Coil Spring Patents (Class 192/212)
  • Patent number: 11454287
    Abstract: A torsional vibration damper for a clutch disk within a drive train of a motor vehicle includes an input part arranged around an axis of rotation (d), a spring device with at least three spring elements, an output part, and torque-transmitting intermediate elements. The output part can be rotated relative to the input part about the axis of rotation (d) to a limited extent against the spring device. The torque-transmitting intermediate elements are arranged between the input part and the output part for forcible radial displacement by means of cam mechanisms when the input part rotates relative to the output part. The spring device is arranged between the torque-transmitting intermediate elements, and a number of intermediate elements corresponds to a number of spring elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Gerd Ahnert
  • Patent number: 11384824
    Abstract: A lock-up device includes a clutch part, a piston, a sleeve, and an oil chamber plate. The clutch part is disposed between a front cover and a turbine. The piston is axially movable, and brings the clutch part into a torque-transmission state. The sleeve is fixed to the inner peripheral part of the front cover. The sleeve has a piston support part and a first butt part. The piston support part supports an inner peripheral surface of the piston to be axially movable. The first butt part is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the piston support part. The oil chamber plate is provided between the piston and the turbine. The oil chamber plate has a second butt part. The second butt part is butt-welded with the first butt part. The oil chamber plate forms an oil chamber. Hydraulic fluid is supplied between the oil chamber and the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: EXEDY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro Sasaki
  • Patent number: 11359706
    Abstract: A launch device having a front cover connectable to the output of a prime mover, an output hub connectable to the input of the transmission, an impeller driven in rotation with the front cover and a turbine fluidly coupled in rotation with the impeller. A damper includes an output member connected to and rotatable with the output hub. A lock-out clutch, when engaged, rotationally locks the damper with the front cover and includes a clutch piston which is axially and rotationally moveable relative to the output hub. A mechanical clutch piston positioner includes first and second interfaces individually associated with either the clutch piston or one of the output member or output hub. The first interface is axially and rotationally moveable relative to the second interface. Upon the first interface overrunning tire second interface, mechanical engagement of the interfaces axially positions tire clutch piston toward the front cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Exedy GlobalParts Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichiro Maeda, Ken Mototsune, Scott Binder
  • Patent number: 11326678
    Abstract: A torque converter assembly includes a torsional vibration damper and a clutch operatively coupled to the torsional vibration damper. The clutch includes a friction disc having a tab coupled to a distal portion of the friction disc and extending axially away from the distal portion. The clutch also includes a piston configured to urge the friction disc into engagement with a torque converter cover to transfer torque from the torque converter cover to the torsional vibration damper. The tab includes a first segment directly contacting a spring member or a spring seat of the torsional vibration damper and a second segment, between the first segment and the distal portion of the friction disc, configured to slide against a guide surface of the torsional vibration damper to provide radial guidance to the friction disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: VALEO KAPEC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Vijayakumar Velayudham, Sungchul Lee, Subramanian Jeyabalan, Caleb Garcia
  • Patent number: 10903731
    Abstract: A motor for sensing a rotor location is provided, the motor comprising a shaft, a sensing magnet including a main magnet and a sub-magnet coupled to the shaft and a substrate disposed on the sensing magnet. The substrate includes a plurality of first hall sensors and a plurality of second hall sensors spaced apart from the shaft by a first distance, and a plurality of third hall sensors and a plurality of fourth hall sensors spaced apart from the shaft by a second distance larger than the first distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shung Hun Woo, Nam Hoon Kim
  • Patent number: 10830325
    Abstract: A torque converter having a two-part turbine is provided. The torque converter includes an impeller rotatable about an axis. A turbine is axially spaced from the impeller and rotatable about the axis. The turbine includes a turbine shell and a turbine hub non-rotatably fixed to the turbine shell. In embodiments, the turbine hub and the turbine shell do not overlap in an axial face-to-face contacting relationship. In embodiments, the turbine hub and the turbine shell each terminate at an end surface that face one another in direct connection. The connection of the turbine hub and the turbine shell may be at a location of a bulge or apex of the turbine so as to inhibit turbine deflection of that location during operation of the torque converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventor: Long Souers
