Wrap spring clutch actuator and methods for same
First Claim
1. A wrap spring clutch system including one or more wrap spring clutch assemblies, the one or more wrap spring clutch assemblies comprising:
- a latching actuator assembly including;
an armature plunger having a clutch actuator at one end of the armature plunger,a solenoid coil movably coupled with the armature plunger, and in a powered solenoid coil state the solenoid coil moves the armature plunger between deployed and retracted configurations,a latching magnet configured to latch the armature plunger in one of the deployed or retracted configuration in an unpowered solenoid coil state with the armature plunger near the latching magnet, anda latching spring configured to latch the armature plunger in the other of the deployed or retracted configuration in an unpowered solenoid coil state with the armature plunger remote from the latching magnet;
a rotatable input hub;
a rotatable output hub configured for rotation by the input hub; and
a helical spring engaged with the output hub and selectively engaged with the input hub in slipping engagement and locking engagement according to the deployed or retracted configuration of the armature plunger,in the deployed configuration the clutch actuator is engaged with the helical spring, the solenoid coil is in an unpowered state, and the helical spring is in slipping engagement with the input hub, andin the retracted configuration the clutch actuator is disengaged with with the helical spring, the solenoid coil is in the unpowered state, and the helical spring is in locking engagement with the input hub.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A wrap spring clutch system includes one or more wrap spring clutch assemblies each having a latching actuator assembly. The latching actuator assembly includes an armature plunger movably coupled with a solenoid coil, and in a powered solenoid coil state the solenoid coil moves the armature plunger between deployed and retracted configurations. A latching magnet latches the armature plunger in one of the deployed or retracted configuration in an unpowered solenoid coil state. A latching spring latches the armature plunger in the other of the deployed or retracted configuration in an unpowered solenoid coil state. The wrap spring clutches include a rotatable input hub and a rotatable output hub configured for rotation by the input hub. A helical spring is engaged with the output hub and selectively engaged in slipping and locking engagement with the input hub according to the deployed or retracted configuration of the armature plunger.
55 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A wrap spring clutch system including one or more wrap spring clutch assemblies, the one or more wrap spring clutch assemblies comprising:
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a latching actuator assembly including; an armature plunger having a clutch actuator at one end of the armature plunger, a solenoid coil movably coupled with the armature plunger, and in a powered solenoid coil state the solenoid coil moves the armature plunger between deployed and retracted configurations, a latching magnet configured to latch the armature plunger in one of the deployed or retracted configuration in an unpowered solenoid coil state with the armature plunger near the latching magnet, and a latching spring configured to latch the armature plunger in the other of the deployed or retracted configuration in an unpowered solenoid coil state with the armature plunger remote from the latching magnet; a rotatable input hub; a rotatable output hub configured for rotation by the input hub; and a helical spring engaged with the output hub and selectively engaged with the input hub in slipping engagement and locking engagement according to the deployed or retracted configuration of the armature plunger, in the deployed configuration the clutch actuator is engaged with the helical spring, the solenoid coil is in an unpowered state, and the helical spring is in slipping engagement with the input hub, and in the retracted configuration the clutch actuator is disengaged with with the helical spring, the solenoid coil is in the unpowered state, and the helical spring is in locking engagement with the input hub. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A wrap spring clutch system including one or more wrap spring clutch assemblies, the one or more wrap spring clutch assemblies comprising:
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a rotatable input hub; a rotatable output hub; a helical spring engaged with the output hub and selectively engaged with the input hub in slipping engagement and locking engagement, the helical spring includes a clutch control feature; and a latching actuator assembly configured to engage and disengage the clutch control feature, the latching actuator assembly includes; an armature plunger, one end of the armature plunger includes a clutch actuator configured for engagement with the clutch control feature, a solenoid coil, the armature plunger is movably coupled within the solenoid coil, and the solenoid coil moves the clutch actuator toward engagement or disengagement with the clutch control feature in a powered state, a latching magnet coupled with the solenoid coil, and the latching magnet latches the clutch actuator into one of disengagement or engagement with the clutch control feature with the solenoid coil in an unpowered state, and a latching spring coupled with the armature plunger, and the latching spring latches the clutch actuator into the other of engagement or disengagement with the clutch control features with the solenoid coil in the unpowered state. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for using one or more latching actuator assemblies in a wrap spring clutch system comprising:
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deploying an armature plunger with an unsustained application of power including; powering a solenoid coil, the solenoid coil is movably coupled with the armature plunger, and powering the solenoid coil moves the armature plunger into a deployed configuration, and interrupting power to the solenoid coil after the movement of the armature plunger into the deployed configuration; latching the armature plunger in the deployed configuration with one of a latching magnet or a latching spring in an unpowered state of the solenoid coil; engaging the latched armature plunger with a helical spring of a wrap spring clutch assembly; retracting the armature plunger with another unsustained application of power including; powering the solenoid coil, and powering the solenoid coil moves the armature plunger into a retracted configuration, and interrupting power to the solenoid coil after the movement of the armature plunger into the retracted configuration; latching the armature plunger in the retracted configuration with the other of the latching spring or the latching magnet in the unpowered state; and disengaging the latched armature plunger from the helical spring. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification