2019results about "Fluid actuated clutches" patented technology

A dual mode one-way torque transmitting device includes an inner race having a first plurality of notches spaced about an axis. An intermediate race includes a second plurality of notches spaced about the axis, a first plurality of pockets spaced about the axis, and a first plurality of rockers, each rocker being located in a pocket of the intermediate race. A spring urges each rocker toward engagement with a notch on the inner race. An outer race includes a second plurality of pockets spaced about the axis, a second plurality of rockers, each rocker being located in a pocket on the outer race, and a plurality of actuators, each actuator alternately engages and disengages a rocker on the outer race and a notch on the intermediate race.

The output shaft of a combustion engine and/or the input shaft of a transmission in the power train of a motor vehicle is directly or indirectly connected to or connectable with the rotor of an electric machine. The stator of the electric machine surrounds the rotor and the latter surrounds, at least in part, a gearing and/or a clutch for and/or another constituent of the transmission. Such design contributes to compactness of the power train.

The present invention provides an improved fluid management system for dual and other multiple clutch assemblies having fluid-operated pistons and fluid operated balance chambers offsetting the undesired pressures exerted by fluids within the piston chamber induced by centrifugal forces. Among other improvements, the system provides an effective and cost efficient arrangement of fluid supply channels and supply openings capable of maintaining desired fluid levels in the balance chambers under low, otherwise insufficient, flow rate conditions. In another aspect, the system provides a reservoir for the balance chambers under conditions where the fluid flow is stopped or interrupted.

An electromotive drive module for installation in a housing between an internal combustion engine and a transmission of a motor vehicle power train. The drive module includes an electric machine with a stator and a rotor and first and second clutch devices, by means of which the rotor can be connected when desired to the internal combustion engine and/or to the transmission for the transmission of torque.

Overrunning coupling and control assemblies, each of which includes control apparatus having a latching mechanism are provided. Each latching mechanism prevents an actuator arm of an overrunning coupling assembly from moving in a first direction substantially parallel to a shift direction of a control plate of the coupling assembly within a housing slot in a locked condition of the mechanism in a first position of the control plate. A control pressure signal within a bore of the housing changes the condition of the latching mechanism from locked to unlocked to unlock the actuator arm and causes the unlocked actuator arm to move along the first direction within the slot and the control element to move along the shift direction to a second position. The control pressure signal also causes a piston which has a groove formed in its outer surface to receive and retain a free end portion of the actuator arm to slide within the bore in the housing against the biasing force of the at least one biasing member. In the absence of a control pressure signal, the at least one biasing member moves the piston and thereby the unlocked actuator arm in a second direction opposite the first direction within the slot and the control element along the shift direction from the second position back to the first position and changes the condition of the latching mechanism from unlocked to locked to lock the actuator arm.

A method of controlling the positioning of the synchronizers of a dual clutch transmission having a plurality of synchronizers to selectively engage and disengage various gears sets, and a plurality of shift actuators adapted to move the synchronizers. The method includes the steps of initiating a control routine to move a synchronizer to a full engagement position with a gear set and monitoring the positions of all engaged synchronizers. The method also includes reinitiating the control routine to move a synchronizer back into the full engagement position when any engaged synchronizer slips out to a minimum engagement position. Further, the method includes initiating a control routine to move a synchronizer to a neutral position and monitoring the position of all disengaged synchronizers. Also, reinitiating the control routine to move a synchronizer back to the neutral position when any disengaged synchronizer drifts beyond a pre-determined neutral hysteresis position.

The electromagnetic actuator includes an electromagnetic coil configured to provide actuation force in accordance with a solenoid current to be supplied, to a clutch and configured to actuate the clutch to control relative rotation between first and second members. The electromagnetic actuator includes a detector configured to detect the clutch actuated to produce a detection signal. The electromagnetic actuator includes a controller configured to respond to the detection signal from the detector to control the solenoid current.

A method of controlling the hydraulic actuation of the clutches and the synchronizers in a dual clutch transmission in the event of a clutch or synchronizer fault. The method includes the steps of determining which clutch is faulted when a clutch-on fault is detected, then commanding an interruption of engine torque to the faulted clutch and a neutralization of all synchronizers of the same axis shaft as the faulted clutch. The method further senses if a synchronizer actuator-on fault has occurred, then determines which synchronizer is faulted if an actuator-on fault has is detected. The method steps further include preventing the further actuation of the other synchronizers on the same axis shaft as the faulted actuator.