  • Patent number: 10724600
    Abstract: A dynamic vibration absorber is disclosed. The dynamic vibration absorber includes a rotatable first hub, an inertia member, a plurality of elastic members, a plurality of sliders, and a guide member. The inertia member is disposed on an outer peripheral side of the first hub. The inertia member is rotatable relative to the first hub. The plurality of elastic members radially extend between the first hub and the inertia member. The plurality of elastic members are elastically deformable and elastically couple the first hub and the inertia member in a rotational direction. The plurality of sliders are radially movable along the plurality of elastic members. The plurality of sliders are configured to contact the plurality of elastic members. The guide member radially move the plurality of sliders. The guide member determines radial positions of the plurality of sliders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: EXEDY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 10634228
    Abstract: A torque converter includes a front cover, an impeller, a turbine, a piston, an internal hydraulic chamber, an external hydraulic chamber and a seal mechanism. The impeller is fixed to the front cover. The turbine is disposed in opposition to the impeller. The piston is disposed between the front cover and the turbine so as to be movable in an axial direction. The piston is engaged by friction with the turbine. The internal hydraulic chamber is delimited by the turbine and the piston. The external hydraulic chamber is obtained by excluding the internal hydraulic chamber from a hydraulic chamber delimited by the front cover and the impeller. The seal mechanism is disposed between the turbine and the piston, the seal mechanism blocking hydraulic oil from flowing into the internal hydraulic chamber from the external hydraulic chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: EXEDY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 10527145
    Abstract: A torque converter assembly includes a pump and a turbine fluidly connected to the pump. The torque converter assembly also includes a damper operable upstream from the turbine. The damper is configured to reduce oscillation from the pump toward the turbine. The torque converter assembly further includes a clutch operable between the pump and the turbine. The clutch is operable in a slip condition in which the clutch is adjustable to allow the pump and the turbine to slip relative to each other to control oscillation through the clutch to the turbine. The damper is operable upstream from the clutch such that oscillation from the pump is reduced by the damper before oscillation reaches the clutch. Additionally, a vehicle includes the torque converter assembly operable between an output shaft of an engine and an input member of a transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Dongxu Li
  • Patent number: 10316903
    Abstract: A double clutch apparatus for selectively transmitting a torque of an engine output shaft to first and second input shafts may include a clutch housing connected to the engine output shaft, external and internal clutches radially superposed and respectively connected to the first and second input shafts, first and second operation pistons operated by a dual slave cylinder to respectively operate the external clutch and the internal clutch, a hydraulic pump connected to a driven gear by a rotation shaft, a pump driveshaft disposed coaxially with and external to the second input shaft, the pump driveshaft being formed with a drive gear engaged with the driven gear, and a connecting shaft fixed to a radially internal end portion of the second operation piston and spline-engaged with an internal circumference of the pump driveshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Euihee Jeong, In Tae Park, Jong Min Kim, Jinwoo Lee
  • Patent number: 10309508
    Abstract: A wheel stator assembly includes a one-way clutch, a stator and a thrust plate. The one-way clutch includes an inner race and an outer race disposed on an outer peripheral side of the inner race. The stator includes a stator carrier and a plurality of stator blades. The stator blades are mounted on an outer peripheral side of the stator carrier. The stator carrier is supported by an outer peripheral part of the outer race. The stator carrier includes an inner peripheral extended part. The inner peripheral extended part extends to an inner peripheral side and is opposed to a lateral surface of the inner race. The thrust plate is disposed axially between the inner race and the inner peripheral extended part of the stator carrier and can contact the lateral surface of the inner race. The thrust plate is rotatable in synchronization with the stator carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: EXEDY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Satoru Matsuda
  • Patent number: 10309509
    Abstract: A drive assembly for a torque converter is provided. The drive assembly includes a turbine; a damper assembly fixed to a first side of the turbine by connectors; and a hydrodynamic bearing fixed to a second side of the turbine opposite the first side. The hydrodynamic bearing includes at least one recess formed therein receiving ends of the connectors. A method of forming a drive assembly is also provided. The method includes fixing a damper assembly cover plate to a first side of a turbine via connectors; and fixing a hydrodynamic bearing to a second side of the turbine opposite the first side. The hydrodynamic bearing including at least one recess formed therein receiving an ends the connectors. A torque converter is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Shane Hague, David Burky, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10288157
    Abstract: A torque converter is provided. The torque converter includes a rear cover and a front cover. The rear cover includes a rear radially extending section and a rear axially extending section extending axially from an outer radial end of the rear radially extending section. The front cover includes a front radially extending section and a front axially extending section extending axially from an outer radial end of the front radially extending section. The front cover includes a plurality of baffles formed as part of the front cover and bent radially inward from the front axially extending section. A method of forming a torque converter is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Michael Hodge
  • Patent number: 10100879
    Abstract: A drive assembly for a motor vehicle clutch is provided. The drive assembly includes a subassembly includes at least one clutch facing and at least one support segment supporting the at least one clutch facing, the at least one support segment including an outer radial portion fixed to the at least one clutch facing and an inner radial portion extending radially inward from the outer radial portion; an extender connected to the inner radial portion of the at least one support segment; and a cover plate, the extender connecting the subassembly to the cover plate. A method of forming a drive assembly and a method of forming a plurality of drive assemblies are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Alfredo Jimenez
  • Patent number: 10036459
    Abstract: A lock-up device for a torque converter includes an output rotary member rotatable with respect to an input rotary member. A plurality of large coil springs are disposed in radially outer positions so as to be aligned in a circumferential direction, the large coil springs separately compressed in a rotational direction by relative rotation between the input rotary member and the output rotary member. A plurality of small coil springs are set to have a free length shorter than a free length of the large coil springs, the small coil springs separately disposed in inner peripheral parts of the large coil springs so as to be movable therein. The respective coil springs are compressed in a sequential order of the plural large coil springs and then at least any one of the plural small coil springs by the relative rotation between the input rotary member and the output rotary member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: EXEDY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuki Kawahara
  • Patent number: 10024384
    Abstract: A powertrain structure includes a drive shaft and a driven shaft disposed coaxially, with end surfaces opposed to each other, and a torque damper interposed between the shafts and having half bodies fitted to a shaft end parts of the drive and driven shafts, with the half bodies joined together by engagement of opposed, outer circumferential end surfaces thereof and a damper spring interposed therebetween such that it straddles drive-side and driven-side spring recesses respectively formed in the opposed surfaces of the half bodies. One of two fitting parts provided between the half bodies and the respective shafts has a smaller clearance and the other has an larger clearance in the radial direction of the shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshimasa Mitsubori, Shinya Nishiyama, Naoki Kobayashi, Dai Arai
  • Patent number: 10006517
    Abstract: A torsional vibration damper includes a planetary gear set having a ring gear connected to a transmission input shaft, a carrier rotatably supporting multiple planet gears individually meshed with a sun gear, and with the ring gear meshed with the planet gears. A spring cage includes a first spring support member having: a member first leg fixed to the ring gear; a member second leg rotatably connected to the transmission input shaft; and multiple first spring support member elements. A second spring support member connected to the carrier, the second spring support member having multiple second spring support member elements. Multiple springs each spring have at least one of the first spring support member elements and one of the second spring support member elements in contact with opposed ends of the spring. An inertial mass member is connected to the sun gear at a first end and has an inertial mass connected at a second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Dongxu Li, Kumaraswamy V. Hebbale
  • Patent number: 9976642
    Abstract: An improved torque converter and lock-up clutch assembly includes a sleeve fixed on the sidewall of the lock-up clutch to extend the depth of the clutch, and thereby allow additional clutch packs to be mounted in the cover. The additional clutch packs increase the torque capacity of the assembly. The sleeve includes an annular groove with a snap ring to retain the clutch packs and backing plate in the lock-up clutch cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Inventor: David J. Goerend
