Abstract: A wedge clutch, including: a hub; an outer ring; a wedge plate between the hub and the outer ring; and a displacement assembly including a locking ring including a first axial stop, an engagement arm, a first resilient element urging the distal end in a first rotational direction. The slider ring is axially displaceable to: rotate the engagement arm in a second rotational direction to transition from a connect mode, in which the hub and the outer ring are non-rotatably connected, to a disconnect mode, in which the hub and the outer ring are rotatable with respect to each other; and for the connect mode, enable the first resilient element to rotate the engagement arm in the first rotational direction to contact the first axial stop to block displacement of the hub, with respect to the wedge plate, in the first axial direction.

Abstract: A wedge clutch, including: an inner and outer hubs; a wedge element including separate circumferentially disposed segments radially located between the inner and outer hubs; an outer ring; and first and second displacement elements. The ring is radially located between the wedge element and the outer hub and is non-rotatably connected to the segments and urges the segments radially inward into contact with the inner hub. For a closed mode, the first displacement element is arranged to urge the wedge element in a first axial direction, parallel to an axis of rotation for the wedge clutch, to non-rotatably connect the inner and outer hubs, the wedge element, and the outer ring. For an open mode, the second displacement element is arranged to displace the wedge element in a second axial direction, opposite the first axial direction, to enable relative rotation between the inner and outer hubs.

Abstract: A micropump according to the invention uses an eccentric cam member rotating within a pump housing to sequentially open and close valves in the pump housing to withdraw fluid from a reservoir and provide metered amounts of the fluid to a cannula port for administration to a patient. The micropump may be used in a disposable pump for continuous infusion of medication such as insulin.

Abstract: An actuator for operating a multi-mode overrunning multi-directional clutch includes an axially displaceable shaft portion, an engagement member connected to the shaft portion and having a resilient segment for displacing a piston to engage the clutch. A locking portion is connected to the shaft portion for displacing an actuator pin to lock the clutch. In an example embodiment, the clutch is a three-mode overrunning bi-directional clutch. In some example embodiments, the resilient segment is radially flexible. In some example embodiments, the engagement member includes a tubular section with a plurality of circumferentially-offset axial slots, and the resilient segment is circumferentially disposed between corresponding axial slots.

Abstract: The over-running bi-directional clutch is used to synchronize gears in a transmission to allow for locking and unlocking the gears in an efficient manner.

Abstract: The three mode overrunning bi-directional clutch has a first mode where the slipper race and fixed race are coupled and power is not transmitted between the inner input shaft and the outer shaft. A second mode where the slipper race is uncoupled from the fixed race and the slipper race engages the outer shaft to provide power transmission between the inner shaft and the outer shaft. The third mode couples the slipper race to the fixed race but uses a brake to provide radial force against the slipper race to allow for partial engagement between the slipper race and the outer shaft. This third mode allows for a smooth transition between the first mode and the second mode.

Abstract: A steering apparatus for a vehicle capable of executing a steer-by-wire (SBW) mode of steering road wheels by a steering mechanism mechanically disconnected with a steering device. The steering apparatus includes a clutch which is composed of a shaft that rotates together with the steering device, an internal gear ring which has a rotation center coinciding with that of the shaft and transmits its rotation to the steering mechanism, an external gear ring partially intermeshed with the internal gear ring, lock members which transmit/disconnect the rotation of the shaft to the external gear, and a lock operating member for displacing the lock members to lock/unlock positions.

Abstract: A power transmission assembly includes an input member adapted to receive drive torque from a source of torque, an output member adapted to provide drive torque to an output device and a bi-directional roller clutch including a first ring fixed for rotation with one of the input and output members. A second ring is spaced apart from the other of the input and output members. Rollers are positioned in aligned cam tracks formed in facing surfaces of the first and second rings. Neither the first ring nor the second ring support the input member or the output member on the other. The second ring may circumferentially index relative to the first ring for causing the rollers to ride up the cam tracks and force the second ring to frictionally engage the other of the input and output members, thereby establishing a drive connection between the input and output members.

