An electric axle is configured to selectively enable an electric motor to power a pair of drive shafts of a vehicle. The electric axle includes a planetary gearset configured to drivably couple an electric motor with first and second drive shafts coaxially arranged. The planetary gearset including a ring gear. A housing at least partially surrounds the planetary gearset and is configured to be grounded to the vehicle. A clutch is configured to selectively ground the ring gear with the housing to enable an electric motor to power the first and second drive shafts. The electric axle may include a second planetary gearset, namely a differential planetary gearset. The differential planetary gearset may include a carrier that is shared or common amongst the planetary gearset and the differential planetary gearset.

The present invention relates to a hydrostatic clutch actuator (1) for a clutch, in particular a wet clutch, of a motor vehicle, wherein the clutch actuator (1) has a drive unit (2, 3), a master cylinder-piston-cylinder unit (4, 5) driven thereby, a hydraulic reservoir (6) fluidically connected to the master cylinder-piston-cylinder unit, and a hydraulic system for actuating the clutch, wherein, by use of the master cylinder-piston-cylinder unit (4, 5), hydraulic medium can be conveyed out of the hydraulic reservoir (6) into the hydraulic system and the hydraulic system can be pressurized, and the hydraulic reservoir (6) has an overflow (10), via which hydraulic medium can be discharged from the hydraulic reservoir (6) and the hydraulic system.

The present invention relates to a hydrostatic clutch actuator (1) for a clutch, in particular a wet clutch, of a motor vehicle, wherein the clutch actuator (1) has a drive unit (2, 3), a master cylinder-piston-cylinder unit (4, 5) driven thereby, a hydraulic reservoir (6) fluidically connected to the master cylinder-piston-cylinder unit, and a hydraulic system for actuating the clutch, wherein, by use of the master cylinder-piston-cylinder unit (4, 5), hydraulic medium can be conveyed out of the hydraulic reservoir (6) into the hydraulic system and the hydraulic system can be pressurized, and the hydraulic reservoir (6) has an overflow (10), via which hydraulic medium can be discharged from the hydraulic reservoir (6) and the hydraulic system.

Setting a system pressure for a hydraulically actuated clutch comprises a) Providing a system comprising a pump drivable by an electrically operated motor controlled by a control unit that senses a motor current and rotational speed and a system temperature is determined; b) a characteristic diagram is provided specifying values for at least the motor current and rotational speed for different system operating points; c) Accessing the characteristic diagram while operating a vehicle; d) Sensing at least the motor current and rotational speed at at least a first operating point and determining the system temperature; e) Comparing the values, acquired in step d) for the current and speed with the values for the current and rotational speed from the characteristic diagram according to step b); f) Adapting the characteristic diagram for the system on the basis of the parameters determined in step d).

Setting a system pressure for a hydraulically actuated clutch comprises a) Providing a system comprising a pump drivable by an electrically operated motor controlled by a control unit that senses a motor current and rotational speed and a system temperature is determined; b) a characteristic diagram is provided specifying values for at least the motor current and rotational speed for different system operating points; c) Accessing the characteristic diagram while operating a vehicle; d) Sensing at least the motor current and rotational speed at at least a first operating point and determining the system temperature; e) Comparing the values, acquired in step d) for the current and speed with the values for the current and rotational speed from the characteristic diagram according to step b); f) Adapting the characteristic diagram for the system on the basis of the parameters determined in step d).

An actuator assembly comprises a rotatably drivable drive gear; a locking ring which is rotatably mounted in a stationary housing and is drivingly connected to the drive gear, wherein the locking ring is rotatable from a first rotational position into a second rotational position against a rotation stop; wherein at least one friction face pairing is provided in the power path between the drive gear and the locking ring, via which a torque can be transmitted to the locking ring by frictional forces; a first ramp ring drivable by the drive gear and a second ramp ring, which are axially supported against each other and are configured to convert rotary movement into axial movement; wherein the first ramp ring, after the locking ring has reached the rotary stop, can be further rotatably driven by the drive gear.

A wedge clutch, including: a first hub; a second hub; an outer ring located radially outward of the first and second hubs; a first wedge plate radially disposed between the first hub and the outer ring; a second wedge plate radially disposed between the second hub and the outer ring; and a displacement element disposed between the first and second hubs and arranged to for a connect mode, in which the first and second hubs are non-rotatably connected to the outer ring, block axial displacement of the first and second hubs with respect to each other, and for a disconnect mode, axially displace the first and second hubs with respect to each other to enable rotation between the outer ring and the first and second hubs.

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.

A cam device having a drive cam and a driven cam; and a friction engagement device having at least one friction plate and at least one separation plate are provided. The friction engagement device is configured so as to be put into a connected state by pressing the friction plate and the separation plate against each other by the driven cam, and a disconnected state. Also provided are a rotation transmission state switching device having a first member and a second member coaxially arranged, and a mode selecting part configured to rotate or displace in the axial direction according to rotation of the drive cam. The rotation transmission state switching device has at least one mode of a free mode and a lock mode of the first member and the second member, and a one-way clutch mode.

A clutch structure that includes a motor to directly drive a rotary disc of an actuation unit, and the actuation unit further directly act on a push unit, so as to achieve reduction of size. Further, the push unit has a spring holder that drives a push bracket to press against a clutching unit, and the push bracket and the clutching unit are rotatably in synchronization with each other and a group of balls is arranged between the push bracket and the spring holder, such that smooth rotation can be maintained even during the process of pressing to thereby effectively reduce pause and setback incurring in coupling and connection and also to efficiently establish a transmission clutching force to have the operability not affected by the delay.