A torque-limiting coupler for connecting an electric motor to a rotatable input of a vehicle is provided, including: a rigid frame that is configured to be coupled to one of the rotatable input or an output shaft of the electric motor; and an elastic member, configured to engage the other of the rotatable input or the output shaft of the electric motor, that engages the rigid frame such that the elastic member substantially maintains its shape and inhibits angular displacement between the rotatable input and the output shaft when an amount of torque received from the output shaft is below a predetermined torque limit, the elastic member changes shape permitting angular displacement between the rotatable input and the output shaft when an amount of torque received from the output shaft exceeds the predetermined torque limit.

The invention relates to an electrically driven clutch actuators (1) for actuating the clutch of a transmission of a vehicle. An actuator comprises a spindle nut (11) on a spindle (9) and a pressure piece (13) displaceable relative to the spindle nut (11) and coupled to the spindle nut by a biasing spring (15). By rotation of the threaded spindle under a driving force of an electric motor (5), the spindle nut (11) compresses the biasing spring (15) and displaces the pressure piece (13) to disengage the clutch. A latching mechanism (16) is configured to limit displacement of the spindle nut away from the pressure piece under the force of the expanding biasing spring when the driving force is reduced below a predetermined level. Further, a control unit is described that reduces the driving force in response to a trigger condition to reduce power consumption in the clutch disengaged state.

An excessive torque releasing type clutch apparatus which can release torque when an excessive torque is input thereto, comprises an outer ring 3, an inner ring 5 arranged radially inside and in coaxial with the center axis of the outer ring 3 and rotatably relative to the outer ring 3, a torque transmitting portion that is capable of transmitting torque having the center axis as the center between the outer ring 3 and the inner ring 5, and a restricting mechanism for restricting a torque that exceeds a predetermined torque from being input from an input torque transmitting member to a driving ring of the outer ring 3 and the inner ring 5 and an inverse torque that is input to a driven ring of the outer ring 3 and the inner ring 5 and exceeds the predetermined torque from being input to the input torque transmitting member. Treatment step for securing strength of constituent members of the clutch apparatus in manufacturing process can be simplified or omitted.

An agricultural machine configured to be operated by an operator and including a drive mechanism having a drive shaft and a gear assembly for driving an agricultural implement. The agricultural machine includes a slip clutch that has an outer sleeve operatively coupled to the gear assembly, an inner sleeve positioned within the outer sleeve and coupled to and rotatable with the drive shaft, a plurality of torque-transfer members positioned between the outer sleeve and the inner sleeve and configured to selectively couple the inner sleeve to the outer sleeve, and a position sensor in communication with one of the plurality of torque-transfer members and configured to output a signal in response to radial displacement of the one torque-transfer member being detected. The agricultural machine includes a control unit in communication with the position sensor and configured to alter an operating parameter of the machine in response to receiving the signal.

A pawl clutch is disclosed. The pawl clutch may comprise a first member having at least one notch, and a second member. The first member and the second member may be configured to rotate relative to each other at a speed differential when the pawl clutch is disengaged. The pawl clutch may further comprise at least one pawl moveably retained to the second member and configured to engage the pawl clutch by engaging the notch of the first member. The notch of the first member may have one of a chamfered edge and a concave edge.

An adjusting device for adjusting a light module in a vehicle lighting device. The adjusting device includes an adjusting mechanism into which a rotary motion can be transmitted. The adjusting device also includes a transmission element that can be used to transfer the rotary motion. The adjusting mechanism and the transmission element are connected in a way that transmits torque via a coupling that provides torque overload protection. The adjusting mechanism is embodied with at least two parts and features a first part into which a rotary motion can be transmitted and it features a second part that is embodied as a part of the coupling.

Presented are torque converters with integrated engine disconnect devices, methods for making/using such torque converters, and electric-drive vehicles equipped with such torque converters. A torque converter (TC) assembly includes a TC housing that drivingly connects to an engine output member. A TC output member projects from the TC housing and drivingly connects to a transmission input member. A turbine with a bladed turbine shell is mounted on the TC output member and rotatable within the TC's internal fluid chamber. An impeller with a bladed impeller shell is juxtaposed with the turbine and rotatable within the fluid chamber. An engine disconnect device, which is disposed within the fluid chamber between the impeller shell and TC housing, drivingly couples the impeller to and, when desired, drivingly decouples the impeller from the TC housing and engine output member to thereby transfer torque and prevent torque transfer, respectively, between the engine and transmission.

An operating system for an architectural covering is provided. The operating system allows at least three modes of operation of an architectural covering. A transmission may be included between an input assembly and an output drive member, and the transmission may be selectively engaged to place the operating system into one of the at least three modes of operation. The operating system may include a first drive section including an input, a second drive section including an output, and a control mechanism arranged to selectively lock an element of the first and second drive sections to control movement of the output of the operating system upon actuation of the input. A shift lock is also disclosed herein. In use, the shift lock operates to restrict shifting operation of the operating system from one operating mode to another.

A coupler for coupling shafts comprises a virtual main axis, a coupler body, and a shaft socket provided in the coupler body, which is configured and arranged for plugging-in a shaft along the main axis and which includes a leaf spring. The leaf spring has a direction of main extension extending tangentially to a virtual arc of a circle around the main axis. The leaf spring is rigidly supported at the coupler body, and configured and arranged for engaging a circumferential surface of the shaft plugged in the shaft socket.

Presented are torque converters with integrated engine disconnect devices, methods for making/using such torque converters, and electric-drive vehicles equipped with such torque converters. A torque converter (TC) assembly includes a TC housing that drivingly connects to an engine output member. A TC output member projects from the TC housing and drivingly connects to a transmission input member. A turbine with a bladed turbine shell is mounted on the TC output member and rotatable within the TC's internal fluid chamber. An impeller with a bladed impeller shell is juxtaposed with the turbine and rotatable within the fluid chamber. An engine disconnect device, which is disposed within the fluid chamber between the impeller shell and TC housing, drivingly couples the impeller to and, when desired, drivingly decouples the impeller from the TC housing and engine output member to thereby transfer torque and prevent torque transfer, respectively, between the engine and transmission.