Pivotable strut coupler and pivotable strut holder

Abstract

The strut holder may include a strut ear holder at least partially defined by a weakened portion to facilitate resilient deflection. The pivotable strut coupler may include a housing, a strut carried by the housing, and a strut holder coupled to the housing and laterally across a portion of the strut. The housing includes a strut pocket in the base surface and having a transverse pocket portion extending transversely along a transverse axis relative to at least one of a front pocket portion or a rear pocket portion of the housing. The strut is carried in the strut pocket and includes a plurality of lugs extending in a direction laterally away from a side of the strut and carried in a laterally extending lateral pocket portion of the strut pocket. The strut holder spans a portion of the strut that includes the ear and includes a weakened portion to facilitate resilient deflection of the strut holder.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to couplings for transmitting rotation, and more particularly to pivotable strut couplings and strut retainers. BACKGROUND

[0002] Some types of rotational couplings include a rotatable recess member having an array of circumferential recesses, a socket member having one or more sockets to receive one or more pivotable struts that can be passively or actively displaced into corresponding recesses of the recess member to couple the recess member to the socket member against relative rotation therebetween. Some such rotational couplings are radial couplings having radially opposed recesses and sockets in radial recess and socket members, while other such rotational couplings are planar couplings having axially opposed recesses and sockets in planar recess and socket members. Some socket members are disc-shaped or ring-shaped and have an array of circumferential sockets carrying a corresponding array of circumferential struts, while other socket plates are plug-shaped and have a single socket carrying a corresponding single strut and are referred to as single strut inserts (SSIs). Many socket members also carry strut retainers that can be used to retain struts in their sockets. Unfortunately, when a rotational coupling fails under excess load or when failure or displacement of an adjacent component occurs, a strut can pivot beyond a design intent angle and break a strut retainer, releasing undesirable debris in the rotational coupling or allowing a strut to drop out of a socket. SUMMARY

[0003] An illustrative embodiment of a pivotable strut coupling includes a housing, a strut carried by the housing, and a strut retainer coupled to the housing and laterally across a portion of the strut. The housing includes a base surface and a strut socket in the base surface and having an anterior socket portion extending along a longitudinal axis, a posterior socket portion extending along the longitudinal axis, and a lateral socket portion extending laterally relative to at least one of the anterior socket portion or the posterior socket portion along a lateral axis. The strut is carried in the strut socket of the housing and includes an anterior body portion carried in the anterior socket portion of the strut socket of the housing, a posterior body portion carried in the posterior socket portion of the strut socket of the housing, a side portion, and an ear portion extending laterally away from the side portion in a direction and carried in the laterally extending lateral socket portion of the strut socket of the housing. The strut retainer spans the portion of the strut including the ear portion and includes a weakening to facilitate resilient flexing of the strut retainer.

[0004] Illustrative embodiments of a pivotable strut holder include a strut ear holder including laterally opposing edges establishing a pivotable strut opening; a strut body holder including a front edge extending transversely between the laterally opposing edges of the strut ear holder; and a weakening portion at least partially defining the strut ear holder to facilitate resilient flexing of the strut ear holder. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0005] Figure 1 A top perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of a pivotable strut coupler is shown, the pivotable strut coupler having a housing, a pivotable strut carried in the housing, a strut holder coupled to the housing and spanning a portion of the pivotable strut, and a solenoid for actuating the strut.

[0006] Figure 2 A bottom perspective view of the pivotable strut coupler of Figure 1 is shown, the pivotable strut coupler including a solenoid coupled to the housing.

[0007] Figure 3 An enlarged partial bottom perspective view of the pivotable strut and holder of Figure 1 is shown.

[0008] Figure 4 An enlarged top perspective view of the housing of the pivotable strut coupler of Figure 1 is shown.

[0009] Figure 5 An enlarged plan view of the housing of the pivotable strut coupler of Figure 1 is shown.

[0010] Figure 6 An enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional view of the housing of the pivotable strut coupler of Figure 1 is shown.

