Clutch Piston Assembly Geometric Design for High Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
High RPMs in racing vehicles cause clutch slippage against reaction plates, leading to power loss, which is typically addressed by increasing hydraulic pressure, resulting in elevated oil temperature and premature system failure.
Innovation Solution
A clutch piston assembly with an enlarged cylinder bore and specific O-ring and cylinder bore ring configuration that increases clamping force without raising hydraulic oil pressure, utilizing standard manufacturing techniques and off-the-shelf parts for cost-effectiveness and ease of installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If hydraulic pressure is increased to prevent clutch slippage, then clamping force is improved, but oil temperature increases leading to premature system failure
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the clutch piston assembly, specifically enlarging the cylinder bore diameter and modifying the piston surface area. This allows the same hydraulic pressure to generate increased clamping force through the relationship F = P × A (Force = Pressure × Area), thereby achieving better clutch engagement without increasing hydraulic pressure and avoiding the associated temperature rise and oil degradation
2Reliability
If hydraulic pressure is increased to increase clamping force, then clutch slippage is reduced, but oil breakdown occurs prematurely
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the physical dimensions of the clutch piston, specifically increasing the cylinder bore size and adjusting the piston surface area. This geometric parameter change enables the system to achieve reliable clutch engagement at lower hydraulic pressures, thereby reducing thermal stress on the oil and extending its service life before breakdown occurs
3Power
If clutch piston clamping force is increased to prevent slippage, then power transfer is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the clutch piston assembly into distinct modular components including the cylinder bore, piston body, and sealing elements. This segmentation allows for standardized manufacturing of individual parts that can be assembled together, maintaining simplicity while achieving the desired increased clamping force through optimized geometric dimensions rather than complex mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves improved power transfer by changing the geometric parameters of existing components - specifically enlarging the cylinder bore diameter and adjusting piston surface area - rather than introducing new complex mechanisms. This approach maintains system simplicity while effectively increasing the clamping force available for power transfer
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances clamping force to prevent slippage while maintaining low oil pressure and temperature, thus extending component life and preventing system failure, with a simple and cost-effective design that doesn't require substantial modifications to the torque converter or transmission.
Implementation Method 1
A first O-ring is disposed within the piston housing and is seated on the shoulder proximate the shoulder's transition from the upwardly directed step. A second O-ring is disposed between the cylinder bore ring and the cylinder bore. A third O-ring is received within an interior annular groove of the cylinder bore
Implementation Method 2
The cylinder bore has an outer periphery that abuts the interior wall surface at the side wall at the upwardly directed step. The cylinder bore also abuts an outer wall surface of the central housing bore. The cylinder bore has a series of progressively wider inner grooves
Data Source
AI summary
A clutch piston assembly increases the clamping pressure within a transmission or torque converter, without increasing the oil pressure, in order to reduce the slippage of the clutches against the reaction plates and has a piston housing that receives a cylinder bore ring atop of which is seated a cylinder bore. The cylinder bore has a series of progressively wider inner grooves with the uppermost groove being the widest yet substantially narrower than either of the cylinder bore ring's grooves, thereby decreasing the overall apply area of the central bore thereby increasing the clamping pressure that can be exerted by the clutch piston assembly.