Patent classifications
F16D11/08
Light-weight clutch suitable for manual and/or economical electric operation
The present invention provides a clutch. The clutch of the invention includes a coupler, that is a ring or hollow structure surrounding a lumen. The lumen of the coupler has an engaging section and a non-engaging section. In an engaged configuration of the clutch, a driving member and a driven member are located in the engaging section of the coupler and rotation of the driving member in the engaging section generates rotation of the coupler and rotation of the coupler generates rotation of the driven member. In a disengaged configuration of the clutch, one or both of the driving member and the driven member is not located in the engaging section of the coupler and either rotation of the driving member does not generate rotation of the coupler or rotation of the coupler does not generate rotation of the driven member.
POSITIVE MECHANICAL ROTARY LOCK
A rotary lock apparatus comprises a structural ground and a shaft rotatable about a shaft axis relative to the structural ground, wherein the shaft includes a detent portion. First and second locking components are displaceable along the shaft axis in opposite directions to cause the detent portion to be engaged and coupled to the structural ground in a manner preventing rotation of the shaft about the shaft axis. The locking components are actuated through a combined displacement distance and are configured such that at least one of the first and second locking components positively causes the shaft to be engaged and coupled to the structural ground to thereby lock the shaft against rotation.
ACTUATION MECHANISM
A clutch assembly, such as a controllable clutch, having an actuator for controlling coupling members for engagement and disengagement of components. The actuator includes a cam member with a first cam surface and a second cam surface. The first cam surface is spaced from the second cam surface. A first cam follower follows the first cam surface and a second cam follower follows the second cam surface. A first link extends between the first cam follower and a first coupling member, and a second link extends between the second cam follower and a second coupling member.
ACTUATION MECHANISM
A clutch assembly, such as a controllable clutch, having an actuator for controlling coupling members for engagement and disengagement of components. The actuator includes a cam member with a first cam surface and a second cam surface. The first cam surface is spaced from the second cam surface. A first cam follower follows the first cam surface and a second cam follower follows the second cam surface. A first link extends between the first cam follower and a first coupling member, and a second link extends between the second cam follower and a second coupling member.
ELECTROMECHANICAL ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY WITH MECHANICAL OVERRIDE FEATURE
An electromechanical actuator assembly (EMA) for use with a reclinable passenger seat. The EMA includes a housing, an electric motor, and an epicyclic gearbox including first and second ring gears. In the event of power loss, the second ring gear can be decoupled from the first ring gear to permit relative rotation, for instance to manually return the reclined seat to upright, by a mechanical override mechanism including first and second spring-loaded shoot bolts coupled to the first ring gear, a displaceable plate engaging one end of the first and second spring-loaded shoot bolts, and a manual release pin coupled to the displaceable plate. In use, the manual release pin is moveable axially to a position in which the displaceable plate displaces toward the first ring gear to decouple the first and second ring gears.
ELECTROMECHANICAL ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY WITH MECHANICAL OVERRIDE FEATURE
An electromechanical actuator assembly (EMA) for use with a reclinable passenger seat. The EMA includes a housing, an electric motor, and an epicyclic gearbox including first and second ring gears. In the event of power loss, the second ring gear can be decoupled from the first ring gear to permit relative rotation, for instance to manually return the reclined seat to upright, by a mechanical override mechanism including first and second spring-loaded shoot bolts coupled to the first ring gear, a displaceable plate engaging one end of the first and second spring-loaded shoot bolts, and a manual release pin coupled to the displaceable plate. In use, the manual release pin is moveable axially to a position in which the displaceable plate displaces toward the first ring gear to decouple the first and second ring gears.