[0011] Figure 7 A longitudinal cross-section of the pivotable strut coupler of Figure 1 is shown, with the strut advanced to a position of engagement with the notched member.

[0012] Figure 8 A longitudinal cross-section of the pivotable strut coupler of Figure 1 is shown, with the strut retracted to a disengaged position relative to the notched member.

[0013] Figure 9 A plan view of the pivotable strut coupler of Figure 1 is shown.

[0014] Figure 10 A plan view of the pivotable strut coupler of Figure 1An enlarged partial side view of the pivotable strut and retainer, wherein the pivotable strut is in the engaged position.

[0015] Figure 11 It shows Figure 1 An enlarged partial side view of the pivotable strut and its retainer, wherein the pivotable strut is in an overextended position and the strut retainer is shown in a deflected position.

[0016] Figure 12 A top perspective view is shown according to another illustrative embodiment of a pivotable strut connector having a housing, a pivotable strut carried in the housing, a strut retainer coupled to the housing and spanning a portion of the pivotable strut according to another illustrative embodiment, and a solenoid for actuating the strut.

[0017] Figure 13 It shows Figure 12 A plan view of the pivotable strut connector.

[0018] Figure 14 It shows Figure 12 Enlarged partial bottom-view stereoscopic view of the pivotable struts and retainers.

[0019] Figure 15 A plan view of another illustrative embodiment of a pivotable strut connector with strut holders according to another illustrative embodiment is shown.

[0020] Figure 16 It shows Figure 15 An enlarged top-view perspective of the support structure.

[0021] Figure 17 An enlarged top perspective view is shown according to an additional embodiment of the support retainer. Detailed Implementation

[0022] Please refer to the attached diagram for details. Figure 1 and Figure 2 An illustrative embodiment of a pivotable strut coupler 10 is shown, which can be used for selective engagement and / or selective disengagement with rotatable components (not shown) (e.g., clutch race, clutch disc or other clutch components, gears, flywheels, or any other rotatable components). The pivotable strut coupler includes a housing 12 and a strut 14 supported by the housing 12. Figure 1 ) and the strut retainer 16, which is connected to the housing 12 and laterally spans a portion of the strut 14. Figure 1). The pivotable strut coupler 10 can also include an actuator 18, such as an electromechanical actuator, and more particularly an electromechanical solenoid, that can be coupled to the housing 12. In other embodiments, the actuator 18 can include a pneumatic actuator, a hydraulic actuator, or any other type of actuator suitable for use with a coupling for transmitting rotation. The pivotable strut coupler 10 can also include a strut retainer fastener 17 Figure 1 ) for fastening the strut retainer 16 to the housing 12 and an actuator fastener 19 Figure 2 ) for fastening the actuator 18 to the housing 12. Although the illustrated pivotable strut coupler 10 is shown as a single strut insert (SSI) type device, it is also contemplated that other types of devices can be used. For example, and although not illustrated, the pivotable strut coupler 10 can take the form of a pocket plate type device that includes a pocket plate having an array of circumferential pockets that carry an array of circumferential pivotable struts that can be actuated by plungers coupled to a common actuator plate that can be actuated by one or more electric, pneumatic, and / or hydraulic actuators or any other type of actuator suitable for use with a coupling for transmitting rotation. Additionally, although the pivotable strut coupler 10 is illustrated as a one-way device that engages another clutch component in only one circumferential direction, it is contemplated that the pivotable strut coupler 10 can be a two-way device that engages another clutch component in opposite circumferential directions or that locks independently to prevent relative rotation in one circumferential direction or that locks in series to prevent relative rotation in both circumferential directions. Likewise, multiple instances of the pivotable strut coupler 10 can be deployed in opposite circumferential orientations to engage another clutch component in opposite circumferential directions.

