Claims:1. A mechanism (100) for actuating a clutch plate (1) in a transmission (200) of a vehicle, the mechanism (100) comprising:
a worm (2) connectable to a motor (3);
a worm wheel (4) disposed on an idler shaft (10) supported in the transmission (200), wherein the worm wheel (4) is meshed with the worm (2);
a pinion (5) coaxially coupled to the worm wheel (4), on the idler shaft (10);
a rack (6) slidable between a first position (50a) and a second position (50b) on the pinion (5), wherein the rack (6) abuts the clutch plate (1), and operates the cultch plate (1) from an engaged condition to a disengaged condition, when the worm (2) rotates in a predetermined direction; and
a torsional spring (7) coaxially mounted with the pinion (5), wherein the torsional spring (7) is adapted to release a stored energy to assist displacement of the rack (6) from the first position (50a) to the second position (50b).

2. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transmission (200) employing the mechanism (100) is at least one of an automatic transmission, an auto-manual transmission, and a dual-clutch transmission.

3. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first position (50a) of the rack (6) corresponds to position of the cultch plate (1) in the engaged condition.

4. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second position (50b) of the rack (6) corresponds position of the clutch plate (1) in the disengaged condition.

5. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rack (6) is configured to be displaced from the second position (50b) to the first position (50a) by one or more clutch springs, in addition to a torque exerted by the motor (3), when the clutch is operated to the engaged condition.

6. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the rack (6) is adapted to coil the torsional spring (7), when the rack (6) is displaced to the first position (50a).

7. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the torsional spring (7) is configured to gain energy, when the rack (6) coils the torsional spring (7).

8. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the torsional spring (7) is configured to damp the rack (7) during the substantial travel, by absorbing force exerted by the one or more clutch springs, when the rack (6) is displaced from the second position(50b) to the first position (50a).

9. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1 comprises, a roller bearing (8) provisioned on the rack (6), wherein the roller bearing (8) is configured to ride on the torsional spring (7), during the movement of the rack (6) between the first position (50a) and the second position (50b).

10. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein at least one arm (9) of the torsional spring (7) exerts the stored energy on the roller bearing (8), during movement of the rack (6) from first position (50a) to the second position (50b).

11. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein a length (L) of the at least one arm (9) of the torsional spring (7) is defined to exert recoiling force during substantial travel of the rack (6) from the first position (50a) to the second position (50b).

12. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises one or more compression springs (13) connected between the rack (6) and a support member (11) in the transmission (200).

13. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 11, wherein the one or more compression springs (13) are adapted to release the stored energy, to assist displacement of the rack (6) from the first position (50a) to the second position (50b).

14. A vehicle comprising a mechanism (100) for disengaging a clutch plate (1) in a transmission as claimed in claim 1. , Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
Present disclosure relates to a field of automobile engineering. Particularly, but not exclusively, the disclosure relates to a transmission of a vehicle. Further, embodiments of the present disclosure discloses a mechanism for actuating a clutch in the transmission of the vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
Generally, vehicles are employed with transmission system for transmitting power generated by the prime movers such as engine or an electric motor to wheels of the vehicle. Various transmissions are known in the art, and such transmissions may include manual transmission, automatic transmission, auto-manual transmission and the like. The transmissions may include a gearbox to supply the power developed by the prime mover to the wheels at variable rate depending on the requirement. The gearbox may be employed with a clutch mechanism to selectively engage and disengage various gears in the power train, with an input gear to vary the power transmitted to the wheels of the vehicle. This operation of the clutch mechanism assists in changing the gears in the gearbox to regulate the torque output to the wheels.

Conventionally, various categories of clutch mechanisms such as, friction clutch, wet clutch, dog clutch, electromagnetic clutch, dual clutch and the like, are developed and employed in the vehicles to serve the intended purpose. In manual transmission systems the clutch may be operated by the driver of the vehicle through a foot pedal. The actuation of the foot pedal may be transmitted to a clutch plate of the clutch mechanism, through suitable connections including but not limiting to cables, links and the like. With the efforts to reduce the actuation force to be applied by the driver to operate the clutch, a hydraulic or pneumatic assistance mechanisms are developed, and employed in the vehicles.

