AND SYSTEM TO PREVENT THE IN ADVERTENT ENGAGEMENT OF THE ASSEMBLY

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

|00011 This application is a eoiitin uati on-i n-part application of U.S. patent application Serial

No. 15/866,620 filed January 10, 2018 which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Serial No. 62/510,856 filed May 25, 2017,

TECHNICAL FILED

|0002| This invention generally relates to overrunning coupling and control assemblies and systems to prevent: the inadvertent en gagement of the assemblies.

Overview

[0003J A typical one-way dutch (i.e., OWC) includes a first coupling member, a second coupling member, and a first set of locking members between opposing surfaces of the two coupling members. The one-way clutch is designed to lock in one direction and to allow tree rotation in the opposite direction. Two types of one-way clutches often used in vehicular, automatic transmissions include:

1O004J Roller type which includes spring-loaded rollers between inner and outer races of the one-way clutch. (Roller type is also used without springs on some applications); and

| CH1051 Sprag type which includes asymmetrically shaped wedges located between inner and outer races of the one-way clutch. fOOOhf One-way clutches typically overrun during engine braking rather than enable engine braking, it is for this reason there is a friction pack at the same transmission node. Selectable dynamic dutches can be used to prevent the over running condition and enable engine braking, |0007J Controllable or selectable one-way clutches (i.e , SOWCs) are a departure from traditional one-wa clutch designs. SOWCs often add a second set of struts or locking members in combination with a slide plate. The additional set of locking members plus the slide plate adds multiple functions of the OWC. Depending on the needs of the design, controllable OWCs are capable of producing a mechanical connection between rotating or stationary shafts in one or both directions. Also, depending on the design, OWCs are capable of overrunning in one or both directions A controllable OWC contains an externally controlled selection or actuation mechanism. Movement of this selection mechanism can be between two or more positions which correspond to different operating modes. The selection mechanism is a separate system or assembly that is fixed relative to the OWC by same fastening technique. Such selective mechanism is fixe in a separate and subsequent operation after the OWC has been formed. That subsequent operation requires an additional work station, be it automated or otherwise, which increases, in particular, the manufacturing time and cost of the finished assembly,

|0008| In addition, the fact that separate, external parts may be mounted on or near the OWC in a source of quality defects and thus adds to the cost of making such controllable of selectable OWCs which may be significant on a mass production basis. Also, due to dimensional stack-up issues control element or selector plate binding can result especiall over long term use.

|0009J Driven b a growing demand by industry, governmental regulatory agencies and consumers for durable and inexpensive products that are functionally comparable or superior to prior art products, a continuing need exists for improvement in clutches subjecte to difficult service conditions such as extreme temperatures. This is particularly true in the automotive industry where developers and manufactures of clutches for automotive applications must meet a number of competing performance specifications for such articles.

£0010| Another problem associated with prior art coupling and control assemblies is that is undesirable to have a relatively large distance between the control element and the activator which moves the control element. A large distance reduces the amount of available space in which the assembly is located. For example, in a vehicle, the amount of space for such assemblies is typically quite limited. fiMFI !f U.S. Patent No. 5,927,455 discloses a bi-directional overrunning pawl-type clutch.

U.S. Patent No. 6,244,965 discloses a plannar overrunning coupling for transfer of torque, U.S. Patent No. 6,290,044 discloses a selectable one-way clutch assembly for use in an automatic transmission. U.S. Patent No, 7,258,214 discloses an overrunning coupling assembly. U.S, Patent No. 7,344,010 discloses an overrunning coupling assembly. U.S. Patent No. 7,484,605 discloses an overrunning radial coupling assembly or clutch.

