Radial actuation of disengagement for wedge clutch
US10578174B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 5, 2018 |
| Grant date | Mar 3, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 19, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16D41/04
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A wedge clutch includes a first race rotatable about an axis and having first tapered surfaces annularly arranged about the axis, and a second race rotatable about the axis and concentric with the first race, the second race having a circumferential groove. A plurality of wedge segments are annularly arranged about the axis, each wedge segment having a second tapered surface contacting one of the first tapered surfaces. A plurality of pawls extend radially through at least a portion of either the first race or the second race. Each pawl is circumferentially aligned with a respective gap between two adjacent wedge segments. An actuating ring is configured to move axially along the axis. Axial movement of the actuating ring engages the pawls to force each pawl radially into the respective gap to separate the two adjacent wedge segments.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.