  • Patent number: 9958018
    Abstract: A transmission device that includes a first clutch that includes a first clutch drum, a first piston, and a first engagement oil chamber; and a second clutch that includes a second clutch drum fixed to an outer circumferential portion of the first clutch drum, a second piston, and a second engagement oil chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takahiro Azumai, Mitsunari Ishida
  • Patent number: 9939057
    Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque coupling device comprises a casing rotatable about a rotation axis, a torque converter including an impeller wheel and a turbine wheel disposed in the casing coaxially with the rotation axis, a turbine hub disposed in the casing coaxially with the rotation axis and fixed to the turbine wheel, and a torsional vibration damper. The torsional vibration damper comprises a driven member fixed to the turbine hub, a back plate rotatably mounted to the turbine hub, a plurality of circumferentially acting elastic members, and a damper retainer plate rotatably mounted to the back plate coaxially with the rotation axis. The back plate has a plurality of window-shaped openings separated circumferentially from one another by radial tabs. The elastic members are interposed between the driven member and the back plate in the window-shaped openings. The damper retainer plate is operatively connected to the elastic members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Valeo Embrayages
    Inventors: Sungchul Lee, Rabah Arhab, Josip Kovac
  • Patent number: 9897149
    Abstract: A backing plate assembly includes a front cover and a rear cover. The front cover defines an inner surface and a front plane, and the rear cover terminates at a lip. A backing plate forms a body having an outer surface that terminates at a base portion. When the outer surface is coupled to the inner surface, the backing plate is rotationally but not axially coupled to the front cover. The lip contacts the base portion to define a maximum axial distance between the backing plate and the front plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Allison Transmissions, Inc.
    Inventors: Jezrah Horen, Michael Rietdorf, Thinh Nguyen
  • Patent number: 9869381
    Abstract: A torque converter, including: a cover arranged to receive torque; an impeller including an impeller shell non-rotatably connected to the cover and at least one impeller blade connected to the impeller shell; a turbine including a turbine shell, at least one turbine blade connected to the turbine shell, and a heat treated portion; and a torsional vibration damper including: a cover plate arranged to receive torque from the cover or the turbine; and a spring. The spring is engaged with the cover plate and is arranged to contact the heat treated portion when the spring is compressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Sean Metz, Timothy Hess
  • Patent number: 9803701
    Abstract: A drive assembly for a motor vehicle clutch is provided. The drive assembly includes a damper including a plurality of springs, a first cover plate and second cover plate. The first and second cover plates support the springs therebetween and the second cover plate includes an outer portion extending radially outside of the first cover plate. The drive assembly further includes a subassembly including at least one clutch facing and at least one support segment supporting the at least one clutch facing. The at least one support segment includes an outer radial portion fixed to the at least one clutch facing and an inner radial portion connected to the outer portion of the second cover plate to connect the subassembly to the damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Daniel Patiño Crespo, Guillermo Castrezana
  • Patent number: 9752666
    Abstract: A torque converter for transferring torque from an input shaft to an output shaft, having a turbine wheel, an impeller connected to the input shaft to drive the turbine wheel hydrodynamically, a centrifugal force pendulum connected to the turbine wheel to damp torsional vibrations, a first torsion damper to drive the output shaft by means of the turbine wheel, and a converter clutch and a second torsion damper for selective torsionally damped coupling of the input shaft with the turbine wheel. One of the torsion dampers in this case includes two torsion damper elements, which are arranged in series with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Benjamin Voegtle, Benjamin Daniel, Thorsten Krause
  • Patent number: 9739358
    Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque coupling device includes a casing shell having a first engagement surface, a torque converter including an impeller and a turbine that is hydrodynamically drivable by the impeller and includes a turbine shell, an output hub, a damper-piston assembly including torsional vibration damping members and a piston retainer plate having a second engagement surface facing the first engagement surface, and a transmission component through which the torsional vibration damping members are interconnected to the output hub. The piston retainer plate engages the first ends of the damping members and the transmission component engages the second ends of the torsional vibration damping members. The damper-piston assembly is axially displaceable between a lockup mode and a hydrodynamic transmission mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Valeo Embrayages
