CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Non-Provisional Application No. 17/069,283 filed October 13, 2020, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a rocker clutch switchable between a one-way mode and a locked mode.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Known ratcheting clutch can lack desired functionality.

SUMMARY

[0004] According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a two-mode rocker clutch, including: a clutch gear supported for rotation around an axis of rotation; a housing; a first pawl including an end and a portion disposed within the housing; an actuation assembly; a second pawl including a portion disposed within the housing; and a resilient element urging the second pawl into contact with the clutch gear. For a one-way mode of the two-mode rocker clutch, the clutch gear is rotatable, with respect to the housing, only in a first circumferential direction around the axis of rotation. To transition from the one-way mode to a locked mode of the two-mode rocker clutch: the second pawl blocks rotation of the clutch gear, with respect to the housing, in a second circumferential direction, opposite the first circumferential direction; the actuation assembly is arranged to pivot the first pawl into contact with the clutch gear; and the end of the first pawl is arranged to block rotation of the clutch gear, with respect to the housing, in the first circumferential direction.

[0005] According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a two-mode rocker clutch, including: a clutch gear supported for rotation around an axis of rotation; a housing; a first pawl including an end and a portion disposed withing the housing; a second pawl free of contact with the first pawl and including a portion disposed within the housing; a first resilient element; and a second resilient element urging the second pawl into contact with the clutch gear. In a one- way mode of the two-mode clutch: the clutch gear is rotatable, with respect to the housing, only in first circumferential direction around the axis of rotation; and 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. In a locked mode of the two-mode rocker clutch, rotation of the clutch gear, with respect to the housing, is blocked by the first pawl and the second pawl. To transition from the one-way mode to the locked mode, the first resilient element is arranged to pivot the first pawl into contact with the clutch gear.

[0006] According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a method of operating a two-mode rocker clutch including a clutch gear, a housing, a first pawl at least partially disposed in the housing, a first resilient element, a second pawl at least partially disposed in the housing, and a second resilient element at least partially disposed in the housing, method comprising: displacing, with the first resilient element, the first pawl out of contact with the clutch gear; displacing, with the second resilient element, an end of the second pawl into contact with the clutch gear; blocking, with the second pawl, rotation of the clutch gear, with respect to the housing, in a first circumferential direction around an axis of rotation of the clutch gear; and rotating the clutch gear, with respect to the housing, in a second circumferential direction, opposite the first 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 two-mode rocker clutch;

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

Figure 3 is an exploded view of the two-mode rocker clutch shown in Figure 1 without a clutch gear;

Figure 4 is a view of the two-mode rocker clutch shown in Figure 1 with a side panel removed and in a one-way mode; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the two-mode rocker clutch shown in Figure 1 with the side panel removed and in a locked mode; and

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the two-mode rocker clutch shown in Figure 1 with the side panel removed and in a transition between the one-way mode and the locked mode.

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 two-mode rocker clutch 100.

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

[0013] Figure 3 is an exploded view of two-mode rocker clutch 100 shown in Figure 1 without a clutch gear. The following should be viewed in light of Figures 1 through 3. Two-mode rocker clutch 100 includes: clutch gear 102 supported for rotation around axis of rotation AR; housing 104; pawl 106; actuation assembly 108; pawl 110; and resilient element 112. Pawl 106 includes end 114, end 115, and portion 116. End 115 and portion 116 are disposed in cavity 118 bounded by housing 104. Pawl 110 includes end 120 and portion 122 disposed in cavity 124 bounded by housing 104. Resilient element 112 urges pawl 110 in direction D1 around axis of pawl 110 and into contact with clutch gear 102. Pawl 106 is free of contact with pawl 110. [0014] Clutch gear 102 includes radially outwardly extending teeth 126. Each tooth 126 includes: surface 128 facing in circumferential direction CD1 around axis of rotation AR; and surface 130 facing in circumferential direction CD2, opposite direction CD1. In the example of Figure 1, housing 104 includes side panel 132, side panel 134, and central panel 136. Actuation assembly 108 includes solenoid 138, resilient element 140, and resilient element 142. Elements 140 and 142 are located within housing 104. In an example embodiment: two-mode rocker clutch 100 includes shuttle link 144 with tab 146 and portion 148 in contact with pawl 110 and resilient elements 140 and 142. Pawl 106 is disposed in slot 150 of shuttle link 144.

[0015] Figure 4 is a view of two-mode rocker clutch 100 shown in Figure 1 with side panel 134 removed and in a one-way mode. The following should be viewed in light of Figures 1 through

4. For the one-way mode of two-mode rocker clutch 100: clutch gear 102 is rotatable, with respect to housing 104, only in circumferential direction CD2; pawl 110 blocks rotation of clutch gear 102, with respect to housing 104, in direction CD1; and pawl 106 is free of contact with clutch gear 102. For example: as clutch gear 102 rotates in direction CD2, pawl 110 passes over teeth 126 without contacting surfaces 128, enabling continued rotation of clutch gear 102 in direction CD2; and as clutch gear 102 rotates in direction CD1, with respect to housing 104, end 120 of pawl 110 contacts surface 128 of a tooth 126 to block further rotation of clutch gear 102, with respect to housing 104 and in direction CD1, around axis of rotation AR.