The invention relates to measures for controlling or reducing drag torque occurring in a multi-plate clutch device (202) due to temperature-related increased viscosity of an operating fluid which is supplied to the plates in operation. The aim of the invention is to enable a motor vehicle to be started or operated even at low temperatures. According to one aspect of the invention, a motor vehicle comprising a drive train is especially provided. Said drive train comprises a drive unit (238), gearbox (330) having a first gearbox input shaft and a second gearbox input shaft, and a clutch (202) having a first clutch device which is associated with the first gearbox input shaft, and a second clutch device which is associated with the second gearbox input shaft, for transferring torque between the drive unit and the gearbox. Said clutch devices are embodied in the form of plate clutches to which an operating fluid can be supplied, especially a cooling oil in order to operate the same. Said gearbox (330) is associated with an actuator device and a control device (316) for controlling the actuator device, the arrangement of which enables the gears associated with the first and second gearbox input shafts to be engaged and disengaged. According to the invention, the control device (316) is designed in such a way that at least one gear is automatically engaged by means of the actuator device (236), as a result of the clutch release of the vehicle.

A clutch including: a first piston displaceable to operate a clutch pack; a second piston; a first fluid chamber partially formed by the pistons, wherein the second piston is displaceable by fluid pressure in the first fluid chamber; and a locking means fixable by the second piston to hold the pack closed. In a preferred embodiment, the locking means includes at least one displaceable ball. In another preferred embodiment, in response to a loss of fluid pressure in the first chamber, the second piston is displaceable to enable displacement of the locking means to open the pack. In a further preferred embodiment, the clutch includes a second chamber, separate from the first chamber and partially formed by the first piston. The first piston is displaceable in response to fluid pressure in the second chamber. The pack remains closed after a loss or reduction of fluid pressure in the second chamber.

The invention is directed to a multiple-clutch device, such as a double-clutch device, for arranging in a drivetrain of a motor vehicle between a drive unit and a transmission, wherein the clutch device has a first clutch arrangement associated with a first transmission input shaft of the transmission and a second clutch arrangement associated with a second transmission input shaft of the transmission for transmitting torque between the drive unit and the transmission. It is suggested that a bearing arrangement is associated with at least one of the clutch arrangements, wherein the latter is supported or can be supported so as to be relatively rotatable by means of the bearing arrangement on at least one of the transmission input shafts, at least one of which is constructed as a hollow shaft and a shaft constructed as a hollow shaft encloses the other shaft, preferably at least at the radial outer transmission input shaft which is constructed as a hollow shaft.

A start-up clutch assembly (10) for translating torque between a prime mover and a transmission includes a drive member (16) and a clutch pack (30) is supported between the drive (16) and driven members (24). The clutch pack (30) is operable to move between a closed pack mode and an open pack mode to connect and disconnect the drive and driven members (16, 24) to selectively transfer and interrupt torque translation therebetween. A torque apply piston assembly (54) is operable to move between a disengaged position to connect and disconnect the drive and driven members and to provide a constant biasing force so that the clutch pack (30) normally operates in the closed pack mode to translate torque between the drive and driven members (16, 24). A torque interrupt actuator assembly (68) is connected to the torque apply piston assembly (54) and is operable to selectively move the torque apply piston assembly from its engaged position to the disengaged position to thereby interrupt torque translation between the drive and driven members through the clutch pack. A return piston assembly (84) is operable to provide a constant biasing force in a direction opposite to the constant biasing force generated by the torque apply piston assembly (54) to move the clutch pack (30) from the closed pack mode to the open pack mode when the torque interrupt actuator assembly (68) moves the torque apply piston assembly (54) from its engaged position to its disengaged position.

A change-speed transmission in the power train of a motor vehicle has a planetary gearing and coaxial radially inner and outer disc clutches, namely a direct clutch and a reverse clutch. At least that clutch which is engaged (i.e., in use) is cooled by a lubricant for the planetary gearing, and the flow of coolant to the clutches is regulated by the axially movable pressure plate of one of the clutches. A jet pump conveys lubricant from the sump in the transmission case into an axially extending channel of the input shaft of the transmission, and such channel forms part of a system of passages which supply coolant at least to that clutch which is then in use to transmit torque from the input shaft to an output element of the transmission.

The invention is directed to a multiple-clutch device, such as a double-clutch device, for arranging in a drivetrain of a motor vehicle between a drive unit and a transmission, wherein the clutch device has a first clutch arrangement associated with a first transmission input shaft of the transmission and a second clutch arrangement associated with a second transmission input shaft of the transmission for transmitting torque between the drive unit and the transmission. According to one aspect of the invention, it is suggested that at least one of the clutch arrangements has an actuating piston defining a pressure chamber for actuation, preferably for engagement of the clutch arrangement by means of a pressure medium, preferably a hydraulic medium, wherein the actuating piston divides the pressure chamber from an associated centrifugal force pressure compensation chamber which receives a pressure compensation medium.

A rotatable torque-transmitting apparatus includes a stationary piston and a rotatable apply plate. The rotatable apply plate is disposed adjacent a rotatable housing and separated therefrom by a return spring assembly which in a preload condition is trapped between the apply plate and the rotatable housing to limit the disengaged force which is transmitted between the rotatable housing and the stationary piston.

