Clutch assembly having normally on strut configured to prevent shock load deployment

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2022252112-A1
Application number	US-202217577859-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jan 18, 2022
Priority date	Feb 11, 2021
Publication date	Aug 11, 2022
Grant date	—

Abstract

A clutch assembly that includes an actuator, an apply spring, a pocket plate, which has a pocket, and a strut (e.g., a teeter-totter strut) retained in the pocket, is provided. The apply spring continually acts on the strut for the strut to be in an engaged position. The strut, in response to the actuator additionally acting on the strut, pivots from the engaged position to a disengaged position. The clutch assembly is configured to prevent unintended deployment of the strut due to shock load so that, when the strut is in the disengaged position due to the actuator additionally acting on the strut, the clutch assembly prevents the shock load from causing the strut to pivot from the disengaged position to the engaged position.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A clutch assembly comprising:
a pocket plate having a pocket; a strut retained in the pocket; an apply spring which continually acts on the strut for the strut to be in an engaged position; and an actuator, wherein the strut, in response to the actuator additionally acting on the strut, pivots from the engaged position to a disengaged position, and the clutch assembly is configured to prevent unintended deployment of the strut due to shock load so that, when the strut is in the disengaged position due to the actuator additionally acting on the strut, the clutch assembly prevents the shock load from causing the strut to pivot from the disengaged position to the engaged position.

2 . The clutch assembly of claim 1 , wherein a center of mass (CoM) of the strut is located between a first pivot point of the strut and a rear side of the strut.

3 . The clutch assembly of claim 2 , wherein the first pivot point of the strut is defined by a pair of ears that are pivotably attached to the pocket plate.

4 . The clutch assembly of claim 1 , wherein a center of mass (CoM) of the strut is located between a pivot point of the strut and a location at which the actuator acts on the strut.

5 . The clutch assembly of claim 1 , wherein the engaged position is characterized by an engagement face of the strut extending out of the pocket.

6 . The clutch assembly of claim 1 , wherein a center of mass (CoM) of the strut is located between a first pivot point of the strut and a second pivot point of the strut.

7 . The clutch assembly of claim 5 , wherein the second pivot point of the strut is located between the CoM and a rear side of the strut.

8 . The clutch assembly of claim 6 , wherein the second pivot point of the strut is located between the CoM and a location at which the actuator acts on the strut.

9 . The clutch assembly of claim 6 , wherein the first pivot point acts on an upward side of the strut.

10 . The clutch assembly of claim 9 , wherein the second pivot point acts on a downward side of the strut.

11 . The clutch assembly of claim 1 , wherein a pivot point of the strut is located between a front side of the strut and a center of mass (CoM) of the strut.

12 . The clutch assembly of claim 1 , wherein a pivot point of the strut is located between a rear side of the strut and a center of mass (CoM) of the strut.

13 . The clutch assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a selectable solenoid insert that includes the actuator.

14 . A clutch assembly comprising:
a pocket plate having a pocket; a strut retained in the pocket; an apply spring which continually acts on the strut for the strut to be in an engaged position; and an actuator, wherein the strut in response to the actuator additionally acting on the strut pivots from the engaged position to a disengaged position, and the clutch assembly further comprises at least one of the following:
(i) a pivot point of the strut that is located between a front side of the strut and a center of mass (CoM) of the strut, or
(ii) a pivot point of the strut that is located between a rear side of the strut and a center of mass (CoM) of the strut,
so that when the strut is in the disengaged position due to the actuator additionally acting on the strut, unintended shock load is prevented from causing the strut to pivot from the disengaged position to the engaged position.

15 . The clutch assembly of claim 14 , wherein the clutch assembly includes a first pivot point as the pivot point of the strut that is located between the front side of the strut and the CoM of the strut.

16 . The clutch assembly of claim 15 , wherein the first pivot point acts on an upward side of the strut and is defined by a pair of ears of the strut.

17 . The clutch assembly of claim 16 , wherein the clutch assembly includes a second pivot point as the pivot point of the strut that is located between a rear side of the strut and the CoM of the strut

18 . The clutch assembly of claim 17 , wherein the second pivot point acts on an upward side of the strut and is defined by a surface of the pocket plate that is within the pocket.

19 . The clutch assembly of claim 17 , wherein the strut is a teeter-totter strut.

20 . The clutch assembly of claim 14 , further comprising a selectable solenoid insert that includes the actuator.

Assignees

• Means Ind Inc

Inventors

• Andrzejewski Todd M

Classifications

• F16D27/14

  Details · CPC title

• F16D27/102 Primary

  with radially movable clutching members (F16D27/105 takes precedence) · CPC title

• F16D27/118

  with interengaging jaws or gear teeth · CPC title

• F16D41/14 Primary

  the effective stroke of the pawl being adjustable · CPC title

• F16D27/10

  with an electromagnet not rotating with a clutching member, i.e. without collecting rings {(F16D27/004 takes precedence)} · CPC title