An articulated finger. The articulated finger comprises a first phalange; a second phalange; a self-locking joint coupling the first phalange to the second phalange, wherein the self-locking joint is configured to allow motion in a first rotational direction of the first phalange relative to the second phalange and prevent motion in a second rotational direction of the first phalange relative to the second phalange, wherein the first rotational direction is opposite the second rotational direction; and a compliant actuator configured to actuate the first phalange in the first rotational direction relative to the second phalange.

Presented are torque converters with integrated engine disconnect devices, methods for making/using such torque converters, and electric-drive vehicles equipped with such torque converters. A torque converter (TC) assembly includes a TC housing that drivingly connects to an engine output member. A TC output member projects from the TC housing and drivingly connects to a transmission input member. A turbine with a bladed turbine shell is mounted on the TC output member and rotatable within the TC's internal fluid chamber. An impeller with a bladed impeller shell is juxtaposed with the turbine and rotatable within the fluid chamber. An engine disconnect device, which is disposed within the fluid chamber between the impeller shell and TC housing, drivingly couples the impeller to and, when desired, drivingly decouples the impeller from the TC housing and engine output member to thereby transfer torque and prevent torque transfer, respectively, between the engine and transmission.

Presented are torque converters with integrated engine disconnect devices, methods for making/using such torque converters, and electric-drive vehicles equipped with such torque converters. A torque converter (TC) assembly includes a TC housing that drivingly connects to an engine output member. A TC output member projects from the TC housing and drivingly connects to a transmission input member. A turbine with a bladed turbine shell is mounted on the TC output member and rotatable within the TC's internal fluid chamber. An impeller with a bladed impeller shell is juxtaposed with the turbine and rotatable within the fluid chamber. An engine disconnect device, which is disposed within the fluid chamber between the impeller shell and TC housing, drivingly couples the impeller to and, when desired, drivingly decouples the impeller from the TC housing and engine output member to thereby transfer torque and prevent torque transfer, respectively, between the engine and transmission.

The invention relates to a valve, in particular to a valve with self-locking function which comprises a valve body, a valve element, a valve control assembly, an upper locking assembly and a lower locking assembly; the valve body comprises an upper box body, a lower box body, a water inlet pipe and a water outlet pipe; the lower end of the upper box body is fixedly connected and communicated with the lower box body, the left end of the lower box body is fixedly connected with the water inlet pipe, and the right end of the lower box body is fixedly connected with the water outlet pipe.

The invention relates to a valve, in particular to a valve with self-locking function which comprises a valve body, a valve element, a valve control assembly, an upper locking assembly and a lower locking assembly; the valve body comprises an upper box body, a lower box body, a water inlet pipe and a water outlet pipe; the lower end of the upper box body is fixedly connected and communicated with the lower box body, the left end of the lower box body is fixedly connected with the water inlet pipe, and the right end of the lower box body is fixedly connected with the water outlet pipe.

A ratchet wheel includes an outer surface multiple ratchet teeth formed thereon, an inner surface having a polygonal hole defined therein, a first end and a second end. An electro-plating process is applied to the ratchet wheel to form a protective layer plated on the whole ratchet wheel. The protective layer is a durable and high stiffness metal layer or an alloy layer. An isolation layer is coated to the outer surface of the ratchet wheel, and a recognition layer is formed on the protective layer on the inner surface, the first end and the second end of the ratchet wheel.

A ratchet wheel includes an outer surface multiple ratchet teeth formed thereon, an inner surface having a polygonal hole defined therein, a first end and a second end. An electro-plating process is applied to the ratchet wheel to form a protective layer plated on the whole ratchet wheel. The protective layer is a durable and high stiffness metal layer or an alloy layer. An isolation layer is coated to the outer surface of the ratchet wheel, and a recognition layer is formed on the protective layer on the inner surface, the first end and the second end of the ratchet wheel.

An articulated finger. The articulated finger comprises a first phalange; a second phalange; a self-locking joint coupling the first phalange to the second phalange, wherein the self-locking joint is configured to allow motion in a first rotational direction of the first phalange relative to the second phalange and prevent motion in a second rotational direction of the first phalange relative to the second phalange, wherein the first rotational direction is opposite the second rotational direction; and a compliant actuator configured to actuate the first phalange in the first rotational direction relative to the second phalange.

A reclining device includes: a first member; a pawl having external teeth; a second member; a cam; and a spring, which biases the cam to move the pawl in the direction where the external teeth engage with the internal teeth, the pawl guide includes a first pawl guide and a second pawl guide, a wedge-shaped space is formed between the pawl and the first pawl guide, and a width of the wedge-shaped space is gradually reduced in a direction where the pawl is guided, an end of the spring is inserted into the wedge-shaped space, and the end of the spring is directly wedged into the wedge-shaped space, thereby pressing the pawl against the second pawl guide.

In the coupling of bi-directional, non-freewheeling-type DC motors (24,25) to the pulling spool (23) of a canopy (11) deployment strap (21,22) and to a take-up roller (15), ratchet gears (26,27) assure automatic alignment and synchronization of the deployment and retraction mechanisms. The reverse direction rotation of the unwinding motor can be uninhibited through the slipping of its ratchet gear when the winding motor is slow to take up the pulling strap or the tarp (11) being wound thereon. The slipping provides sufficient slack to accommodate changes of spool and roller diameters as more material is successively wound thereon. A friction brake acting against a flange of die spool keeps it from spinning freely when not engaged by the motor. Winding motors can be protected against excessive power use by measuring the level of drawn current with a digital ammeter. If the current exceeds a threshold level of operation, a timer is started. As soon as a given absolute safe period of operation is surpassed, a breaker switch is tripped interrupting the motor power supply. A plural number of trip points can be programmed into the device.