Patent ID: 6808037
Filing Date: 2004-10-26
Classification: B60K,F16D

Abstract:
A power transmission device comprising:a rotary input member adapted to receive drive torque from a power source; a rotary output member adapted to provide drive torque to an output device; a torque transfer mechanism operable for transferring drive torque from said input member to said output member, said torque transfer mechanism including a friction clutch assembly operably disposed between said input member and said output member and a clutch actuator assembly for applying a clutch engagement force to said friction clutch assembly, said clutch actuator assembly including a rotary drive member having a hub segment with rollers and a toothed sector segment, a non-rotary cam member having a tapered drive surface in engagement with said rollers, a thrust member in engagement with said cam member and said friction clutch assembly, a reduction gearset having an input gear and an output gear that is meshed with said toothed sector segment of said drive member, and an electric motor for driving said input gear; and a control system for actuating said electric motor so as to control the direction and amount of rotary movement of said drive member which, in turn, controls the direction and amount of translational movement of said cam member, such movement of said cam member causes concurrent movement of said thrust member relative to said friction clutch assembly so as to vary the clutch engagement force exerted by said thrust member on said friction clutch assembly.