With on-going developments in the field of automobiles, the vehicles with automatic transmission, generally referred as clutch-less transmission, are gaining popularity. One of the main reasons for the increasing popularity of such vehicles may be automatic operation of the clutch mechanism, without manual intervention. Conventionally, in such automatic transmission systems hydraulic actuation mechanism is employed to automatically operate the clutch system based on signal from a control unit of the vehicle. In general, the hydraulic actuation mechanism consists of a pump, which may be fluidly connected to an oil sump, via one or more valves. The pump may then be connected to an operational valve, via an oil filter. Upon actuating the pump, oil may be pressurized by the pump, and may be supplied to the operational valve, in order to assist the operation of the clutch, by exerting a hydraulic pressure on the clutch plate. However, the hydraulic actuation system may pose certain challenges such as leakage oil, and failure of parts during operation. Also, the hydraulic actuation system involves more number of components..

As an alternative to the hydraulic actuation system, an electro-mechanical actuation system has been developed and employed in vehicles, for actuating a clutch plate in gear box of the vehicle. However, the conventional electro-mechanical actuation systems requires a motor of large capacity for efficient operation.

The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above or any other limitation associated with the prior arts.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
One or more shortcoming of the prior arts and conventional methods are overcome by providing with a mechanism for actuating a clutch plate in a transmission system of a vehicle.
In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a mechanism for actuating a clutch plate in a transmission of a vehicle is disclosed. The mechanism comprises a worm connectable to a motor and a worm wheel disposed on an idler shaft supported in the transmission, where the worm wheel is meshed with the worm. Further, the mechanism includes a pinion is coaxially coupled to the worm wheel, on the idler shaft. A rack is slidable between a first position and a second position on the pinion, where the rack abuts the clutch plate, and operates the cultch plate from an engaged condition to a disengaged condition, when the worm rotates in a predetermined direction. Additionally, the mechanism consists of a torsional spring, coaxially mounted with the pinion, adapted to release a stored energy to assist displacement of the rack from the first position to the second position.

In an embodiment, the transmission employing the mechanism is at least one of an automatic transmission, an auto-manual transmission, and a dual-clutch transmission.

In an embodiment, the first position of the rack corresponds to position of the cultch plate in the engaged condition.

In an embodiment, the second position of the rack corresponds position of the clutch plate in the disengaged condition.

In an embodiment, the rack is configured to be displaced from the second position to the first position by one or more clutch springs, when the clutch is operated to the engaged condition. Further, the rack is adapted to coil the torsional spring, when the rack is displaced to the first position.

In an embodiment, the torsional spring is configured to gain energy, when the rack coils the torsional spring.

In an embodiment, the mechanism comprises a roller bearing, provisioned on the rack, where the roller bearing is configured to ride on the torsional spring, during the movement of the rack between the first position and the second position.

In an embodiment, at least one arm of the torsional spring exerts the stored energy on the roller bearing, during movement of the rack from first position to the second position.

In an embodiment, length of the at least one arm of the torsional spring is defined to exert recoiling force during substantial travel of the rack from the first position to the second position.

In an embodiment, the mechanism comprises one or more compression springs connected between the rack and a support member in the transmission.

In an embodiment, the mechanism may also comprise one or more compression springs, which are adapted to release the stored energy, to assist displacement of the rack from the first position to the second position.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only, and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the detailed disclosure. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

Figure 1 is a block diagram of a mechanism for actuating a clutch plate in a transmission of a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 2 illustrates a schematic representation of the mechanism for actuating the clutch plate showing the rack in first position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 3 illustrates schematic representation of the mechanism for actuating the clutch plate of Figure 2, showing movement of the rack from first position to the second position.

Figure 4 illustrates schematic representation of the mechanism for actuating the clutch plate of Figure 2, showing the rack in the second position.

Figure 5 illustrates schematic representation of the mechanism for actuating the clutch plate of Figure 2, showing movement of the rack from second position to the first position.

Figure 6 is a schematic representation of the mechanism for actuating the clutch plate, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the embodiments in the disclosure are subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the figures and will be described hereinbelow. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure.

It is to be noted that a person skilled in the art would be motivated by the present disclosure and may be motivated to modify various compositions, shapes, profiles, and configurations of the ceramic timepiece. However, such modification should be construed within the scope and spirit of the instant disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings show only those specific details that are pertinent to understand the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof used in the disclosure, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a mechanism and a system that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such system, or assembly, or device. In other words, one or more elements in a system or an apparatus proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or mechanism.

Embodiments of the disclosure relates to a mechanism for actuating a clutch plate in a transmission of a vehicle. The electro-mechanical actuation systems may be employed in transmission system of the vehicle for assisting in operating the clutch of the vehicle. The conventional electro-mechanical actuation systems may include a motor of comparatively larger capacity to operate the clutch, in order to attain a quick action. The large capacity of the motor may result in certain challenges such as power consumption, bulkiness and the like. The mechanism according to embodiments of the present disclosure is developed to employ comparatively lower capacity motor, yet, achieving a quick clutch operation.

