Patent attributes
A clutch assembly is provided that includes a rotor, a stator, a clutch element disposed between the rotor and stator, and an axial force source. First and second contact surfaces are disposed on the rotor and spaced axially apart. The second surface has a smaller radial distance to a rotor rotational axis than the first surface. The axial force source is in communication with the clutch element and is configured to supply a predetermined axial force to the clutch element. When an opposing axial force is applied to the clutch element, the assembly selectively (i) engages by providing contact between the clutch element and the first clutch element contact surface, when the opposing force is less than the predetermined axial force, and (ii) disengages by providing contact between the clutch element and the second clutch element contact surface, when the opposing force is greater than the predetermined axial force.
