Schaeffler Technologies Ag & Co .kg

Jordan Geiser

Michael Hodge

Kenneth Hunt

Carsten Behler

Brian Thomas Lee

Markus Steinberger

Patrick Lindemann

Matthew Payne

James Brown

Charles Schwab

Peter Burke

Drew Hilty

James Copeland

Long Souers

Alicia Vidal Ortiz

Matthew Fowler

Brandon Heitger

David Battle

A radially compliant connection includes an axis, a first plate with a first connection portion, a second plate with a second connection portion, an intermediate plate with third and fourth connection portions, a first flexible element fixed to the first connection portion and to the third connection portion, and a second flexible element fixed to the second connection portion and to the fourth connection portion. In some example embodiments, the first connection portion has a radially inner surface with a first radius, and the second connection portion has a first radially outer surface with a second radius, less than the first radius. In an example embodiment, the third connection portion has a second radially outer surface with a third radius, equal to the second radius, or the fourth connection portion has a third radially outer surface with a fourth radius, equal to the second radius.

Radially compliant connection

A differential for an e-axle that includes an oil collector for enhancing oil distribution to the differential. Unlike conventional differentials, a differential in accordance with the present disclosure is not submerged in fluid. Rather, the oil collector collects fluid sprayed by other transmission components (e.g., a ring gear) and directs the fluid to the differential.

Oil collector for mechanical limited slip differential

A clutch assembly is disclosed herein that generally has at least three operating conditions: an open condition, a transition condition, and a locked condition. The operating conditions are achieved based on displacement of a dog clutch ring relative to a pocket ring and a cam ring. In the open condition, rockers of a ratcheting assembly are completely disengaged from ramps on a cam ring. In the transition condition, the rockers engage with the ramps on the cam ring to allow a ratcheting motion in one rotational direction and a locked state in the other rotational direction. In the locked condition, splines on the dog clutch ring engage with splines on the cam ring to provide a rotationally fixed connection in both rotational directions.

Clutch assembly

A dog clutch with ratcheting one-way clutch includes an axis, a dog clutch ring, a first ring, a second ring, and a plurality of rockers. The dog clutch ring has a plurality of first teeth. The first ring includes a plurality of second teeth, complementary to the first teeth, a first spline for receiving a first shaft, and a plurality of first pockets. The second ring includes a plurality of third teeth, complementary to the first teeth, a second spline for receiving a second shaft, and a plurality of second pockets. The plurality of rockers is disposed in a one of the plurality of first pockets or the plurality of second pockets for selectively engaging with the other one of the plurality of first pockets or the plurality of second pockets to prevent rotation of the first ring relative to the second ring in only one rotational direction.

Dog clutch with ratcheting one-way clutch

An electric drive for a vehicle implements a disconnect feature to reduce parasitic losses when the electric drive is not necessary for propulsion. The disconnect feature utilizes a slipper clutch which is disengaged by holding a slipper ring in a predefined circumferential position relative to an outer ring using a set of pins that move radially. A lever spring biases the pins to the outward radial position. A solenoid moves a plunger axially which pushes the pins radially inward.

Electric drive with disconnect

A clutch assembly comprises an actuation assembly, an outer ring, and an inner ring disposed radially inward of the outer ring and rotatable about an axis in first and second rotational directions. A first and second strut are rotatably disposed within first and second pockets of the outer ring and configured to be rotated by the actuation assembly. A first pawl and a second pawl are rotatably disposed within a third pocket and a fourth pocket, respectively. For a transition mode, the actuation assembly is configured to rotate the first strut within the first pocket such that rotation of the first strut in the first rotational direction urges the first pawl radially inward into partial engagement with teeth disposed on an outer surface of the inner ring, the second pawl remains free of contact with the inner ring and the inner ring rotates in the first rotational direction.

Switchable i-brake for hybrid transmission

A drive assembly for a motor vehicle drive train includes a shaft including a plurality of axially extending splines defining an outer circumferential surface, and a planet carrier non-rotatably fixed to the shaft by the axially extending splines. The planet carrier and the shaft are axially constrained with respect to each other by a radially inwardly extending material of the planet carrier axially contacting a radially extending surface of the shaft.

