Magnetically actuated clutch assembly

Abstract

A clutch assembly includes a first clutch including a cam plate, a pocket plate and axially pivoting struts that drivably connect the plates for rotation in a first rotary direction, and disconnect the plates when the cam plate rotates in a second direction relative to the pocket plate, and a second clutch including a first cam plate, a first pocket plate, a coil and first struts that drivably connect the first cam plate and the first pocket plate for rotation in the second direction and disconnect the first cam plate and the first pocket plate when the coil is energized and the first cam plate rotates in the first direction relative to the first pocket plate.

1 . A clutch assembly, comprising:
 a first clutch including a cam plate, a pocket plate and axially pivoting struts that drivably connect the plates for rotation in a first rotary direction, and disconnect the plates when the cam plate rotates in a second direction relative to the pocket plate;   a second clutch including a first cam plate, a first pocket plate, a coil and first struts that drivably connect the first cam plate and the first pocket plate for rotation in the second direction and disconnect the first cam plate and the first pocket plate when the coil is energized and the first cam plate rotates in the first direction relative to the first pocket plate.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 springs urging the struts to pivot axially toward engagement with cams formed on the cam plate.   
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 first springs urging the first struts to pivot axially in a first pivot direction that is opposite an axial pivot direction of the first struts caused by energizing the coil.   
     
     
         4 . The clutch of  claim 1 , wherein:
 cams formed on a surface of the first cam plate face the second plate;   pockets formed on a surface of the first pocket plate face the cams; and   a spring urging a first strut to pivot axially toward contact with the cams.   
     
     
         5 . The clutch of  claim 1 , wherein:
 cams formed on a surface of the first cam plate face the second plate;   pockets formed on a surface of the first pocket plate face the cams; and   a spring urging a first strut to pivot axially away from contact with the cams.   
     
     
         6 . A clutch assembly, comprising:
 a first clutch including a cam plate, a pocket plate and axially pivoting struts that drivably connect the plates for rotation in a first rotary direction, and disconnect the plates when the cam plate rotates in a second direction relative to the pocket plate;   a second clutch including a first cam plate, a first pocket plate, a coil and first struts that drivably connect the first cam plate and the first pocket plate for rotation in the second direction and disconnect the first cam plate and the first pocket plate when the coil is energized and the first cam plate rotates in the first direction relative to the first pocket plate;   cams formed on a surface of the first cam plate face the second plate;   pockets formed on a surface of the first pocket plate face the cams;   a spring urging a first strut to pivot axially toward contact with the cams; and   a second spring urging a first strut to pivot axially away from contact with the cams.