Magnetic Flux Path Spaced From Engaging Elements Patents (Class 192/84.93)
  • Patent number: 11118634
    Abstract: A torque limiter 10 includes an input unit 11 connected to a driving device M on input side, and an output unit 12 connected to a robot arm A on output side. The input unit 11 and the output unit 12 include a coupling structure in which the input unit 11 and the output unit 12 approach and recede from each other so as to enable switching of a connecting state where the input unit 11 and the output unit 12 are connected to each other and a non-connecting state where the input unit 11 and the output unit 12 are not connected to each other, through adjustment of magnetic force therebetween. The coupling structure includes an electromagnet 17 that enables adjustment of the magnetic force through adjustment of an application voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: WASEDA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Alexander Schmitz, Wei Wang, Alexis Carlos Holgado, Chincheng Hsu, Kento Kobayashi, Javier Alvarez Lopez, Yushi Wang, Shigeki Sugano
  • Patent number: 8720659
    Abstract: An overrunning coupling or clutch and control assembly including first and second coupling members and an electromechanical actuator subassembly having an electromagnetically inductive coil which creates a magnetic flux when the coil is energized is provided. A control force caused by the magnetic flux is applied to an armature member of the subassembly to move the armature member and cause the coupling members to be either coupled to or uncoupled from each other by means of struts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Brice A. Pawley
  • Patent number: 8490769
    Abstract: A electromagnetic clutch assembly for use in a vehicle is presented. More specifically, the clutch assembly comprises an input member; an output member; a friction clutch pack having a first plurality of clutch plates coupled for rotation with said input member and a second plurality of clutch plates interleaved with said first plurality of clutch plates and coupled for rotation with said output member; a solenoid coil; an actuator hub having an armature plate; and a cam lever assembly having a first end engaging said actuator hub and a second end engaging said friction clutch pack. When electrical current is applied to the solenoid coil, the armature plate moves the actuator hub, the actuator hub engages the cam lever and causes said cam lever to compress the interleaved first and second plurality of clutch plates, thereby, resulting in the coupling of the input and output members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Christopher V. Kurmaniak
  • Patent number: 8276724
    Abstract: The present invention provides a technology of improving mechanism that drives a pilot clutch for operating a main clutch, in a power transmission system for a vehicle changing power transmission state by electric control in which an input shaft and an output shaft coaxially disposed in a main housing is configured such that power is connected/disconnected by the main clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Dymos Inc.
    Inventors: Yongkee Kim, Heecheon Jeong, Manbok Lee
  • Patent number: 7913827
    Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator includes a supporting member supporting an electromagnetic coil around which a wire is wound, a moving member positioned facing the supporting member so as to move forward and backward, and an actuating force transmitting member transmitting moving force of the moving member to a member to be actuated as an actuating force. The moving member is moved towards the supporting member by magnetic force generated by applying an electric current to the electromagnetic coil to apply the actuating force to the member to be actuated via the actuating force transmitting member. The electromagnetic coil includes a plurality of electromagnetic coils provided at the supporting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Niikawa, Kunihiko Suzuki, Motoshi Kawamura
  • Patent number: 7677376
    Abstract: An electromagnetic frictionally engaged clutch provided with a rotor part including a friction lining. An electrical coil and a first permanent magnet are arranged on the rotor part. The clutch also includes an armature disk which is connected to a second shaft and can be displaced in a rotationally fixed manner, but axially from a coupled end position to an uncoupled end position. The coil of the clutch is enabled to be current-free both in the coupled state and in the uncoupled state. To this end, a second permanent magnet is provided for exerting an axial force opposing the magnetic force of the first permanent magnet on the armature disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Valeo Sicherheitssysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Stephan Schachtl, Andreas Winter, Thomas Humez, Andreas Berger
  • Patent number: 7559386
    Abstract: A vehicle hybrid propulsion system includes an internal combustion engine, a transmission, a plate clutch, and at least one electric actuator coupled with the engine and with the transmission for being able to perform one of the operations consisting of generating propulsive forces, generating electric power and idling. A lever mechanism driven by an electric motor is used to control engaging and disengaging of the plate clutch such that connection between the transmission and the engine and/or the electric motor can be established or blocked. Thus, hybrid propulsion systems having different functions can be formed. Moreover, the hybrid propulsion systems are easy to implement by combining modular components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Huan-Lung Gu, Tseng-Teh Wei, Chun-Hsien Lu, Shian-Hsuan Huang, Li-Ju Cheng
  • Patent number: 7540365
    Abstract: The invention proposes a rotor for a two-stage electromagnetically operated friction disk clutch which comprises two electromagnets and armature means which can be brought into contact with the rotor and are composed of a magnetically permeable material. According to the invention, there is no axial web, or at least no substantial axial web, which projects into the electromagnetic region in a manner arranged in the friction clutch on the rotor, between a radially outer edge region and a radially inner center region on the rotor. The invention also proposes an electromagnetically operated friction disk clutch which has a rotor of this type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Linnig Trucktec GmbH
    Inventors: Jan Juergensmeyer, Rainer Krafft
  • Patent number: 7516826
