TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to clutch assemblies and more particularly clutch assemblies for hybrid transmission applications.

BACKGROUND

A clutch is a device used to selectively couple components such as a pair of rotating shafts or the like. A clutch may also be used to ground a rotating component to a fixed structure such as a housing. Here, the clutch is typically referred to as a brake. Clutches may be bidirectional, lock in both directions, or one-way, lock in one direction and freewheel in the other.

SUMMARY

A clutch assembly is provided including a ring rotatable about a center axis defining an axial direction. The ring includes a profile facing the axial direction. The clutch assembly also includes a rocker having an engagement section that is movable in the axial direction toward and away from the profile; a strut configured for being rotated to move the rocker in the axial direction toward the profile; and an actuator configured to move the strut in an engagement direction to move the engagement section of the rocker in the axial direction into engagement with the profile to prevent the ring from rotating about the center axis in a first rotational direction.

A method of constructing a clutch assembly is provided including inserting a ring into a housing. The ring is rotatable a first rotational direction and a second rotational direction with respect to the housing about a center axis defining an axial direction. The ring includes a profile facing the axial direction. The method includes inserting a plurality of plates, a rocker and a strut into the housing such that the rocker and strut are supported in the plates in the housing, the plates including an actuation plate; and coupling an actuator to the actuation plate, the actuator configured to rotate the actuation plate about the center axis to force the strut to move in an engagement direction, the strut being configured such that movement of the strut in the engagement direction causes an engagement section of the rocker to move in the axial direction into engagement with the profile to prevent the ring from rotating about the center axis in the first rotational direction.

A clutch assembly is also provided that includes a housing; a ring rotatable inside the housing with respect to the housing about a center axis defining an axial direction, the ring including a profile facing the axial direction; an actuation assembly inside the housing including a rocker including an engagement section that is actuatable in the axial direction; and an actuator configured to actuate the actuation assembly to move the engagement section of the rocker in the axial direction into engagement with the profile to prevent the ring from rotating about the center axis in a first rotational direction.