[0023] Referring now to Figure 3 , the strut 14 can be oblong, such as rectangular, and can extend along a longitudinal axis of the strut 14. The strut 14 can include a front strut portion 20, a rear strut portion 22, and ears 24a, 24b extending in a direction laterally away from the front strut portion 20 and the rear strut portion 22. The front strut portion 20 of the strut 14 can include a front engagement face 26, and the rear strut portion 22 of the strut 14 can include a rear engagement face 28. The ears 24a, 24b can extend in a direction laterally away from sides 27, 29 of the strut 14 along a lateral pivot axis. Although the width between the sides 27, 29 at the front strut portion 20 and the rear strut portion 22 is shown as being the same, the width can be different.

[0024] With continued reference to Figure 3The support bracket 16 may be rectangular (e.g., square) and may extend along its transverse axis, which may be orthogonal or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support 14. The support bracket 16 may include a plate portion 30, which may include support lug brackets 32a and 32b, and the support lug brackets 32a and 32b include laterally opposing edges 34a and 34b. Figure 1 Lateral relative edges 34a, 34b Figure 1 The pivoting struts can face each other in the inward direction and form a pivotable strut opening. The strut retainer 16 may include a strut body retainer 36 extending laterally between the strut lug retainers 32a, 32b, and a front edge 38 extending laterally between the laterally opposite edges 34a, 34b of the pivotable strut lug retainers 32a, 32b. The strut retainer 16 also includes a weakening portion 40 that may engage or at least partially define the strut lug retainers 32a, 32b to facilitate the pivotable strut lug retainers 32a, 32b springing back flexing or deflecting away from each other. Figure 1 and Figure 3 The weakening portion 40 is illustrated in the figures as a slot, but may be a perforation, a thin section or thin-walled portion, a notch, a gap, or any other weakening portion of the strut retainer 16 adapted to facilitate the springback flexure (e.g., elastic deformation) of the strut lug retainers 32a, 32b. The weakening portion 40 may be linear (e.g., a straight line as shown), may have a uniform width as shown, may be orthogonal as shown, or may be inclined at a 45-degree angle or any other suitable angle, or have any other geometry adapted to facilitate the springback flexure (e.g., elastic deformation) of the strut lug retainers 32a, 32b. In any case, the strut lug retainers 32a, 32b are at least partially defined by the weakening portion 40 between the strut retainers 32a, 32b and the other portions of the strut retainer 16. The strut retainer 16 may further include a front edge 42, a rear edge 44, and side edges 43, 45. The front edge 42 is interrupted by laterally opposing edges 34a, 34b of the ear retainer, and the rear edge 44 may be interrupted by a rear clearance 46, which may provide an opening for discharging material (e.g., debris) from the recess / strut. The side edges 43, 45 extend between the front edge 42 and the rear edge 44. The strut retainer 16 may further include fastener bosses 48a, 48b and fastener channels 50a, 50b therethrough. The fastener bosses 48a, 48b may extend toward the strut 14 in a direction away from the plate portion 30. As used herein, the basic term “retain” is synonymous with the basic terms “include” and “cover”, and includes the retention or fixation of the strut 14 relative to the housing 12.

[0025] SeeFigure 4 to Figure 6 The housing 12 can include a base surface 52, an actuator mounting surface 54 axially opposite the base surface 52, side surfaces 53, 55 extending away from the base surface 52 between the base surface 52 and the actuator mounting surface 54, a rear surface 56 extending between the side surfaces 53, 55, and a front surface 58 extending between the side surfaces 53, 55. The rear surface 56 can include a mounting slot 60 and one or more fastener passages 62 therein. Figure 4 The housing 12 can further include a clearance step surface 64 extending between the side surfaces 53, 55 at a location forward of the actuator mounting surface 54 and a protrusion step surface 66 extending between the side surfaces 53, 55 at a location rearward of the actuator mounting surface 54.