100121 Other related U.S. Patent publications include 2012/0145506; 201 1 /0192697;

2011/0183806; 2010/0252384; 2009/0194381 ; 2008/0223681 ; 2008/0169165; 2008/0169166; 2008/0185253; and die following U.S. Patent Nos. 8,079,453; 7,992,695; 8,051 ,959; 7,766,790; 7,743,678; and 7,491,151,

|0O131 One problem associated with such controllable one-way coupling assemblies is that the one-way clutch may inadvertently change (such as due to parasitic losses) from its overrun position or mode to its locked position or mode especially when the ambient temperature is well beUnv 0° F due to the highly viscous hydraulic fluid in the one-way clutch. Such a change could cause the clutch to fail .

|Q014| U.S. Patent No. 8,272,488 discloses an overrunning coupling and control assemblies, each of which includes control apparatus having a latching mechanism. Each latching mechanism of an overrunning coupling assembly in a first direction substantially parallel to a shift direction of a control plate of the coupling assembly within a housing slot in a locked condition of the mechanism in a first position of the control plate. A control pressure signal within a bore of the housing changes the condition of the latching mechanism from locked to unlocked to unlock the actuator arm and causes the unlocked actuator are to move along the first direction within the slot and the control element to move along the shift direction to a second position. The control pressure signal also causes a piston which has a groove formed in its outer surface to receive and retain a free end portion of the actuator arm to slide within the bore in the housing against the biasing force of the at least one biasing member. In the absence of a control pressure signal, the at least one biasing member moves the piston and thereby the unlocked actuator arm in a second direction opposite the first direction within the slot and the control element along the shift direction from the second position back to the first position and changes the condi tion of the latching mechanism from unlocked to locked to lock the actuator arm. i l 15f U.S. Published Patent application 2016/0160942; 2016/0273595; 2016/0290416;

2016/0339775; 20164)341263; 2016/0348742; 2016/0375754; 2017/0002877; and 2017/0059033 all discuss the problem of“drag torque” in selectable one-way clutches (i.e. SOWCs) 0016| in one selectable one-way clutch, the pocket plate is fixed to a stationary member, and lubrication oil is applied between the rotary plates. However, the selector plate may be rotated undesirably by a rotation of the notch plate through the lubrication oil. Especially, such drag torque delivered from a shearing force of the oil that is applied to the selector plate is increased with an increase in viscosi ty of the oil . For example, if a temperature of the oi l is extremely low, vi scosity of the oil is increased significantly. In this situation, the selector plate may be rotated by the drag torque resulting from rotating the notch plate, and as a result, an actuator arm may be actuated to bring the notch plate into engagement undesirably with the pocket plate. Such erroneous engagement of the selectable one-way clutch may be prevented b enhancing an elastic force of a return spring counteracting the drag torque in this ease, however, a larger actuator for rotating the selector plate may be required to overcome the enhance spring force, and, consequently, the selectable one-way clutch is enlarged.

|00!7J Other related SOWCs are described in the following published U.S. Patent applications: 2015/0105205; 2016/0186818; 2016/0230819; 2016/0223072; 2016/0245346; 2016/0250917; 2016/0265605; 2016/0339908; 2016/0363179; 2017/0037914; 2017/0073759; 2017/0050636; and 2017/0066317.

[0018| Other U.S. Patent publications which disclose controllable or selectable one-wa clutches include U.S. Patent Nos. 6,193,038; 7,198,587; 7,275,628; 8,087,502; 8,196,724; 8,602,187; and 7,464,801 ; and U.S. Publication Application Nos: 2007/0278061 ; 2008/0000747; 2008/01 10715; 2009/0159391; 2009/021 1863; 2010/0230226; 2014/0190785; 2014/0378266; 2016/0129864; 2016/0160941 ; 2016/0131206; 2016/0131205; 2016/0369855; and 2016/0377126. 0019 Despite the above, a need exists to provide non-hydraulic clutch disengagement under load, especially during extremely low startup temperature (i.e. 0.0° F or lower) while conserving space in an automatic transmission environment. [00201 Other ITS. Patent documents related to the present application include: U.S. Patent

Nos. 2,947,537; 2,959, 062; 4,050,560; 4,340, 133; 4,651,847; 6,607,292; 6,905,009; 7,942,781 ; 8,061 ,496; 8,286,772; 2004/0238306; 2006/0185957; 2007/0034470; 2009/0255773; 2010/0022342; 2010/0255954; 2011/0177900; 2012/0090952; 2012/0152683, 2012/0152687, 2012/0145505; 2012/0152687; 2012/0152683; 2015/0001023; 2015/0000442; 2015/0014116; 2015/021 1587; and 2016/0047439.

