Optimized outer clutch housing for reduced spin loss, improved oil flow and improved clutch durability

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9303696-B2
Application number	US-201414460597-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 15, 2014
Priority date	Aug 23, 2013
Publication date	Apr 5, 2016
Grant date	Apr 5, 2016

Abstract

A torque transfer device can include a housing and a clutch. The housing can define a clutch cavity and a pocket. The pocket can be formed at an axial end of the clutch cavity and have a generally arcuate shape that extends circumferentially about the clutch cavity above a static lubrication level. The clutch can include an outer carrier, an inner carrier, a plurality of first and second interleaved friction plates. One of an outer and an inner plate carrier of the clutch can be coupled to an input member for common rotation. The other of the carriers can be coupled to a differential case for common rotation. Rotation of the outer carrier relative to the housing through a fluid in the clutch cavity can sling a portion of the fluid toward an inner surface of the housing to cause the portion of the fluid to collect in the pocket.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A torque transfer device comprising:
a housing defining a clutch cavity and a pocket, the pocket being formed at an axial end of the clutch cavity and having a generally arcuate shape extending circumferentially about the clutch cavity and being above a static lubrication level when the torque transfer device is disposed in a predetermined orientation;
an input pinion configured for rotation about a first axis;
an input member configured for rotation about a second axis and being meshingly engaged with the input pinion;
a first output member and a second output member;
a differential including a differential case and a differential gearset, the differential gearset being configured to transmit rotary power between the differential case and the first and second output members;
a shaft supported within the housing for rotation about the second axis and coupled for common rotation with the differential case;
a fluid received in the clutch cavity; and
a friction clutch including an outer carrier, an inner carrier, a plurality of first friction plates, and a plurality of second friction plates, the outer carrier having a first plate mount onto which the first friction plates are non-rotatably mounted, the inner carrier having a second plate mount onto which the second friction plates are non-rotatably mounted, the second friction plates being interleaved with the first friction plates, one of the outer and inner carriers being coupled to the shaft for common rotation, the other of the outer and inner carriers being coupled to the input member for common rotation;
wherein rotation of the outer carrier relative to the housing in a predetermined rotational direction through the fluid in the clutch cavity slings a portion of the fluid toward an inner surface of the housing to cause the portion of the fluid to collect in the pocket.

2. The torque transfer device of claim 1 , wherein the pocket has a first end, a second end, and a middle portion, the first and second ends being disposed between a center line of the clutch cavity and the static lubrication level, the middle portion connecting the first and second ends and extending in a generally arcuate shape above the center line.

3. The torque transfer device of claim 1 , wherein the housing defines at least one feed channel, the at least one feed channel having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet fluidly coupling the at least one feed channel to the pocket, the outlet being radially inward of the pocket and configured to transmit fluid from the pocket to at least one component of the friction clutch located radially inward of the pocket.

4. The torque transfer device of claim 3 , wherein the at least one component includes a bearing, the bearing being radially between the shaft and the housing and configured to support the shaft for rotation within the housing.

5. The torque transfer device of claim 3 , wherein the fluid has a viscosity wherein rotation of the outer carrier in the predetermined rotational direction draws the portion of the fluid in the pocket in the predetermined rotational direction and into the channel.

6. The torque transfer device of claim 5 , wherein the at least one feed channel is arcuate or helically shaped and the inlet opens into the pocket in a direction opposing the predetermined rotational direction.

7. The torque transfer device of claim 3 , wherein the at least one feed channel includes a first feed channel and a second feed channel, the first feed channel being configured to transmit fluid from the pocket to a first location and the second feed channel being configured to transmit fluid from the pocket to a second location radially inward of the first location.

8. The torque transfer device of claim 3 , wherein the inner and outer carriers at least partially define an annular cavity radially inward of the first and second friction plates, and the outer carrier includes an orifice configured to fluidly couple the outlet of the at least one feed channel to the annular cavity.

9. The torque transfer device of claim 8 , wherein the inner carrier defines a plurality of lubricant holes through the second plate mount and configured to transmit fluid from the annular cavity radially outward to lubricate the first and second friction plates.

10. A torque transfer device comprising:
a housing having a circumferential wall and a pair of end walls, the circumferential wall extending circumferentially about an axis, the end walls being located at opposite axial ends of the circumferential wall, the circumferential wall and pair of end walls defining a clutch cavity;
an input pinion configured for rotation about a first axis;
an input member configured for rotation about a second axis and being meshingly engaged with the input pinion;
a first output member and a second output member;
a differential including a differential case and a differential gearset, the differential gearset being configured to transmit rotary power between the differential case and the first and second output members;
a shaft supported within the housing for rotation about the second axis and coupled for common rotation with the differential case; and
a friction clutch including an outer carrier, an inner carrier, a plurality of first friction plates, and a plurality of second friction plates, the outer carrier having a first plate mount onto which the first friction plates are non-rotatably mounted, the inner carrier having a second plate mount onto which the second friction plates are non-rotatably mounted, the second friction plates being interleaved with the first friction plates and configured to transmit rotational power between the shaft and the input member;
wherein one of the end walls defines a pocket proximate to the circumferential wall, the pocket extending about a portion of the circumference of the one of the end walls and above a static lubrication level when the torque transfer device is disposed in a predetermined orientation and a predetermined volume of a fluid is received in the clutch cavity;
wherein rotation of the outer carrier relative to the housing in a predetermined rotational direction through the fluid in the clutch cavity slings a portion of the fluid toward an inner surface of the housing to cause the portion of the fluid to be retained by the pocket.

11. The torque transfer device of claim 10 , wherein the outer carrier and the circumferential wall define a radial space disposed between the outer carrier and the circumferential wall, the radial space extending in an axial direction along the second axis, the radial space intersecting the pocket and being sized so that fluid slung from the outer carrier is directed axially along the housing to the pocket.

12. The torque transfer device of claim 10 , wherein the one of the end walls defines at least one feed channel, the at least one feed channel configured to transmit a portion of the fluid retained by the pocket to a location radially inward of the pocket.

13. The torque transfer device of claim 12 , wherein the at least one feed channel is configured to transmit the portion of the fluid received from the pocket to a bearing, the bearing being radially between the shaft and the one of the end walls and configured to support the shaft for rotation within the housing.

14. The torque transfer device of claim 12 , wherein the at least one feed channel includes a first feed channel and a second feed channel, the first feed channel being configured to transmit a first portion of fluid from the pocket to a first location and the second feed channel being configured to transmit a second portion of flui

Assignees

• American Axle & Mfg Inc

Inventors

• Phelps Chris
• Kincaid Jeffrey L
• Hibbler John C
• Kornosky Paul W
• Downs James P

Classifications

• F16H57/0473

  Friction devices, e.g. clutches or brakes · CPC title

• F16D13/74 Primary

  Features relating to lubrication · CPC title

• F16D13/52

  Clutches with multiple lamellae {; Clutches in which three or more axially moveable members are fixed alternately to the shafts to be coupled and are pressed from one side towards an axially-located member (F16D13/385 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• F16H57/0424 Primary

  Lubricant guiding means in the wall of or integrated with the casing, e.g. grooves, channels, holes · CPC title

• F16D25/0638

  with more than two discs, e.g. multiple lamellae · CPC title