A clutch assembly for selectively transmitting torque between an engine and a torque converter is provided. A first plate is non-rotatably connected to a torque converter cover. A second plate is configured to receive a torque input from an engine. A wedge clutch is disposed axially between the first and second plates and is configured to selectively transfer torque between the first plate and the second plate. The wedge clutch includes wedge segments that are configured to collectively radially expand and contract to selectively transfer torque between the first plate and the second plate.

A clutch includes an inner race, an outer race defining an inner cam surface having lobes and valleys, and a plurality of wedge segments configured to selectively couple the inner and outer races. The wedge segments are circumferentially arranged around the inner race with each segment disposed between adjacent ones of the lobes and valleys. Each segment is circumferentially movable towards the adjacent lobe to increase friction with the inner race and towards the adjacent valley to decrease friction with the inner race. A cage is configured to drive the circumferential movement of the wedge segments. Rotation of the cage relative to the outer race in a first direction permits overrunning of the inner race in a second direction that is opposite the first direction while a second set of the segments locks the inner race from rotating in the first direction relative to the outer race.

A cylindrical bi-directional wedge clutch, including: an axis of rotation; a carrier ring; a hub; a wedge plate including at least a portion radially disposed between the carrier ring and the hub; and a wedge element displaceable, for first and second locked modes in which the hub and the carrier ring are non-rotatably connected, in a first axial direction to contact the wedge plate and expand the wedge plate radially outwardly, and displaceable, for a free-wheel mode in which the hub and the carrier ring are rotatable with respect to each other, in a second axial direction, opposite the first axial direction. For the first locked mode, the hub and carrier ring are arranged to rotate in a first circumferential direction. For the second locked mode, the hub and carrier ring are arranged to rotate in a second circumferential direction, opposite the first circumferential direction.

In a predetermined first state, a distance (D.sub.1) in a second direction between a contact portion (P.sub.in) between a input-side engaging part (9) and an input-side engaging part (17) and a rotation center (O) is larger than a distance (D.sub.2) in the second direction between a contact portion (P.sub.out) between an output-side engaging part (12) and an output-side engaged part (14) and the rotation center (O). In a locked state or a semi-locked state, a contact portion (C.sub.1) between the output-side engaging part (12) and the output-side engaged part (14) is located closer to the rotation center (O) of the output member (4) in a first direction than an imaginary straight line (L) connecting a contact portion (C.sub.2) between one pressing surface (13) of the pair of pressing surfaces (13) and a pressed surface (6) to the rotation center (O) of the output member (4).

A three-way switchable clutch, including: outer and inner rings; and pawls non-rotatably connected to the outer ring. For a free-wheel mode, the inner and outer rings are rotatable with respect to each other. For first and second clutch modes, the pawls are displaceable to engage the inner ring to non-rotatably connect the inner and outer rings. For the first mode: rotation of one of the inner or outer rings is in a first circumferential directions and the one of the inner or outer rings is rotatable with respect to the other of the inner or outer ring in a second circumferential direction. For the second mode: rotation of the one of the inner or outer rings is in the second circumferential direction and the one of the inner or outer rings is rotatable with respect to the other of the inner or outer rings in the first circumferential direction.

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 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 device, comprising an inner ring, an outer ring, one or more clutch discs arranged radially between the inner ring and the outer ring, wherein the one or more clutch discs are formed by the plurality of segments arranged next to one another in the peripheral direction and connected to one another via a cage, wherein the segments are configured to contact the outer ring in an unactuated state of the clutch device and configured to come into contact with the inner ring in an actuated state of the clutch device, and a first and second piston, wherein the first and second piston are configured to radially move the segments, wherein the first piston is configured to move at least one portion of the segments in a first peripheral direction in order to actuate the clutch device.

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 bi-directional wedge clutch for a motor vehicle drive train is provided. The bi-directional wedge clutch includes a driver; an inner race configured for being driven by the driver; a wedge plate on an outer circumferential surface of the inner race and an outer race on an outer circumferential surface of the wedge plate. The inner race and the wedge plate are configured such that torque is transferrable in two rotational directions from the inner race to the outer race via the wedge plate. The clutch also includes a releaser configured for sliding axial in a channel formed in the outer circumferential surface of the inner race and engaging the wedge plate to release the clutch when the inner race is rotating in either of the two rotational directions. A method of forming a bi-directional wedge clutch for a motor vehicle drive train is also provided.