[002.11 For purposes of this application, the term“coupling” should be interpreted to include clutches or brakes wherein one of the plates is drivably connected to a torque delivery element of a transmission and the other plate is anchored and held stationary with respect to a transmission housing. The terms“coupling”,“clutch” and“brake” may be used interchangeably.

SUMMARY

[0022] An object of at least one embodiment of the present invention is to provide an overrunning coupling and control assembly and control system for use therein wherein a mechanism is provided to prevent inadvertent engagement of the assembly especially at cold operating temperatures.

[0023] In carrying out the above object and other objects of at least one embodiment of the present invention, a system for controlling the operating mode of an overrunning coupling assembly including first and secon coupling members having first and second coupling faces, respectively, in close-spaced opposition with one another is provided. The first coupling member is mounted for rotation about a rotary axis. The system includes a control member mounted for controlled shifting movement between the coupling faces. A bi-directional actuator assembly includes an output member pivotally connected to the control member for selective, small-displacement, control member shifting movement relative to the second coupling member between a first position which corresponds to a first operating mode of the coupling assembly and a second position which corresponds to a second operating mode of the coupling assembly' in response to an actuator command signal. A one-way locking member is connected to the output member for movement between a disengaged positio in which the control member is permitted to shift relati ve to the second cou ling member and an engaged position between the control member and a locking member-engaging portion of the second coupling member to lock the control member and the second coupling member together to prevent the control member from inadvertently shifting in a first direction relative to the second coupling member in the absence of the actuator command signal received by the actuator assembly

[0024] The control ember may be a control or selector plate rotatable about the axis between different angular positions

[0025] The output member may i cl de an actuator arm

[0026] The coupling assembly may be a clutch assembly, the coupling members may be clutch members and the coupling faces may be clutch faces

[0027] The system may be an electromechanical system wherein the actuator assembly may include an electrically-powered device for driving the control member in response to an electrical actuator command signal

[0028] The locking member may be integrally formed with the output member

[0029] I ^' he Socking member and the output member may be rotatably connected to the control member via a clearance fit connection,

[00301 The output member may extend through a slot formed in a wall of the second coupling member wherein the locking member-engaging portion at least partially defines the slot,

100311 The clutch assembly may be selectable, one-way clutch assembly wherein the first clutch member may be a notch plate, the second clutch member maybe a pocket plate and the control member may be a selector plate rotatable about the axis.

[0032] The control member may have a slot formed therein and the output member may have pair of spaced legs projecting therefrom. The legs may have the clearance fit connection with the slot in the control member so that the legs rotate within the control member

[0033] Further in carrying out the above object and other objects of at least one embodiment of the present invention, an overrunning coupling and control assembly is provided. The assembly includes a coupling subassembly including first and second coupling members having first and second coupling feces, respectively, in close-spaced opposition with one another. The first coupling member is mounted for rotation about a rotary axis and the second coupling member includes a pawl-engaging portion. A control member is mounted for controlled shifting movement between the coupling faces. A bi-directional actuator subassembly includes an output member pivotally connected to the control member for selective, small -displacement, control member shifting movement relative to the second coupling member between a first position which corresponds to a first operating mode of the coupling subassembly and a second position which corresponds to a second operating mode of the coupling subassembly in response to an actuator command signal. A one-way locking member is connected to the output member for movement between a disengaged position in which the control member is permitted to shift relative to the second coupling member and an engaged position between the control member and the locking member-engaging portion of the second coupling member to lock the control member an the second coupling member together to prevent the control member from inadvertently shifting in a first direction relative to the second coupling member in the absence of the actuator comman signal received by the actuator subassembly.

