formed in said surface. Slide members are received in the channels to be movable between an extended position in which they can engage the teeth of the toothed member and a retracted position in which they do not engage the teeth of the toothed member. A resilient member biases the slide members to their extended positions. The slide assembly can be formed so that the slide members move either axially or radially relative to the slide assembly body.

Abstract: A locking clutch comprises a toothed member and a slide assembly which are connectable to drive and driven parts. The two members are movable between an engaged position in which the clutch transfers power and/or torque to the driven part and a disengaged position in which power and/or torque is not transferred. The toothed member comprises a cylindrical surface and a plurality of teeth spaced about and extending from the cylindrical surface. The slide assembly comprises a body having a circumferential surface with a plurality of channels formed in said surface. Slide members are received in the channels to be movable between an extended position in which they can engage the teeth of the toothed member and a retracted position in which they do not engage the teeth of the toothed member. A resilient member biases the slide members to their extended positions. The slide assembly can be formed so that the slide members move either axially or radially relative to the slide assembly body.

Abstract: A locking clutch of the present invention comprises a toothed member which is connectable to a drive part and a slide assembly which is connectable to a driven part. The toothed member comprises a cylindrical surface and a plurality of teeth spaced about and extending from said cylindrical surface. The slide assembly comprises a base and a wall extending from an end surface of the base. The wall is narrower than the base, and the base and wall define a shoulder where they intersect. A plurality of pockets are formed in the shoulder and extend axially into the base from the shoulder. A plurality of grooves are formed in the wall above the pockets, there being one groove for each pocket. A slide member (such as a roller) and a resilient member (such as a coiled spring) are received in each pocket. The slide member is slidable axially in the pocket, and the spring member urges said slide member toward the mouth of the pocket.