A wedge clutch includes an inner race and an outer race circumscribing the inner race. A wedge element is radially disposed between the inner and outer races and actuatable to couple and decouple the inner and outer races. An actuator is operably coupled with the wedge element and is configured to actuate the wedge element to decouple the inner and outer races.

A self-contained switchable wedge plate clutch, consisting of: a housing arranged to receive rotational torque; and a clutch assembly. The clutch assembly includes: an outer race non-rotatably connected to the housing; an output hub; a plurality of circumferentially aligned wedge plate segments, enclosed by the housing, radially disposed about the output hub; and an activation assembly at least a portion of which is enclosed by the housing. The activation assembly is arranged to displace the plurality of circumferentially aligned wedge plate segments to switch the self-contained switchable wedge plate clutch between: a locked mode for the sell-contained switchable wedge plate clutch, in which the housing and the output hub are non-rotatably connected; and an unlocked mode for the self-contained switchable wedge plate clutch, in which the housing and the output hub are rotatable with respect to each other.

An improved bushing restricts exhaust at a lube transfer port and exhaust ports equalizing bushing lube PSI with lube supply PSI. A hole or pair of holes in the bushing with an area equal to that of the lube supply holes in a center support regulates an intermediate pressure to the bushings of 50% of the supply pressure on its own, regardless of the balance piston. When the balance piston is filled, the added resistance at the transfer orifices will begin to equalize bushing lube PSI with lube supply PSI. When the balance piston exhaust ports are also restricted, as with an increased height of the bushing and installation site, equalization is insured and bushing lube PSI becomes that of the supply PSI.

An improved bushing restricts exhaust at a lube transfer port and exhaust ports equalizing bushing lube PSI with lube supply PSI. A hole or pair of holes in the bushing with an area equal to that of the lube supply holes in a center support regulates an intermediate pressure to the bushings of 50% of the supply pressure on its own, regardless of the balance piston. When the balance piston is filled, the added resistance at the transfer orifices will begin to equalize bushing lube PSI with lube supply PSI. When the balance piston exhaust ports are also restricted, as with an increased height of the bushing and installation site, equalization is insured and bushing lube PSI becomes that of the supply PSI.

A steering column assembly includes a steering shaft operatively coupled to a steering device, the steering shaft and the steering device having corresponding rotation with each other. Also included is an anti-rotation assembly selectively engaged with a surface of the steering shaft to maintain the steering shaft and the steering device in a stationary condition when the steering shaft is rotationally decoupled from road wheels operatively coupled to the steering shaft.

A wedge clutch includes an inner race and an outer race. The outer race defines an inner cam surface. A chain of wedges encircles the inner race and are configured to couple the races when the clutch is engaged. The wedges have outer surfaces that match with sections of the inner cam surface such that the wedges have an outer radial position when in first rotational position relative to the cam surface and have an inner radial position when in a second rotational position to frictionally engage the inner race.

A wedge clutch includes a first race rotatable about an axis and having first tapered surfaces annularly arranged about the axis, and a second race rotatable about the axis and concentric with the first race, the second race having a circumferential groove. A plurality of wedge segments are annularly arranged about the axis, each wedge segment having a second tapered surface contacting one of the first tapered surfaces. A plurality of pawls extend radially through at least a portion of either the first race or the second race. Each pawl is circumferentially aligned with a respective gap between two adjacent wedge segments. An actuating ring is configured to move axially along the axis. Axial movement of the actuating ring engages the pawls to force each pawl radially into the respective gap to separate the two adjacent wedge segments.

A radial wedge clutch, including: an axis of rotation; a shaft; an outer ring located radially outward of the shaft; a cage radially disposed between the shaft and the outer ring; a plurality of circumferentially aligned wedge plate segments radially disposed between the shaft and the outer ring; at least one resilient element urging the plurality of circumferentially aligned wedge plate segments radially outwardly; and an actuation plate axially displaceable in a first axial direction to engage the cage and rotate the cage and the plurality of circumferentially aligned wedge plate segments.

A switchable wedge clutch includes an inner race, and an outer race that has an inner surface defining a plurality of tapered regions. A plurality of wedge plate are disposed between the inner and outer races, and are moveable circumferentially about the inner race. Each wedge plate segment has a tapered outer surface configured to engage and slide relative to the tapered regions of the outer race. An actuating ring has a plurality of axially-extending tapered fingers configured to fit between two of the wedge plate segments. The wedge plate segments are wedged between the tapered regions and the inner race to lock the inner and outer race together. Axial movement of the actuating ring forces the wedge plate segments circumferentially against biasing forces of springs to unwedge the wedge plate segments from between the outer race and the inner race and unlock the wedge clutch.

A wedge clutch includes a first race rotatable about an axis and having first tapered surfaces annularly arranged about the axis, and a second race rotatable about the axis and concentric with the first race, the second race having a circumferential groove. A plurality of wedge segments are annularly arranged about the axis, each wedge segment having a second tapered surface contacting one of the first tapered surfaces. A plurality of pawls extend radially through at least a portion of either the first race or the second race. Each pawl is circumferentially aligned with a respective gap between two adjacent wedge segments. An actuating ring is configured to move axially along the axis. Axial movement of the actuating ring engages the pawls to force each pawl radially into the respective gap to separate the two adjacent wedge segments.