Accordingly, the mechanism of the present disclosure comprises a worm connectable to a motor and a worm wheel disposed on an idler shaft supported in the transmission, where the worm wheel is meshed with the worm. Further, the mechanism includes a pinion which may be coaxially coupled to the worm wheel, on the idler shaft. A rack is slidable between a first position and a second position on the pinion, where the rack abuts the clutch plate, and operates the cultch plate from an engaged condition to a disengaged condition, when the worm rotates in a predetermined direction. Additionally, the mechanism consists of a torsional spring, coaxially mounted with the pinion. The torsion spring is provided such that it stores energy during clutch engagement, and release the stored energy to assist displacement of the rack from the first position to the second position. This configuration of the mechanism reduces the effort required by the motor for actuating the clutch, and thereby eliminates the complexities or problems associated with the electro-mechanical clutch mechanisms.

In the following detailed description of the embodiments of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying figures that form a part hereof, and in which the mechanism is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described with sufficient details to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

Figure 1 is an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, which is a block diagram of a mechanism (100) for actuating a clutch plate (1) in a transmission (200) of a vehicle. The transmission (200) may include a gearbox [not shown in Figures] with a plurality of forward gears and at least one reverse gear, and a clutch mechanism for enabling the engagement of between different gears based on the requirement. The clutch mechanism may include a clutch plate (1) which may be operated between an engaged condition and a disengaged condition. In the engaged condition the clutch plate (1) couples a drive shaft of a prime mover [not shown in Figures] with at least one gear of the gearbox. In the disengaged condition, engagement between the gears in the gearbox may be shifted or changed depending on the torque requirement in the vehicle. The operation of the clutch plate (1) to the disengaged condition may be performed by a mechanism (100), and may be controlled by a control unit (150) of the vehicle. The actuating of the clutch plate (1) may be performed by adaptive displacement of the clutch plate (1) about an axis, which may be at least one of, lateral axis, longitudinal axis, along radial direction, and the like.

In an embodiment, the transmission (200) of the vehicle employing the mechanism (100) is at least one of an automatic transmission, an auto-manual transmission, a dual-clutch transmission, and the like.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the operation of the mechanism (100) may be regulated by the control unit (150) of the vehicle. The control unit (150) may be including, but not limited to, a centralized electronic control unit of the vehicle or a transmission control unit associated with the centralized electronic control unit, which may assist in triggering and/or operating the mechanism (100). The mechanism (100) may be configured to receive an operation signal from the control unit (150) to selectively displace the clutch plate (1), whereby adaptably engaging and/or disengaging the powertrain from the prime mover. It may be noted that the control unit (150) may generate the operational signal in accordance with factors such as, but not limited to, speed of the vehicle, gradient of traversing path, gear ratio of the engaged gears in the powertrain, gear demand conditions, and the like which may be pre-set in the control unit (150).

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the mechanism (100) is an electro-mechanical actuation mechanism (100).

Referring now to Figure 2 which is an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure illustrating the mechanism (100) for actuating the clutch plate (1) in the transmission (200) of the vehicle. The mechanism (100) includes a motor (3), a worm (2), a worm wheel (4), a pinon (5), a rack (6) and a torsional spring (7). The motor (3) may be associated with the control unit (150). The control unit (150) may selectively operate the motor (3) for actuating the clutch plate (1), based operation of the vehicle. In an embodiment, factors of the motor (3) such as, but not limited to, rotational speed, power delivered, power required, and the like, may be regulated by the control unit (150). The motor (3) consists of a motor shaft (11), through which a power generated by the motor (3) may delivered to any unit. The mechanism (100) includes a worm (2) which may be coupled to the motor shaft (11). In an embodiment, the worm (2) may be mounted on the motor shaft (11) or may be coaxially connectable to the motor shaft (11) through a coupling unit [not shown in Figures]. By this way, rotational speed of the motor (3) may be transmitted to the worm (2).

Further, the worm (2) is meshed with a worm wheel (4), where the worm wheel (4) may be disposed on an idler shaft (10). The idler shaft (10) may be an extended support in the transmission (200) such that, the worm wheel (4) may be encompassed within the transmission (200). It may be noted that, on energizing, i.e. supplying power to the motor (3), the worm (2) may be imparted a rotational motion in a direction which the motor (3) may be subjected to rotate. The worm wheel (4) is then rotate due to the rotational motion of the worm (2). One skilled in the art would notice that there may be reduction in the rotational speed and increase in torque due to the mesh between the worm (2) and the worm wheel (4).

