US 11,858,481 B2
Rotational lock module assembly
John W. Kimes, Wayne, MI (US)
Assigned to Sigma Powertrain, Inc., Livonia, MI (US)
Filed by Sigma Powertrain, Inc., Livonia, MI (US)
Filed on Dec. 15, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/551,241.
Prior Publication US 2023/0182691 A1, Jun. 15, 2023
Int. Cl. F16D 63/00 (2006.01); F16D 66/00 (2006.01); B60T 1/00 (2006.01); B60T 17/22 (2006.01)
CPC B60T 1/005 (2013.01) [B60T 17/22 (2013.01); F16D 63/006 (2013.01); B60T 2201/06 (2013.01); B60T 2240/00 (2013.01); F16D 2066/003 (2013.01)] 23 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A lock module assembly for controlling bidirectional rotations of a wheel hub of a vehicle having a vehicle frame and a rotating shaft to rotate the wheel hub, said lock module assembly comprising:
a case defining an exterior, an interior, and a central axis, said exterior of said case fixedly secured to the vehicle frame such that there is no lost motion between said case and the vehicle frame;
a notch plate rotationally movable within said case, said notch plate defining an outer diameter having a first plurality of notches formed in said notch plate at said outer diameter, said notch plate including a disconnect surface interior of said outer diameter, said disconnect surface having a second plurality of notches formed in said disconnect surface, said notch plate including a control hub extending out of said case and is removably securable to the wheel hub;
at least one clockwise strut spaced adjacent said outer diameter of said notch plate, said at least one clockwise strut pivoting between a retracted position allowing said notch plate to rotate freely and an extended position wherein said at least one clockwise strut abuts against one of said first plurality of notches preventing said notch plate and the rotating shaft from rotating in a counterclockwise direction;
at least one clockwise actuator for pivoting said at least one clockwise strut from said retracted position toward said extended position to selectively extend into one of said plurality of notches to prevent rotation of said notch plate in the counterclockwise direction;
at least one counterclockwise strut spaced adjacent said outer diameter of said notch plate, said at least one counter-clockwise strut pivoting between a retracted position allowing said notch plate to rotate freely and an extended position wherein said at least one counter-clockwise strut abuts against one of said first plurality of notches preventing said notch plate and the rotating shaft from rotating in a clockwise direction;
at least one counterclockwise actuator for pivoting said at least one counterclockwise strut from said retracted position toward said extended position to selectively extend into one of said plurality of notches to prevent rotation of said notch plate in the clockwise direction;
a disconnect pocket plate fixedly secured to the rotating shaft, said disconnect pocket plate including at least one disconnect pocket; and
at least one disconnect rocker pivotally secured within said at least one disconnect pocket of said disconnect pocket plate, said at least one disconnect rocker spaced adjacent said inner diameter of said notch plate, said at least one disconnect rocker pivoting between a rocker retracted position allowing said notch plate to rotate freely and a rocker extended position wherein said at least one disconnect rocker strut abuts against one of said second plurality of notches preventing said notch plate and the rotating shaft from rotating;
wherein said at least one disconnect rocker operatively disconnects the wheel hub from the rotating shaft to affect a neutral state for the wheel, and said at least one clockwise and said at least one counterclockwise actuators affect a hill hold state in one of the bidirectional rotations, a hill hold state in the other of the bidirectional rotations, and a park state preventing the wheel from rotating in either of the bidirectional rotations.