|0034| The control member maybe a control or selector plate rotatable about the axis between different angular positions.

|0035J The output member ma include an actuator arm.

|0036| The coupling subassembly may be a clutch subassembly, the coupling members may be clutch members and the coupling faces may be clutch faces.

|0037J The actuator subassembly may include an electrically-powered device for driving the control member in response to an electrical actuator command signal

10038) The locking member may be integrally formed with the output member.

|0039) The locking member and the output member may be pivotally connected to the control member via a clearance fit connection.

|O04O) The output member may extend through a slot formed in a wall of the second coupling member wherein the locking member-engaging portion may at least partially define the slot. [004! [ The clutch subassembly may a selectable, one-way clutch subassembly wherein the first clutch member may be notch plate, the second clutch member maybe a pocket plate and the control member may be a selector plate rotatable about the axis.

[0042] The control member may have a slot formed therein and the output member may have a pair of spaced legs projecting therefrom. The legs may have the clearance lit connection with the slot in the control member so that the legs rotate within the control member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

10043 j Figure 1 is a top plan view of a pocket plate ha ving pockets for locking stmts;

[0044] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a selector plate or control member for use in a coupling and control assembly constructed in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention;

[0045] Figure 3 is a side elevational view, partially broken away, showing the interconnection between a two-piece actuator arm and spring-biased locking member or pawl and the pocket plate of Figure 1;

[0046] Figure 4 is a back view of the two-piece actuator arm and spring-biased pawl of Figure

3;

[0047] Figure 5 is a view, similar to the view of Figure 3, but also showing an actuator assembly and forces or loads represented by arrows;

[0048] Figure 6 is a top perspective view of the actuator arm of Figures 3-5;

[0049] Figure 7 is a perspective view, similar to the view of Figure 6, but from a reverse direction;

[0050] Figure 8 is a top perspective of the pawl of Fi gures 3-5;

[005! | Figure 9 is a perspective view, similar to the view of Figure 8, but from a reverse direction; £00521 Figure 10 is a front view' of an actuator arm and locking member or pa l formed as a single piece;

£00531 Figure 1 1 is a view, similar to the view of Figure 5, but show ing the one-piece design of Figure 1 ;

00S4| Figure 12 is a perspective view', similar to the view' of Figure 6, but of the one-piece

jOOSS) Figure 13 is a perspective view, similar to the view of Figure 7, but of the one-piece design; 0056| Figures 14-18 are side schematic views, partially broken away, of a one-piece actuator arm and locking member, a selector plate and a pocket plate wherein the direction of actuation is reversed w th respect to the previous embodiments;

£00571 Figure 19 is a top perspec tive view' of a one-piece actuator arm and locking member or detent constructed in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention;

£00581 Figure 20 is a top perspective view, partially broken away, of a control member or selector plate for use with the mechanism of Figure 19;

[0Q59] Figures 21 through 23 are side view's, partially broken away, of a system and assembly for preventing inadvertent control member or selector phase movement u tilizing the devices of Figures 19 and 20 and showing different: operative positions of the locking member or detent; and

£00601 Figure 24 is an enlarged, top perspective view, partially broken away, of the devices of

Figures 19 and 20 assembled together to show' an axially overlapping relationship of the assembled devices.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

£00611 As required, detailed embodiments of the present inventio are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary' of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

[0062] An overrunning coupling and control assembly typically includes a coupling subassembly such as a selectable one-way clutch (SOWC) subassembly. The subassembly includes first and second coupling members having first and second coupling faces, respectively, in closed spaced opposition with one another.

[0063] As shown in Figure 1, the first coupling member may be a notch plate (not shown) which is mounted for rotation about a rotary axis 21 of the subassembly and the second coupling member maybe a pocket plate, generally indicated at 20, which is stationary relative to the notch plate. The pocket plate 20 ha a coupling face 22 with pockets 23.

