A ring insertion groove is formed between adjacent two of circular plates, which are made of a magnetic material and are arranged concentric with each other, and a ring, which is made of a non-magnetic material and has a larger deformation resistance in comparison to the magnetic material of the plates, is press fitted into the ring insertion groove. Thereafter, a peripheral part around an opening of the ring insertion groove is plastically flowed, so that a compression stress is left in the ring.

A method comprises providing a line-start synchronous motor. The motor has a stator, a rotor core disposed within the stator, and a motor shaft. In accordance with a step of the method, a coupling for coupling a load to the motor is provided. The coupling has a motor shaft attachment portion configured to provide substantially concentric contact around the shaft at the end of the motor shaft. The coupling has a load attachment portion configured to operatively connect to a load. In accordance with a step of the method, a load is coupled to the motor with the coupling, and driven from start to at least near synchronous speed during steady state operation of the motor with a load coupled thereto. The motor shaft attachment portion may comprise a bushing assembly with matching and opposed tapered surfaces that cooperate to secure the motor shaft attachment portion around the motor shaft.

A clutch module which includes a first rotating member including at least one strut actuation module and a second engaged member including cam surfaces thereon for engagement by said strut actuation module. The strut actuation module includes a frame with a strut pivotally movable with respect to the frame. The strut includes an engagement end and a base end including a first side and a second side thereof. A pin or post portion extends from the frame and has an insulated bobbin with an energizable coil surrounding the bobbin. A U-shaped member including a pair of actuation legs is attached to the pin member and forms a magnetic gap between the base end of the strut and peripheral ends of the legs, such that when the coil is energized the peripheral ends of the legs are polarized in a first polarity and the frame and the strut are polarized with an opposite polarity thereby biasing the strut toward the peripheral ends and pivoting the actuation end into engagement with a cam surface of the engagement member.

A joint assembly and clutch assembly for use in a vehicle. The joint assembly includes a first joint member that is drivingly connected to a second joint member by using one or more third joint members. A first shaft is drivingly connected to the first joint member. The clutch assembly includes a first clutch member, a second clutch member, and an actuation assembly that is operably configures to selectively drive the second clutch member into engagement with the first clutch member of the clutch assembly. The actuation assembly utilizes an amount of rotational force that is transmitted from the first shaft in order to transition the second clutch member into engagement with the first clutch member. At least a portion of a second shaft is drivingly connected to the second clutch member.

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 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.

A selectable one-way clutch includes: a shaft; an actuator configured to cause the shaft to perform a rectilinear motion in a shaft direction; and an arm including an operation portion configured to receive force in the shaft direction from the shaft. The shaft includes a first flange and a second flange. An engaged state and a released state the selectable one-way clutch are switched by an operation of the arm by the rectilinear motion of the shaft, in an assembled state of the shaft and the arm in which the operation portion is arranged between the first flange and the second flange. The first flange is provided with a cut portion in an outer peripheral edge of the first shaft. The shaft has a structure in which the first flange does not face the operation portion in the shaft direction by the cut portion of the first flange.

A selectable one-way clutch includes: a shaft; an actuator configured to cause the shaft to perform a rectilinear motion in a shaft direction; and an arm including an operation portion configured to receive force in the shaft direction from the shaft. The shaft includes a first flange and a second flange. An engaged state and a released state the selectable one-way clutch are switched by an operation of the arm by the rectilinear motion of the shaft, in an assembled state of the shaft and the arm in which the operation portion is arranged between the first flange and the second flange. The first flange is provided with a cut portion in an outer peripheral edge of the first shaft. The shaft has a structure in which the first flange does not face the operation portion in the shaft direction by the cut portion of the first flange.

A bicycle ratchet hub assembly includes a ratchet unit and a damping unit located between the hub and the socket unit. The ratchet unit has a ratchet ring in the hub. Multiple recesses are defined in the seat and each have a pawl pivotably located therein. The damping unit is located between the axle and the hub, and includes a damping member which has slots defined therein. A pin protrudes from each of the pawls and movably extends through the corresponding slot. By the damping feature of the damping member, the damping member delays a period of time to begin to rotate, and the pins of the pawls move in the slots and the pawls are pivoted outward to be engaged with the ratchet teeth of the ratchet unit without using any resilient part. A magnetic driving device located in the hub to attract the pawls to be pivoted outward.

A bicycle ratchet hub assembly includes a ratchet unit and a damping unit located between the hub and the socket unit. The ratchet unit has a ratchet ring in the hub. Multiple recesses are defined in the seat and each have a pawl pivotably located therein. The damping unit is located between the axle and the hub, and includes a damping member which has slots defined therein. A pin protrudes from each of the pawls and movably extends through the corresponding slot. By the damping feature of the damping member, the damping member delays a period of time to begin to rotate, and the pins of the pawls move in the slots and the pawls are pivoted outward to be engaged with the ratchet teeth of the ratchet unit without using any resilient part. A magnetic driving device located in the hub to attract the pawls to be pivoted outward.