[0016] Figure 5 is a view of two-mode rocker clutch 100 shown in Figure 1 with side panel 134 removed and in a locked mode. The following should be viewed in light of Figures 1 through

5. For the locked mode of two-mode rocker clutch 100: pawl 106 contacts surface 130 of a tooth 126 to block rotation of clutch gear 102, with respect to housing 104, in direction CD2; and pawl 110 contacts surface 128 of a tooth 126 to block rotation of clutch gear 102, with respect to housing 104, in direction CD1.

[0017] Figure 6 is a view of two-mode rocker clutch 100 shown in Figure 1 with side panel 134 removed and in a transition between the one-way mode and the locked mode. The following should be viewed in light of Figures 1 through 6. In the example of Figure 1, to transition from the one-way mode of Figure 4 to the locked mode of Figure 5, actuation assembly 108 is arranged to pivot pawl 106 in direction D2 around axis A2 of pawl 106 so that end 114 contacts clutch gear 102. For example: solenoid 138 displaces plunger 152 of solenoid 138 in direction D3; plunger 152 compresses resilient element 140 and displaces resilient element 140 in direction D3; resilient element 140 displaces shuttle link 144 in direction D3; and shuttle link 144 compresses resilient element 142, and pivots pawl 106 in direction D2 so that end 114 contacts a surface 130 for rotational torque T1 applied to clutch gear 102 in direction CD2. Resilient element 112 continues to urge pawl 110 in direction DI so that end 120 contacts a surface 128 for rotational torque T2 applied to clutch gear 102 in direction CD1.

[0018] Pawl 110 is pivotable around axis Al and pawl 106 is pivotable around axis A2. To transition from the locked mode of Figure 5 to the one-way mode of Figure 4, actuation assembly 108 is arranged to pivot pawl 106 in direction D4 around axis A2 of pawl 106 so that end 114 breaks contact with clutch gear 102. For example: solenoid 138 displaces plunger 152 of solenoid 138 in direction D5, opposite direction D3; resilient element 142 displaces shuttle link 144 in direction D5; shuttle link 144 pivots pawl 106 in direction D4; and shuttle link 144 compresses resilient element 140. Resilient element 112 continues to urge pawl 110 in direction DI so that end 120 contacts a surface 128 for rotational torque T2 applied to clutch gear 102 in direction CD1.

[0019] In the example of Figure 1, two-mode rocker clutch 100 includes: alignment pins 154 arranged to mount clutch 100, for example to a fixed component of a transmission (not shown); pins 156 connecting panels 132, 134, and 136; channels 158 for venting oil from cavity 118; and solenoid position sensor 160.

[0020] The following should be viewed in light of Figures 1 through 6. The following describes a method for operating a two-mode rocker clutch including a clutch gear, a housing, a first pawl at least partially disposed in the housing, a first resilient element, a second pawl at least partially disposed in the housing, and a second resilient element at least partially disposed in the housing. A first step displaces, with the first resilient element, the first pawl out of contact with the clutch gear. A second step displaces, with the second resilient element, an end of the second pawl into contact with the clutch gear. A third step blocks, with the second pawl, rotation of the clutch gear, with respect to the housing, in a first circumferential direction around an axis of rotation of the clutch gear. A fourth step receives a first rotational torque in a second circumferential direction, opposite the first circumferential direction. A fifth step rotates the clutch gear, with respect to the housing, in the second circumferential direction. [0021] In an example embodiment, the two-mode rocker clutch includes a solenoid and: a sixth step displaces, with the solenoid, the first pawl into contact with the clutch gear; a seventh step blocks, with the first pawl, rotation of the clutch gear, with respect to the housing in the second circumferential direction.

[0022] In an example embodiment, the two-mode rocker clutch includes a third resilient element disposed between the solenoid and the first pawl, and displacing, with the solenoid, the first pawl into contact with the clutch gear includes: displacing, with the solenoid, the third resilient element; displacing, with the third resilient element, the first pawl into contact with the clutch gear; and compressing the first resilient element.

[0023] The novel configuration of two-mode rocker clutch 100 combines an always engaged one-way mode, using pawl 110 and resilient element 112, with pawl 106, controllable via actuation assembly 108, to provide a ratcheting clutch switchable between a one-way mode and a locked mode.

[0024] 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 110

A2 axis, pawl 106

AR axis of rotation

CD1 circumferential direction

CD2 circumferential direction

DI direction, axis A1

D2 direction, axis A2

D3 direction

D4 direction, axis A2

D5 direction

T1 rotational torque

T2 rotational torque

100 two-mode rocker clutch

102 clutch gear

104 housing

106 pawl

108 actuation assembly

110 pawl

112 resilient element

114 end, pawl 106

115 end, pawl 106

116 portion, pawl 106

118 cavity

120 end, pawl 110

122 portion, pawl 110

124 cavity

126 tooth 128 surface, tooth

130 surface, tooth

132 panel, housing

134 panel, housing 136 panel, housing

138 solenoid

140 resilient element

142 resilient element

144 shuttle link 146 tab, shuttle link

148 portion, shuttle link

150 slot, shuttle link

152 plunger, solenoid

154 alignment pin 156 pin

158 channel

160 solenoid position sensor