[tM164| As shown in Figure 2. the SOWC subassembly also typically includes a control member or selector plate, generally indicated at 30 in the first embodiment of the invention, (not shown for the second embodiment) and 30" in the third embodiment, mounted for controlled shifting or rotational movement between the coupling faces of the notch and pocket plates. The selector plate 30 includes a plurality of spaced apertures 32 to allow locking members or struts to extend therethrough. The selector plate 30 also includes a hole 34 which extends therethrough to allow a slip-fit pivotal connection with an actuator arm and a one-way locking member or pawl as describe hereinbelow. f0065f Referring to Figures 5 and 1 1 , the coupling and control assembly also includes a bidirectional actuator subassembly, generally indicated at 40 (40' in Figure 11), including an output member or actuator arm (42 in the first embodiment, 42 ^r in the second embodiment and 42" in the third embodiment) pivotally connected to the selector plate 30 via a pivot pin 43 and connected to an armature or plunger 46 of an actuator or solenoid by collars 47 on opposite sides of a head portion 48 of the arm 42, (Opposite side surfaces of the head portion 48 are angled to provide the proper motion of the output member 42 and the locking member 50 during l inear movement of the armature 46)

[0066] A biasing spring 49 biases the armature 46 for selective, small -displacement, control member shifting or pivotal movement relative to the pocket plate 20 between a first position which corresponds to a first operating mode of the coupling subassembly and a second position which corresponds to a second operating mode of the coupling subassembly in response to an actuator command signal received by the actuator of the subassembly 40.

{0067) I ^' he coupling and control assembl also includes a one-way locking member or a pawl

(50 in the first embodiment of Figures 3-5, 8 and 9; 50' in the second embodiment of Figures 12 and 13; and 50" in the third embodiment of Figures 14-18). The pawl 50 is also pivotally connected to the selector plate 30 via the pin 43 (which extends into the hole 34) lor movement between a disengaged position in which the selector plate 30 is permitted to shift or rotate relative to the pocket plate 20 and an engaged position between the selector plate 30 and a locking member engaging portion 24 of the pocket plate 20 to lock the selector plate 30 and the pocket plate 20 together to prevent the selector plate 30 from inadvertently shifting or rotating in a first direction about the axis 21 relative to the pocket plate 20 in the absence of the actuator command signal received by the actuator of the subassembly 40. j _j OQ68| The assembly may further comprise one or more locking members or struts (not shown) disposed between the coupling faces of the coupling members and moveable between the first an second positions. Shifting movement of the selector plate 30 causes the locking member to change position. The selector plate 30 has at least one opening, and preferably, a plurality of the openings 32, which extends completely therethrough and throug which the locking struts extend between the notch and pocket plates.

|0069| Fhe actuator of the actuator subassembly 40 may be an electrically-powered device such as a solenoid for driving the selector plate 30 in response to an electrical actuator command signal from a controller (not shown) which, in turn, may be electrically coupled to a TECU of a vehicle. The solenoid provides a substantially equally distributed load or force as indicated by the arrows 45 in Figure 5 during co vering of the struts by the selector plate 30 0070| The assembly of the first embodiment may further comprise a biasing member such as a torsion spring, generally indicated at 60, which exerts a biasing force on the pawl 50 to bias the pawl 50 into an engaged position with the pawl-engaging portion 24. The pawl 50 and the arm or output member 42 are pivotally connected together. One end 62 of the spring 60 i s positioned in an elongated slot 44 formed in the back surface of the arm 42 and a second end 64 of the spring 60 is positioned in an elongated slot 52 (Figure 9) formed in the back surface of the pawl 50 The load or force (indicated by arrow 63) of the spring 60 is provided between the arm 42 and a free end or locking portion 65 of the pawl 50 during covering of the struts by die selector plate 30 In this way, the pawl 50 is spring- biased into the engaged position with the pawl-engaging portion 24 which is integrally formed on the face 22 of the pocket plate 20. fOOTl f in the second embodiment, a locking member or paw! 50' is integrally formed with an arm or output member 42' as shown in Figures 10-13 (first embodiment shown in Figures 3-9) jO072J The locking member 50. 50' or 50" and the output member 42, 42' or 42" may both be pivotally connected to the control member 30 or 30" via a slip fit connection provided by the pivot pin (43, 43' or 43") which extends into and is retained within the hole 34 or 34" of the selector plate 30 or 30" to allo the pivotal motion

100731 The actuator arm or output member 42, 42' or 42" extends through a slot 26, 26' or 26" formed in its respective cylindrical wall 28, 28 ' or 28" of the pocket plate 20, 20' or 20". In the third embodiment of Figures 14-18, the locking member engaging portion 24" of the pocket: plate 20" at least partially defines the slot 26".

