A reverse-input blocking clutch, comprising a pressed member, an input member, an output member, and an engaging element, the pressed member including a first pressed member element having a pressed surface around an inner peripheral surface thereof and a second pressed member element having a mounting portion fixed to a portion that does not rotate during use, the engaging element configured to transmit rotational torque input to the input member to the output member by moving in a direction away from the pressed surface and to completely block rotational torque reversely input to the output member or transmit a part of the rotational torque reversely input to the output member to the input member and block a remaining part thereof.

A torque transfer apparatus and method of use is described. The apparatus (60) comprises a plurality of elements (62) assembled together to form a ring structure oriented in a plane around a longitudinal axis. The ring structure defines a first engagement surface. A structure (56) defining a second engagement surface is rotatable with respect to the ring structure. The ring structure is operable to be moved between a collapsed condition and an expanded condition by movement of the plurality of elements, and movement between the collapsed condition and the expanded condition engages or disengages the first and second engagement surfaces. The apparatus can be configured to transfer a driving torque (e.g. a clutch) or a braking force (e.g. a torque brake).

A torque transfer apparatus and method of use is described. The apparatus (60) comprises a plurality of elements (62) assembled together to form a ring structure oriented in a plane around a longitudinal axis. The ring structure defines a first engagement surface. A structure (56) defining a second engagement surface is rotatable with respect to the ring structure. The ring structure is operable to be moved between a collapsed condition and an expanded condition by movement of the plurality of elements, and movement between the collapsed condition and the expanded condition engages or disengages the first and second engagement surfaces. The apparatus can be configured to transfer a driving torque (e.g. a clutch) or a braking force (e.g. a torque brake).

An EPB (Electronic Parking Brake) apparatus may include: a housing unit; a motor unit mounted in the housing unit; a worm wheel gear unit engaged and rotated with the motor unit; a piston unit connected with a brake shoe; and a nut unit mounted on the worm wheel gear unit, coupled to the piston unit, and moved by the rotation of the worm wheel gear unit so as to pressurize the piston unit. The housing unit is deformed by the movement of the piston unit and restricts the operation of the motor unit.

An EPB (Electronic Parking Brake) apparatus may include: a housing unit; a motor unit mounted in the housing unit; a worm wheel gear unit engaged and rotated with the motor unit; a piston unit connected with a brake shoe; and a nut unit mounted on the worm wheel gear unit, coupled to the piston unit, and moved by the rotation of the worm wheel gear unit so as to pressurize the piston unit. The housing unit is deformed by the movement of the piston unit and restricts the operation of the motor unit.

A brake device comprises: an outer race having a cylindrical inner peripheral surface; a plurality of brake shoes disposed at a radially inner side of the outer race and arranged in a circumferential direction, each brake shoe having a pair of brake surfaces facing the inner peripheral surface and configured to be contactable with the inner peripheral surface and an inside surface facing radially inward; an output-side rotary member disposed at a radially inner side of the brake shoes, having an opposed surface provided at an outer periphery thereof and facing the inside surface; and an input-side rotary member configured to contact the brake shoes in the circumferential direction and thereby capable of imparting a rotary torque to the brake shoes. The brake shoe has a support surface disposed between the brake surfaces and configured to be contactable with the inner peripheral surface.

A brake device comprises: an outer race having a cylindrical inner peripheral surface; a plurality of brake shoes disposed at a radially inner side of the outer race and arranged in a circumferential direction, each brake shoe having a pair of brake surfaces facing the inner peripheral surface and configured to be contactable with the inner peripheral surface and an inside surface facing radially inward; an output-side rotary member disposed at a radially inner side of the brake shoes, having an opposed surface provided at an outer periphery thereof and facing the inside surface; and an input-side rotary member configured to contact the brake shoes in the circumferential direction and thereby capable of imparting a rotary torque to the brake shoes. The brake shoe has a support surface disposed between the brake surfaces and configured to be contactable with the inner peripheral surface.

A distance between a rotation center of an input member and a contact portion between an input side engaging portion and an input side engaged portion in a second direction is set to be shorter than a distance between a rotation center of an output member and a contact portion between an output side engaging portion and an output side engaged portion in the second direction. In a locked or semi-locked state, a contact portion between the output side engaging portion and the output side engaged portion is located on the side closer to the rotation center of the output member in a first direction in relation to a virtual line connecting the rotation center of the output member and a contact portion between one pressing surface of the pair of pressing surfaces and the pressed surface.

A distance between a rotation center of an input member and a contact portion between an input side engaging portion and an input side engaged portion in a second direction is set to be shorter than a distance between a rotation center of an output member and a contact portion between an output side engaging portion and an output side engaged portion in the second direction. In a locked or semi-locked state, a contact portion between the output side engaging portion and the output side engaged portion is located on the side closer to the rotation center of the output member in a first direction in relation to a virtual line connecting the rotation center of the output member and a contact portion between one pressing surface of the pair of pressing surfaces and the pressed surface.

An EPB (Electronic Parking Brake) apparatus may include: a housing unit; a motor unit mounted in the housing unit; a worm wheel gear unit engaged and rotated with the motor unit; a piston unit connected with a brake shoe; and a nut unit mounted on the worm wheel gear unit, coupled to the piston unit, and moved by the rotation of the worm wheel gear unit so as to pressurize the piston unit. The housing unit is deformed by the movement of the piston unit and restricts the operation of the motor unit.