    Inventor: Alexandre Depraete
  • Patent number: 9702432
    Abstract: Damper-isolators are disclosed that have a hub defining a bore for receiving a shaft, a pulley body mated to the hub to collectively define a magnet track that is concentric about the bore, a damper assembly operatively disposed between the hub and a belt engaging portion of the pulley body, a first magnet positioned within the magnet track and connected to the hub for rotation therewith, and a second magnet positioned within the magnet track and connected to the pulley body for rotation therewith. The first magnet and the second magnet are positioned with like polarities facing one another. A front end accessory drive system having one of the damper-isolators is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: DAYCO IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Suhale Manzoor
  • Patent number: 9683627
    Abstract: A filtering mechanism for torque fluctuations is interposed between a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine and a transmission. This mechanism comprises a rotating member to be damped, an oscillating inertial flywheel rotating around the axis of revolution, and pivot-mounted modules allowing angular deflection of the oscillating inertial flywheel with respect to the member to be damped. The modules each have at least one oscillating arm pivoting radially with respect to the member to be damped and a kinematic connecting member between the oscillating arm and the oscillating inertial flywheel. When the mechanism rotates centrifugal forces on the oscillating arm produce a counteracting torque that tends to return the oscillating inertial flywheel and the member to be damped toward the equilibrium position. The counteracting torque increases with the rotation speed of the filtering mechanism and with the amplitude of the angular deflection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Valeo Embrayages
    Inventors: Jerome Boulet, Benoit Fleche, Daniel Fenioux, Franck Cailleret, Carsten Lauridsen, Roel Verhoog, Olivier Marechal, Herve Mahe
  • Patent number: 9682621
    Abstract: In an aspect, a decoupler is provided, and included a driver having a clutch surface a hub that is disposed within the driver, and at least one torsionally-compliant member and a wrap spring clutch that are disposed in series between the hub and the clutch surface. The driver comprises a pulley and a cover that is received into a cavity in the pulley. The pulley has a belt-engagement surface and is fixedly coupled to the cover for rotation therewith. The cover defines the clutch surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: LITENS AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: James W. Dell, John R. Antchak
  • Patent number: 9581232
    Abstract: A combustion engine component comprises an assembly of a belt pulley for driving auxiliary engine equipment and a torsional vibration damper. The assembly is adapted to be fixed on an engine crankshaft, wherein the belt pulley is of a so called decoupling type, arranged to be able to change its rotational angle relative to the crankshaft and the torsional vibration damper. The torsional vibration damper is partially positioned in a corresponding annular recess in the belt pulley, creating an annular cavity in the recess between the torsional vibration damper and the belt pulley. An annular seal ring is positioned in the annular cavity and is arranged to close off at least a part of the annular cavity from the air surrounding the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: VOLVO CAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christer Odenmarck, Christopher Culley, Hayder Al-Kattan, Andreas Stuffer, Alexander Rose, Dimitri Sieber, Christian Fechler
  • Patent number: 9518616
    Abstract: A hand-held power tool is provided with a drive motor and a clutch connected to the drive motor. The drive motor drives a tool member through the clutch. The clutch has a clutch drum with a circumferential wall provided with an end face. A follower member engages a groove in the circumferential wall of the clutch drum and a driven element is connected to the follower member to be driven by the follower member. The groove extends from the end face of the circumferential wall into the circumferential wall and has a groove bottom and two groove sides positioned opposite each other. The circumferential wall has a protrusion located at the groove bottom. The protrusion has a protrusion thickness measured at the groove bottom that amounts to at least approximately 110% of a wall thickness of the circumferential wall measured at the two groove sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Günter Wolf, Marcel Förster
  • Patent number: 9453553
    Abstract: A spring retainer for a torsional vibration damper, including: first and second oppositely facing sides; at least one curved portion forming at least part of a radially outermost portion of the spring retainer and including: at least a portion of the first side enclosing at least one space and including at least one indentation extending in a circumferential direction; and at least a portion of the second side including at least one protrusion extending in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co.
