ONE-WAY CLUTCH OPERABLE WITH ONE OR NO RACES AND WITHOUT RACE POCKETS FOR LOCKING ELEMENTS

摘要

The present disclosure sets forth a one-way clutch (44). The one¬ way clutch (44) can function with one or no races (56) as opposed to conventional prior art one-way clutches (32). In so doing, the overall size and weight requirements of the one-way clutch (44) are drastically reduced, which in turn drastically reduces the overall size and weight requirements of the transmission and vehicle employing the transmission as well. The present disclosure also provides a one-way clutch (100) having an outer race (114) provided by axially spaced plates (1 16, 119). An inner race (102) is rotatably mounted with respect to one of the plates (1 16, 1 18) and the inner race (102) has a ratchet surface (112). Ratchet pawls (134) are pivotably mounted with respect to the plates (1 16, 118) and have unidirectional engagement with the ratchet surface (112) of the inner race (102). In addition to reducing material and labor production costs, such lessened size and weight penalties translate into higher transmission efficiency and better vehicle fuel economy. The present disclosure and its teachings can be used with any known type of one-way clutch including but not limited to radial ratchet type, sprag type, or roller type one-way clutches.