A bicycle hub structure includes: a hub body including a first clutch ring, a sprocket support body connecting to the hub body and including a second clutch ring, first magnets and a magnetic ring. The magnetic ring is disposed on an axial side of the second clutch ring far away from the hub body, and the first magnets are disposed on a side of the second clutch ring adjacent to the magnetic ring. The sprocket support body includes a first state and a second state. In the first state, the first magnets and the magnetic ring attract the first clutch ring, so that the first clutch ring is in contact with the second clutch ring, and in the second state, a magnetic attracting force of the first magnets and the magnetic ring on the first clutch ring is less than that in the first state.

A selectable one-way clutch includes a clutch module and an electromagnetic actuator module. The electromagnetic actuator module includes an electromagnetic actuator and a strut assembly. The electromagnetic actuator having a coil assembly with a magnetic pole piece. The strut assembly having a strut and a magnetic armature mechanically interconnected to the strut for moving the strut between released and deployed positions in response to energization of the coil assembly. A contamination shroud is disposed between the armature and the pole piece to prevent collection of debris therebetween.

A bicycle hub structure includes: a hub body including a first clutch ring, a sprocket support body connecting to the hub body and including a second clutch ring, first magnets and a magnetic ring. The magnetic ring is disposed on an axial side of the second clutch ring far away from the hub body, and the first magnets are disposed on a side of the second clutch ring adjacent to the magnetic ring. The sprocket support body includes a first state and a second state. In the first state, the first magnets and the magnetic ring attract the first clutch ring, so that the first clutch ring is in contact with the second clutch ring, and in the second state, a magnetic attracting force of the first magnets and the magnetic ring on the first clutch ring is less than that in the first state.

A free wheel assembly with front clutches comprising a hub sleeve rotatable on a hub pin and a cassette rotatable on the hub pin, a first annular body rotatable on the hub pin and comprising a first crown gear, a second annular body associated with the hub sleeve and comprising a matching second crown gear facing the first crown gear. The first annular body is axially movable relative to the second annular body between a motion transmission configuration and a free wheel configuration and coupling members operate between the first annular body and the cassette. In the free wheel configuration, rotation of the cassette relative to the first annular body forces the coupling members to axially translate the first annular body towards the second annular body, and magnetic members active on the first annular body and opposing the rotation of the first annular body with respect to the hub pin.

A speed converter converting infinitely variable reciprocating input to uni-directional output, for example, comprising a driver, the driver comprising a variable pitch cam and a rack gear and one-way clutch bearings or Sprags and output shaft, the driver having an oblong shape may be converted to provide direction control in either of two directions and free-wheeling. The one-way clutch bearings or Sprags of a first Goldfinch speed converter are modified to comprise, concentric with the output shaft, a permanent magnet imbedded in a driven gear and direction controlling stator coils. A plurality of four (or more) electrical pulses (sine curves) may be applied to the stator coils to provide three possible outputs of desired speed: a forward output direction, a neutral or free-wheeling output and a reverse output direction. In this manner, an electro-magnetic ratchet control system may modify the speed converter to incorporate speed control, engine braking, and clockwise and counterclockwise output shaft direction control as well.

A speed converter converting infinitely variable reciprocating input to uni-directional output, for example, comprising a driver, the driver comprising a variable pitch cam and a rack gear and one-way clutch bearings or Sprags and output shaft, the driver having an oblong shape may be converted to provide direction control in either of two directions and free-wheeling. The one-way clutch bearings or Sprags of a first Goldfinch speed converter are modified to comprise, concentric with the output shaft, a permanent magnet imbedded in a driven gear and direction controlling stator coils. A plurality of four (or more) electrical pulses (sine curves) may be applied to the stator coils to provide three possible outputs of desired speed: a forward output direction, a neutral or free-wheeling output and a reverse output direction. In this manner, an electro-magnetic ratchet control system may modify the speed converter to incorporate speed control, engine braking, and clockwise and counterclockwise output shaft direction control as well.

A wheel end disconnect system includes an inner race connected to one of an axle half shaft and a wheel hub, an outer race connected to the other of the axle half shaft and the wheel hub, and a plurality of radially actuatable pawls, circumferentially spaced apart, oriented between the inner and outer races, and movable between an outboard locked position and an inboard unlocked position to connect and disconnect the wheel hub from the axle half shaft. The system further includes a plurality of pins attached to an actuator ring. The actuator ring is axially shifi-able between a locked and unlocked position. The system also includes one or more permanent magnets forming a permanent magnet ring attached to the actuator ring, with axially spaced apart north and south poles, and an annular tri-pole electromagnet having two counter-wound axially spaced apart coils concentric with the annular permanent magnet.

A wheel end disconnect system includes an inner race connected to one of an axle half shaft and a wheel hub, an outer race connected to the other of the axle half shaft and the wheel hub, and a plurality of radially actuatable pawls, circumferentially spaced apart, oriented between the inner and outer races, and movable between an outboard locked position and an inboard unlocked position to connect and disconnect the wheel hub from the axle half shaft. The system further includes a plurality of pins attached to an actuator ring. The actuator ring is axially shifi-able between a locked and unlocked position. The system also includes one or more permanent magnets forming a permanent magnet ring attached to the actuator ring, with axially spaced apart north and south poles, and an annular tri-pole electromagnet having two counter-wound axially spaced apart coils concentric with the annular permanent magnet.

A hub motor is provided with a simplified structure to make an automobile more cost effective. The hub motor includes a center shaft, a brake disc fixedly connected with the center shaft, a coil support sleeved on the center shaft, and a motor controller. The coil support advantageously includes first and second coil supports that include first and second vents, respectively.

Methods and system are provided for locking a half shaft to a wheel hub to engage four wheel drive are disclosed. In one example, a wheel hub is locked to a half shaft via a radially expanding engagement mechanism. The radially expanding engagement mechanism is without grease and without springs.