A clutch unit, which transmits an operational force input to an operating lever to an output shaft member via an input-side clutch and an output-side clutch and outputs the operational force to a vehicle seat, includes a rotation suppressing member is provided which applies a rotational resistance force larger than a co-rotating force to between an input-side outer-ring member and a housing which is not rotated at a time of the returning operation of the operating lever, so as to suppress that the input-side outer-ring member is co-rotated by an input-side inner-ring member of the input-side clutch at the time of the returning operation of the operating lever.

A clutch assembly includes an inner hub, an outer hub, a roller bearing, and a control collar. The inner hub includes a cam surface having a peak and a bottom. The roller bearing is interposed between the inner and outer hub and coupled to the inner hub at a predetermined position relative to the peak. In a locked position, the roller bearing is proximate the peak, wherein rotation of the inner hub relative to the outer hub is inhibited in a locked direction. In the unlocked position, the roller bearing is disposed a greater distance from the peak relative to the locked position, wherein rotation of the inner hub relative to the outer hub is not inhibited in the locked direction.

A clutch assembly includes an inner hub, an outer hub, a roller bearing, and a control collar. The inner hub includes a cam surface having a peak and a bottom. The roller bearing is interposed between the inner and outer hub and coupled to the inner hub at a predetermined position relative to the peak. In a locked position, the roller bearing is proximate the peak, wherein rotation of the inner hub relative to the outer hub is inhibited in a locked direction. In the unlocked position, the roller bearing is disposed a greater distance from the peak relative to the locked position, wherein rotation of the inner hub relative to the outer hub is not inhibited in the locked direction.

A clutch, including: inner and outer races; a wedge plate; an electromagnetic actuator including a coil and an attenuating circuit. The coil is arranged to be energized by a power source to switch the wedge clutch between: a locked mode in which the inner and races are locked in a circumferential direction and a free-wheel mode in which the inner race is rotatable with respect to the outer race in the circumferential direction. The attenuating circuit includes a capacitor parallel with the coil and a switch wired to the capacitor. During the free-wheel mode: the switch is arranged to connect the capacitor to an electrical ground; and the electrical power source is arranged to energize the coil and charge the capacitor with a voltage. Following initiation of the locked mode: the switch isolates the capacitor from the electrical ground; and the capacitor discharges the voltage through the coil.

A clutch, including: inner and outer races; a wedge plate; an electromagnetic actuator including a coil and an attenuating circuit. The coil is arranged to be energized by a power source to switch the wedge clutch between: a locked mode in which the inner and races are locked in a circumferential direction and a free-wheel mode in which the inner race is rotatable with respect to the outer race in the circumferential direction. The attenuating circuit includes a capacitor parallel with the coil and a switch wired to the capacitor. During the free-wheel mode: the switch is arranged to connect the capacitor to an electrical ground; and the electrical power source is arranged to energize the coil and charge the capacitor with a voltage. Following initiation of the locked mode: the switch isolates the capacitor from the electrical ground; and the capacitor discharges the voltage through the coil.

A clutch assembly includes an inner hub, an outer hub, a roller bearing, and a control collar. The inner hub includes a cam surface having a peak and a bottom. The roller bearing is interposed between the inner and outer hub and coupled to the inner hub at a predetermined position relative to the peak. In a locked position, the roller bearing is proximate the peak, wherein rotation of the inner hub relative to the outer hub is inhibited in a locked direction. In the unlocked position, the roller bearing is disposed a greater distance from the peak relative to the locked position, wherein rotation of the inner hub relative to the outer hub is not inhibited in the locked direction.

A clutch assembly includes an inner hub, an outer hub, a roller bearing, and a control collar. The inner hub includes a cam surface having a peak and a bottom. The roller bearing is interposed between the inner and outer hub and coupled to the inner hub at a predetermined position relative to the peak. In a locked position, the roller bearing is proximate the peak, wherein rotation of the inner hub relative to the outer hub is inhibited in a locked direction. In the unlocked position, the roller bearing is disposed a greater distance from the peak relative to the locked position, wherein rotation of the inner hub relative to the outer hub is not inhibited in the locked direction.

A clutch assembly for selectively transmitting torque between an engine and a torque converter is provided. A first plate is non-rotatably connected to a torque converter cover. A second plate is configured to receive a torque input from an engine. A wedge clutch is disposed axially between the first and second plates and is configured to selectively transfer torque between the first plate and the second plate. The wedge clutch includes wedge segments that are configured to collectively radially expand and contract to selectively transfer torque between the first plate and the second plate.

A wedge clutch includes first and second races supported for rotation about a common axis. The first race defines a cam surface and circumferentially arranged pockets recessed into the cam surface. A wedge element is formed of circumferentially arranged wedges each having an ear disposed in one of the pockets. Resilient members are disposed in the pockets and act between the ears to bias the wedge element to a contracted position in which the wedge elements collectively contract towards the axis and the clutch is engaged. A cage is axial movable towards the wedge element to engage with the ears to compress the resilient members and move the wedge element to an expanded position in which the wedge elements collectively expand away from the axis and the clutch is disengaged.

A wedge clutch includes first and second races supported for rotation about a common axis. The first race defines a cam surface and circumferentially arranged pockets recessed into the cam surface. A wedge element is formed of circumferentially arranged wedges each having an ear disposed in one of the pockets. Resilient members are disposed in the pockets and act between the ears to bias the wedge element to a contracted position in which the wedge elements collectively contract towards the axis and the clutch is engaged. A cage is axial movable towards the wedge element to engage with the ears to compress the resilient members and move the wedge element to an expanded position in which the wedge elements collectively expand away from the axis and the clutch is disengaged.