Patent ID: 7104374
Filing Date: 2006-09-12
Classification: B60K,F16D

Abstract:
1. A power transmission mechanism for a vehicle including a clutch assembly comprising: a two-way clutch comprising a driving member adapted to be coupled to a drive axle of the vehicle, a driven member adapted to be fixed to a wheel of the vehicle, a plurality of rows of rollers disposed between said driving member and said driven member, and a retainer disposed between said driving member and said driven member for retaining said rollers, said rollers being capable of engaging both of said driving member and said driven member when said retainer rotates in either rotational direction relative to said driving member; and an electromagnetic clutch comprising an electromagnet which can be selectively energized and deenergized, and a rotor coupled to said driven member and adapted to be nonrotatably coupled to said retainer when said electromagnet is energized or deenergized, whereby driving torque can be transmitted from the drive axle to the wheel through said two-way clutch by energizing or deenergizing said electromagnet; wherein said retainer comprises a plurality of retainer elements each retaining one of said plurality of rows of rollers, said retainer elements being joined together through an elastic member having a lower rigidity than said retainer elements.