A wedge clutch, including: outer and inner races; a wedge plate radially between the inner and outer races; and an electromagnetic actuator. The electromagnetic actuator includes: a coil; a first coil core piece including a first end disposed within the coil and a second end connected to the wedge plate; and a second coil core piece including a first end disposed within the first coil and a second end connected to the wedge plate. In a locked mode of the clutch, the inner race and outer races and the wedge plate are non-rotatably connected for rotation of the inner race in a circumferential direction. In a free-wheel mode of the clutch, the inner race is rotatable, with respect to the outer race, in the circumferential direction. To transition from the locked mode to the free-wheel mode, the electromagnetic actuator is arranged to be energized to radially contract the wedge plate.

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 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 clutch, including: inner and outer races; a wedge plate; an electromagnetic actuator including a coil and an attenuating circuit. The coil is arranged to be energized by a power source to switch the wedge clutch between: a locked mode in which the inner and races are locked in a circumferential direction and a free-wheel mode in which the inner race is rotatable with respect to the outer race in the circumferential direction. The attenuating circuit includes a capacitor parallel with the coil and a switch wired to the capacitor. During the free-wheel mode: the switch is arranged to connect the capacitor to an electrical ground; and the electrical power source is arranged to energize the coil and charge the capacitor with a voltage. Following initiation of the locked mode: the switch isolates the capacitor from the electrical ground; and the capacitor discharges the voltage through the coil.

A wedge clutch, including: outer and inner races; a wedge plate radially between the inner and outer races; and an electromagnetic actuator. The electromagnetic actuator includes: a coil; a first coil core piece including a first end disposed within the coil and a second end connected to the wedge plate; and a second coil core piece including a first end disposed within the first coil and a second end connected to the wedge plate. In a locked mode of the clutch, the inner race and outer races and the wedge plate are non-rotatably connected for rotation of the inner race in a circumferential direction. In a free-wheel mode of the clutch, the inner race is rotatable, with respect to the outer race, in the circumferential direction. To transition from the locked mode to the free-wheel mode, the electromagnetic actuator is arranged to be energized to radially contract the wedge plate.

A wedge clutch, including: outer and inner races; a wedge plate radially between the inner and outer races; and an electromagnetic actuator. The electromagnetic actuator includes: a coil; a first coil core piece including a first end disposed within the coil and a second end connected to the wedge plate; and a second coil core piece including a first end disposed within the first coil and a second end connected to the wedge plate. In a locked mode of the clutch, the inner race and outer races and the wedge plate are non-rotatably connected for rotation of the inner race in a circumferential direction. In a free-wheel mode of the clutch, the inner race is rotatable, with respect to the outer race, in the circumferential direction. To transition from the locked mode to the free-wheel mode, the electromagnetic actuator is arranged to be energized to radially contract the wedge plate.

A centrifugal clutch (1) is provided for a drive train of a motor vehicle, having a motor-driven torque input component (2) and a downstream first clutch element (3) which has at least one first centrifugal mass (4) which can be displaced radially to transmit torque in order to move into a non-positive connection with a transmission-side torque output component (5) when in the displaced state. A second clutch element (6) having a second centrifugal mass (7), which can be displaced radially into a non-positive connection with an intermediate component (8) when in the displaced state to transmit torque, is connected in series with the first clutch element in the torque path.

A centrifugal clutch (1) is provided for a drive train of a motor vehicle, having a motor-driven torque input component (2) and a downstream first clutch element (3) which has at least one first centrifugal mass (4) which can be displaced radially to transmit torque in order to move into a non-positive connection with a transmission-side torque output component (5) when in the displaced state. A second clutch element (6) having a second centrifugal mass (7), which can be displaced radially into a non-positive connection with an intermediate component (8) when in the displaced state to transmit torque, is connected in series with the first clutch element in the torque path.

A wedge clutch selectively locks an outer race to an inner race to transfer torque therebetween. The inner race includes a first plurality of tapered surfaces, tapered in a first direction about an axis. The inner race includes a second plurality of tapered surfaces, tapered in an opposite second direction about the axis. At least two wedge plates are provided, each having a plurality of segments with a tapered inner surface disposed on a respective one of the first or second plurality of tapered surfaces of the inner race. The tapered inner surfaces of the wedge plates are tapered in opposite directions. An electromagnetic actuator is provided for each of the wedge plates. Electrically energizing one of the actuators constricts that respective wedge plate, unwedging the wedge plate from between the inner race and outer race and to no longer inhibit relative rotation therebetween.

A clutch includes a hub, a carrier defining a circular groove, and a wedge disk defining apertures and having a first edge disposed on the hub and a second edge disposed in the groove. The clutch further includes a breaker ring encircling the hub and having projections that are each received in one of the apertures. The breaker ring is slidably connected to the hub and is configured to rotate the wedge disk relative to the hub, via engagement between the projections and the apertures, in response to the breaker ring sliding towards the wedge disk.