CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Non-Provisional Application No. 17/160,576 filed January 28, 2021, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a four-mode rocker clutch.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Known ratcheting clutch can lack desired functionality.

SUMMARY

[0004] According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a four-mode rocker clutch, including: a clutch gear supported for rotation around an axis of rotation; a housing; a first pawl including a portion disposed within the housing; a first actuator; a second pawl including a portion disposed within the housing; and a first resilient element. For a first one-way mode of the four-mode rocker clutch: the first actuator is arranged to hold the first pawl in contact with the clutch gear; the first pawl is arranged to block rotation of the clutch gear, with respect to the housing, in a first circumferential direction around an axis of rotation; and the first resilient element is arranged to hold the second pawl out of contact with the clutch gear.

[0005] According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a four-mode rocker clutch, including: a clutch gear supported for rotation around an axis of rotation; a housing; a first pawl including a first portion disposed within the housing; a first actuator; a first resilient element; a second pawl including a second portion disposed within the housing; a second actuator; and a second resilient element. For a first one-way mode of the four-mode rocker clutch: the first actuator is arranged to hold the first pawl in contact with the clutch gear; the first pawl is arranged to block rotation of the clutch gear, with respect to the housing, in a first circumferential direction; and the first resilient element is arranged to hold the second pawl out of contact with the clutch gear. To shift to a second one-way mode of the four-mode rocker clutch: the second actuator is arranged to pivot the second pawl into contact with the clutch gear; the second pawl is arranged to block rotation of the clutch gear, with respect to the housing, in a second circumferential direction, opposite the first circumferential direction; and the second resilient element is arranged to pivot the first pawl out of contact with the clutch gear.

[0006] According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a method of operating a four-mode rocker clutch including a housing, a clutch gear, a first pawl with a portion within the housing, and a second pawl with a portion within the housing. The method includes: holding, with a first resilient element, the first pawl out of contact with the clutch gear; holding, with a first actuator, the second pawl in contact with the clutch gear; blocking, with the second pawl, rotation of the clutch gear, with respectto the housing, in a first circumferential direction around an axis of rotation; rotating the clutch gear, with respect to the housing, in a second circumferential direction, opposite the first circumferential direction; pivoting, with a second resilient element, the second pawl out of contact with the clutch gear; pivoting with a second actuator, the first pawl into contact with the clutch gear; rotating the clutch gear, with respect to the housing, in the second circumferential direction; and blocking, with the first pawl, rotation of the clutch gear, with respect to the housing, in the second circumferential direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Various embodiments are disclosed, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts, in which:

Figure 1 is a front view of a four-mode rocker clutch in a clock-wise one-way mode;

Figure 2 is a rear view of the four-mode rocker clutch shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a front isometric view of the four-mode rocker clutch shown in Figure

1 with a clutch gear removed;

Figure 4 is a rear isometric view of the four-mode rocker clutch shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a front exploded view of the four-mode rocker clutch shown in Figure

3; Figure 6 is a front view of the four-mode rocker clutch shown Figure 1 with a side panel removed;

Figure 7 is a rear view of the four-mode rocker clutch shown Figure 1 with a side panel removed;

Figure 8 is a front view of the four-mode rocker clutch shown Figure 1 in a counter clock-wise one-way mode, with the side panel removed;

Figure 9 is a rear view of the four-mode rocker clutch shown Figure 8 with the side panel removed;

Figure 10 is a front view of the four-mode rocker clutch shown Figure 1 in a disconnect mode, with the side panel removed;

Figure 11 is a rear view of the four-mode rocker clutch shown Figure 10 with the side panel removed;

Figure 12 is a front view of the four-mode rocker clutch shown Figure 1 in a locked mode, with the side panel removed;

Figure 13 is a rear view of the four-mode rocker clutch shown Figure 12 with the side panel removed; and

Figure 14 is a front view of the four-mode rocker clutch shown Figure 1 in a process of shifting between modes, with the side panel removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0008] At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers on different drawing views identify identical, or functionally similar, structural elements of the disclosure. It is to be understood that the disclosure as claimed is not limited to the disclosed aspects.

