Power transmission assembly with face mounted bi-directional shift clutches

Abstract

A power transmission assembly includes an input member adapted to receive drive torque from a source of torque, an output member adapted to provide drive torque to an output device and a bi-directional roller clutch including a first ring fixed for rotation with one of the input and output members. A second ring is spaced apart from the other of the input and output members. Rollers are positioned in aligned cam tracks formed in facing surfaces of the first and second rings. Neither the first ring nor the second ring support the input member or the output member on the other. The second ring may circumferentially index relative to the first ring for causing the rollers to ride up the cam tracks and force the second ring to frictionally engage the other of the input and output members, thereby establishing a drive connection between the input and output members.

1 . A power transmission device comprising:
 a rotary input member adapted to receive drive torque from a source of torque;   a rotary output member adapted to provide drive torque to an output device; and   a bi-directional roller clutch having a first ring fixed for rotation with one of the rotary input member and the rotary output member, a second ring spaced apart from the other of the rotary input member and the rotary output member, and rollers positioned in aligned cam tracks formed in facing surfaces of the first and second rings, wherein neither the first nor second ring support one of the rotary members on the other rotary member, the second ring adapted to circumferentially index relative to the first ring to cause the rollers to ride up the cam tracks and cause the second ring to frictionally engage the other of the rotary input member and the rotary output member.   
   
   
       2 . The power transmission device of  claim 1  wherein one of the rotary input member and the rotary output member includes a recess in receipt of the first ring, the second ring and the rollers. 
   
   
       3 . The power transmission device of  claim 2  further including an axially moveable shifting sleeve supported by one of the first and second rings. 
   
   
       4 . The power transmission device of  claim 3  wherein the shifting sleeve includes a lug positionable within an actuation slot formed in the second ring to place the bi-directional roller clutch in an over-running mode. 
   
   
       5 . The power transmission device of  claim 1  wherein one of rotary input member and the rotary output member includes a body having a toothed perimeter and a drum portion axially extending beyond the body. 
   
   
       6 . The power transmission device of  claim 5  further including an axially moveable shifting sleeve supported on an outer surface of the drum portion, wherein translation of the shifting sleeve places the bi-directional roller clutch in one of an active mode and an inactive mode. 
   
   
       7 . The power transmission device of  claim 6  wherein the shifting sleeve includes a radially extending leg having a distal end fixed to an axially extending lug, the lug being selectively positionable within an actuation slot formed in the second ring to place the bi-directional roller clutch in the inactive mode. 
   
   
       8 . The power transmission device of  claim 5  wherein the second ring is axially captured between one of the rotary input member and the rotary output member and the shifting sleeve. 
   
   
       9 . The power transmission device of  claim 1  wherein the first ring includes a body portion fixed for rotation with the rotary output member and positioned adjacent the rotary input member. 
   
   
       10 . The power transmission device of  claim 5  wherein the first ring axially extends beyond the drum portion and supports an axially moveable shifting sleeve. 
   
   
       11 . A transmission comprising:
 a first input shaft;   a second input shaft;   a first clutch adapted to drivingly couple a power source to the first input shaft;   a second clutch adapted to drivingly couple the power source to the second input shaft;   a countershaft;   first, third and fifth drive gears driven by the first input shaft;   second, fourth and sixth drive gears driven by the second input shaft;   first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth driven gears selectively driving the countershaft, the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth drive gears being in meshed engagement with the corresponding first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth driven gears; and   first through sixth bi-directional roller clutches individually associated with respective first through sixth drive or driven gears to provide first through sixth gear drive ratios to the countershaft.   
   
   
       12 . The transmission of  claim 11  wherein the first drive gear is rotatably supported by the first input shaft, the first bi-directional roller clutch including a first ring fixed for rotation with the first input shaft, a second ring spaced apart from the first drive gear, and rollers positioned in aligned cam tracks formed in facing surfaces of the first and second rings, the second ring adapted to circumferentially index relative to the first ring to cause the rollers to ride up the cam tracks and cause the second ring to frictionally engage the first drive gear and transfer torque between the first input shaft and the first drive gear. 
   
   
       13 . The power transmission device of  claim 12  further including an axially moveable shifting sleeve supported by one of the first and second rings. 
   
   
       14 . The power transmission device of  claim 13  wherein the shifting sleeve includes a lug positionable within an actuation slot formed in the second ring to place the first bi-directional roller clutch in an over-running mode. 
   
   
       15 . The power transmission device of  claim 13  wherein the first drive gear includes a body having a toothed perimeter and a drum portion axially extending beyond the body. 
   
   
       16 . The power transmission device of  claim 15  further including an axially moveable shifting sleeve supported on an outer surface of the drum portion, wherein translation of the shifting sleeve places the first bi-directional roller clutch in one of an active mode and an inactive mode. 
   
   
       17 . The power transmission device of  claim 16  wherein the shifting sleeve includes a radially extending leg having a distal end fixed to an axially extending lug, the lug being selectively positionable within an actuation slot formed in the second ring to place the first bi-directional roller clutch in the inactive mode. 
   
   
       18 . The power transmission device of  claim 13  wherein the second ring is axially captured between the first drive and the shifting sleeve. 
   
   
       19 . The transmission of  claim 11  wherein each bi-directional roller clutch is selectively actuated by an associated first through sixth electric actuator. 
   
   
       20 . The power transmission device of  claim 11  wherein the second ring is a split ring.