Abstract: Disclosed is a brake device for at least one axle of a wheel of a vehicle such as a bicycle for braking a brake drum which is connected to the wheel, having a brake carrier, a shoe element, a brake lever with a cam which is arranged between two shoe ends of the shoe element and is preloaded in that area. The shoe element is connected to the brake carrier by a holder and the cam is connected to the brake lever without a bearing, by means of which it can be pivoted. The brake device according to the present invention has the advantage that it can be produced mechanically in large numbers in a simple manner, its characteristics can be influenced by design measures, and it has a high level of efficiency, so that reduced actuating forces result and possibly simplified actuating elements may be used.

Abstract: A controllable, multi-mode, bi-directional overrunning clutch assembly and a shift system adapted for transferring drive torque from a primary shaft to a secondary shaft. The clutch assembly includes a first ring journalled on a first rotary member, a second ring fixed to a second rotary member, and a plurality of rollers disposed in opposed cam tracks formed between the first and second rotary members. The first ring is split to define an actuation channel between its end segments. A first spring-biased pin is moveable between positions engaged with and released from one end segment of the split first ring. A second spring-biased pin is moveable between positions engaged with and released from the opposite end segment of the split first ring. A moveable pin actuator controls movement of the first and second pins for establishing distinct operational modes.

Abstract: A stepless ratchet one way clutch mechanism, which provides an improved ratchet tool, is disclosed. A drive head is rotatably fitted into a cylindrical recess in a wrench housing. The drive head includes a partially triangular shape with three flat sides equally spaced around its circumference. A latch is positioned between each flat side and the internal wall of the recess. A selector mechanism provides a rotational bias to the three latches about the rotational axis of the drive head. The drive head may rotate in the wrench in the same direction that the selector is turned. The drive head is prevented from rotating in the opposite direction by wedging the latches between the drive head and the cylindrical internal wall of the recess. The selector bias may be switched either way. When the bias is switched, the latches rotate slightly about the drive head and corners of the drive head contact spaced apart segments of each latch.

Abstract: A roller follower (12) and bracket (20) combination for use in a rotary cam type brake shoe assembly (100) is provided in which bracket (20) is supported on a web (2) of a brake shoe in such a manner that, when a free-end (27) of bracket (20) is inserted into an opening (26) in a trunnion (24) of a pin (11) that supports roller follower (12) for rotation, bracket (20) is operative to prevent roller follower support pin (11) from being rotated by the cam to lessen noise heretofor created by the rotation of trunnion (24) against web (2).

Abstract: An overrunning clutch comprising clamping rings arranged concentrially in each other with mutually facing clamping paths between which clamping elements are arranged and a switching member arranged equiaxially with one of the clamping rings which is designed to have a variable diameter, acting on this clamping ring by utilizing a wedge-surface effect so that a rotation of the switching member relative to the clamping ring with variable diameter causes a change in the distance between the clamping paths, characterized in that the clamping ring with variable diameter is divided by at least one axial slit and pre-tensioned by at least one spring to oppose the change in distance between the clamping paths which can be effected by the switching member.

Abstract: A power door lock actuator includes a one piece molded and centrifugally expandable brake ring that is held on a drive ring to a motor shaft within a lock lift arm driving cup that is freely pivoted to the shaft. A camming member on the drive ring fits within the brake ring so as to retain it to the shaft, to maintain it in a ready position spaced from the cup when stationary, and so as to jam it into the wall of the cup when turning.

Abstract: In a resilient bush comprising elastomeric material sandwiched between inner and outer rigid members the elastomeric material is subject to radial compression without any need to deform either of the rigid members. The elastomeric material is part of a bearing assembly for insertion between the rigid members. The bearing assembly also comprises a pair of support members arranged respectively to bear against the inner and outer rigid members. The support members are movable one relative to the other in a plane perpendicular to the direction of the length of the bush thereby to result in radial compression of the elastomeric material.

Abstract: A clutch for a power door lock includes an input gear wheel which is formed as a hollow cylindrical input gear wheel, a cam arranged in the input gear wheel and connected thereto, an output gear wheel with coupling drum, and a resilient coupling element controlled by the cam and adapted to be spread. The coupling element is provided with actuating projections. When the clutch is engaged, the actuating projections operatively contact the interior wall surface of the coupling drum. The input gear wheel is journaled on a driving sleeve at which is connected on the one hand a driving disc with driving pins adapted to engage in the coupling element and also a brake disc with an annular spring mounted thereon, to which annular spring is coordinated a stop. The coupling element is a unitary component having a substantially rectangular, elastically deformable frame which inherently is formed as a reset spring, and at two opposite sides of which are provided the actuating projections.

Abstract: According to the invention a housing is provided defining concentric, cylindrical first and second braking surfaces. First and second cylindrical, concentric torque tubes are provided within the annular gap between braking surfaces and are each split lengthwise sufficiently to permit slight, radial deflection into engagement with the respective braking surfaces on the housing to which it is adjacent. An input carrier is provided to transmit the torque between a prime mover and an output position on the torque tubes. The carrier has a plurality of fingers which project between and are aligned axially with the torque tubes. Each of the torque tubes is operatively engaged with an output member so that the torque imparted by a common drive to each output can be simultaneously controlled.

Abstract: An automatic slack adjuster having compression force transmitting elements of adjustable length mounted between a key and a pair of brake shoes is provided with a wheel journalled on the key shaft and at one side in tooth engagement with parts of the force transmitting elements. On the other side of the wheel a spring latch rigidly mounted to the key shaft is arranged to contact ridges and grooves on the wheel to establish a one-way clutch.

Abstract: The present invention provides an externally engagable clutch which comprises an inner rotating hub member operably attached to a rotating back plate upon which is pivotly mounted an eccentric arm and a circular shaped clutch assembly provided with a clutch lining. An outer rotating clutch drum hub is provided which is rotatably attached to and in alignment with the inner rotating hub. Clutch drum hub eccentric cam means are mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the outer drum hub. Cam follower means is rotatably mounted upon the eccentric arm in constant rolling contact with a cam surface. As the cam follower means is displaced over the peripheral surface of the cam the eccentric arm is caused to shove the clutch assembly outwards into frictional contact with the clutch drum thereby connecting the driving source with the driven member. A throw out lever assembly is rotatably mounted upon the outer portion of the outer rotating clutch drum hub for laterally displacing the cam or cam follower.

Abstract: The braking effect of the coaster brake in a bicycle wheel hub is improved by utilizing the frictional force of the wheel hub acting on an expanding split brake sleeve for further expanding the sleeve. A lug on the brake sleeve is received in a slot of a stationary bearing cone on the wheel axle in such a manner that the circumferential frictional force transmitted by the rotating hub shell to the brake sleeve causes the latter to tilt about a pivot axis spaced from the axis of hub rotation, and a cam face on the bearing element is inclined so that a component of the frictional circumferential force drives the lug along the cam face toward the internal face of the hub shell.

Abstract: A centrifugal clutch mechanism according to the present invention includes a pair of spaced clutch shoes, one being a power shoe and the other being an energizing shoe, that are movably supported by a rotor element that is rotated by a drive source. A clutch housing having an internal cylindrical surface for mating engagement with the clutch shoes is connected to a rotatable driven element and is rotatable along with the rotor element responsive to forces transferred to the clutch housing from the clutch shoes. Clutch energization or expansion is induced by a centrifugally movable modulating arm having a cam roller that has operative engagement with a cam surface provided on the energizing shoe. Centrifugally induced movement of the modulating arm is controlled by a slippage control spring and by an anti-self-energizing spring.