[0009] Furthermore, it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to the particular methodology, materials and modifications described and as such may, of course, vary. It is also understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. [0010] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It should be understood that any methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the disclosure.

[0011] Figure 1 is a front view of four-mode rocker clutch 100 in a clock-wise one-way mode.

[0012] Figure 2 is a rear view of four-mode rocker clutch 100 shown in Figure 1.

[0013] Figure 3 is a front isometric view of four-mode rocker clutch 100 shown in Figure

1 with a clutch gear removed.

[0014] Figure 4 is a rear isometric view of four-mode rocker clutch 100 shown in Figure

3.

[0015] Figure 5 is a front exploded view of four-mode rocker clutch 100 shown in Figure

3. The following should be viewed in light of Figures 1 through 5. In the example of Figure 1, four- mode rocker clutch 100 includes: clutch gear 102 supported for rotation around axis of rotation

AR; housing 104; pawl 106; pawl 108; actuator 110; actuator 112; resilient element 114 located within housing 104; and resilient element 116 located within housing 104.

[0016] Figure 6 is a front view of four-mode rocker clutch 100 shown Figure 1 with a side panel removed.

[0017] Figure 7 is a rear view of four-mode rocker clutch 100 shown Figure 1 with a side panel removed. The following should be viewed in light of Figures 1 through 7. In the example of

Figure 1, housing 104 includes side panels 118 and 120 and center panel 122. Pawl 106 includes end 124, end 126, and portion 128. Pawl 108 includes end 130, end 132, and portion 134. End

126 and portion 128 are disposed in cavity 136 bounded by housing 104. End 130 and portion

134 are disposed in cavity 138 bounded by housing 104.

[0018] In the clock-wise one-way mode rotation of clutch gear 102, with respect to housing 104, in circumferential direction CD1 is enabled. In the clock-wise one-way mode: actuator 110 is arranged to hold pawl 106 in contact with clutch gear 102; pawl 106 is arranged to block rotation of clutch gear 102, with respect to housing 104, in circumferential direction

CD2; and resilient element 116 is arranged to hold pawl 108 out of contact with clutch gear 102.

[0019] Figure 8 is a front view of four-mode rocker clutch 100 shown Figure 1 in a counter clock-wise one-way mode, with side panel 118 removed.

[0020] Figure 9 is a rear view of four-mode rocker clutch 100 shown Figure 8 with side panel 120 removed. The following should be viewed in light of Figures 1 through 9. In the counter clock-wise one-way mode, rotation of clutch gear 102, with respect to housing 104, in circumferential direction CD2 is enabled. In the counter clock-wise one-way mode: actuator 112 is arranged to hold pawl 108 in contact with clutch gear 102; pawl 108 is arranged to block rotation of clutch gear 102, with respect to housing 104, in circumferential direction CD1; and resilient element 114 is arranged to hold pawl 106 out of contact with clutch gear 102.

[0021] In the example of Figure 1, four-mode rocker clutch 100 includes: resilient element

140; resilient element 142; shuttle link 144; and shuttle line 146, all of which are located within housing 104. Shuttle link 144 is directly engaged with: end 126 of pawl 106; and resilient elements 114 and 140. Shuttle link 146 is directly engaged with: end 130 of pawl 108; and resilient elements 116 and 142. By "directly engaged with" we mean the shuttle link and the resilient elements are in direct contact or are each in direct contact with mechanically solid components, such as a caps, located between the shuttle link and the resilient elements.

