WEDGE CLUTCH WITH STACKED WEDGE PLATES

摘要

A wedge clutch comprising an axis of rotation, a hub having a first radially outwardly facing surface sloping radially inward in a first axial direction, an outer race located radially outward of the hub and including, a first radially inwardly facing surface, and, a circumferential groove in the first radially inwardly facing surface, and, a first plurality of wedge plates radially disposed between the hub and outer race, each wedge plate in the first plurality of wedge plates including, a respective second radially inwardly facing surface directly engaged with the first radially outwardly facing surface, and, a respective second radially outwardly facing surface, wherein said each wedge plate has a different respective first radial dimension between the respective second radially inwardly and outwardly facing surfaces.

主权项

1. A wedge clutch, comprising:
an axis of rotation; a hub having a first radially outwardly facing surface sloping radially inward in a first axial direction; an outer race located radially outward of the hub and including:
a first radially inwardly facing surface; and,a circumferential groove in the first radially inwardly facing surface; and, a plurality of wedge plates radially disposed between the hub and outer race, each wedge plate in the first plurality of wedge plates including:
a respective second radially inwardly facing surface directly engaged with the first radially outwardly facing surface; and,a respective second radially outwardly facing surface, wherein: said each wedge plate has a different respective radial dimension between the respective second radially inwardly and outwardly facing surfaces; for a locked mode, the hub is displaceable in the first axial direction to displace the plurality of wedge plates radially outward to non-rotatably connect the outer race, the plurality of wedge plates and the hub; and, for a free wheel mode, the hub is displaceable in a second axial direction, opposite the first axial direction, to enable relative rotation between the hub and the outer race.