[0026] The housing 12 further includes a strut recess 68 that can be recessed in the base surface 52. The strut recess 68 can be oblong and can extend along a longitudinal axis of the strut recess 68. The strut recess 68 can include a housing front portion 70 for accommodating the front strut portion 20 of the strut 14 and having a front bottom surface 72, a housing rear portion 74 for accommodating the rear strut portion 22 of the strut 14 and having a rear bottom surface 76 and a strut reaction surface 77 extending away from the rear bottom surface 76, and a transverse portion 78 for accommodating the ears 24a, 24b of the strut 14. Figure 3 Figure 3 The housing 12 further includes a spring recess 80 in the front bottom surface 72 of the housing front portion 70 of the strut recess 68 and an actuator armature passage 82 through the rear bottom surface 76 of the housing rear portion 74 of the strut recess 68. The actuator armature passage 82 can be a through-hole for carrying an actuator plunger therein that can exert a strut retraction force on the strut 14, while the spring recess 80 can be a blind hole for carrying a strut spring therein that can exert a strut advancement force on the strut 14 when not counteracted by the actuator. In another embodiment, not illustrated, the spring recess can be provided in the rear bottom surface of the housing rear portion of the strut recess and the actuator armature passage can be provided through the front bottom surface of the housing front portion. Of course, in such an embodiment, the spring would be located in the spring recess to bias the strut to a disengaged position and the actuator would cooperate with the actuator armature passage to bias the strut to an engaged position.

[0027] ​The housing 12 also includes a support retainer recess 84. The support retainer recess 84 may be rectangular, may intersect with the support recess 68, and may extend along a transverse axis, which may be orthogonal or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support recess 68. The support retainer recess 84 may include a support retainer bottom surface 86, a retainer recess 88, and a fastener channel 90. The plate portion 30 of the support retainer 16 may be mounted against the support retainer bottom surface 86. Figure 3 The fastener bosses 48a and 48b can be positioned in the retaining recess 88, and the fastener channel 90 is in the retaining recess 88 to receive the retaining fastener 17. Figure 1 ).

[0028] like Figure 6 As shown, the housing 12 may also include an actuator recess 92 in the actuator mounting surface 54 to receive a portion of the actuator. Furthermore, the housing 12 may include an actuator fastener channel 94 in the actuator mounting surface 54 to receive actuator fasteners (not shown). Additionally, the housing 12 may include a housing fastener channel 96 in the base surface 52 (e.g., extending through to the clearance step surface 64) to receive housing fasteners (not shown).

[0029] See now Figure 7 The pivotable strut connector 10 is shown engaging with another connecting component C, such as the flywheel of an engine, for illustrative purposes only. More specifically, the housing 12 of the pivotable strut connector 10 may be fastened or otherwise connected to an internal portion of a bell-shaped housing of a transmission (not shown) connected to the engine. The front engagement surface 26 of the strut 14 is shown in contact with a corresponding engagement surface F of a notch, teeth, etc., of another connecting component C, and the rear engagement surface 28 of the strut 14 is shown in contact with a corresponding reaction surface 77 of the strut recess 68 of the housing 12. The pivotable strut connector 10 may also include a spring 98 to normally bias the strut 14 toward its extended position beyond the strut recess 68. The spring 98 may counteract the hydraulic forces around the strut 14, the G-force from vibration, or any other force that may cause the strut 14 to tend to move to the engagement position. As used herein, the term "spring" includes one or more helical springs, one or more torsion springs, one or more rebound members, or any other biasing device or apparatus for biasing the strut 14 as illustrated.

[0030] See now Figure 8The pivotable strut connector 10 is shown disengaged from another connecting member C. The actuator 18 is shown in the actuated position, with its armature 99 shown in an advanced position within the armature channel 82 of the housing 12 and engaged against the rearward strut portion 22 of the strut 14. In this state, the armature 99 is positioned around the lug extending through the strut 14. Figure 3 The lateral pivot axis of the pivot pillar 14 pivots the strut 14 such that the front strut portion 20 of the strut 14 resists the biasing force provided by the spring 98 toward the bottom surface 72 of the front portion 70 of the housing of the strut recess 68. Figure 6 The component C moves into the support recess 68. In this position, other components C (e.g., the flywheel) can rotate relative to the pivotable support connector 10 and, for example, relative to the transmission housing.

