The present invention relates to a transportation system for transporting products in a transportation direction. The transportation system comprises a conveyor unit for transporting the products in the transportation direction from a first end of the conveyor unit towards a second end of the conveyor unit, and a drive unit for driving the conveyor unit. The drive unit comprises a drive means and a first magnetic clutch component for transmitting torque to the conveyor unit. The conveyor unit comprises a second magnetic clutch component for receiving torque from the drive unit. The transportation system further comprises supporting means which includes first and second supporting elements with the first supporting elements arranged at the drive unit and the second support elements arranged at the conveyor unit, for supporting the conveyor unit such that at least the first magnetic clutch component and the second magnetic clutch component are aligned to each other, and for supporting torque transmitted from the drive unit to the conveyor unit. The present invention further relates to a drive unit as well as a conveyor unit, both adapted for use in a transportation system.

The present invention relates to a transportation system for transporting products in a transportation direction. The transportation system comprises a conveyor unit for transporting the products in the transportation direction from a first end of the conveyor unit towards a second end of the conveyor unit, and a drive unit for driving the conveyor unit. The drive unit comprises a drive means and a first magnetic clutch component for transmitting torque to the conveyor unit. The conveyor unit comprises a second magnetic clutch component for receiving torque from the drive unit. The transportation system further comprises supporting means which includes first and second supporting elements with the first supporting elements arranged at the drive unit and the second support elements arranged at the conveyor unit, for supporting the conveyor unit such that at least the first magnetic clutch component and the second magnetic clutch component are aligned to each other, and for supporting torque transmitted from the drive unit to the conveyor unit. The present invention further relates to a drive unit as well as a conveyor unit, both adapted for use in a transportation system.

An inner peripheral surface of an outer cylindrical tubular portion and an outer peripheral surface of an inner cylindrical tubular portion of a rotor are respectively shaped into a stepped form. A radial distance between the outer cylindrical tubular portion and the inner cylindrical tubular portion at a counter-armature side location is larger than that of an armature side location in the rotor. An outer peripheral surface of an outer cylindrical tubular portion and an inner peripheral surface of an inner cylindrical tubular portion of a stator are respectively shaped into a stepped form. A radial distance between the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical tubular portion and the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical tubular portion at the counter-armature side location is larger than that of the armature side location in the stator.

A vehicle including a continuously variable transmission including a gear selectively locked to an output shaft via a clutch actuated by an electric coil. The vehicle also includes a controller configured to, in response to wheel hop being detected, energize the coil to disengage the clutch allowing the gear and the output shaft to rotate independently of each other.

A steering system includes a two-way clutch, a worm wheel that is rotatable together with an input shaft, and a coil that generates a drive force for the two-way clutch to couple/decouple the input shaft and an output shaft to/from each other. The worm wheel has a center circular plate portion fixed to the input shaft, a radial ring portion that projects forward from a peripheral edge of the center circular plate portion, and a toothed portion that projects outward in the radial direction from the radial ring portion. The two-way clutch is disposed in a space surrounded by the center circular plate portion and the radial ring portion and formed on the front side with respect to the center circular plate portion. The coil surrounds an outer peripheral surface of the radial ring portion.

A steering system includes a two-way clutch, a worm wheel that is rotatable together with an input shaft, and a coil that generates a drive force for the two-way clutch to couple/decouple the input shaft and an output shaft to/from each other. The worm wheel has a center circular plate portion fixed to the input shaft, a radial ring portion that projects forward from a peripheral edge of the center circular plate portion, and a toothed portion that projects outward in the radial direction from the radial ring portion. The two-way clutch is disposed in a space surrounded by the center circular plate portion and the radial ring portion and formed on the front side with respect to the center circular plate portion. The coil surrounds an outer peripheral surface of the radial ring portion.

A bi-directional coupler that selectively couples and de-couples a driving element to a driven element. The coupler includes an outer shaft having an outer shaft slot and an inner shaft having an inner shaft slot, where the inner and outer shafts are configured to rotate independently of each other. The coupler also includes a ball bearing provided within the inner shaft slot and having a size so that when the ball bearing is located at a center portion of the inner shaft slot it does not interfere with rotation of the outer shaft, where the ball bearing is held in that location by a magnet located in the inner shaft. Rotation of the inner shaft above a predetermined rotational speed causes the ball bearing to engage the outer shaft slot so as to cause the inner shaft to be locked to the outer shaft and rotate therewith.

A bi-directional coupler that selectively couples and de-couples a driving element to a driven element. The coupler includes an outer shaft having an outer shaft slot and an inner shaft having an inner shaft slot, where the inner and outer shafts are configured to rotate independently of each other. The coupler also includes a ball bearing provided within the inner shaft slot and having a size so that when the ball bearing is located at a center portion of the inner shaft slot it does not interfere with rotation of the outer shaft, where the ball bearing is held in that location by a magnet located in the inner shaft. Rotation of the inner shaft above a predetermined rotational speed causes the ball bearing to engage the outer shaft slot so as to cause the inner shaft to be locked to the outer shaft and rotate therewith.

A variety of brake and/or clutch mechanisms, and improvements thereof, are provided having improved braking power, reduced size and weight, and other benefits. The braking mechanisms include a wrap spring clutch that is operable to mechanically couple a rotating member to a brake rotor that is in consistent contact with a brake pad. Actuation of the wrap spring clutch allows the wrap spring to engage with the rotating member, coupling the rotating member to the brake rotor thus braking the rotating member. The combination of the wrap spring clutch with the brake rotor and pad provides an overall braking mechanism that exhibits the decreased power cost, weight, size, and engagement time of the wrap spring clutch while having a braking power that can be moderated by specifying the area, engagement force, coefficient of friction, or other properties of the brake rotor and pad.

Quick-release control systems for architectural opening coverings and associated control systems and methods for rapidly deploying the coverings to extended positions. In one embodiment coupling assemblies are provided for controllably coupling and decoupling portions of lifting mechanisms in a variety of covering systems, including roller and cellular shade systems. In yet other embodiments, control systems for controlling a plurality of coverings are provided, which may be configured to remotely and simultaneously deploying each of the plurality of coverings to an extended position in response to a trigger signal.