A wedge clutch comprising an axis of rotation, a hub having a first radially outwardly facing surface sloping radially inward in a first axial direction, an outer race located radially outward of the hub and including, a first radially inwardly facing surface, and, a circumferential groove in the first radially inwardly facing surface, and, a first plurality of wedge plates radially disposed between the hub and outer race, each wedge plate in the first plurality of wedge plates including, a respective second radially inwardly facing surface directly engaged with the first radially outwardly facing surface, and, a respective second radially outwardly facing surface, wherein said each wedge plate has a different respective first radial dimension between the respective second radially inwardly and outwardly facing surfaces.

A refrigerator includes a driving coupler to transmit a driving force and a connecting member to transmit the driving force of the driving coupler to a transfer member. The connecting member is rotated when interference with the driving coupler occurs in a process of connecting with the driving coupler and idles within a predetermined angle range regardless of the transfer member. With this constitution, even when ice cubes are loaded by the transfer member, the connecting member may be smoothly rotated. Thus, the driving coupler and the connecting member may be smoothly connected without an impact.

A refrigerator includes a driving coupler to transmit a driving force and a connecting member to transmit the driving force of the driving coupler to a transfer member. The connecting member is rotated when interference with the driving coupler occurs in a process of connecting with the driving coupler and idles within a predetermined angle range regardless of the transfer member. With this constitution, even when ice cubes are loaded by the transfer member, the connecting member may be smoothly rotated. Thus, the driving coupler and the connecting member may be smoothly connected without an impact.

A wedge clutch, including: an inner race having a radially outermost surface sloping radially outward from a first axial side to a second side; an outer race located radially outward of the inner race; a wedge plate radially disposed between the inner and outer races, the wedge plate including a radially innermost surface sloping radially outward complementary with the radially outermost surface of the inner race; and an actuation assembly arranged to displace the inner race in the first axial direction to place the wedge clutch in a locked mode in which the inner race, the wedge plate and the outer race are non-rotatably connected and in the second axial direction to place the wedge clutch in a free-wheel mode in which the inner and outer races are rotatable with respect to each other.

A wedge clutch, including: an inner race having a radially outermost surface sloping radially outward from a first axial side to a second side; an outer race located radially outward of the inner race; a wedge plate radially disposed between the inner and outer races, the wedge plate including a radially innermost surface sloping radially outward complementary with the radially outermost surface of the inner race; and an actuation assembly arranged to displace the inner race in the first axial direction to place the wedge clutch in a locked mode in which the inner race, the wedge plate and the outer race are non-rotatably connected and in the second axial direction to place the wedge clutch in a free-wheel mode in which the inner and outer races are rotatable with respect to each other.

A wedge clutch comprising an axis of rotation, a hub having a first radially outwardly facing surface sloping radially inward in a first axial direction, an outer race located radially outward of the hub and including, a first radially inwardly facing surface, and, a circumferential groove in the first radially inwardly facing surface, and, a first plurality of wedge plates radially disposed between the hub and outer race, each wedge plate in the first plurality of wedge plates including, a respective second radially inwardly facing surface directly engaged with the first radially outwardly facing surface, and, a respective second radially outwardly facing surface, wherein said each wedge plate has a different respective first radial dimension between the respective second radially inwardly and outwardly facing surfaces.

A wedge clutch, including: an inner race; an outer race with a first inner circumferential surface sloping radially outward in a first axial direction; a wedge plate disposed between the inner and outer races in a radial direction and including a first outer circumferential surface sloping radially outward in the first axial direction; a first displacement element engaged with the wedge plate and arranged to urge the wedge plate in a second axial direction, opposite the first axial direction, to close the clutch to non-rotatably connect the inner and outer races; and a second displacement element arranged to displace the wedge plate in the first axial direction to open the clutch to enable relative rotation between the inner and outer races.

A wedge clutch, including: an inner race; an outer race with a first inner circumferential surface sloping radially outward in a first axial direction; a wedge plate disposed between the inner and outer races in a radial direction and including a first outer circumferential surface sloping radially outward in the first axial direction; a first displacement element engaged with the wedge plate and arranged to urge the wedge plate in a second axial direction, opposite the first axial direction, to close the clutch to non-rotatably connect the inner and outer races; and a second displacement element arranged to displace the wedge plate in the first axial direction to open the clutch to enable relative rotation between the inner and outer races.

A wedge clutch, including: an outer carrier; a first clutch plate non-rotatably connected to the outer carrier; a wedge clutch plate; a hub radially inward of the outer carrier; an engagement assembly including a pin partially disposed within the hub and in contact with the wedge clutch plate; and an actuator. For a first synchronization stage for closing the wedge clutch: the actuator is arranged to clamp the first clutch plate and the wedge clutch plate; and a first portion of the pin extending radially outward beyond an outer circumference of the hub is arranged to transmit torque between the hub and the carrier. For a second synchronization stage for closing the wedge clutch: the hub or the wedge clutch plate are arranged to circumferentially displace with respect to each other; and the wedge clutch plate is arranged to displace the pin radially inward.

A wedge clutch, including an outer carrier, a first clutch plate non-rotatably connected to the outer carrier, a wedge clutch plate, a hub radially inward of the outer carrier, an engagement assembly including a pin with a curved contact surface portion partially disposed within the hub and contacting the wedge clutch plate. For a first synchronization stage for engaging the wedge clutch, an actuator is arranged to clamp the first clutch plate and the wedge clutch plate, and a contact portion of the pin extending radially outward beyond an outer circumference of the hub is arranged to transmit torque between the hub and the wedge plate. For a second synchronization stage for engaging the wedge clutch, the hub and the wedge clutch plate are arranged to circumferentially displace with respect to each other; and the wedge clutch plate is arranged to displace the pin radially inward.