[0031] See now Figure 9 The image shows the strut 14 in its advanced position, with the front strut portion 20 of the strut 14 extending outward from the strut recess 68 of the housing 12. A weakening portion 40 may originate at the junction between the laterally opposing edges 34a, 34b of the strut lug retainers 32a, 32b and the front edge 38 of the strut body retainer 36. The weakening portion 40 may be laterally positioned at approximately one-third of the distance between the front edge 42 and the rear edge 44. In a more specific example, the weakening portion 40 may be longitudinally located between 25% and 50% of the distance from the front edge 42 to the rear edge 44, or more specifically between 35% and 40% of that distance. Alternatively or additionally, the weakening portion 40 may be configured such that the retainers 32a, 32b may, for example, overlap the strut lugs by 100% to 130%. The weakening portion 40 can extend laterally from the laterally opposite edges 34a, 34b of the support lug retainers 32a, 32b toward the side edges 43, 45, and can terminate at approximately halfway between the laterally opposite edges 34a, 34b and the side edges 43, 45. More specifically, the weakening portion 40 can extend laterally between 20% and 80% of the distance from the laterally opposite edges 34a, 3b to the side edges 43, 45, or more specifically between 30% and 70% of that distance, or even more specifically between 40% and 60% of that distance.

[0032] See now Figure 10 Pillar 14 is shown as being in its Figure 9 The advancing position is specifically shown in the support retainer 16, and the support ear retainer 32a is illustrated relative to the ear 24a of the support 14 and in its resting position. Figure 10 As shown, the ear portion 24a may be oval or pear-shaped in the end view and in the cross-section of a plane passing through the longitudinal axis of the support 14.

[0033] See nowFigure 11 The support column 14 is shown in an overextended position relative to the support column retainer 16, and the support column retainer 32a is illustrated by displacement, deflection, or deformation of the lug 24a of the support column 14. Figure 11 (Only one is shown in the image). The weakening portion 40 allows the strut ear retainer 32a to bend without breaking. In fact, the weakening portion 40 allows the strut ear retainer 32a to elastically deform without plastically deform under many (if not all) potential overstretch conditions of the strut 14. In cases where the overstretch of the strut 14 is severe enough to cause plastic deformation of the strut ear retainer 32a, the weakening portion 40 helps reduce such plastic deformation and facilitates the springback of the strut ear retainer 32a after the overstretch of the strut 14, returning it approximately to its resting position or towards its resting position (even if not completely and incompletely returning it to its resting position). This means that the return of the strut ear retainer 32a is sufficient to allow it to continue retaining the strut 14, for example, to meet the performance specifications of a particular application. In a more specific example, this could mean that the weakening portion 40 can contribute to the elastic deformation of the strut lug retainer 32a, that is, the strut lug retainer 32a recovers at least 60% of its rest position, or recovers between 60% and 100% of its rest position, more specifically between 70% and 100%, even more specifically between 80% and 100%, and even more specifically between 90% and 100%. After the strut 14 has overextended, the strut 14 returns to its normal extended position abutting against another component or to its retracted position within its corresponding strut recess, etc. For example, when the strut 14 returns to its extended position, the strut lug retainer 32a returns to its retracted position as if... Figure 10 The resting position is shown, and the strut 14 remains held. The strut lug retainers 32a, 32b hold the strut 14 and provide a reaction surface to the strut 14 when the actuator 18 disengages from the strut 14 by pushing a portion of the strut 14 toward the retainer 16, wherein the strut 14 contacts the retainer 16 in several positions (including the rear portion of the strut 14 and the lugs 24a, 24b of the strut 14). The retainer 16 reacts to the force applied by the actuator 18, and the strut lug retainers 32a, 32b are strong enough to not deflect during disengagement due to the actuator force reacted by the retainer 16, but weak enough to deflect under excessive strut loading or other conditions of overextension of the strut 14.