In an embodiment, the worm wheel (4) may be coaxially mounted on the idler shaft (10) with the pinion (5). The pinion (5) may be coupled with the worm wheel (4) such that, the rotational motion imparted by the worm (2) on the worm wheel (4) may also be exerted on the pinion (5), thereby enabling the pinion (5) to rotate. In an embodiment, the pinion (5) may be fixed to the worm wheel (4), such that the pinion (5) rotates at the same rotational speed as that of the worm wheel (4), on the idler shaft (10). Further, the rack (6) is meshed with the pinion (5). The rack (6) is reciprocably displaced on the pinion (5), and may be supported by a transmission housing. The rack (6) may include a plurality of teeth disposed in meshing engagement with a plurality of teeth on the pinion (5), such that rotational movement of the pinion (5) may be translated into reciprocable displacement of the rack (6). The reciprocable displacement of the rack (6) may be performed between a first position (50a) and a second position (50b), where the first position (50a) and the second position (50b) of the rack (6) may be achieved on rotating the worm (2), and in-turn the pinion (5), in a predetermined direction. For example, during an anti-clock-wise rotation of the worm (2), the worm wheel (4) and the pinion (5) may be subjected to a clock-wise rotation, rendering the reciprocable displacement of the rack (6) towards the first position (50a), while clock-wise rotation of the worm (2) renders the rack (6) to reciprocable displacement towards the second position (50b). Here, it may be noted that the first position (50a) and the second position (50b) of the rack (6) may be altered in accordance with view-point observations. Also, the first position (50a) and the second position (50b) may be referred to as the extreme positions at either ends of the rack (6), however, it is also possible to calibrate the rack (6) at various intermediate positions, to construe as a permissible and/or requisite position of operating the clutch plate (1). Additionally, the one skilled in the art would also recognize that the operation of the clutch plate (1) may be a factor of the direction of the rotational motion of the motor (3), and hence, varying the direction of the motor (3) may also be employed to regulate the operational condition of the clutch plate (1).

The rack (6) is adapted to abut the clutch plate (1) at one end. The clutch plate (1) may be assisted to perform operational conditions, in accordance with the reciprocable displacement of the rack (6). Here, the operational conditions of the clutch plate (1) may be include, but not limited to, the engaged condition and the disengaged condition, as shown in Figures 3 to 5, respectively. The clutch plate (1), in the engaged condition, implies that the clutch mechanism is transmitting power from output shaft of the prime mover to one of the gears in the gearbox. In such condition, the rack (6) is at the first position (50a). To operate the clutch plate (1) from the engaged condition to the disengaged condition, the rack (1) may be displaced from the first position (50a) to the second position (50b). The displacement of the rack (6) may subject the clutch plate (1) to a momentary push. Additionally, in the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the clutch mechanism may include one or more clutch springs [not shown in Figures], for assisting the clutch plate (1) to be maintained in the engaged condition. Therefore, the momentary push exerted by the rack (6) may be required to overcome a counteracting resilient force exerted by the one or more clutch springs. Meanwhile, one skilled in the art would recognize that, for overcoming the counteracting resilient force exerted by the one or more clutch springs, the motor (3) employed in the mechanism (100) may require to possess a high capacity, whereby increasing the bulkiness of the mechanism (100).

To assist the motor (3), the mechanism (100) includes the torsional spring (7), disposed on the idler shaft (10). The torsional spring (7) may be coaxially mounted with the pinion (5) and the worm wheel (4). The torsional spring (7) may be configured to store energy during traversing of the rack (6) between the second position (50b) and the first position (50a), as best seen in Figures 2 and 3. Further, the torsional spring (7) may be fixed at one end to a support member (11) of the transmission (200), while another end of the torsional spring (7) may be extended to form at least one arm (9), for connecting with the rack (6). The at least one arm (9) of the torsional spring (7) is adapted to abut a roller bearing (8) on the rack (6), where the roller bearing (8) may be positioned on the rack (6) at an end opposite to that abutting the clutch plate (1). The at least one arm (9) may further be defined with a predetermined length (L), which may be configured to deform and coil the torsional spring (7) in order to store energy, during reciprocable displacement of the rack (6) to the first position (50a). The energy stored in the at least one arm (9), and in-turn the torsional spring (7), may exert a recoiling force on the roller bearing (8), for a substantial travel of the rack (6) from the first position (50a) and the second position (50b), as best seen in sequence of Figures 3 and 4 respectively. The configuration of the torsional spring (7) assist the displacement of the rack (6), and hence the energy required to operate the clutch plate (1) from the engaged condition to disengaged condition may be reduced. In an embodiment, the torsional spring (7) is configured to damp the rack (7) during the substantial travel, by absorbing force exerted by the one or more clutch springs, when the rack (6) is displaced from the second position(50b) to the first position (50a).

