A method to estimate an amount of force in a clutch pack of a clutch actuation system. The method includes engaging an actuation motor to apply a set point force to the clutch pack and monitoring a position of the actuation motor when the set point force is applied. Additionally, the method includes determining one or more clutch clamping curves and one or more clutch releasing curves based on a relationship between the position of the actuation motor and an amount of torque applied by the actuation motor at position of the actuation motor. The method further includes modeling one or more frictional characteristics of the clutch actuation system and estimating an amount of clamping and releasing force within the clutch pack by using a control unit. The amount of torque applied to the clutch pack between the clutch clamping and releasing curves at the set point force is maintained.

A driving force transmission mechanism includes a worm gear unit as a brake disposed between a driving motor and an electrically driven input gear, and is configured such that when a driving force is applied from the driving motor to the electrically driven input gear through the worm gear unit, an outer ring which rotates together with the electrically driven input gear becomes locked to an inner ring through rollers so that the driving force is transmitted to an output gear, which rotates together with the inner ring, and when a driving force is applied to a manually driven input shaft, the outer ring and the inner ring are unlocked from each other by an unlocking piece which rotates together with the manually driven input shaft, and thereafter, the driving force is transmitted to the inner ring and the output shaft.

A system comprises a drive system comprising a single motor, a transmission configured to transmit power from the single motor to a first ball screw via a first clutch, and a second clutch configured to transmit power from the first ball screw to a second ball screw. The system also comprises a brake configured to apply a braking force to at least a portion of the drive system. The system further comprises a control module configured to control operation of one or more of the single motor, the first clutch, the second clutch, and the brake, where the control module is configured to move a scissors arms in a horizontal direction in a first configuration and adjust a vertical height of the scissors arms in a second configuration.

A system comprises a drive system comprising a single motor, a transmission configured to transmit power from the single motor to a first ball screw via a first clutch, and a second clutch configured to transmit power from the first ball screw to a second ball screw. The system also comprises a brake configured to apply a braking force to at least a portion of the drive system. The system further comprises a control module configured to control operation of one or more of the single motor, the first clutch, the second clutch, and the brake, where the control module is configured to move a scissors arms in a horizontal direction in a first configuration and adjust a vertical height of the scissors arms in a second configuration.

An electronic self-locking connect and disconnect system for vehicles. The system includes a motor which turns a gear that meshes with a ring gear contained within a housing. The ring gear meshes with a lead screw thread on an outer surface of a lead screw. When the motor is activated the ring gear rotates the lead screw thread which selectively engages or disengages the clutch. A groove extends on the outer surface of and transverse to the lead screw thread. A pin extends radially inward from an inner surface of the housing till part of the pin is located within the groove. When the pin contacts a radial wall of the groove it prevents further rotation of the lead screw which prevents the stub shaft from axially moving beyond predetermined points. A spring and a sliding collar may be utilized to accommodate full motor travel regardless of the clutch state.

A gear shifting device is provided, by which an axial shift movement of a shift element into a shift position through interaction of a shift pin with an associated groove-like shift gate that is changeable in an axial direction. The shift element features, on an inner diameter and/or an outer diameter, the associated shift gate, while the respective shift pin is arranged in a radially opposite and displaceable manner on a transmission component adjacent to the shift element. As an alternative, the shift element, on an inner diameter and/or an outer diameter, accommodates the respective shift pin in a radially displaceable manner, whereas the associated shift gate for the respective shift gate is arranged to be radially opposite on a transmission component located adjacent to the shift element. The shift pin is movable through an associated actuator in a radial manner between an initial position and a mesh position in which each shift pin is introduced into the associated shift gate.

A clutch actuator assembly includes a motor that is arranged in an actuator housing, a gear train that couples the motor and an output shaft, an actuator lever that is affixed to the output shaft and includes a profile that has first and second features that respectively correspond to first and second positions, a detent that cooperates with the profile and is configured to retain the actuator lever in one of the first and second positions, and a pawl that is operatively connected to the actuator lever and is configured to selectively engage with a clutch component in response to movement of the actuator lever between the first and second positions.

A clutch actuator assembly includes a motor that is arranged in an actuator housing, a gear train that couples the motor and an output shaft, an actuator lever that is affixed to the output shaft and includes a profile that has first and second features that respectively correspond to first and second positions, a detent that cooperates with the profile and is configured to retain the actuator lever in one of the first and second positions, and a pawl that is operatively connected to the actuator lever and is configured to selectively engage with a clutch component in response to movement of the actuator lever between the first and second positions.

Disclosed are engine flexplates with integrated engine disconnects, methods for making and for using such flexplates, and motor vehicles with an engine flexplate having an integrated engine disconnect device. An engine flexplate assembly is disclosed for operatively coupling an engine to a hydrokinetic torque converter. The flexplate assembly includes a disk-shaped body with a central hub that rigidly attaches on the fore side thereof to the engine output shaft for common rotation therewith. A disconnect device, which is positioned on the aft side of the disk-shaped body, includes concentric inner and outer races. The outer race is rigidly attached to the disk-shaped body for common rotation therewith. The inner race rigidly attaches to the front cover of the TC housing for common rotation therewith. The disconnect device operatively disconnects the engine output shaft from the TC housing front cover when a torque transmitted therebetween reverses direction.

Disclosed are engine flexplates with integrated engine disconnects, methods for making and for using such flexplates, and motor vehicles with an engine flexplate having an integrated engine disconnect device. An engine flexplate assembly is disclosed for operatively coupling an engine to a hydrokinetic torque converter. The flexplate assembly includes a disk-shaped body with a central hub that rigidly attaches on the fore side thereof to the engine output shaft for common rotation therewith. A disconnect device, which is positioned on the aft side of the disk-shaped body, includes concentric inner and outer races. The outer race is rigidly attached to the disk-shaped body for common rotation therewith. The inner race rigidly attaches to the front cover of the TC housing for common rotation therewith. The disconnect device operatively disconnects the engine output shaft from the TC housing front cover when a torque transmitted therebetween reverses direction.