[0022] In the example of Figure 1, clutch gear 102 includes teeth 148. Each tooth 148 includes surface 150 facing in circumferential direction CD1 and surface 152 facing in circumferential direction CD2. In the example of Figure 1, actuators 110 and 112 are each a solenoid with pin 154 and pin 156, respectively. In the clock-wise one-way mode, solenoid 110 is energized to displace pin 154 in direction D1 and solenoid 112 is de-energized. In the counter clock-wise one-way mode, solenoid 112 is energized to displace pin 156 in direction D2 and solenoid 110 is de-energized.

[0023] To shift from the counter clock-wise one-way mode to the clock-wise one-way mode: actuator 112 is de-energized; resilient element 116 displaces shuttle link 146 in direction

D3; shuttle link 146 displaces resilient element 142 and pin 156 in direction D3, and pivots pawl 108 in direction D4 around pivot axis A1 of pawl 108; end 132 of pawl 108 pivots out of contact with clutch gear 102, in particular with a surface 150; actuator 110 is energized to displace pin

154 in direction D1; pin 154 displaces resilient element 140 in direction D1; resilient element 140 displaces shuttle link 144 in direction D1; shuttle link 144 compresses resilient element 114 and pivots pawl 106 in direction D5 around pivot axis A2 of pawl 106; end 124 pivots into contact with clutch gear 154, in particular a surface 152 to block rotation of clutch gear 102, with respect to housing 104, in circumferential direction CD2.

[0024] To shift from the clock-wise one-way mode to the counter clock-wise one-way mode: actuator 110 is de-energized; resilient element 114 displaces shuttle link 144 in direction

D6; shuttle link 144 displaces resilient element 140 and pin 154 in direction D6, and pivots pawl

106 in direction D7 around pivot axis A2; end 124 of pawl 106 pivots out of contact with clutch gear 102, in particular with a surface 152; actuator 112 is energized to displace pin 156 in direction D2; pin 156 displaces resilient element 142 in direction D2; resilient element 142 displaces shuttle link 146 in direction D2; shuttle link 146 compresses resilient element 116 and pivots pawl 108 in direction D8 around pivot axis A1 of pawl 108; end 132 pivots into contact with clutch gear 154, in particular a surface 150 to block rotation of clutch gear 102, with respect to housing 104, in circumferential direction CD1.

[0025] Figure 10 is a front view of four-mode rocker clutch 100 shown Figure 1 in a disconnect mode, with side panel 118 removed.

[0026] Figure 11 is a rear view of four-mode rocker clutch 100 shown Figure 10 with side panel 120 removed. The following should be viewed in light of Figures 1 through 11. In the disconnect mode: resilient element 114 is arranged to hold pawl 106 out of contact with clutch gear 102; and resilient element 116 is arranged to hold pawl 108 out of contact with clutch gear

102.

[0027] To shift from the clockwise one-way mode to the disconnect mode: actuator 110 is de-energized; resilient element 114 displaces shuttle link 144 in direction D6; shuttle link 144 displaces resilient element 140 and pin 154 in direction D6, and pivots pawl 106 in direction D7 around pivot axis A2; end 124 of pawl 106 pivots out of contact with clutch gear 102, in particular with a surface 152. To shift from the counter clock-wise one-way mode to the disconnect mode: actuator 112 is de-energized; resilient element 116 displaces shuttle link 146 in direction D3; shuttle link 146 displaces resilient element 142 and pin 156 in direction D3, and pivots pawl 108 in direction D4 around pivot axis A1 of pawl 108; end 132 of pawl 108 pivots out of contact with clutch gear 102, in particular with a surface 150.

[0028] To shift from the disconnect mode to the clockwise one-way mode: actuator 110 is energized to displace pin 154 in direction D1; pin 154 displaces resilient element 140 in direction D1; resilient element 140 displaces shuttle link 144 in direction D1; shuttle link 144 compresses resilient element 114 and pivots pawl 106 in direction D5 around pivot axis A2 of pawl 106; end 124 pivots into contact with clutch gear 154, in particular a surface 152 to block rotation of clutch gear 102, with respect to housing 104, in circumferential direction CD2. To shift from the disconnect mode to the counter clock-wise mode: actuator 112 is energized to displace pin 156 in direction D2; pin 156 displaces resilient element 142 in direction D2; resilient element

142 displaces shuttle link 146 in direction D2; shuttle link 146 compresses resilient element 116 and pivots pawl 108 in direction D8 around pivot axis A1 of pawl 108; end 132 pivots into contact with clutch gear 154, in particular a surface 150 to block rotation of clutch gear 102, with respect to housing 104, in circumferential direction CD1.

[0029] Figure 12 is a front view of four-mode rocker clutch 100 shown Figure 1 in a locked mode, with side panel 118 removed.

[0030] Figure 13 is a rear view of four-mode rocker clutch 100 shown Figure 12 with side panel 120 removed. The following should be viewed in light of Figures 1 through 13. For the locked mode: actuator 110 is arranged to hold pawl 106 in contact with clutch gear 102; pawl

106 is arranged to block rotation of clutch gear 102, with respect to housing 104, in circumferential direction CD2; actuator 112 is arranged to hold pawl 108 in contact with clutch gear 102; and pawl 108 is arranged to block rotation of clutch gear 102, with respect to housing

104, in circumferential direction CD1.

[0031] To shift from the clockwise one-way mode to the locked mode: actuator 112 is energized; actuator 112 displaces pin 156 in direction D2; pin 156 displaces resilient element 142 in direction D2; resilient element 142 displaces shuttle link 146 in direction D2; shuttle link 146 compresses resilient element 116 and pivots pawl 108 in direction D8 around axis A1; and end

132 of pawl 108 pivots into contact with gear 102, in particular with a surface 150.

[0032] To shift from the counter clockwise one-way mode to the locked mode: actuator

110 is energized; actuator 110 displaces pin 154 in direction D1; pin 154 displaces resilient element 140 in direction D1; resilient element 140 displaces shuttle link 144 in direction D1; shuttle link 144 compresses resilient element 114 and pivots pawl 106 in direction D5 around axis A2; and end 124 of pawl 106 pivots into contact with gear 102, in particular with a surface

152.

[0033] To shift from the locked mode to the clockwise one-way mode: actuator 112 is de- energized; resilient element 116 displaces shuttle link 146 in direction D3; shuttle link 146 displaces resilient element 142 and pin 156 in direction D3, and pivots pawl 108 in direction D4 around pivot axis A1 of pawl 108; end 132 of pawl 108 pivots out of contact with clutch gear 102, in particular with a surface 150. To shift from the locked mode to the counter clock-wise mode: actuator 110 is de-energized; resilient element 114 displaces shuttle link 144 in direction D6; shuttle link 144 displaces resilient element 140 and pin 154 in direction D6, and pivots pawl 106 in direction D7 around pivot axis A2; end 124 of pawl 106 pivots out of contact with clutch gear

102, in particular with a surface 152.

[0034] To shift from the locked mode to the disconnect mode: actuator 110 is de- energized; resilient element 114 displaces shuttle link 144 in direction D6; shuttle link 144 displaces resilient element 140 and pin 154 in direction D6, and pivots pawl 106 in direction D7 around pivot axis A2; end 124 of pawl 106 pivots out of contact with clutch gear 102, in particular with a surface 152; actuator 112 is de-energized; resilient element 116 displaces shuttle link 146 in direction D3; shuttle link 146 displaces resilient element 142 and pin 156 in direction D3, and pivots pawl 108 in direction D4 around pivot axis A1 of pawl 108; and end 132 of pawl 108 pivots out of contact with clutch gear 102, in particular with a surface 150. [0035] To shift from the disconnect mode to the locked mode: actuator 110 is energized to displace pin 154 in direction D1; pin 154 displaces resilient element 140 in direction D1; resilient element 140 displaces shuttle link 144 in direction D1; shuttle link 144 compresses resilient element 114 and pivots pawl 106 in direction D5 around pivot axis A2 of pawl 106; end

