Wedge clutch with a segmented wedge element and chamfered engagement surfaces

摘要

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.

主权项

1. A wedge clutch, comprising:
an inner hub; an outer hub; a wedge element including a plurality of separate circumferentially disposed segments located radially between the inner and outer hubs; an outer ring:
disposed radially between the wedge element and the outer hub;non-rotatably connected to the plurality of segments; and,urging the plurality of segments radially inward; a first displacement element; and, a second displacement element, wherein:
for a closed mode for the wedge clutch, 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 for the wedge clutch, 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; and,in the closed mode for the clutch, frictional force between the outer ring and the outer hub is sufficient to maintain the non-rotatable connection of the outer ring and the outer hub.