Torque-transmitting assembly and method
First Claim
1. A multi-mode torque-transmitting assembly comprising:
- a plate-supporting element having an axis;
a plate connected to the plate-supporting element such that the plate is axially movable with respect to the plate-supporting element between a first position and a second position in response to applied axial forces; and
a movement-inhibiting member in sufficient cooperation with the plate for selectively inhibiting axial movement of the plate, wherein the movement-inhibiting member inhibits movement of the plate from the first position in response to a first axial force, and allows movement of the plate to move toward the second position in response to a second axial force greater than the first axial force, such that the assembly is operable in more than one mode;
wherein the movement-inhibiting member extends between the plate-supporting element and the plate.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A multi-mode torque-transmitting assembly includes a plate-supporting element having an axis, and a plate connected to the plate-supporting element such that the plate is axially movable with respect to the plate-supporting element between a first position and a second position in response to applied axial forces. Furthermore, the assembly includes a movement-inhibiting member in sufficient cooperation with the plate for selectively inhibiting axial movement of the plate. The movement-inhibiting member inhibits movement of the plate from the first position in response to a first axial force, and allows movement of the plate toward the second position in response to a second axial force greater than the first axial force, such that the assembly is operable in more than one mode.
29 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A multi-mode torque-transmitting assembly comprising:
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a plate-supporting element having an axis;
a plate connected to the plate-supporting element such that the plate is axially movable with respect to the plate-supporting element between a first position and a second position in response to applied axial forces; and
a movement-inhibiting member in sufficient cooperation with the plate for selectively inhibiting axial movement of the plate, wherein the movement-inhibiting member inhibits movement of the plate from the first position in response to a first axial force, and allows movement of the plate to move toward the second position in response to a second axial force greater than the first axial force, such that the assembly is operable in more than one mode;
wherein the movement-inhibiting member extends between the plate-supporting element and the plate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A multi-mode torque-transmitting assembly comprising:
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a plate-supporting element having an axis;
a plate supported by the plate-supporting element such that the plate is axially movable with respect to the plate-supporting element between a first position and a second position in response to applied axial forces;
first and second additional plates positioned proximate the plate such that the plate is disposed between the additional plates, the additional plates being engageable with the plate; and
a movement-inhibiting member in sufficient cooperation with the plate for inhibiting axial movement of the plate, the movement-inhibiting member being configured to sufficiently inhibit axial movement of the plate when a first axial force is applied to the plate by the first additional plate so that the plate remains generally at the first position, the movement-inhibiting member further being configured to allow the plate to move toward the second position and engage the second additional plate when a second axial force greater than the first axial force is applied to the plate by the first additional plate.
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22. A multi-mode torque-transmitting assembly comprising:
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a plate-supporting element having an axis;
a plate pack including multiple plates, one of the plates being supported by the plate-supporting element such that the one plate is axially movable with respect to the plate-supporting element between a first position and a second position in response to applied axial forces;
a movement-inhibiting member in sufficient cooperation with the one plate for inhibiting axial movement of the one plate, the movement-inhibiting member being configured to maintain the one plate generally at the first position when a first axial force is applied to the plate pack such that a first quantity of the plates engage each other to transmit torque therebetween, the movement-inhibiting member further being configured to allow the one plate to move toward the second position when a second axial force greater than the first axial force is applied to the plate pack such that a second quantity of the plates engage each other to transmit torque therebetween, wherein the second quantity of the plates is greater than the first quantity of the plates; and
a return spring engaged with said one plate for urging said one plate toward the first position.
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23. A method of operating a multi-mode torque-transmitting assembly in multiple modes, the torque-transmitting assembly having a plate disposed between first and second additional plates, the plate being axially movable between first and second positions in response to applied axial forces, the method comprising:
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applying a first axial force to the first additional plate such that the first additional plate engages the plate, while inhibiting axial movement of the plate so that the plate remains generally at the first position, thereby operating the assembly in a first mode; and
applying a second axial force greater than the first axial force to the first additional plate such that the first additional plate causes the plate to move axially toward the second position in which the plate is engaged with the second additional plate, thereby operating the assembly in a second mode.
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Specification