Planetary drive assembly and method of connecting a planet carrier to a splined part

A switchable one-way clutch is provided for selectively switching between operating as a one-way clutch and a bi-directional locking clutch. The clutch includes a housing, and an outer race and an inner race, which is fixed rotationally to the housing. The clutch also includes a roller cage assembly having a plurality of rollers contactable with the inner race and the outer race. A roller cage is configured to position and contain the plurality of rollers therein. The clutch also includes an annular drag plate contacting the inner race. The drag plate is rotationally fixed to the roller cage and is moveable in an axial direction relative to the roller cage. An electromagnet assembly is configured to magnetize in response to electric energy. Via selective magnetization to attract the drag plate axially, the clutch can switch between operating modes.

Switchable roller one-way clutch

A piston assembly for a transmission includes a piston and a washer connected to the piston. In one embodiment, the washer includes a circumferential ring that extends continuously about an inner diameter, wherein a cavity is defined between the piston and the washer. A bearing element is retained and centered on the washer by the circumferential ring.

Hydraulic piston assembly

An assembly for a one-way clutch (OWC) includes a carrier, an outer race non-rotatably fixed to the carrier, an inner race, and a roller cage assembly. The roller cage assembly is disposed radially between the inner race and outer race to enable relative rotation therebetween. The roller cage assembly has a plurality of rolling elements and an annular cage and is configured to maintain the rolling elements in position. The cage including a flange extending radially inwardly. A support shim has an axial surface that contacts the flange, wherein the support shim is configured to absorb axial forces transmitted through the flange.

One-way clutch with support shim

A switchable one-way clutch includes an outer race, an inner race, a plurality of rollers, and a drag plate. The outer race has a ramped inner surface. The rollers are contactable with the outer race and the inner race. The cage is for positioning the plurality of rollers. The drag plate is rotationally engaged with the cage and frictionally engageable with the inner race. In an example embodiment, the cage has a notch and the drag plate has a tab installed in the notch to engage the drag plate to the cage. In an example embodiment, the drag plate or the inner race includes a friction material ring bonded thereto for increasing a friction coefficient between the drag plate and the inner race. In an example embodiment, the clutch has an arc spring. The outer race includes a pocket, the cage includes a tab, and the arc spring contacts the pocket and the tab to displace the cage in a first rotational direction. In an example embodiment, the inner race includes an inner splined surface.

Switchable one-way clutch

A transmission assembly, for example a clutch carrier assembly including a clutch carrier, a first thrust bearing, and a second thrust bearing is provided with integrated assembly structures. A connector extends from a race of the first thrust bearing, through the clutch carrier, and engages a receiver on a race of the second thrust bearing.

Thrust bearing assembly attachment

A method of assembling a thrust bearing arrangement is disclosed. The method includes (a) providing a thrust bearing assembly. The thrust bearing assembly includes a support washer. The support washer includes a radially outer rim defining a plurality of slots extending radially outward from the radially outer rim. The method includes (b) providing a spring plate. The spring plate includes projections at a radially outer region. The projections extend in an axial direction. The method includes (c) aligning the projections of the spring plate with the slots of support washer. The method includes (d) deforming the projections of the spring plate to retain the thrust bearing assembly with the spring plate.

Thrust bearing arrangement

A switchable one-way clutch is able to switch between operating as a one-way clutch and a clutch that locks in both directions. The clutch includes an inner race, and an outer race that includes an inner surface with a plurality of ramped profiles. A control plate is located radially outward from the inner race and moveable in an axial direction relative to the outer race. A plurality of rollers are contactable with the outer and inner races. A roller cage is configured to position and contain the plurality of rollers. A hydraulic piston is coupled to an actuator arm, such that movement of the piston along the axis moves the actuator arm along the axis. To switch and engage the clutch such that rotation is locked in both directions, the piston and actuator arm move axially to hold the control plate and attached roller cage against rotation.

A switchable clutch includes an outer ring, an inner ring, a roller cage, a plurality of rollers, and a drag plate. The outer ring includes a plurality of ramped surfaces. The roller cage is disposed radially between the outer ring and the inner ring. The rollers are guided by the roller cage. The drag plate is rotationally fixed to the inner ring and is engageable with the roller cage to rotate the rollers relative to the outer ring. In an example embodiment, the switchable clutch has a spring engaged with the outer ring for urging the roller cage in a first rotational direction relative to the outer ring. In an example embodiment, the switchable clutch has an electromagnet for engaging the drag plate and the roller cage and/or a coil spring assembly for disengaging the drag plate and the roller cage.

Growing community of inventors

Dalton, OH, United States of America

Jordan Geiser