Patents Examined by Rodney H. Bonck
  • Patent number: 8910769
    Abstract: A lubricating structure of a transmission is capable of supplying a lubricating oil with respect to a clutch promptly and stably. The lubricating structure of the transmission includes a first oil passage 53 which extends in a second input shaft 18 from one end side thereof to a first position, and the lubricating oil is supplied from the one end side, a second oil passage 54 which connects to the first oil passage 53 at the first position and extends in the second input shaft 18 to a second position, a first lubrication hole 55 which distributes the lubricating oil to the second clutch 20 at the first position, and a second lubrication hole 56 which distributes the lubricating oil to a transmission mechanism 40 at the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keita Yano, Shoji Machida
  • Patent number: 8905215
    Abstract: A clutch arrangement for connecting two components, which can rotate relative to one another, of a motor vehicle drive train, in particular for connecting two shafts of a transmission or a shaft to an idler gear rotatably mounted on the shaft. The clutch arrangement has a clutch and an actuator arrangement. The clutch is opened in a first actuator position of an actuator section of the actuator arrangement. The clutch arrangement has a locking device for locking the actuator section in a locked position to keep the clutch closed. The locking device has a slotted-link guide with a first guide section and a second guide section for the actuator section, wherein the locked position can be reached from the first actuator position via the first guide section, and wherein the first actuator position can be reached from the locked position via the second guide section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Getrag Getriebe- und Zahnradfabrik Hermann Hagenmeyer GmbH & Cie KG
    Inventors: Hansi Gremplini, Guenter Ruehle, Jochen Bausch
  • Patent number: 8905214
    Abstract: An electric hub unit includes a hub composed of first casing and a second casing. An electric unit is located between the first and second casings. An axle extends through two respective centers of the first and second casings. The first casing has a reception recess defined in one side thereof. A first extension and a second extension extend axially from the first casing and toward in opposite directions. A bearing is located in the inside of the second extension. A socket unit has a tubular portion and a ratchet unit is connected to the socket unit. The socket unit is mounted to outside of the first casing, and a bearing and a plate are located between the tubular portion and the first extension. The hub unit prevents water and foreign objects from entering into the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Joy Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chun-Hsung Chen
  • Patent number: 8905211
    Abstract: A multiple clutch device, particularly a double clutch device, that has a reduced axial installation space and/or inexpensive production. The multiple clutch device has at least two friction clutch arrangements, torque-transferring friction element carriers, each of which is rotationally fixedly connected to a frictional element of the frictional clutch arrangements, and at least one roller bearing. The roller bearing is designed to support at least one of the frictional element carriers. The supported frictional element carrier is designed as a race of the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Thomas Wiesneth
  • Patent number: 8905210
    Abstract: One variation may include a parallel, preferably wet, dual clutch device (2) for arrangement in a drive train of a motor vehicle, between a drive unit (4) and a transmission (6), which has a first multiplate clutch (30) assigned to a first transmission input shaft (10) and having a first plate assembly (38), a first actuating piston (46), a first inner plate carrier (36) and a first outer plate carrier (34) for selective torque transmission between the drive unit (4) and the first transmission input shaft (10), and has a second multiplate clutch (32) assigned to a second transmission input shaft (12) and having a second plate assembly (44), a second actuating piston (48), a second inner plate carrier (42) and a second outer plate carrier (40) for selective torque transmission between the drive unit (4) and the second transmission input shaft (12), wherein the actuating pistons (46, 48) have mutually opposed actuating directions (50, 52).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Hans Juergen Hauck
  • Patent number: 8905213
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a pressure mounting slip coupling, wherein it is possible to transmit power in spite of an eccentricity or a declination generated in the axial direction, block a torque overload, flexibly correspond to the change of the distance between shafts, and improve durability and operation stability with an insulation function. The pressure mounting slip coupling (1) has one side flange (11) coupled with a brake disc (2), which is connected to the output shaft (O) of a motor, and another side flange (12) coupled with a flange (3), which is connected to the input shaft (I) of an object to be driven, so that the output shaft (O) of the motor and the input shaft (I) of the object to be driven are connected to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Nara Corporation
    Inventor: Chang Hwan No
  • Patent number: 8905212
    Abstract: A composite clutch used to transmit an operational range of torques from a driving member to a driven member includes a friction clutch assembly and a dog clutch assembly. The friction clutch assembly includes a number of first friction clutch members coupled to the driving member and a number of second friction clutch members coupled to the driven member. The number of first friction clutch members and the number of second friction clutch members are selected to transmit torque across a first portion of the operational range of torques. An actuator assembly is operatively coupled to the friction clutch assembly and the dog clutch assembly. The composite clutch may be operated in friction clutch and dog modes to provide improved controllability in lower torque operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: BorgWarner, Inc.
