Rotating e-clutch assembly providing four operating modes

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11519468-B2
Application number	US-202017435063-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 31, 2020
Priority date	Apr 1, 2019
Publication date	Dec 6, 2022
Grant date	Dec 6, 2022

Abstract

A bi-directional clutch assembly equipped with a pair of laterally-spaced, selectable one-way clutches configured in a compact arrangement. The bi-directional clutch assembly establishes a LOCK-LOCK mode when both SOWC's are non-actuated, establishes a FREEWHEEL mode when both SOWC's are actuated, and establishes a pair of LOCK-RATCHET mode when one SOWC is actuated and the other is not actuated. Coils units of the SOWC's are energized to shift an actuator toward active struts of an outer race. The actuator is rotationally fixed to the outer race. The active struts are biased toward the deployed position, and the actuator is biased toward the non-actuated position. The actuator includes a strut engagement feature that contacts the active struts and causes pivotal movement of the active struts to the non-deployed position.

First claim

What is claimed:

1. A bi-directional clutch assembly for use in motor vehicles to provide a rotary disconnect feature between a pair of rotary components, the bi-directional clutch assembly comprising:
a rotary input member;
a rotary output member;
an outer race fixed for rotation with one of the input and output members and defining first and second strut pockets;
an inner race fixed for rotation with the other one of the input and output members and defining ratchet teeth;
a first selectable one-way clutch (SOWC) having a first coil unit fixed to a stationary member, a first active strut supported in the first strut pocket for pivotal movement between a non-deployed position disengaged from the ratchet teeth and a deployed position engaged with the first ratchet teeth, and at least a portion of a first armature fixed for rotation with the outer race and being axially moveable between a non-actuated position and an actuated position in response to energization of the first coil unit, and a first strut engagement feature extending from the first armature and configured to move the first active strut from its deployed position to its non-deployed position in response to movement of the first armature form its non-actuated position to its actuated position; and
a second selectable one-way clutch (SOWC) having a second coil unit fixed to the stationary member, a second active strut supported in the second strut pocket for pivotal movement between a non-deployed position disengaged from the second ratchet teeth and a deployed position engaged with the second ratchet teeth, and at least a portion of a second armature fixed for rotation with the outer race and being axially moveable between a non-actuated position and an actuated position in response to energization of the second coil unit, and a second strut engagement feature extending from the second armature and configured to move the second active strut from its deployed position to its non-deployed position in response to movement of the second armature from its non-actuated position to its actuated position.

2. The bi-directional clutch assembly of claim 1 wherein the first strut pocket is formed in a first face surface of the outer race and the second strut pocket is formed in a second face surface of the outer race.

3. The bi-directional clutch assembly of claim 2 wherein the ratchet teeth include first ratchet teeth formed on a first clutch ring segment extending from the inner race and second ratchet teeth formed on a second clutch ring segment extending from the inner race, and wherein the first active strut is supported in the first strut pocket in alignment with the first clutch ring segment while the second active strut is supported in the second strut pocket in alignment with the second clutch ring segment.

4. The bi-directional clutch assembly of claim 1 establishing a LOCK-LOCK mode when both the first and second coil units are in a non-energized state, establishing a FREEWHEEL mode when both the first and second coil units are in an energized state, establishing a LOCK-RATCHET mode when the first coil unit is in its non-energized state and the second coil unit is in its energized state, and establishing a RATCHET-LOCK mode when the first coil unit is in its energized state and the second coil unit is in its non-energized state.

5. The bi-directional clutch assembly of claim 1 wherein the first SOWC further includes a first strut spring supported in a first spring pocket formed in the outer race and operable to normally bias the first active strut toward its deployed position, and wherein the second SOWC further includes a second strut spring supported in a second spring pocket formed in the outer race and operable to normally bias the second active strut toward its deployed position.

6. The bi-directional clutch assembly of claim 1 wherein the first strut pocket is formed in a first face surface of the outer race and the second strut pocket is formed in a second face surface of the outer race, and wherein the ratchet teeth include first ratchet teeth formed on a first clutch ring segment of the inner race and second ratchet teeth formed on a second clutch ring segment of the inner race.

7. The bi-directional clutch assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first armature includes a first base portion and a first actuator plate, and the second armature includes a second base portion and a second actuator plate, wherein the first and second actuator plates are the portions of the first and second armatures that are fixed for rotation with the outer race, and the first and second base portions are fixed relative to the first and second coil units.

8. The bi-directional clutch assembly of claim 7 , wherein a first coupling interface is established between the outer race and one or more lugs of the first actuator plate so as to couple the first actuator plate for rotation with the outer race while allowing bi-directional axial movement of the first actuator plate relative to the outer race between its non-actuated and actuated positions, and wherein a first armature biasing arrangement is operable to normally bias the first actuator plate toward its non-actuated position, and wherein a second coupling interface is established between the outer race and one or more lugs of the second actuator plate so as to couple the second actuator plate for rotation with the outer race while permitting bi-directional axial movement of the second actuator plate relative to the outer race between its non-actuated and actuated positions, and wherein a second armature biasing arrangement is operable to normally bias the second actuator plate toward its non-actuated position.

9. The bi-directional clutch assembly of claim 8 wherein the first coil unit is aligned to surround the first actuator plate, and wherein the second coil unit is aligned to surround the second actuator plate.

10. The bi-directional clutch assembly of claim 9 wherein the first and second base portions each include a magnetic portion and a non-magnetic portion.

11. The bi-directional clutch assembly of claim 1 configured to provide a disconnect between an electric motor driving the input member and a geartrain driven by the output member.

12. The bi-directional clutch assembly of claim 11 wherein the electric motor and geartrain are part of an electric transaxle or an electric drive axle.

13. A bi-directional clutch assembly comprising:
a first rotary member;
a second rotary member;
an inner race fixed for rotation with the first rotary member and defining ratchet teeth;
an outer race fixed for rotation with the second rotary member;
a first selectable one-way clutch (SOWC) having a first coil unit fixed to a stationary member, a first active strut mounted to the outer race and supported for pivotal movement between a non-deployed position disengaged from the ratchet teeth and a deployed position engaged with the ratchet teeth, and an axially shiftable first actuator fixed for rotation with the outer race and being axially moveable between a non-actuated position and an actuated position in response to energization of the first coil unit, and a first strut engagement feature extending from the first actuator and configured to move the first active strut from its deployed position to its non-deployed position in response to movement of the first actuator form its non-actuated position to its actuated position; and
a second selectable one-way clutch (SOWC) having a second coil unit fixed to the stationary member, a second active strut mounted to the outer race and supported for pivotal movement between a non-deployed position disengaged from the ratchet teet

Assignees

• Magna Powertrain Usa Inc

Inventors

• Gelfand David
• Cioc Adrian

Classifications

• B60K17/26

  characterised by arrangement, location, or type of freewheel device · CPC title

• F16H3/54

  one of the central gears being internally toothed and the other externally toothed · CPC title

• F16D41/16 Primary

  the action being reversible · CPC title

• B60K17/02

  characterised by arrangement, location, or kind of clutch · CPC title

• F16H3/10

  with one or more one-way clutches as an essential feature · CPC title