Patent ID: 8869964

Claim:
A wrap spring clutch assembly comprising: an input drive shaft in operative connection with a first clutch plate; an output drive shaft in operative connection with a second clutch plate, wherein the first and second clutch plates are adjacent one another; a torsion wrap spring compressed against and wrapped around a portion of the first and second clutch plates, the torsion wrap spring comprising a tang projecting radially outwardly from the wrapped torsion wrap spring; a stepper motor actuator assembly comprising: a stepper motor; an eccentric comprising an off center axle, the eccentric rotationally driven by the stepper motor; a stop arm extending radially outwardly from the eccentric and in rotating communication with the eccentric; an upper stop and a lower stop in operative communication with the stop arm of the eccentric; a mechanical link connected with the axle of the eccentric, the mechanical link transforming the rotational driving of the eccentric into linear movement of the mechanical link; a plunger operatively connected with the mechanical link, the plunger translating linearly in response to the linear movement of the mechanical link, wherein engagement of the stop arm with either the upper stop or the lower stop requires a reversal of rotational direction by the eccentric to translate the plunger; and wherein the stepper motor actuator assembly may provide a predetermined amount of rotational motion for the eccentric, with corresponding translational positions for the plunger, whereby, the plunger may engage the tang of the torsion wrap spring in at least a first translational position and may not engage the tang of the torsion wrap spring in at least a second translational position, wherein the engagement of the tang with the plunger comprises disengagement of the torsion wrap spring from the portion of the first and second clutch plates and disengaging the output drive shaft from the input drive shaft.