    Abstract: An electro-slip clutch may include a friction stack for receiving input rotation from an input shaft and a surrounding hub and for attaching to an output member. A bearing surface may be provided adjacent the friction stack and a solenoid may further be provided. The solenoid may include a plunger in a first position pressing against the bearing surface with a first degree of force and in a second position different than the first position relative to the bearing surface. Thus, torque transmitted through the friction stack is adjustable by the solenoid. A method of operating a clutch mechanism may include providing a solenoid adjacent a friction stack and providing a first current level to the solenoid, the first current level energizing a coil of the solenoid and pushing a plunger within the solenoid towards the friction stack with a first degree of force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Custom Products Corporation
    Inventor: Philip Hart Bacon
  • Patent number: 7506740
    Abstract: A power transmission device includes a rotary input member receiving drive torque from a source of torque, a rotary output member for providing drive torque to an output device and a torque transfer mechanism for transferring drive torque between the input member and the output member. The torque transfer mechanism includes a friction clutch assembly operably disposed between the input member and the output member and a hydraulic clutch actuation system operable for applying a clutch engagement force to the friction clutch assembly. The hydraulic clutch actuation system includes an electromagnet and a piston operable to supply pressurized fluid and provide the clutch engagement force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Magna Powertrain USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Ronk, John D. Zalewski, James S. Brissenden
  • Patent number: 7097019
    Abstract: A power transmission device includes a rotary input member receiving drive torque from a source of torque, a rotary output member for providing drive torque to an output device and a torque transfer mechanism for transferring drive torque between the input member and the output member. The torque transfer mechanism includes a friction clutch assembly operably disposed between the input member and the output member and a hydraulic clutch actuation system operable for applying a clutch engagement force to the friction clutch assembly. The hydraulic clutch actuation system includes an electromagnet and a piston operable to supply pressurized fluid and provide the clutch engagement force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Magna Powertrain USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Ronk, John D. Zalewski, James S. Brissenden
  • Patent number: 6843353
    Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch assembly (10) has a housing (12, 14) and shaft (16) rotatably supported by the housing. At least one of the shaft extends out of the housing. A clutch plate (22) is mounted on the shaft (16) for rotation therewith. An armature plate (20) is mounted in the housing (12, 14). A gear (24) is rotatable and slidably mounted on the shaft (26). A spring assembly (88, 89) extends between the clutch plate (22) and the gear (24) to bias the gear (24) out of engagement with the clutch plate (22). A coil assembly (18) is mounted on the shaft (16) for sliding movement therealong. The coil assembly (18) engages the gear (24). Energizing the coil assembly moves the coil assembly (18) into engagement with the armature plate (20) and responsively effects movement of the gear (24) into engagement with the clutch plate (22), coupling the gear (24) and the clutch plate (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Closures Inc.
    Inventor: Jan Majewski
  • Patent number: 6672443
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide an electromagnetic friction connecting apparatus, which allows the easier operations associated with the installation of an exciting coil or a search coil in a core element. Input and output terminals having second horizontal parts extending in the vehicle inward direction and second vertical parts extending from the ends of the second horizontal parts into the radial outward direction are provided for the exciting coil and the search coil. Each end of the second vertical parts is situated radially inside a periphery surface of the exciting coil. Holes which allow the respective ends of the second vertical parts of the input and output terminals to face the outside are made on the core element and the housing. They are connected to the ends of the second vertical parts of the input and output terminals by inserting couplers into these holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihiro Iwazaki, Rikiya Kunii, Kenji Honda
  • Patent number: 6668996
    Abstract: Two sensors are provided on a clutch core. Sensor coils are driven at a high frequency by a high-frequency driving circuit. As the sensors sense a magnetic flux of a magnetic circuit including the clutch core and an armature, the impedance of the sensor coils changes. In accordance with the outputs from the sensor coils at this point, an impedance detecting circuit detects the impedance of the sensor coils. Then, an impedance combining circuit combines the impedance of the sensor coils. On the basis of the combined impedance, a current control circuit controls a current supplied to an exciting coil. Thus, the attracting force of the armature to the core excited by the exciting coil is controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignees: Sony Precision Technology Inc., Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuo Nekado, Masaaki Kusumi, Ken Onoe, Akihiro Iwazaki, Koji Matsubara, Shinji Ohkuma, Tatsuhiro Tomari, Shinichi Inagawa
  • Patent number: 6666315
    Abstract: A driveline master clutch assembly is disclosed where a unidirectional ball ramp mechanism is used to apply a clamping load to a clutch pack for frictionally coupling a prime mover such as an engine to a gear change transmission. The ball ramp mechanism includes index plates to limit the rotation of a control ring and an activation ring such that the energized ball ramp mechanism increases in separation distance to increase the clamping force on the clutch pack whenever there is slippage in the clutch pack irregardless of the direction of torque flow through the master clutch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory J. Organek, David M. Preston
  • Patent number: 6637572
    Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch structure in a driving force distribution system selectively operates right and left electromagnetic clutches so as to transmit torque from the inner turning wheel to the outer turning wheel, thereby assisting turning, or so as to transmit torque from the outer turning wheel to the inner turning wheel, thereby stabilizing vehicle behavior. The right and left electromagnetic clutches each include a coil, a core housing the coils, armatures arranged so as to adjoin the core in the lateral direction, and frictional engagement members arranged on the inside, in the radial direction, of the core. The frictional engagement members are engaged by pressure of a pressure part of the armatures, the pressure part extending further inward in the radial direction than the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuhiro Tomari, Akihiro Iwazaki, Masakatsu Hori, Kazuhiro Wada
  • Patent number: 6637569
    Abstract: A ball ramp mechanism is used to apply an axial force in the same regardless of the direction of the flow of torque whenever there is relative rotation between an input shaft and an output hub using unidirectional grooves in both a control ring and an activation ring where a first index plate limits the rotation of the activation ring and a second index plate limits the rotation of the control ring relative to the input shaft. An electrical coil is used to induce a magnetic field in a coil pole to magnetically couple a coil armature to an intermediate plate and the intermediate plate to an activation plate to energize the ball ramp mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory J. Organek, David M. Preston
  • Publication number: 20030196865
    Abstract: Disclosed is a power controlling device for a four-wheel drive vehicle capable of shifting a stable drive mode. The power controlling device includes an electromagnet 200, and a shift rod 210 operated by a magnetic field generated by the electromagnet 200 and having a fork 220 formed on one side thereof for operating the differential clutch gear 110, and a return spring 230 for constantly biasing the shift rod toward its original position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2002
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventor: Jung-Hyo Lim
  • Patent number: 6607061
    Abstract: The engagement force of an electromagnetic clutch can be precisely controlled at a target engagement force by a simple structure even when an air gap of the electromagnetic clutch varies. An electromagnetic clutch control system includes magnetic flux density sensors, a target engagement force calculating device, a target magnetic flux density calculating device, and a feedback control device. The target magnetic flux density calculating device calculates a target magnetic flux density &phgr;t based on a target engagement force Tt of electromagnetic clutches calculated by the target engagement force calculating device. The current supplied to the electromagnetic clutches is feedback controlled by the feedback control device so that an actual magnetic flux density &phgr; detected by the magnetic flux density sensors agrees with the target magnetic flux density &phgr;t.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masakatsu Hori, Ryuji Asada, Akihiro Iwazaki, Shinji Ohkuma, Tatsuhiro Tomari, Kiyoshi Wakamatsu
  • Patent number: 6561332
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory J. Organek, David M. Preston
  • Publication number: 20030047408
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide an electromagnetic friction connecting apparatus, which allows the easier operations associated with the installation of an exciting coil or a search coil in a core element. Input and output terminals having second horizontal parts extending in the vehicle inward direction and second vertical parts extending from the ends of the second horizontal parts into the radial outward direction are provided for the exciting coil and the search coil. Each end of the second vertical parts is situated radially inside a periphery surface of the exciting coil. Holes which allow the respective ends of the second vertical parts of the input and output terminals to face the outside are made on the core element and the housing. They are connected to the ends of the second vertical parts of the input and output terminals by inserting couplers into these holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Applicant: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihiro Iwazaki, Rikiya Kunii, Kenji Honda
  • Patent number: 6460677
    Abstract: A dual ball ramp actuator having a control ring acting with a pressure plates to supply an axial clutch clamping force to a differential clutch assembly where the ball ramp paths follow overlapping eccentric grooves that can be actuated in both the forward and reverse directions. The dual ramp feature doubles the effectiveness and sensitivity when compared to a single ramp system. The overlapping eccentric ball ramps increase (effectively double) the angular travel distance while reducing the ramp angle (in half). The forward and reverse feature provides clutch actuation in both the forward and reverse directions. The dual ramp, 3-piece sandwich construction permits the central control ring to roll up on two sets of balls on each side. This structure doubles the axial travel available to compress a disc pack and lock up the differential with the same ball ramp angle when compared to a single ramp system involving only two ramp plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Spicer Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles S. Roscoe
  • Publication number: 20020134639
    Abstract: The engagement force of an electromagnetic clutch can be precisely controlled at a target engagement force by a simple structure even when an air gap of the electromagnetic clutch varies. An electromagnetic clutch control system includes magnetic flux density sensors, a target engagement force calculating device, a target magnetic flux density calculating device, and a feedback control device. The target magnetic flux density calculating device calculates a target magnetic flux density &phgr;t based on a target engagement force Tt of electromagnetic clutches calculated by the target engagement force calculating device. The current supplied to the electromagnetic clutches is feedback controlled by the feedback control device so that an actual magnetic flux density &phgr; detected by the magnetic flux density sensors agrees with the target magnetic flux density &phgr;t.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventors: Masakatsu Hori, Ryuji Asada, Akihiro Iwazaki, Shinji Ohkuma, Tatsuhiro Tomari, Kiyoshi Wakamatsu