[0074J The pawl-engaging portion 24 is integrally formed on the second coupling lace 22 of the pocket plate 20 in the first embodiment and the pawl-engaging portion 24' is integrally formed on the second coupling face 22' of the pocket plate 20' in the second embodiment

1 0751 The solenoid of the actuator subassemblies 40 and 40' typically have the armatures 46 and 46', respectively, configured to linearly move between extended and retracted positions wherein the output members 42 and 42 ^f are connected to their respective armature 46 and 46' so that the output members 42 and 42' are allowed to rotate a predetermined amount before the output members 42 and 42' begin to shift their respective selector plates 30 and 30'

10070! The actuation systems 40 and 40' may be either hydraulic or electric systems. Each actuation syste can be forced to a selector plate“open" orientation if forces get high. These high forces can be from cold oil drag during notch plate rotation. At least one embodiment of the invention creates a lock so that when the actuator is in its“struts-covered” position, a force generated at the selector plate cannot disengage the lock. The lock can only be disengaged by the actuator when commanded to go into its“strats-covered” position.

|t)07?| During cold temperature notch plate rotation, forces are generated at the selector plate causing the return spring 49 or 49' of the actuation system to be overcome and the struts to be uncovered by selector plate movement. This would cause an engagement of the stmts with the notch plate when the actuator was not commanded to uncover the struts. This invention prevents this from occurring. Without this invention, the actuation system would have to be built stronger to pre vent the selector plate 30, 30' or 30” from moving or shifting when not commanded, or the clutch would have to be designed so that less unintended force would be generated.

|0O781 in general, the first embodiment of Figures 3-9, there is disclosed, a two-piece actuator arm, one member is connected to the actuator armature and solenoid (called the actuator arm), and one member connected to the actuator arm that acts as the locking member (called locking member or pawl). These two members are connected to each other and are allowed to pivot relative to each other. The actuator aim is designed to rotate to a fixed location during both die“on” and“off’ states and can freel rotate within the selector plate. There is a torsional spring betwee the actuator ami and the pawl so that the pawl can be forced into the lock position. The pocket plate has a small ledge or portion to interface with the pawl to allow' the locking action to occur. When the actuator commands the struts to be uncovered, the actuator armature begins to move which makes the actuator arm rotate to its allowable rotation allowing the pawl to be lifted from the locked position. Once the pawl is lifted from its locked position the actuator ar moves tangentially and uncovers the struts.

[0079J In general, the second embodiment of Figures 10-12 is simi lar to the first embodiment except the actuator aim and pawl are a solid, one-piece design. This simplifies the function and assembly of the parts. Thi s design functions very similar to that of the first design, but the load path during the actuator oiT strut covered action can cause binding and wear issues. If the conditions exist that a solid one-piece actuator arm can be used, money ca be saved from part and assembly cost.

[0080J In general, the third embodiment of Figures 14- 18 utilizes a one-piece actuator ami and locking member or pawl and can freely rotate between its connection to its selector plate. This design differentiates from the first two designs since the direction of actuation is reversed. The actuator arm pivots about the pocket plate so that when the actuation system commands a movement, the opposite side of the actuator moves in the opposite direction of the actuation system. This design works since the unintended force from the selector plate pushes in the opposite direction of the actuation. When the force conies from the selector plate (from drag) the selector pushed on the actuator arm which locks into the pocket plate when a small return spring is used to push on the actuator arm in the lock direction.