A torque transmitting unit in the power train of a motor vehicle for transmitting torque between an engine crankshaft, and a transmission having at least one input shaft with at least one friction clutch. The transmission input shaft is coupled with the crankshaft by the friction clutch, which includes friction disks on the power input and/or output sides, and that are pressed together axially along an axis of rotation of the transmission input shaft to form a frictional engagement through a plurality of disks arranged in alternating layers in the axial direction. The disks are pressed against a stop by an actuator and with an actuating bearing interposed, wherein the actuator is connected to a fixed part of the transmission housing in a rotationally fixed connection. The friction clutch is a wet clutch.

There is provided a tapered coupling structure in which a tapered shaft can be coupled to and decoupled from a hub without the use of an O-ring. In a tapered coupling structure 10 in which a tapered shaft 20 and a hub 30 are coupled to each other, the tapered shaft 20 is provided with a taper part 21 on the side of being coupled to the hub 30, and the hub 30 is provided with a high-rigidity part 32 having a thickness in the radial direction larger than that of other regions and having a high rigidity in the radial direction. An oil groove 24 formed in the outer peripheral surface of the taper part 21 to feed oil to the coupling surfaces of the taper part 21 and the hub 3 is provided in a region corresponding to the high-rigidity part 32 in the axial direction.

A motion transmitting apparatus wherein an electric motor, an engine or another prime mover rotates an axially fixed first part relative to a coaxial axially movable non-rotatable second part. The structure which serves to move the second part axially in response to clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of the first part includes a follower borne by the first part and a helical spring having end convolutions affixed to the first part. The follower extends between two intermediate convolutions of the helical spring. If the apparatus is utilized in the power train of a motor vehicle, the axially movable part can serve to engage or disengage or change the extent of engagement of the friction clutch between the output element of the engine and the input element of the change-speed transmission.

The invention is directed to a multiple-clutch device, such as a double-clutch device, for arranging in a drivetrain of a motor vehicle between a drive unit and a transmission, wherein the clutch device has a first clutch arrangement associated with a first transmission input shaft of the transmission and a second clutch arrangement associated with a second transmission input shaft of the transmission for transmitting torque between the drive unit and the transmission. According to one aspect of the invention, it is suggested that at least one of the clutch arrangements is constructed as a plate clutch arrangement and has an actuating piston defining a pressure chamber for actuation, preferably for engagement, of the plate clutch arrangement by means of a pressure medium, preferably hydraulic medium, wherein cooling fluid, possibly cooling oil, can be supplied to the plate clutch arrangement from a cooling fluid supply, possibly a cooling oil supply, wherein the actuating piston, and also, if desired, a plate carrier, possibly an outer plate carrier, has at least one pressure compensation opening and/or cooling fluid outlet opening in a radial outer and/or central area.

A mechanical power transmission system for transforming and delivering power effectively and efficiently using external pressure to propel a vehicle. The mechanical power transmission system includes a case; rotational members; a gear set being in operable communication to at least one of the rotational members; and a clutch system being in operable communication to the gear set and using external fluid pressure from a fluid source to effectively change speeds.

A method of controlling the engagement force of the synchronizers of a dual clutch transmission having a plurality of synchronizers to selectively engage and disengage various gear sets, and a plurality of shift actuators adapted to move the synchronizers. The method includes the steps of initiating a control routine to pressurize a shift actuator to move a synchronizer to a predetermined engagement position and determining the necessary level of force required to move the desired shift actuator to the predetermined engagement position such that the engagement movement is effected without excessive force. The method also includes the steps of determining the hydraulic pressure that corresponds to the determined level of force and varying the amount of available hydraulic line pressure delivered to the shift actuator such that the delivered pressure is the amount that corresponds to the determined level of force.

A friction device includes a clutch pack operable to connect and disconnect drive and driven members for transferring and interrupting torque therebetween. A piston is supported in the clutch housing and defines a first expandable chamber. The piston carries a control module responsive to pressure in the expandable chamber for controlling coolant flow through a dedicated coolant flow passage through the actuator piston that includes mist-forming outlets on the face of the actuator piston.

The invention is directed to a multiple-clutch device, such as a double-clutch device, for arranging in a drivetrain of a motor vehicle between a drive unit and a transmission, wherein the clutch device has a first clutch arrangement associated with a first transmission input shaft of the transmission and a second clutch arrangement associated with a second transmission input shaft of the transmission for transmitting torque between the drive unit and the transmission. According to one aspect of the invention, it is suggested that a bearing arrangement is associated with at least one of the clutch arrangements, wherein the latter is supported or can be supported so as to be relatively rotatable by means of the bearing arrangement on at least one of the transmission input shafts, at least one of which is constructed as a hollow shaft and a shaft constructed as a hollow shaft encloses the other shaft, preferably at least at the radial outer transmission input shaft which is constructed as a hollow shaft.

