Cast-in splined sleeves for clutch hubs

Abstract

This invention relates to cast-in spline sleeves for clutch hubs. Specifically, a composite (i.e., two-component) two-material clutch hub or housing having an inner sleeve made of a heavy, high-strength material with a lighter, lower-strength The material making the outer element or bell is cast to and around the inner sleeve. The sleeve typically includes a splined opening that is received on one or more complementary splined shafts and a plurality of radially oriented fingers or lugs or a discrete flange (outer element or bell The shape is cast around it). The outer member, or bell, is splined to the clutch's friction plates or other components. The high strength material is preferably but not necessarily steel and the lower strength material is preferably but not necessarily aluminum alloy. Alternatively, the sleeve may be a higher strength aluminum alloy, such as metal matrix composite (MMC), and the outer element or bell may be a different aluminum alloy of lower strength.

Description

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications [0002] This application claims priority to US Provisional Application No. 61 / 383,231, filed September 15, 2010, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. technical field [0003] The present invention relates to two-part clutch hubs, and more particularly to composite clutch hubs or housings having a heavy, high-strength material inner sleeve to which an outer element of lighter, lesser-strength material is cast and Cast around inner sleeve. Background technique [0004] The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may or may not constitute prior art. [0005] Many relatively large rotating components in power trains and drive trains include inner smaller diameter elements or sections that are exposed to higher torques and stresses, and outer larger diameter elements or sections that are exposed to lower torques and stresses. Although this has be...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Although this approach improves upon prior art constructions in terms of strength and weight, it creates an additional problem: how to connect or secure the two parts together

First, the method requires additional material adjacent to the joint to carry and dissipate the solder heat

Additionally, the application of sufficient heat to weld steel without melting or causing aluminum degradation is a significant process challenge

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