    Inventors: David Vierk, James G. Marciniak, Steven Kowal, James R. Papania
  • Patent number: 8899394
    Abstract: A hydraulic control apparatus may be provided with a lock-up clutch operated or not by hydraulic pressure difference between an engagement-side oil chamber and a disengagement-side oil chamber and may include a first hydraulic line supplying hydraulic pressure to the disengagement-side oil chamber or exhausting the hydraulic pressure from the disengagement-side oil chamber, a second hydraulic line supplying hydraulic pressure to the engagement-side oil chamber or exhausting the hydraulic pressure from the engagement-side oil chamber, and a third hydraulic line connected to a slip switch valve, and selectively exhausting through the slip switch valve the hydraulic pressure supplied to the engagement-side oil chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Hyunjun Son, Joo Hang Lee
  • Patent number: 8899396
    Abstract: A clutch device includes; i) a clutch mechanism including a friction engagement member capable of rotating relative to a rotating member and a clutch member that is supplied with restoration force in a direction in which the clutch member departs from the friction engagement member by a restoration spring; and ii) a cam mechanism including; a cam member that is arranged in parallel to the clutch mechanism along a rotation axis line of the rotating member and that is incapable of rotating relative to the rotating member; and a cam follower capable of rolling on a cam surface that exists between the cam member and the clutch member. The cam angle is set to make torque applied to the clutch member due to reaction force accompanied by friction engagement with the friction engagement member larger than torque applied to the clutch member by thrust force caused by an activation of the cam mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignees: JTEKT Corporation, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Minoru Onitake, Hiroshi Takuno, Takashi Hosokawa, Kenji Korenaga
  • Patent number: 8887885
    Abstract: A clutch actuator for a vehicle includes a movable member connected to a power generating unit and configured to be linearly moved by power provided by the power generating unit, and a lever having a pivoting point at one end thereof and to which a release fork is connected at an opposite end thereof to provide a point of application, the lever being configured such that a location of the point of application is varied such that the lever is rotated about the pivoting point when a force point is pushed by the movable member and a length between the point of application and the force point is shortened when the lever is rotated about the pivoting point and a rotating force of the lever is improved as the release fork is moved toward the pivoting point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jin Woo Lee, Eui Hee Jeong, Jeong Heon Kam
  • Patent number: 8887886
    Abstract: Pressures of left and right clutch pistons (55, 63) applied to left and right disk portions (42b, 42d) of a common clutch outer (42) of left and right clutches (29, 30) distributing drive force of an input shaft (20) to left and right output shafts (23, 24) are, finally, transmitted to and supported by a side housing (12) through a boss portion (42a) of the clutch outer (42) and a thrust bearing (53, 52, 48; 41, 27). Accordingly, the left and right clutches (29, 30) can be engaged with no problem. Even when the pressures of the clutch pistons (55, 63) deform the left and right disk portions (42b, 42d) of the clutch outer (42), the gap (?) formed therebetween prevents the transmission of the pressure of one of the clutches (29, 30) to the other clutch (29, 30). Accordingly, the interference between the operations of the left and right clutches (29, 30) is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Yoshio Akiba, Takeshi Yoshida, Masahiro Imamura, Takabumi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8881882
    Abstract: A rotational coupling device having improved lubrication is provided. The device includes a hub disposed about a rotational axis. A rotor is supported on, and configured for rotation about, the hub and defines a radially extending wall and a chamber on one side of the wall surrounding said hub and defining a sump containing a fluid. An armature is supported on the hub for rotation therewith within the chamber and axially spaced from the wall. Clutch plates are disposed between the rotor wall and armature and rotatably coupled to the rotor or armature. A field shell is disposed on an opposite side of the rotor wall from the armature and houses a conductor. One or more tubes have an end submerged in the fluid and extend through apertures in the armature. Rotation of said armature draws fluid through the tubes and onto the clutch plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Warner Electric Technology LLC
    Inventors: James A. Pardee, George P. Gill
  • Patent number: 8881880
    Abstract: A hydraulic pressure clutch includes a first connecting hub including first, second, and third oil holes, a transmission case having first, second, and third oil supply portions, an inner sleeve having first, second, and third oil passages, a boss having fourth, fifth, and sixth oil passages, an outer sleeve having seventh and eighth oil passages, a clutch drum, a second connecting hub, a first piston forming a first piston chamber, a plurality of first clutch plates, a plurality of first friction disks disposed alternately with the first clutch plates, a first balance wall forming a first balance chamber, a second piston forming a second piston chamber, a plurality of second clutch plates, a plurality of second friction disks disposed alternately with the second clutch plates, and a second balance wall forming a second balance chamber, wherein the first and second balance chambers are supplied simultaneously through one oil line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Kangsoo Seo, Jaeyoung Jeon, Wonseok Oh, Seongwook Ji
  • Patent number: 8875861