124 pivots into contact with clutch gear 102, in particular a surface 152 to block rotation of clutch gear 102, with respect to housing 104, in circumferential direction CD2; actuator 112 is energized to displace pin 156 in direction D2; pin 156 displaces resilient element 142 in direction D2; resilient element 142 displaces shuttle link 146 in direction D2; shuttle link 146 compresses resilient element 116 and pivots pawl 108 in direction D8 around pivot axis A1 of pawl 108; and end 132 pivots into contact with clutch gear 154, in particular a surface 150 to block rotation of clutch gear 102, with respect to housing 104, in circumferential direction CD1.

[0036] Figure 14 is a front view of four-mode rocker clutch 100 shown Figure 1 in a process of shifting between modes, with side panel 118 removed. The following should be viewed in light of Figures 1 through 14. The following are possible scenarios illustrated by Figure 14. It is understood that other scenarios are possible for four-mode rocker clutch 100.

1. Scenario one: Four-mode rocker clutch 100 was operating in the counter clock-wise one-way mode with clutch gear 102 rotating in circumferential direction CD2, and a shift to the clock-wise one-way mode has been initiated. Actuator 110 is activated to begin pivoting pawl 106 in direction D5, actuator 112 is de-energized, and resilient element 116 begins to pivot pawl 108 in direction D4. As clutch gear 102 begins to rotate in circumferential direction CD1, pawl 106 breaks contact with surface 150 of a tooth 148 and contacts outer surface 158 of a tooth 148. As clutch gear 102 continues to rotate in circumferential direction CD1: pawl 106 drops into contact with surface 152 of a tooth 148; and pawl 108 pivots in direction D4to clear clutch gear 102.

2. Scenario one: Four-mode rocker clutch 100 was operating in the clock-wise one- way mode with clutch gear 102 rotating in circumferential direction CD1, and a shift to the counter clock-wise one-way mode has been initiated and. Actuator 112 is activated to begin pivoting pawl 108 in direction D8. Actuator 110 is de-energized and resilient element 114 begins to pivot pawl 106 in direction D7. As clutch gear

102 begins to rotate in circumferential direction CD2: pawl 106 begins to lift off clutch gear 102 and contacts outer surface 158 of a tooth 148; and pawl 108 drops into contact with a tooth 148. As clutch gear 102 continues to rotate in circumferential direction CD2: pawl 108 drops into contact with surface 150 of a tooth 148; and pawl 106 pivots in direction D7 to clear clutch gear 102.

[0037] In the example of Figure 1, four-mode rocker clutch 100 includes: alignment pins

160 arranged to mount clutch 100, for example to a fixed component of a transmission (not shown); pins 162 connecting panels 118, 120, and 122; and solenoid position sensor 164.

[0038] It will be appreciated that various of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.

List of Reference Characters:

A1 axis, pawl 108

A2 axis, pawl 106

AR axis of rotation

CD1 circumferential direction

CD2 circumferential direction

D1 direction, actuator 110

D2 direction, actuator 112

D3 direction, actuator 112

D4 direction, axis A1

D5 direction, axis A2

D6 direction, actuator 110

D7 direction, axis A2

D8 direction, axis A1

100 four-mode rocker clutch

102 clutch gear

104 housing

106 pawl

108 pawl

110 actuator

112 actuator

114 resilient element

116 resilient element

118 side panel

120 side panel

122 center panel

124 end, pawl

126 end, pawl 128 portion, pawl

130 end, pawl

132 end, pawl

134 portion, pawl

136 cavity

138 cavity

140 resilient element

142 resilient element

144 shuttle link

146 shuttle link

148 tooth

150 surface, tooth

152 surface, tooth

154 pin

156 pin

158 outer surface, tooth

160 alignment pin

162 pin

164 solenoid position sensor