In an embodiment, for operating the clutch plate (1) from the engaged condition to the disengaged condition, the control unit (150) may be activated in according to the factors which may be pre-set therein, to generate the operation signal. Once the operational signal is transmitted by the control unit (150), the motor (3) may be operated to rotate in the predetermined direction, in order to impart rotational motion to the worm wheel (4) and the pinion (5), via the worm (2). This rotation motion of the pinion (5) then displaces the rack (6), from the first position (50a) to the second position (50b). This displacement of the rack (6) assists the motor (3) to operate the clutch plate (1) to the disengaged condition. Meanwhile, the one or more clutch springs in the clutch plate (1) may tend to oppose movement of the clutch plate (1), by exerting the counteracting resilient force on the clutch plate (1), and in-turn the rack (6) and the motor (3). Further, in order to facilitate the motor (3) and the rack (6), the torsional spring (7) is provisioned to convert the stored energy into the recoiling force. The torsional spring (7) exerts the recoiling force by enabling the roller bearing (8) to ride on the at least one arm (9), thereby substantially displacing the rack (6) from the first position (50a), as best seen in Figure 4, for overcoming the counteracting resilient force of the one or more clutch springs. Hence, due to the action of the torsional spring (7) in conjunction with the rotation motion imparted by the motor (3), the clutch plate (1) is operated to the disengaged condition, by substantially displacing the rack (6) to the second position (50b). Furthermore, upon changing the gear in the transmission (200), the control unit (150) may operate the motor (3) in reverse direction to move the clutch plate (1) or a clutch release bearing to the engaged condition. During the movement of clutch plate (1) from the disengaged condition to the engaged condition, the rack (6) may be pushed to the first position (50a). During such movement of the rack, the recoiling force exerted by the torsional spring (7) may be overcome by the counteracting resilient force of the one or more springs, thereby reversing the substantial travel of the rack (6) from the second position (50b) to the first position (50a), as best seen in Figure 5. At this juncture, the roller bearing (8) on the rack (6) rides on the at least one arm (9), to coil the torsional spring (7) and assist in storing energy for succeeding operation to disengage the clutch plate (1).

Referring now to Figure 6, which is a schematic diagram of another configuration of the mechanism (100). Here, the torsional spring (7) may be replaced by one or more compression springs (13), or may be provided in addition to the torsional spring. The one or more compression springs (13) may be connected between the rack (6) and the support member (11) in the transmission (200). In an embodiment, the one or more compression springs (13) may be connectable with one or more roller bearings on the rack (6). The one or more compression springs (13), may work similar to the torsional spring (7), and may assist to store energy, during the reciprocable displacement of the rack (6) from the second position (50b) to the first position (50a), by coiling/compressing. Also, the one or more compression springs (13) may assist the motor (3) to substantially displace the rack (6) from the first position (50a) to the second position (50b), in order to operate the clutch plate (1) in disengaged condition, by overcoming the counteracting resilient force of the one or more clutch springs.

In an embodiment, the clutch plate (1) may also be referred to as a clutch release bearing (CRB).

In an embodiment, the roller bearing (8) may also be referred to as a detent.

In an embodiment, the control unit (150) may be a centralized control unit of the vehicle or may be a dedicated control unit to the system associated with the centralized control unit of the vehicle. The control unit (150) also be associated with other control units such as Transmission Control Unit and brake control unit. The control unit (150) may include specialized processing units such as integrated system (bus) controllers, memory management control units, floating point units, graphics processing units, digital signal processing units, etc. The processing unit may include a microprocessor, such as AMD Athlon, Duron or Opteron, ARM’s application, embedded or secure processors, IBM PowerPC, Intel’s Core, Itanium, Xeon, Celeron or other line of processors, and the like. The control unit (150) may be implemented using mainframe, distributed processor, multi-core, parallel, grid, or other architectures. Some embodiments may utilize embedded technologies like application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), microcontroller, and the like.

EQUIVALENTS

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation, no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general, such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

REFERRAL NUMERALS:
Particulars Numerals
Clutch plate 1
Worm 2
Motor 3
Worm wheel 4
Pinion 5
Rack 6
Torsional spring 7
Roller bearing
8
At least one arm of the torsional spring 9
Idler shaft 10
Motor shaft 11
Support member 12
Compression Spring 13
First position 50a
Second position 50b
Mechanism 100
Electronic control unit 150
Transmission 200