[0034] Figure 12 to Figure 15 Additional illustrative embodiments of the pivotable strut connector and strut retainer are illustrated. These embodiments are similar in many respects to...Figures 1-11 The embodiments are described herein. Therefore, the descriptions of these embodiments are thus combined with each other, and the descriptions of common subjects in the embodiments may generally not be repeated.

[0035] See now Figure 12 and Figure 13 It shows the relationship with Figures 1-11 Another pivotable strut connector 110 is almost identical to the pivotable strut connector 10, except that the strut retainer 116 has a longitudinally extending (e.g., parallel to the longitudinal axis of the strut 14) weakened portion 140. See also Figure 14 The weakening portion 140 may be laterally positioned approximately halfway between the lateral opposing edges 134a, 13b of the support lug retainers 132a, 132b and the centerline of the support retainer fastener 17. More specifically, the weakening portion 140 may be laterally located between 20% and 80% of the distance from the lateral opposing edges 134a, 134b of the support lug retainers 132a, 132b to the centerline of the support retainer fastener 17, or more specifically between 30% and 70% of that distance, or even more specifically between 40% and 60% of that distance. The weakening portion 140 may extend longitudinally from the front edge 142 of the support retainer 116 toward the rear edge 144 of the support retainer 116 and may terminate approximately halfway between the front edge 142 and the rear edge 144. More specifically, the weakened portion 140 may extend longitudinally between 20% and 80% of the distance from the front edge 142 to the rear edge 144, or more specifically between 30% and 70% of the distance, or even more specifically between 40% and 60% of the distance.

[0036] See now Figure 15 It shows the relationship with Figures 1-11 Another pivotable strut connector 210 is almost identical to the pivotable strut connector 10, except that the strut retainer 216 has strut ear retainers 232a, 232b with claws or bent tabs 233a, 233b, which can further help to hold the ears 24a, 24b of the strut 14 to the housing 12 (see also...). Figure 16The strut lug retainers 232a and 232b extend longitudinally forward from the front edge 242 of the strut retainer 216, and the curved tabs 233a and 233b extend away from the upper surface of the strut retainer 216, for example, downward toward the base surface 52 of the housing 12. Although not shown, the base surface 52 of the housing 12 may have a clearance portion therein to receive the distal portions of the curved tabs 233a and 233b. The weakening portion 240 extends laterally and may originate at the junction between the laterally inner edges 234a and 234b of the strut lug retainers 232a and 232b and the front edge 238 of the strut body retainer 236.

[0037] See now Figure 17 An additional strut retainer 316 is shown, which is connected to... Figure 15 and Figure 16 The support retainer 216 is almost identical, except that the weakening portion 340 extends longitudinally and may originate at the junction between the front edge 342 of the support retainer 316 and the lateral outer edges 333a, 333b of the support ear retainers 332a, 332b.

[0038] As used herein, the terms “for example,” “e.g.,” “for instance,” “like,” “such as,” “comprising,” “having,” “including,” etc., when used with a list of one or more elements, should be interpreted as open-ended, meaning that the list does not exclude additional elements. As used herein, licensing terms such as “may” and “can” are merely convenient expressions of the optionality of, for example, the disclosed embodiments, elements, features, etc., and should not be construed as making any disclosure herein ambiguous. Furthermore, directional terms such as front, rear, top, bottom, upper, lower, radial, circumferential, axial, lateral, longitudinal, vertical, horizontal, and transverse are used as examples rather than limitations, and may be used relative to a component / product reference system, and not necessarily relative to a vehicle reference system.

