Clutch system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9909630-B1
Application number	US-201615237792-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Aug 16, 2016
Priority date	Aug 16, 2016
Publication date	Mar 6, 2018
Grant date	Mar 6, 2018

Abstract

A clutch includes a piston, backing plate, spring, and spring retainer. The piston and the backing plate define a balance chamber therebetween. The piston has a protrusion that extends into and defines a pocket in the chamber. The spring is disposed within the pocket and is configured to disengage the piston from a clutch pack. The spring retainer is disposed between the spring and the backing plate. The retainer extends from the backing plate and into the chamber beyond an end of the protrusion.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A clutch comprising:
a piston and a backing plate defining a balance chamber therebetween, the piston having a protrusion extending into and defining a pocket in the chamber;
a spring disposed within the pocket and configured to disengage the piston from a clutch pack; and
a spring retainer,
disposed between the spring and the backing plate,
extending from the backing plate into the chamber,
defining an orifice between inner and outer diameters of the retainer, wherein the spring is disposed within the orifice, and
having a first projection between the orifice and the inner diameter of the retainer that extends into the chamber beyond an end of the protrusion when the piston is disengaged.

2. The clutch of claim 1 wherein the retainer has a second projection that extends from the orifice, internal relative to an inner diameter of the spring, and into the chamber beyond the end of the protrusion when the piston is disengaged.

3. The clutch of claim 1 , wherein the first projection of the retainer extends along an angle toward the backing plate to direct flow of hydraulic fluid into the chamber.

4. The clutch of claim 1 , wherein a surface of the retainer, that extends into the chamber and faces an internal surface of the piston, has a profile that parallels the internal surface of the piston.

5. A clutch comprising:
a piston having a first internal surface opposing a second internal surface of a backing plate, the first and second internal surfaces defining a balancing chamber therebetween, the first internal surface having a protrusion extending into and defining a pocket in the chamber;
a spring retainer,
disposed within the chamber,
secured to the second internal surface,
having a profile that faces and parallels the first internal surface,
defining an orifice between inner and outer diameters of the retainer, and
having a first projection that extends from the orifice, internal relative to an inner diameter of a spring that is disposed with orifice, and into the chamber beyond an end of the protrusion when the piston is disengaged.

6. The clutch of claim 5 , wherein the retainer has a second projection between the orifice and the inner diameter of the retainer that extends into the chamber beyond the end of the protrusion when the piston is disengaged.

7. The clutch of claim 6 , wherein the second projection of the retainer extends along an angle toward the backing plate to direct flow of hydraulic fluid into the chamber.

8. A clutch comprising:
a piston and a backing plate defining a chamber therebetween, the piston having a protrusion extending into the chamber;
a spring retainer,
secured to the plate within the chamber,
defining an orifice between inner and outer diameters of the retainer, and
having a projection that extends from the orifice and into the chamber beyond the protrusion when the piston is disengaged; and

a spring disposed around the protrusion within the orifice.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Lint Brandon David
• Heuver Bradley Ronald

Classifications

• 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

• F16D25/06

  in which the fluid actuates a piston incorporated in, {i.e. rotating with} the clutch (F16D25/02 takes precedence) · CPC title

• F16D25/10 Primary

  Clutch systems with a plurality of fluid-actuated clutches (arrangements or mounting of clutches in vehicles B60K17/00) · CPC title

• F16D25/12

  Details not specific to one of the before-mentioned types · CPC title

• F16D25/0638

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