    Inventors: Frank Wolf, Rolf Mueller
  • Patent number: 9062740
    Abstract: A damper assembly for a torque converter including first and second elastic elements, an input element drivingly engaged with the first elastic element, an intermediate element drivingly engaged with the first elastic element and the second elastic element, and an output element for connecting to an input shaft for a transmission and drivingly engaged with the second elastic element. The assembly also includes a spring element including a circumferentially wound portion and first and second radially extending portions. The first radially extending portion is drivingly engaged with the intermediate element and the second radially extending portion is drivingly engaged with a turbine for the torque converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Markus Steinberger, Layton Broome
  • Patent number: 8925700
    Abstract: Disclosed is a torque converter (1) which comprises: a casing (10) coupled to an output shaft of an engine; a torus (T) defined by a pump (20), a turbine (30) and a stator (40) each disposed within the casing (10); a lockup clutch (60) adapted to directly couple the turbine (30) and the casing (10); and a lockup damper (70) adapted to absorb shock during engagement of the lockup clutch (60). The turbine (30) has an outer peripheral portion (31a) bulging toward the engine to define a part of the torus (T), an inner peripheral portion (31c) located on the side of the engine with respect to a one-way clutch (50) supporting the stator (40), and an intermediate portion (31b) formed to be concaved toward a side opposite to the engine, in a radial position between the outer peripheral portion (31a) and the inner peripheral portion (31c). A part (75) of the lockup damper (70) is disposed on the side of the engine with respect to the intermediate portion (31b) and in a position axially overlapping with the torus (T).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignees: Exedy Corporation, Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Kawamoto, Tokimori Saka, Norio Iwashita, Takashi Ishiyama, Hidetoshi Maeta
  • Patent number: 8919509
    Abstract: A torque transfer device, in particular in the power train of a motor vehicle, for transferring torque between a drive unit and a shaft that is rotatable around an axis of rotation, in particular a transmission input shaft, having a hydrodynamic torque converter, which includes a converter cover that is connectable to or connected to the drive unit, which converter cover may be coupled via an impeller to a turbine wheel to transfer torque, which turbine wheel is bridgeable, to transfer torque, by a torque converter lockup clutch, which includes a piston that is movable to a limited extent in the axial direction and is constructed as a multi-plate clutch with a plate pack that includes outer plates which are connected to an outer plate carrier in a rotationally fixed connection, and inner plates which are connected to an inner plate carrier in a rotationally fixed connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Stephan Maienschein
  • Patent number: 8839925
    Abstract: In a fluid transmitting device with a lock-up clutch, each second transmitting claw is formed of: a base portion having a long side arranged in a peripheral direction of a turbine impeller and a short side arranged axially of the turbine impeller; and a claw portion protruding from an intermediate portion of one of long-side portions of the base portion and being inserted between adjacent damper springs, and each short-side portion of the base portion is fixed to the turbine impeller through a weld. A long-side portion of the base portion not welded to the turbine impeller includes a cutout, facilitating bend of the long-side portion when transmitting torque through the second transmitting claw, at opposite sides of the claw portion. This improves engine output performance by relaxing stress concentration at spots where the second claws are welded to a turbine impeller without increasing the thicknesses of the claws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Yutaka Giken Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoto Uchi, Yoshinori Sugimoto, Kengo Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8789670
    Abstract: A decoupler having a hub, a drive member and an isolator. The drive member is disposed about the hub for rotation about a rotational axis and includes an inner clutch surface. The isolator couples the hub and the drive member and includes a carrier, a plurality of arcuate springs, and a wrap spring. The carrier is received between the hub and the drive member and includes a carrier member, which defines a pair of apertures, and a pair of reaction blocks that are mounted in the apertures. The arcuate springs are mounted in the carrier member and are disposed between the hub and an associated one of the reaction blocks. The wrap spring has an end and a plurality of helical coils that are engaged to the inner clutch surface of the drive member. The end has an end face that is abutted against one of the reaction blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Litens Automotive Partnership
    Inventors: John R. Antchak, James W. Dell, Harvey J. Dix, Scott Parsons
  • Patent number: 8397886
    Abstract: A torque transmission device (10), comprising a pump shell (12), a turbine shell (14) that is drivable by the pump shell, and a torsion vibration damper (11). The torsion vibration damper includes a damper input component (18) and a damper output component (20), wherein a vibration absorber (24) is configured on the damper output component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Eugen Kombowski, Dominique Engelmann, Markus Werner
  • Publication number: 20120241271