The invention relates to a hydraulic twin clutch for a transmission with two transmission input shafts, preferably for a power-shift transmission in motor vehicles, with concentric arrangement of the two transmission input shafts, a driven clutch housing, two hydraulically actuated clutches with friction disks and annular piston-cylinder units, the first clutch connecting the clutch housing selectably to the first transmission input shaft and the second clutch connecting the clutch housing selectably to the second transmission input shaft. It is distinguished by the fact that the two clutches are arranged adjacent one another, separated by a clutch web firmly connected to the clutch housing, and the two piston-cylinder units provided for the actuation of the clutch are likewise arranged adjacent one another and separated by the clutch web, between the clutches and the transmission input shafts, on a smaller diameter than the clutches. The essential advantages are compact construction combined with high torque capacity and the possibility of achieving complete compensation of the centrifugal-force-dependent pressures in the working chambers through the provision of a compensating chamber.

In either a pull-mode operating state or a push-mode operating state, a clutch arrangement assigned to the first gearbox input shaft and a clutch arrangement assigned to the second gearbox input shaft are actuated in such a way and a torque-generating arrangement comprising a drive unit is controlled in such a way that, when a shift is to be made between a first gear assigned to a first gearbox input shaft and a second gear assigned to a second gearbox input shaft, at least one of the following criteria with respect to the shifting sequence comprising the shift in question is fulfilled: (1) during the shifting sequence, the torque present at the gearbox output shaft is at least approximately constant or changes monotonically; (2) during the shifting sequence, the vehicle accelerates in an essentially monotonically increasing or in an essentially monotonically decreasing manner.

A method for controlling operational sequencing of gears in an automatic transmission (102) which has been built in an auxiliary mode. In the case of such a shifting transmission it is possible that during the engagement of its transmission gear stage, impact noises or contact noises are present in the shifting procedure. This can occur by the generation of a tooth-on-tooth positioning between the toothing of a sliding collar (126) and the come-along toothing of an idler gear (130, 132). Provision is made for the control of the activation movement of the sliding collar (126) carried out in such a manner that an activation condition impact of the transmission parts, which are partakers in the shifting associated transmission part onto other transmission parts with the least possible impact force and/or with a least possible impact noise level.

The invention relates to a torque transmission device, especially for a drive train comprising an internal combustion engine and a twin-clutch transmission having two transmission input shafts and one transmission output shaft, each transmission input shaft being connectable to an internal combustion engine via a clutch of the torque transmission device.

A hydrodynamic torque converter includes a converter housing and a turbine wheel which is arranged in the converter housing and is rotatable with respect to the converter housing about a rotational axis of the converter. The torque converter further includes a lockup clutch for producing a torque transmission connection between the converter housing and the turbine wheel. The lockup clutch has a first friction surface arrangement held by a first friction surface carrier arrangement substantially fixed with respect to rotation relative to the converter housing, a second friction surface arrangement is held by a second friction surface carrier arrangement substantially fixed with respect to rotation relative to the turbine wheel, a contact pressing arrangement for pressing the first and the second friction surface arrangement against one another in frictional contact, and an abutment arrangement at which the first and second friction surface arrangement can be supported substantially in the direction of the axis of rotation when pressed by the contact pressure arrangement. The first friction surface carrier arrangement has a substantially annular body region connected either directly or indirectly with the converter housing and driver projections which are arranged at a distance from one another in the circumferential direction proceeding from the body region. Respective counter-driver projections at the first friction surface arrangement engage between these driver projections.

A composite flywheel has primary and secondary masses rotatable relative to each other against the resistance of a damper having arcuate coil springs and an abutment between neighboring end portions of such springs. The abutment can move in the circumferential direction of the masses and is preferably form-lockingly connected against loss to at least one of the springs. To this end, a portion of the abutment extends into the adjacent convolutions of the at least one spring and is engaged by such convolutions with a force which suffices to prevent unintentional separation of the at least one spring from the abutment in the axial direction of the at least one spring.

A hub for bicycles, having an axle and a shell, two bearing units arranged substantially between the hub axle and the hub shell, and a rotor rotatably supported relative to the hub axle for receiving a sprocket the rotor, and a freewheel having two toothed disc units with biased tooth faces for transmitting the drive torque from the rotor to the hub shell. The two toothed disc units are disposed around the hub axle upon assembly, they are, at idle, disposed transverse to the hub axle. At least one toothed disc unit includes a toothed disc having a hole, a radial wall and an axial toothed wall, wherein an inner diameter of the hole is smaller at the axial wall than an inner dimension in the radial wall to form a receiving space at the toothed disc between the clear inner diameter of the axial wall and the radial wall.