Actuator for disconnectable stabilizer bar system
First Claim
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1. A stabilizer bar assembly for a vehicle having a pair of laterally-spaced wheels, the stabilizer bar assembly comprising:
- a first stabilizer bar adapted to be coupled to a first one of the pair of laterally-spaced wheels;
a second stabilizer bar adapted to be coupled to a second one of the pair of laterally-spaced wheels; and
a clutch assembly coupled to the first and second stabilizer bars, the clutch assembly operable in a first condition wherein the first and second stabilizer bars are permitted to rotate independently of one another and the clutch assembly operable in a second condition where the first and second stabilizer bars are coupled for rotation with one another;
wherein the clutch includes a clutch housing, a first coupling flange, a second coupling flange, a coil assembly, a plurality of engagement pins and a spring, the clutch housing defining a cavity in which the first and second coupling flanges are disposed, the first coupling flange being coupled for rotation with the first stabilizer bar and defining a first set of pin apertures, the second coupling flange being coupled for rotation with the second stabilizer bar and defining a second set of pin apertures, the coil assembly including an annular coil and an armature, the annular coil being disposed concentrically about a rotational axis of the first stabilizer bar, the engagement pins being fixedly coupled to the armature for translation therewith, the engagement pins being received in the first set of pin apertures, the spring biasing the armature in a direction that facilitates engagement of the engagement pins in the second set of pin apertures to thereby inhibit relative rotation between the first and second stabilizer bars; and
wherein the coil assembly may be selectively activated to move the armature to withdraw the engagement pins from the second set of pin apertures to thereby permit relative rotation between the first and second stabilizer bars.
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Abstract
A vehicle stabilizer bar assembly having a pair of stabilizer bar members that are selectively uncoupled via a clutch. The clutch includes a plurality of engagement pins that can be selectively moved via an actuator to effect the uncoupling of the stabilizer bar members. The actuator is configured to apply a force to the moving element concentrically about the axis along which the moving element translates. A method for operating a vehicle stabilizer bar assembly is also provided.
56 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A stabilizer bar assembly for a vehicle having a pair of laterally-spaced wheels, the stabilizer bar assembly comprising:
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a first stabilizer bar adapted to be coupled to a first one of the pair of laterally-spaced wheels; a second stabilizer bar adapted to be coupled to a second one of the pair of laterally-spaced wheels; and a clutch assembly coupled to the first and second stabilizer bars, the clutch assembly operable in a first condition wherein the first and second stabilizer bars are permitted to rotate independently of one another and the clutch assembly operable in a second condition where the first and second stabilizer bars are coupled for rotation with one another; wherein the clutch includes a clutch housing, a first coupling flange, a second coupling flange, a coil assembly, a plurality of engagement pins and a spring, the clutch housing defining a cavity in which the first and second coupling flanges are disposed, the first coupling flange being coupled for rotation with the first stabilizer bar and defining a first set of pin apertures, the second coupling flange being coupled for rotation with the second stabilizer bar and defining a second set of pin apertures, the coil assembly including an annular coil and an armature, the annular coil being disposed concentrically about a rotational axis of the first stabilizer bar, the engagement pins being fixedly coupled to the armature for translation therewith, the engagement pins being received in the first set of pin apertures, the spring biasing the armature in a direction that facilitates engagement of the engagement pins in the second set of pin apertures to thereby inhibit relative rotation between the first and second stabilizer bars; and wherein the coil assembly may be selectively activated to move the armature to withdraw the engagement pins from the second set of pin apertures to thereby permit relative rotation between the first and second stabilizer bars. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A stabilizer bar assembly for a vehicle having a pair of laterally-spaced wheels, the stabilizer bar assembly comprising:
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a first stabilizer bar adapted to be coupled to a first one of the pair of laterally—
spaced wheels;a second stabilizer bar adapted to be coupled to a second one of the pair of laterally-spaced wheels; and a clutch assembly coupled to the first and second stabilizer bars, the clutch assembly operable in a first condition wherein the first and second stabilizer bars are permitted to rotate independently of one another and the clutch assembly operable in a second condition where the first and second stabilizer bars are coupled for rotation with one another; wherein the clutch assembly includes a clutch housing, a first coupling flange, a second coupling flange, a coil assembly, a plurality of engagement pins and a spring, the clutch housing defining a cavity in which the first and second coupling flanges are disposed, the first coupling flange being coupled for rotation with the first stabilizer bar and defining a first set of pin apertures, the second coupling flange being coupled for rotation with the second stabilizer bar and defining a second set of pin apertures, the coil assembly including a coil, disposed concentrically about the first stabilizer bar, and an armature, disposed concentrically about the first stabilizer bar, the engagement pins being fixedly coupled to the armature for translation therewith, the engagement pins being received in the first set of pin apertures, the spring biasing the armature in a direction that facilitates engagement of the engagement pins in the second set of pin apertures to thereby inhibit relative rotation between the first and second stabilizer bars; wherein the coil assembly may be selectively activated to move the armature to withdraw the engagement pins from the second set of pin apertures to thereby permit relative rotation between the first and second stabilizer bars; wherein at least a portion of the engagement pins have a tapered end that is located opposite the armature; and wherein a portion of one of the first and second coupling flanges is received in the other one of the first and second coupling flanges to locate the first and second coupling flanges to one another about a rotational axis. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification