| 摘要 |
An unidirectional ball clutch (100) includes a locking collar (102), a bearing support collar (120), and a coil assembly (132) all disposed on a shaft (110). stablished between the locking collar (102) and the bearing support collar (120) is a bearing channel (127). Preferably, the bearing channel (127) is formed with a constant width portion (129) that leads to a decreasing width portion (131). At least one ball bearing (126) is disposed within the bearing channel (127) between the locking collar (102) and the bearing support collar (120). When the coil assembly (132) is energized, the bearing support collar (120) is magnetically coupled to the coil assembly (132). Accordingly, if the locking collar (102) is rotated in one direction relative to the bearing support collar (120) the bearing wedges itself in the decreasing width portion (131) of the bearing channel (127) and prevents any relative torsional motion between the locking collar (102) and the bearing support collar (120). However, the locking collar (102) may rotate in the opposite direction with respect to the bearing support collar (120). When the brakes are applied, the power flow to the coil assembly (132) is interrupted, releasing the support collar (120) such that the locking collar (102) can move torsionally in either direction with respect to the bearing support collar (120). The ball clutch (100) therefore prevents an automatic transmission (164) from being shifted out of park unless the brake pedal (160) is depressed. |
