Disclosed are engine flexplates with integrated engine disconnects, methods for making and for using such flexplates, and motor vehicles with an engine flexplate having an integrated engine disconnect device. An engine flexplate assembly is disclosed for operatively coupling an engine to a hydrokinetic torque converter. The flexplate assembly includes a disk-shaped body with a central hub that rigidly attaches on the fore side thereof to the engine output shaft for common rotation therewith. A disconnect device, which is positioned on the aft side of the disk-shaped body, includes concentric inner and outer races. The outer race is rigidly attached to the disk-shaped body for common rotation therewith. The inner race rigidly attaches to the front cover of the TC housing for common rotation therewith. The disconnect device operatively disconnects the engine output shaft from the TC housing front cover when a torque transmitted therebetween reverses direction.

A clutch apparatus comprises a first race, a second race arranged coaxial with and rotatable relative to the first race, and an engagement mechanism provided between the first race and the second race for engagement of the first race and said second race. The engagement mechanism comprising a first clutch allowing rotation of the first race in only one direction, and a second clutch arranged axially adjacent to the first clutch, the second clutch comprising a rotary member that is provided on the second race in a rotatable and axially immovable manner and a movable member that is movable in the axial direction, and a cam mechanism disposed between the rotary member and the movable member, and the movable member being engaged with the first race by being moved in the axial direction by the cam mechanism.

A clutch apparatus comprises a first race, a second race arranged coaxial with and rotatable relative to the first race, and an engagement mechanism provided between the first race and the second race for engagement of the first race and said second race. The engagement mechanism comprising a first clutch allowing rotation of the first race in only one direction, and a second clutch arranged axially adjacent to the first clutch, the second clutch comprising a rotary member that is provided on the second race in a rotatable and axially immovable manner and a movable member that is movable in the axial direction, and a cam mechanism disposed between the rotary member and the movable member, and the movable member being engaged with the first race by being moved in the axial direction by the cam mechanism.

A joint structure includes a clutch unit interposed between a shaft joint and a shaft body which is one of an output shaft of a speed increaser and an input shaft of a power generator. The clutch unit includes: a shaft coupling portion rotating integrally with the shaft body; a joint coupling portion rotating integrally with the shaft joint; and a one-way clutch provided between the shaft coupling portion and the joint coupling portion. The one-way clutch makes a connection integrally rotatably between the shaft coupling portion and the joint coupling portion in a state in which a rotation speed of the output shaft is higher than that of the input shaft, and releases the connection between the shaft coupling portion and the joint coupling portion in a state in which the rotation speed of the output shaft is lower than that of the input shaft.

A roller clutch including an outer race, an inner race, a first engagement member situated between the outer race and the inner race, and a second engagement member situated between the outer race and the inner race. The first engagement member is configured to engage the outer race and the inner race to transmit torque between the outer race and the inner race only in response to the inner race turning in a positive direction and applying negative torque to the first engagement member. The second engagement member is configured to engage the outer race and the inner race to transmit torque between the outer race and the inner race in response to the inner race applying positive torque to the second engagement member while the outer race applies negative torque to the second engagement member.

A roller clutch including an outer race, an inner race, a first engagement member situated between the outer race and the inner race, and a second engagement member situated between the outer race and the inner race. The first engagement member is configured to engage the outer race and the inner race to transmit torque between the outer race and the inner race only in response to the inner race turning in a positive direction and applying negative torque to the first engagement member. The second engagement member is configured to engage the outer race and the inner race to transmit torque between the outer race and the inner race in response to the inner race applying positive torque to the second engagement member while the outer race applies negative torque to the second engagement member.

A roller clutch includes an outer ring, an inner ring, a roller, a first spring member, a retainer, and a protrusion portion. The roller is disposed between the inner ring and the outer ring and is movable between a transmitting position and a non-transmitting position. The retainer has a roller holding space holding the roller and a support section supporting the first spring member. The protrusion portion is configured to regulate the movement of the roller, and resist the biasing force of the first spring member at a predetermined position.

A roller clutch includes an outer ring, an inner ring, a roller, a first spring member, a retainer, and a protrusion portion. The roller is disposed between the inner ring and the outer ring and is movable between a transmitting position and a non-transmitting position. The retainer has a roller holding space holding the roller and a support section supporting the first spring member. The protrusion portion is configured to regulate the movement of the roller, and resist the biasing force of the first spring member at a predetermined position.

The present invention relates to a freewheel (4) having an inner ring (38), an outer ring (40) and at least one wedging element (48) between the inner ring (38) and the outer ring (40), which can be moved from a wedging position, in which the wedging element (48) prevents rotation of the outer ring (40) relative to the inner ring (38) in a first circumferential direction (24), into a release position, in which the outer ring (40) can be rotated in an opposite, second circumferential direction (26) relative to the inner ring (38), wherein the wedging element (48) is preloaded into the wedging position by means of a spring element (64). The spring element (64) has an elongate spring body (66), which extends in a radial plane and has a corrugated profile in the radial direction (20, 22). The present invention furthermore relates to a freewheel arrangement (2) having a freewheel (4) of this kind.

The present invention relates to a freewheel (4) having an inner ring (38), an outer ring (40) and at least one wedging element (48) between the inner ring (38) and the outer ring (40), which can be moved from a wedging position, in which the wedging element (48) prevents rotation of the outer ring (40) relative to the inner ring (38) in a first circumferential direction (24), into a release position, in which the outer ring (40) can be rotated in an opposite, second circumferential direction (26) relative to the inner ring (38), wherein the wedging element (48) is preloaded into the wedging position by means of a spring element (64). The spring element (64) has an elongate spring body (66), which extends in a radial plane and has a corrugated profile in the radial direction (20, 22). The present invention furthermore relates to a freewheel arrangement (2) having a freewheel (4) of this kind.