    Abstract: A liquid friction clutch (1) having a housing (2, 3), a clutch disc (4) rotatable relative to the housing (2, 3) and which is rotatably arranged on an end (5) of a shaft (6) which is mounted centrally within the housing (2, 3), which shaft (6) bears on its other end (8) a driveable active element (7). A working chamber (9) is positioned between the housing (2, 3) and the clutch disk (4). A storage chamber (10) is provided for the clutch fluid. A supply duct (11) leads from the storage chamber (10) to the working chamber (9). A stationary clutch part (13) relative to which the housing (2, 3) is rotatable, wherein a rotatably mounted pump element (14) is provided which, with the housing (2, 3), defines a shear gap (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Buchholz, Wolfgang Sorg
  • Patent number: 8875859
    Abstract: A hydraulic clutch including a clutch drum with an outer cylinder fitted with a plurality of clutch plates and a side wall; a clutch piston that defines together with the clutch drum an engagement oil chamber, and moves in an axial direction to press the clutch plates by hydraulic pressure supplied to the engagement oil chamber; and a cancel plate that defines together with the clutch piston a cancel oil chamber that cancels centrifugal hydraulic pressure. The side wall of the clutch drum is formed with a first oil passage that radially extends and is in communication with the engagement oil chamber, and a second oil passage that radially extends and is in communication with the cancel oil chamber. One of the first and second oil passages is at least partially included in a range of an axial width of the other of the first and second oil passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoru Kasuya, Hiroshi Katou, Takuya Ishii, Norihiro Tokunaga, Kenta Tamabayashi
  • Patent number: 8875858
    Abstract: Providing a hydraulic control apparatus for a vehicular automatic transmission, which makes it possible to design an oil pump with a reduced delivery capacity, thereby permitting an improvement of fuel economy of a vehicle. The hydraulic control apparatus includes a supply passage connecting/disconnecting valve 114A which is operated, in synchronization with a switching operation of a lock-up relay valve 114, to apply a modulator pressure PM via an orifice 118 to a lock-up clutch 18, for placing the lock-up clutch 18 in the lock-up on state, and to inhibit the application of the modulator pressure PM to the lock-up clutch 18, for placing the lock-up clutch 18 in its lock-up off state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiaki Mitsui, Yusuke Ohgata
  • Patent number: 8863924
    Abstract: A hybrid overrunning clutch includes a metal outer race and a composite outer ring that are each sized and configured such that the metal race generates a preload on the composite outer race throughout the operational temperature of the clutch. The composite outer ring significantly reduces that total weight of the clutch, as compared to a completely metal outer race. The present application further includes a method of assembling the metal outer race and composite outer ring so that thermal expansion of the metal outer race creates the preload in the composite outer ring. The present application also includes a method of designing a hybrid overrunning clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan T. Ehinger, Eric S. Olson
  • Patent number: 8863925
    Abstract: A decoupler assembly with an input hub, an output member, and a one-way clutch. In one form, the decoupler assembly includes an annular bearing mount with a needle bearing disposed between the bearing mount and the input hub to support the output member for rotation on the input hub. In another form the decoupler assembly further comprises a torsional vibration damper that is received within an internal cavity that is bounded on opposite axial ends by the output member and a cover that is coupled to the output member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Litens Automotive Partnership
    Inventors: John R. Antchak, Jun Xu
  • Patent number: 8863929
    Abstract: Some embodiments of a clutch system may drive an output portion to rotate at a first rotational speed when the clutch surfaces are engaged and to rotate at a second rotational speed when the clutch surfaces are shifted to a disengaged position. The viscous two-speed clutch system may employ a viscous drive system that causes the output portion to rotate even when the clutch surfaces are disengaged. In such circumstances, the cooling fan can be driven to rotate at a first rotation speed due to interconnection with a drive source and to rotate at a second rotational speed even when the clutch surfaces are disengaged. Thus, the clutch system facilitates the flow of cooling air both when the vehicle cooling system activates the fan (e.g. by causing the clutch surface to engage) and when the vehicle cooling system deactivates the fan (e.g. by causing the clutch surfaces to disengage).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Kit Masters
    Inventors: Paul Roczniak, Thomas M. Jagger, Craig M. Swanson
  • Patent number: 8857586
    Abstract: The lockup device includes a piston that is coupled to a front cover, a drive plate coupled to the piston, a plurality of outer peripheral-side torsion springs to which torque is inputted from the drive plate, and a float member that is arranged on the turbine side of the outer peripheral-side torsion springs and serves to make two of the outer peripheral-side torsion springs operate in series. The float member has a main body portion and an inner peripheral support portion. The main body portion covers an outer peripheral portion and a turbine-side side portion of the outer peripheral-side torsion springs. The inner peripheral support portion extends from the main body section toward an inner periphery and supported on an output side of the intermediate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: EXEDY Corporation
    Inventors: Yuki Kawahara, Naoki Tomiyama