Patent ID: 6666315
Filing Date: 2003-12-23
Classification: F16D

Abstract:
A clutch assembly for rotationally coupling two rotatable shafts comprising:an input shaft rotating about an axis of rotation; an output shaft having an axis of rotation; a ball ramp mechanism for generating a clamping force comprising; an annular control ring having an axis or rotation, said control ring having a plurality of circumferential control grooves formed in a face of said control ring, said control grooves varying in axial depth, an equivalent number of rolling elements one occupying each of said control grooves, an activation ring having an axis of rotation coaxial with said axis of rotation of said control ring, said activation ring having a plurality of activation grooves substantially identical in number, shape and radial position to said control grooves where said activation grooves at least partially oppose said control grooves and where each of said rolling elements is contained between one of said activation grooves and a respective control groove, said control ring being axially and rotationally moveably disposed relative to said activation ring, said control ring having an annular control plate radially extending therefrom and said activation ring having an annular activation plate radially extending therefrom; an annular intermediate plate nonrotatably connected to said output shaft and disposed between said control plate and said activation plate; a coil for creating of an electromagnetic field in an armature upon introduction of an electrical current in said coil where said armature connected to said control ring; a clutch pack for frictionally rotatably connecting said input shaft to said output shaft upon application of said clamp load generated by said ball ramp mechanism; at least one index plate acting to limit the rotation of said control ring relative to said activation ring; where upon introduction of an electrical current in said coil an electromagnetic field is generated to frictionally couple said coil pole to said control plate and said control plate to said intermediate plate and said intermediate plate to said activation plate.