A magnetic brake assembly for use with a wheel rim is described. The brake assembly includes a rotor secured to rotate with the rim and a stator secured to be rotationally stationary relative to the rotor. One of the rotor and stator has an electrically conductive body and the other of the rotor and stator has a magnetic array including a plurality of magnets configured to generate a magnetic flux. An actuator is connected to at least one of the electrically conductive body and magnetic array to selectively effect a brake mode and a non-brake mode. In the brake mode, the magnetic array induces eddy currents in the electrically conductive body to generate a magnetic braking force when the rim rotates above a threshold speed and in the non-brake mode, the induced eddy currents cause a negligible or no magnetic braking force as the rim rotates above the threshold speed.

A rotational coupling device includes an armature configured for coupling to a shaft for rotation with the shaft about an axis, but axially movable relative to the shaft. An electromagnet assembly is disposed on one side of the armature and fixed against rotation. A collar is disposed on the opposite side of the armature. The collar is configured for rotation with the shaft, but fixed against axial movement relative to the shaft and includes a permanent magnet. When a current having a first polarity is provided to the electromagnet assembly, the armature moves in one axial direction into engagement with a member of the coupling device to transmit a torque between the member and the armature. The permanent magnet urges the armature in the opposite axial direction to disengage the armature from the member when the current is not provided to the electromagnet assembly.

A switchable one-way clutch includes an outer race, an inner race, a plurality of rollers, and a drag plate. The outer race has a ramped inner surface. The rollers are contactable with the outer race and the inner race. The cage is for positioning the plurality of rollers. The drag plate is rotationally engaged with the cage and frictionally engageable with the inner race. In an example embodiment, the cage has a notch and the drag plate has a tab installed in the notch to engage the drag plate to the cage. In an example embodiment, the drag plate or the inner race includes a friction material ring bonded thereto for increasing a friction coefficient between the drag plate and the inner race. In an example embodiment, the clutch has an arc spring. The outer race includes a pocket, the cage includes a tab, and the arc spring contacts the pocket and the tab to displace the cage in a first rotational direction. In an example embodiment, the inner race includes an inner splined surface.

A switchable one-way clutch includes an outer race, an inner race, a plurality of rollers, and a drag plate. The outer race has a ramped inner surface. The rollers are contactable with the outer race and the inner race. The cage is for positioning the plurality of rollers. The drag plate is rotationally engaged with the cage and frictionally engageable with the inner race. In an example embodiment, the cage has a notch and the drag plate has a tab installed in the notch to engage the drag plate to the cage. In an example embodiment, the drag plate or the inner race includes a friction material ring bonded thereto for increasing a friction coefficient between the drag plate and the inner race. In an example embodiment, the clutch has an arc spring. The outer race includes a pocket, the cage includes a tab, and the arc spring contacts the pocket and the tab to displace the cage in a first rotational direction. In an example embodiment, the inner race includes an inner splined surface.

An electrostatic clutch is described comprising a plurality of micron-scale thickness electrodes, adjacent electrodes being separated by a thin film of dielectric material. A power source and controller apply a voltage across two electrodes, causing an electrostatic force to develop. When engaged, a force can be transferred through the clutch. A tensioning device maintains the alignment of the clutch when the electrodes are disengaged, but permits movement in at least one direction. In some embodiments, multiple clutches are connected to an output to provide variable force control and a broad range of torque input and output values. Moreover, the clutch can be used as an energy-recycling actuator that captures mechanical energy from negative work movements, and returns energy during positive work movements.

An electrostatic clutch is described comprising a plurality of micron-scale thickness electrodes, adjacent electrodes being separated by a thin film of dielectric material. A power source and controller apply a voltage across two electrodes, causing an electrostatic force to develop. When engaged, a force can be transferred through the clutch. A tensioning device maintains the alignment of the clutch when the electrodes are disengaged, but permits movement in at least one direction. In some embodiments, multiple clutches are connected to an output to provide variable force control and a broad range of torque input and output values. Moreover, the clutch can be used as an energy-recycling actuator that captures mechanical energy from negative work movements, and returns energy during positive work movements.

The present disclosure discloses a vehicle two-power-source dual driving assembly, wherein, the vehicle two-power-source dual driving assembly comprises two sets of driving units that are symmetrically arranged, the two sets of driving units connect to a same set of vehicle axle half shafts, each of the sets of driving units is provided with a power source and an automatic transmission, and each of the automatic transmissions connects to one of the vehicle axle half shafts. The automatic transmission is provided therein with an input shaft, an intermediate shaft and an output shaft that are parallel, the input shaft, the intermediate shaft and the output shaft are provided thereon with multistage gears with different transmission ratios, the power source connects to the input shaft, and the output shaft connects to a left half shaft or a right half shaft of the vehicle axle half shaft. The present disclosure can realize transmission of two speed ratios, with flexible transmission modes, which shortens the axial size of the driving assembly, which cannot only satisfy the acceleration capability and climbing ability of the vehicle but also satisfy the demand on high vehicle speed.

An electromagnetic actuating device includes a pole tube that is substantially cylindrical overall, an armature situated radially inside the pole tube, and an electromagnetic coil situated radially outside the pole tube, the pole tube having a first axial end and a second axial end. The pole tube is configured as a sleeve that is stamped and is brought into its shape by reshaping, the sleeve having, close to its first axial end, openings that extend in the circumferential direction.

An electrostatic clutch is described comprising a plurality of micron-scale thickness electrodes, adjacent electrodes being separated by a thin film of dielectric material. A power source and controller apply a voltage across two electrodes, causing an electrostatic force to develop. When engaged, a force can be transferred through the clutch. A tensioning device maintains the alignment of the clutch when the electrodes are disengaged, but permits movement in at least one direction. In some embodiments, multiple clutches are connected to an output to provide variable force control and a broad range of torque input and output values. Moreover, the clutch can be used as an energy-recycling actuator that captures mechanical energy from negative work movements, and returns energy during positive work movements.

An electrostatic clutch is described comprising a plurality of micron-scale thickness electrodes, adjacent electrodes being separated by a thin film of dielectric material. A power source and controller apply a voltage across two electrodes, causing an electrostatic force to develop. When engaged, a force can be transferred through the clutch. A tensioning device maintains the alignment of the clutch when the electrodes are disengaged, but permits movement in at least one direction. In some embodiments, multiple clutches are connected to an output to provide variable force control and a broad range of torque input and output values. Moreover, the clutch can be used as an energy-recycling actuator that captures mechanical energy from negative work movements, and returns energy during positive work movements.