[0039] Finally, the subject matter of this application is currently disclosed using different terms in conjunction with several explicit illustrative embodiments and modifications thereof. All terms used herein are intended to be descriptive only and not necessarily restrictive, unless used in a context requiring a different interpretation, and are to be interpreted and understood according to their common and conventional meaning in the art. And for convenience, each explicit illustrative embodiment and modification is incorporated herein by reference to one or more other explicit illustrative embodiments and modifications. Accordingly, many other embodiments, modifications, and equivalents thereof now exist or are yet to be discovered, and therefore it is neither intended nor possible to describe all such subject matter at present, which, in view of this disclosure, will be readily suggested to those skilled in the art. Rather, this disclosure is intended to cover all such embodiments and modifications and equivalents thereof that fall within the broad scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A pivotable strut coupler, comprising: a housing, the housing comprising: a base surface, and a strut recess in the base surface and having: a forward recess portion extending along a longitudinal axis, a rearward recess portion extending along the longitudinal axis, and a transverse recess portion extending transversely relative to at least one of the forward recess portion or the rearward recess portion along a transverse axis; a strut carried in the strut recess of the housing and comprising: a forward body portion carried in the forward recess portion of the strut recess of the housing, a rearward body portion carried in the rearward recess portion of the strut recess of the housing, a side portion, and an ear portion extending in a direction transversely away from the side portion and carried in the transversely extending transverse recess portion of the strut recess of the housing; and a strut retainer coupled to the housing and transversely across the portion of the strut including the ear portion, wherein the strut retainer comprises a weakening to facilitate resilient flexing of the strut retainer.

2. The pivotable strut coupler of claim 1, wherein, The weakening comprises a slot in the strut retainer.

3. The pivotable strut coupler of claim 1, wherein, The weakening extends orthogonally.

4. The pivotable strut coupler of claim 3, wherein, The weakening extends transversely parallel to the transverse axis.

5. The pivotable strut coupler of claim 3, wherein, The weakening extends longitudinally parallel to the longitudinal axis.

6. The pivotable strut coupler of claim 1, wherein, The housing further comprises a spring recess in the forward recess portion of the strut recess.

7. The pivotable strut coupler of claim 1, wherein, The housing further comprises an armature passage in the rearward recess portion of the strut recess.

8. The pivotable strut coupler of claim 7, further comprising: an actuator coupled to the housing and comprising an armature extending into an armature passage of the housing to engage the rearward body portion of the strut.

9. The pivotable strut link of claim 8, wherein, The actuator comprises an electromechanical solenoid.

10. The pivotable strut coupler of claim 1, wherein, The strut retainer is fastened to the housing.

11. The pivotable strut coupler of claim 1, wherein, The strut retainer further comprises a strut ear retainer at least partially defined by the weakening and having a rest position, and wherein the weakening facilitates resilient flexing of the strut ear retainer to substantially return to the rest position of the strut ear retainer after overextension of the strut.

12. The pivotable strut link of claim 11, wherein, The weakening facilitates elastic deformation of the strut ear retainer such that the strut ear retainer recovers at least 60% toward the rest position of the strut ear retainer.

13. A pivotable strut retainer, comprising: a strut ear retainer comprising laterally opposing edges establishing a pivotable strut opening; a strut body retainer comprising a forward edge extending transversely between the laterally opposing edges of the strut ear retainer; and a weakening at least partially defining the strut ear retainer to facilitate resilient flexing of the strut ear retainer.

14. The pivotable prop holder of claim 13, wherein, The weakening comprises a slot in the pivotable strut retainer.

15. The pivotable strut holder of claim 13, wherein, The weakening extends orthogonally.

16. The pivotable strut holder of claim 15, wherein, The weakening extends transversely.

17. The pivotable strut holder of claim 15, wherein, The weakening extends longitudinally.

18. The pivotable strut holder of claim 13, further comprising a front edge, a rear edge, and a side edge extending between the front edge and the rear edge, wherein, The strut ear holder extends longitudally forward from the front edge, and the strut ear holder includes a curved tab extending away from an upper surface of the pivotable strut holder.

19. The pivotable strut holder of claim 13, wherein, The weakening extends laterally and originates at a junction between a laterally inboard edge of the strut ear holder and a front edge of the strut body holder.

20. The pivotable strut holder of claim 13, wherein, The weakening extends longitudinally and originates at a junction between a front edge of the pivotable strut holder and a laterally outboard edge of the strut ear holder.

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