A system is configured to control a clutch that connects a first rotating body and a second rotating body. The system includes a biasing portion, an actuator, an energization device, and a control unit. The biasing portion permanently biases the clutch in a connecting direction. The actuator drives the clutch in a disconnecting direction. The energization device energizes the actuator. The control unit controls the energization device. The energization device outputs a first current value to the actuator when a connection of the clutch is detected even if a condition for permitting a disconnection is satisfied. The energization device outputs a second current value lower than the first current value when the condition for permitting the disconnection is satisfied and a disconnection of the clutch is detected.

A driving force distribution control device mounted on a four-wheel drive vehicle is provided. A coupling mechanism controller connects a drive shaft with an auxiliary driving wheel and sets a fastening force as a first fastening force, when an increase rate in an accelerator opening becomes more than a given value and a vehicle speed is below a given first speed, and changes the fastening force from the first fastening force to a second fastening force, when a slip of at least one of main driving wheels is detected after the fastening force is set to the first fastening force, and before a given time period has lapsed from the setting of the fastening force, or before the vehicle speed becomes faster than a given second speed. The second fastening force at least immediately after the change of the fastening force is a value larger than the first fastening force.

A torque limiter assembly is disclosed comprising a housing having at least one first engagement member, an input shaft that is rotatable relative to the housing and having at least one second engagement member; and an electromagnet. The electromagnet 10 is arranged and configured such that when activated it generates a magnetic field that moves the at least one first engagement member relative to the at least one second engagement member, such that the first and second engagement members engage each other and stop or inhibit rotation of the input shaft relative to the housing.

A water pump (1) according to the present invention comprises an electromagnetic clutch (60) that switches between a transmission state where a pump pulley (20) and an armature (83) of an armature assy (80) are made to frictionally engage to transmit drive force of the pump pulley (20) to a pump shaft (30) and a cutoff state where frictional engagement of the pump pulley (20) and the armature (83) of the armature assy (80) is released to cut off transmission of drive force from the pump pulley (20) to the pump shaft (30), and a flange member (120) provided on the armature assy (80) to rotate integrally with the pump shaft (30) and is configured such that when in the cutoff state, by magnetic attractive force between a permanent magnet (111) of the pump pulley (20) and a permanent magnet (131) of the flange member (120), the flange member (120) is rotated together with the rotation of the pump pulley (20).

The present invention relates to a vehicle auxiliary steering device comprising a double acting clutch, the device replacing a conventional motor driven power steering (MDPS) system and, more specifically, to a vehicle auxiliary steering device comprising a double acting clutch, the device transmitting power, which is generated from a power generation device rotating in one direction, through the double acting clutch to a handle shaft coupled to a steering wheel and a wheel shaft, so as to assist the direction changing ability of a vehicle, thereby having excellent safety and excellent steerability, which is transmitted to a driver, and operability (handling) of the steering wheel.

Systems and methods are shown for electrically controllably transmitting power from a motor involving electrically controllably coupling the first input hub to a shuttle so that power is transmitted from the first input hub to the shuttle, providing for one-way rotation between the shuttle and a stationary chassis, and coupling the shuttle to an output hub with a spring such that energy is stored and released from the spring as the output hub rotates. Examples are shown that include controlling engaged and disengaged time intervals of the first input hub and shuttle to maintain a torque level at the output hub, such as by utilizing pulse width modulation or pulse frequency modulation. Examples are also shown involving electroadhesively coupling the first input hub to the shuttle.

A viscous clutch according to the present invention, which is composed of a main body having a fluid storage chamber of a concave shape formed at a central portion thereof and a cover having a concave fluid operation chamber formed at a central portion thereof, comprises: a fan housing in which the main body is stacked on an upper side of the cover so that an opening of the fluid operation chamber can be covered; a drive shaft which extends in a vertical direction and has a lower end inserted through a bottom plate of the main body; a rotor fixedly coupled to the lower end of the drive shaft so as to be rotatable in the fluid operation chamber; a rotary assembly integrally coupled to the main body so as to cover an opening of the fluid storage chamber; a coil core mounted on an upper surface of the rotary assembly and generating an electromagnetic force when an electric current is applied from the outside; and a valve assembly for opening or closing a fluid outlet according to whether or not an electric current is applied to the coil core.

A clutch current control circuit may include as a circuit for controlling a current of a clutch connected to a compressor, a strain gauge, wherein a resistance value of the strain gauge is varied according to the movement amount of an Electric Control Valve (ECV) shaft; a switching element of performing a switching operation by comparing a gate-source voltage determined according to a change in the resistance value of the strain gauge and the threshold voltage, and allowing a flow of a first clutch current to generate by a first switching operation state; and a resistor connected in parallel with the switching element, and allowing a flow of a second clutch current to generate by a second switching operation state of the switching element.

Methods and systems are provided for operating an electromagnetic pulse disconnect assembly for selectively engaging two rotating components of a vehicle drivetrain. A disconnect assembly is needed that is not powered by vacuum diverted from an engine of the vehicle, as modern engines are being developed to reduce vacuum production and remove vacuum lines for powering peripheral devices such as disconnects. An electromagnetic pulse disconnect assembly is provided that operates via pulses of electrical current and includes an electromagnetic coil for translating a clutch ring assembly and a latching ring assembly to selectively couple two rotating components.

An electro-magnetically actuated pawl clutch is adapted to establish a fixed overdrive ratio in a powersplit type hybrid gearing arrangement. In a first embodiment, the pawl clutch holds a member against rotation in one direction when engaged and permits rotation in the other direction. In a second embodiment, the pawl clutch prevents relative rotation between two rotatable members in one direction when engaged and permits relative rotation in the other direction. In either embodiment, the coil is stationary.