A clutch unit includes a lever-side clutch portion for controlling transmission and interruption of rotational torque to an output side through lever operation, and a brake-side clutch portion for transmitting torque input from the lever-side clutch portion to the output side and for interrupting torque reversely input from the output side. The lever-side clutch portion has an outer centering spring provided between a lever-side outer ring to be rotated through the lever operation and a cover restricted in rotation, for accumulating an elastic force obtained by torque input from the lever-side outer ring and for restoring the lever-side outer ring to a neutral state with the accumulated elastic force through releasing of the torque input from the lever-side outer ring.

A clutch unit includes a lever-side clutch portion for controlling transmission and interruption of rotational torque to an output side through lever operation, and a brake-side clutch portion for transmitting torque input from the lever-side clutch portion to the output side and for interrupting torque reversely input from the output side. The lever-side clutch portion has an outer centering spring provided between a lever-side outer ring to be rotated through the lever operation and a cover restricted in rotation, for accumulating an elastic force obtained by torque input from the lever-side outer ring and for restoring the lever-side outer ring to a neutral state with the accumulated elastic force through releasing of the torque input from the lever-side outer ring.

An actuator with reverse input blocking clutch has a function of switching the reverse input blocking clutch to a state in which torque can be transmitted between an input member and an output member, in a state in which reverse torque is input to the output member from an output-side mechanism, by applying torque to the input member by an actuator in an opposite direction to a direction of the reverse torque, and then by giving an instruction to the actuator to apply torque having a magnitude smaller than a magnitude of the reverse torque to the input member in the opposite direction, transmitting the reverse torque to the input member.

A torque limiter and no-back assembly comprises an input shaft, an output shaft, a torque limiter provided between the input shaft and the output shaft, the torque limiter comprising a torque sensing element; and a no-back device arranged to brake the output shaft when the torque sensing element senses levels of torque above a threshold level between the input shaft and the output shaft, characterised in that the torque sensing element comprises a torsion spring having ends which are coupled to the input shaft and the output shaft for rotation therewith.

A seatbelt retractor includes a spool, a piston, and a cylinder. The spool is rotatably coupled to a base by a piston and a cylinder. The piston is fixed to one of the base and the spool. The cylinder receives the piston and is fixed to the other of the base and the spool. A cutter is disposed between and fixed to one of the piston and the cylinder. The cutter is in engagement with the other of the piston and the cylinder.

Methods and systems are provided for an automatic, electric hub lock with a manual override capability. In one example, the electric hub lock may be actuated responsive to one or more of a manipulation of a manual dial proximate a vehicle wheel and an electronic control inside a passenger compartment. In another example, a method includes overriding the automatic control of the hub lock responsive to manual request for operating the vehicle in four-wheel drive mode.

Methods and systems are provided for an automatic, electric hub lock with a manual override capability. In one example, the electric hub lock may be actuated responsive to one or more of a manipulation of a manual dial proximate a vehicle wheel and an electronic control inside a passenger compartment. In another example, a method includes overriding the automatic control of the hub lock responsive to manual request for operating the vehicle in four-wheel drive mode.

An actuator with reverse input blocking clutch has a function of switching the reverse input blocking clutch to a state in which torque can be transmitted between an input member and an output member, in a state in which reverse torque is input to the output member from an output-side mechanism, by applying torque to the input member by an actuator in an opposite direction to a direction of the reverse torque, and then by giving an instruction to the actuator to apply torque having a magnitude smaller than a magnitude of the reverse torque to the input member in the opposite direction, transmitting the reverse torque to the input member.

A joint structure includes a drive side insertion portion of a drive shaft, a driven side insertion portion of a driven shaft, and a coupling. The coupling includes a drive shaft insertion bore, which receives the drive side insertion portion, and a driven shaft insertion bore, which receives the driven side insertion portion. The drive shaft insertion bore includes a wall surface that engages the drive side insertion portion. The driven shaft insertion bore includes a wall surface that engages the driven side insertion portion. A drive side clearance in the drive shaft insertion bore allows the drive side insertion portion to move in the radial direction. A driven side clearance in the driven shaft insertion bore allows the driven side insertion portion to move in the radial direction.

A joint structure includes a drive side insertion portion of a drive shaft, a driven side insertion portion of a driven shaft, and a coupling. The coupling includes a drive shaft insertion bore, which receives the drive side insertion portion, and a driven shaft insertion bore, which receives the driven side insertion portion. The drive shaft insertion bore includes a wall surface that engages the drive side insertion portion. The driven shaft insertion bore includes a wall surface that engages the driven side insertion portion. A drive side clearance in the drive shaft insertion bore allows the drive side insertion portion to move in the radial direction. A driven side clearance in the driven shaft insertion bore allows the driven side insertion portion to move in the radial direction.