A drive wheel clutch system for manually disengaging one or more drive wheels from their driveshafts. The drive wheel clutch system generally includes a driveshaft, a flange at one end of the driveshaft, and a flange-engaging member. The flange-engaging member and the flange may be generally disc shaped. The flange-engaging member is spring loaded and includes locking members that can extend through apertures in the flange to engage with locking apertures in the hub of a drive wheel. An operator can pull against spring bias and rotate a handle connected to the flange-engaging member to disengage the locking members from the flange and the hub, allowing the wheel to turn freely while the driveshaft remains stationary.

A clutch arrangement for a drive train of a motor vehicle comprising a switching element with a control geometry, an actuator, an actuating element, and a running roller. The switching element is arranged on an output element such that it is fixed in terms of rotation but can be moved axially into a first switching position and into a second switching position, an actuator operable for movement of the switching element from the first switching position into the second switching position and/or vice versa. The actuating element, via the actuator, actuates movement of the switching element from the first switching position into the second switching position and/or vice versa. The running roller is arranged on the actuating element.

A clutch assembly incorporated into a power transfer assembly (72) of a motor vehicle is presented. The clutch assembly includes a power-operated clutch actuator (306) for moving a clutch sleeve (354) axially between released and engaged positions between two rotatory members. In the released position, relative rotation between two rotary members is prevented. Whereas in the engaged position, relative rotation is permitted. The power-operated clutch actuator (306) further includes an electromagnetic solenoid with an output member having an extended condition and a retracted condition urging the clutch sleeve (354) between positions. A shift isolation linkage mechanism (304) interconnects the output member of the solenoid to the clutch sleeve (354) and permits movement of the output member to its retracted position while a blocked tooth condition inhibits movement of the clutch sleeve (354) to its engaged position. Once the blocked tooth condition is removed, the isolation linkage mechanism (304) forces the clutch sleeve (354) to its engaged position.

A drive system for a hybrid vehicle having an internal combustion engine includes an electric motor and a clutch device which has a frictional locking element and a positive locking element that is connected parallel to the frictional locking element. The clutch device is configured to couple the internal combustion engine into the drive system and to be switched into at least the following states: a) open positive locking element and closed frictional locking element when starting and/or synchronization of the internal combustion engine, b) closed positive locking element and closed frictional locking element or closed positive locking element and open frictional locking element when the internal combustion engine is running and synchronized such that an internal combustion engine drive output action is generated, and c) open positive locking element and open frictional locking element when the internal combustion engine is stopped such that purely electric motor drive of the vehicle is provided.

A dog clutch includes a rotating member including first dog teeth, an annular dog ring including second dog teeth, and an annular dog sleeve. The rotating member includes first protrusions protruding radially outwardly from the outer circumferences of crests or troughs of the first dog teeth, the dog sleeve includes second protrusions that are configured to come into contact with the first protrusions in a circumferential direction when the dog sleeve moves toward the rotating member in an axial direction, and the first dog teeth and the second dog teeth are disposed at positions at which the first dog teeth and the second dog teeth are able to be engaged with each other in the circumferential direction in a state in which the first protrusions and the second protrusions are in contact with each other.

A control device of a four-wheel-drive vehicle having an electronic control coupling changing a transmission torque, and a connecting/disconnecting mechanism connecting/disconnecting an input to the input-side rotating member of the coupling, comprising: a storage portion storing a relationship between the drive current to the coupling and the transmission torque of the coupling; a control portion controlling the drive current based on the relationship; and a learning portion performing correction for the relationship through learning by applying a braking torque to the input-side rotating member by an electromagnetic actuator. The learning portion performs the correction for the relationship by using the drive current supplied to the coupling and the braking torque at the time of determination that the transmission torque is balanced with the braking torque based on rotational speeds of the input-side rotating member and the output-side rotating member while the rotational speed of the input-side rotating member is increased.

A position-limiting device includes a position-limiting element and a body. The position-limiting element has a position-limiting portion and a blocking portion. The body has a corresponding blocking portion and a fitting portion. The blocking portion of the position-limiting element and the corresponding blocking portion of the body block each other such that the position-limiting element and the body are fitted together. The fitting portion is fitted to an object. The position-limiting element penetrates a position-limited component before being rotated to block or position-limit the position-limited component. Therefore, the body is fitted to the object, and the position-limiting element is rotated to position-limit or move away from the position-limited component, so as to couple together and separate the object and the position-limited component, thereby allowing two objects to be coupled together and separated repeatedly and rapidly.

A self-aligning driveshaft coupler includes a receiving clutch mounted to a driveshaft and a locking clutch assembly mounted to an implement. The locking clutch assembly includes a collar and a yoke that rotate together, and a spring between the collar and the yoke. A locking pin may be pivotably attached to the yoke to move a projection on the locking pin in and out of the retaining groove. A plurality of drive pins extend axially from the collar. The spring biases the drive pins into engagement with the receiving clutch when the locking pin projection is in the retaining groove and the output shaft and receiving clutch are rotated less than 180 degrees.

The invention provides a locking device for preventing movement between two elements (11, 12) that are mounted to move relative to each other, the locking device including a lock (31) mounted to rotate relative to one of the elements in order to present successive angular positions for locking and for release in which the lock alternates between preventing and allowing relative movement between the two elements, the lock being constrained to rotate with a selector (55) of an angular indexing mechanism (50) actuated by a pulse-controlled actuator (70, 71) arranged to push the selector against a spring member (58) in order to cause it to turn on each pulse and thereby cause the lock to pass from one angular position to the other.

A locking mechanism for locking a driveshaft in cooperative engagement with an apparatus includes a drive portion coupled to the driveshaft and a driven portion coupled to the apparatus. The drive portion of the locking mechanism includes a housing with a first engagement portion, a ball cage with a plurality locking balls contained at least partially therein, and a chock biased away from the housing by a chock spring. The chock includes an outer wall configured to push the locking balls outward in a locked position and allow inward movement in an unlocked position. Movement of the chock, and therefore locking, is controlled by an actuator rod extending through a center of the locking mechanism. The driven portion includes a second engagement portion configured to cooperatively engage and receive torque from the first engagement portion, and a locking groove configured to receive a portion of each of the plurality of locking balls therein.