Patent ID: 6679367
Filing Date: 2004-01-20
Classification: B60W,F16D,F16H,Y10T

Abstract:
An over-running clutch assembly mounted within an automotive transmission comprising:an outer race having a cylindrical inner surface and being fixedly mounted within the transmission; an inner race having a first end adapted to engage a drop shaft of the transmission, an outer surface coaxial with said cylindrical inner surface and defining a gap therebetween, said inner race being rotatable about a central axis with allowable rotational movement relative to said outer race; said outer surface of said inner race including a plurality of cam surfaces formed at spaced apart locations on said outer surface; a plurality of rolling elements positioned between said outer race and said inner race with each of said rolling elements being located along one of said cam surfaces where said gap is larger than a diameter of said rolling elements; a retainer interconnecting all of said rolling elements and causing said rolling elements to circumferentially move in unison with one another, said retainer being rotatable about said central axis with limited relative rotation with respect to said inner race, and being biased to a position wherein each of said rolling elements is located along one of said cam surfaces where said gap is larger than a diameter of said rolling elements; an electronic actuator to selectively allow movement of said retainer relative to said inner race thereby moving said rolling elements along said cam surfaces to a position where said rolling elements engage and wedge between said inner and outer races to prevent relative rotation between said inner and outer races.