[008 V| Figure 14 shows the struts covered and the solenoid“off ¹ A small spring force keeps the actuator arm from disengaging from a lock condition.

[098 1 Figure 15 shows the stmts covering, solenoid“off\

[0083J Figure 16 show the stmts uncovering, solenoid“on”.

[0084J Figure 17 sho the stmts uncovering, solenoid“on”.

[OOSSJ Figure 18 shows the stmts uncovered, solenoid“on”.

[00861 h at least one of the above-noted embodiments (i.e. the first and second), the angle on the actuator ami that interfaces with the solenoi armature is designed so that the actuator arm can rotate a specific amount before the actuator arms begins to move the selector plate. When uncovering the struts, the rotation of the actuator arm allows the Socking feature to clear the loc feature on the pocket plate. When covering the stmts in die first embodiment, the rotation of the actuator ami allows to compress the small torsion spring (and keep forces low to prevent wear) so when the selector plate is completely covered, the lock can occur. The above-noted angles are relatively important an without them the lock may not function properly.

[0087J Referring now to Fi gures 19-24 there is illustrated yet another embodiment of a system and assembly to prevent inadvertent engagement of the assembly; in other words, to prevent uncommanded control member or selector plate mo vement which, in turn, changes the operating mode of the assembly m an undesirable fashion especially at low temperature. As in the prior embodiments, a lock is created which is disengaged when a bi-directional actuator assembly, generally indicated at 140, receives an actuator command signa!. |088Sj Still referring to Figures 19-24, this embodiment is similar to the one-piece design of

Figures 10-13 but rotation of the actuator arm or output member, generally indicated at 142, is dictated by the connection or clearance fit from the actuator arm 142 into a selector plate, generally indicated at 130. (The embodiment of Figures 19-24 has the same reference number at the prior embodiments but the number“100” has been added to the prior reference numbers to aid the reader.)

[0089J in the embodiment of Figures 19-24, when the selector plate 130 gets forced to open by drag forces and not an actuation command signal received by an actuator (Figures 21 and 22) of the actuator assembly 140, a one-way locking member or detent 150 integrally formed with the actuator ami 142 rotates and contacts a coupling member or pocket plate, generally indicated at 120, thereby preventing further rotation of the selector plate 130 (i.e. Figure 21).

|009i)l The selector plate 130 includes a slot, generally indicated at 134, which receives a pair of spaced legs 143 of the actuator arm 142 is defined by a strai ght side or edge 135 and an angled side or edge 137 so that the actuator ami 142 can rotate through fixed angle in one direction as shown in Figure 23. 00911 As in the first two embodiments of Figures 1-13, the actuator ami 142 includes a head portion 148 which is received and retained between collars 147 (Figures 21 and 22) which are mounted for linear movement on an armature or plunger 146 of the actuator. The actuator assembly 140 also includes a biasing member or return spring 149 which closes the selector plate 130 in the extended position of the plunger 146 (i.e. in the absence of a command signal to the actuator). Figure 21 shows a spring force on the selector plate 130 by arrow 1 51.

|0092| When the actuator receives a command signal the plunger 146 is retracted against the biasing action of the return spring 149 as indicated by force arrow' 153 in Figure 22.

|00931 A in the prior embodiments, the actuator arm or output member 142 extends through a slot 126 formed in a all 128 of the pocket plate 120. The detent or locking member 150 engages a portion 124 of the wail 128 to lock the selector plate 130 and the pocket plate 120 together to prevent the selector plate 130 from inadvertently shifting or rotating in the absence of an actuator command signal. |0094| Preferably, the actuator, as in the other embodiments, is a solenoid which receives electrical command control signals from a solenoid controller (not shown) or fro a vehicles ECU. f(N>9Sf Also, preferably, as best shown in Figure 24, the selector plate 130 has a bent portion

131 so that the detent 130 axially overlaps the selector plate 130 thereby provides extra rigidity to the selector plate 130 at the location of the slot 134.

[0996] While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the w ords used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.