Patent ID: 6814201
Filing Date: 2004-11-09
Classification: F16D

Abstract:
A bi-directional overrunning clutch assembly (10, 110, 210) comprising:a drive member (12, 112, 212) rotatable about an axis (A) and a pair of driven members (14, 16; 114, 116; 214, 216) rotatable about said axis (A) and disposed on either side of said drive member (12, 112, 212) such that each one of said pair of driven members is in side-by-side confronting relationship with said drive member (12, 112, 212), said drive member (12, 112, 212) including a pair of generally planer surfaces (18, 20; 118, 120; 218, 220) disposed on opposite sides of said drive member with each of said planer surfaces including a plurality of recesses (22, 122, 222) formed therein and spaced relative to one another about the axis of rotation (A) of said drive member, each of said pair of driven members (14, 16; 114, 116; 214, 216) including a plurality of pockets (24, 124, 224) formed therein on said surface confronting the associated surface on said drive member; first and second engagement mechanisms wherein said first engagement mechanism (26, 126, 226) includes a plurality of pawls (30, 130, 230) associated with said pockets (24, 124, 224) formed on each of said driven members, said plurality of pawls (30, 130, 230) supported between the confronting surfaces of said drive member (12, 112, 212) and one of said driven members (14, 114, 214), and said second engagement mechanism (28, 128, 228) includes a plurality of pawls (30, 130, 230) associated with said rockets (24, 124, 224) formed on each of said driven members, said plurality of pawls (30, 130, 230) supported between the confronting surfaces of said drive member (12, 112, 212) and the other of said driven members (16, 116, 216), and wherein said pawls (30, 130, 230) of said first engagement mechanism (26, 126, 226) are operable to move in an axial direction between a disengaged position allowing relative rotation between said drive member (12, 112, 212) and the driven member (14, 114, 214) associated with said first engagement mechanism (26, 126, 226) and an engaged position in torque translating disposition with respect to an associated recess defined on the confronting surface of said drive member (12, 112, 212) such that said first engagement mechanism (26, 126, 226) acts to translate torque between said drive member (12, 112, 212) and the associated driven member (14, 114, 214) in one rotational direction and said pawls (30, 130, 230) of said second engagement mechanism (28, 128, 228) are operable to move in an axial direction between a disengaged position allowing relative rotation between said drive member (12, 112, 212) and the driven member (16, 116, 216) associated with said second engagement mechanism (28, 128, 228) and an engaged position in torque translating disposition with respect to an associated recess defined on the confronting surface of said drive member (12, 112, 212) such that said second engagement mechanism (28, 128, 228) acts to translate torque between said drive member (12, 112, 212) and the associated driven member (16, 116, 216) in the opposite rotational direction translated with respect to the first engagement mechanism (26, 126, 226); a pair of actuators (32, 34; 132, 134; 232, 234) associated with said first and second engagement mechanisms (26, 28; 126, 128; 226, 228), each actuator operable to move said associated engagement mechanism in an axial direction between said disengaged and said engaged positions.