Patent ID: 6712730
Filing Date: 2004-03-30
Classification: B60K,F16D,F16H

Abstract:
A torque coupling comprising:an input torque member adapted to be connected to a source of torque; an output torque member from which torque is delivered; a magnetic particle clutch having first and second clutch members which rotate about a common axis, the clutch being capable of transferring torque between the clutch members when the clutch members rotate at different angular velocities, the first clutch member being connected to one of the torque members; a planetary gear set organized about the same axis and coupled to the clutch and to the input and output members such that torque transfers between the input and output members in two paths, one of which includes the clutch and the other of which does not include the clutch, the planetary pear set including first, second, third and fourth elements organized about the axis, the first element being connected to the first clutch member and to said one of the torque members, the second element being connected to the second clutch member such that all of the torque transferred through the clutch passes through the second element, the third element being connected to the other torque member, and the fourth element being connected between the first element and the second element and between the second element and the third element, the elements of the planetary pear set being configured such that most of the torque that is transferred between the input and output members transfers through the path that does not contain the clutch.