    Abstract: A clutch and damper assembly for a torque converter includes a clutch piston with a piston friction surface for engaging the clutch and an outer sealing diameter, and a damper. The piston friction surface is disposed radially inward of the damper and the outer sealing diameter is disposed radially outward of the damper. In an example embodiment, the clutch piston includes an inner sealing diameter disposed radially inward of the piston friction surface. In some example embodiments, the damper includes a resilient element and a drive plate. The drive plate is drivingly engaged with the resilient element and frictionally engageable with the clutch piston.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Markus Steinberger, Patrick Lindemann, Craig Kneidel
  • Patent number: 8235191
    Abstract: A force transfer device with an input and an output, a hydrodynamic component, disposed between input and output, comprising at least one pump shell and one turbine shell and a device for bridging the power transfer through the hydrodynamic component, and a device for damping vibrations. The invention further relates to a drive train with such force transfer device and to a process for controlling the operation of a force transfer device in a drive train, comprising a first drive engine and an electrical machine, which can be operated at least as a generator. The invention is characterized in that an actuatable clutch device is disposed between the turbine shell and the output for decoupling the turbine shell from the output, and said clutch device is disposed in parallel with the lockup clutch. During braking operations through the electrical machine the lockup clutch and the turbine clutch are being deactivated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Gregory Heeke
  • Patent number: 8056686
    Abstract: A torque converter includes a turbine, a lockup clutch including a piston, and a damper having at least one cover plate, the cover plate being attached directly to piston. A method for assembling the torque converter includes passing a section of the piston through a hole in the cover plate and attaching the piston to the cover plate at the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventor: Jonathan Jameson
  • Patent number: 8051964
    Abstract: A torque converter including: a pump shell; a cover; and a backing plate for a torque converter clutch fixed by contact with the cover and the pump shell. In some aspects, the backing plate is fixed by axial pressure exerted by the cover and the pump against the backing plate. A torque converter including: a plurality of components axially disposed between a pump shell and a cover; and a pump hub fixedly secured to the pump shell. The position of the pump hub with respect to the pump shell is selected to establish respective axial distances between components in the plurality of components. A torque converter including: turbine shell; and a backing plate for a torque converter clutch, the backing plate rotationally connected to the turbine shell and forming a portion of a boundary between first and second pressure chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Steven Olsen, Jonathan G. Jameson, Kevin Parks
  • Patent number: 8047345
    Abstract: A multi-plate clutch (2) having a first plate carrier (48) and second plate carrier (50) and one or more first plates (52) received by the first plate carrier and one or more second plates (54) received by the second plate carrier, a pressure element (58) which can especially be actuated hydraulically for generating an axial load on the clutch pack configured by the first and second plates and closing the multi-plate clutch, in which the pressure element configuring the second plate carrier and/or being connected to the second plate carrier in a rotationally fixed manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Mario Degler, Stephan Maienschein, Jan Loxtermann, Thorsten Krause
  • Patent number: 8047344
    Abstract: A torsional vibration damper (10) and a hydrodynamic torque converter device (1). The converter device has a converter torus (18) which is configured by an impeller (12), a turbine wheel (14) and a stator (16), and a converter lockup clutch (20). The torsional vibration damper (10) has at least one first energy accumulating device (28) with one ere or more first energy accumulators (68) (e.g. coil spring or bow spring), at least one first wall (92) radially supporting the at least one first energy accumulator (68), where a rolling body device (98) (e.g. a rolling gear) is interposed between the at least one first wall (92) and the at least first energy accumulator (68) (e.g. coil spring or bow spring).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Mario Degler, Stephan Maienschein, Jan Loxtermann, Thorsten Krause
  • Patent number: 8033370
    Abstract: A device for damping vibrations, especially a torsional vibration damper, comprising at least one primary part and a secondary part that are coaxial in relation to each other and limited rotatably relative to each other in a peripheral direction, whereby the primary part and secondary part (4) are coupled with each other by a vibration damper, and the secondary part can be at least indirectly coupled to a connecting element, especially a transmission input shaft. A ramp is provided that is at least indirectly connected to the secondary part, extends in a peripheral direction over a section, has an axially changing slope and acts on at least one counter element braced against a connecting element via a pretensioning unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Mario Degler
  • Patent number: 8025136
    Abstract: A torque converter including a turbine, an output shaft, and a damper having at least one cover plate radially fixed to the turbine, a flange driven by the damper and non-rotatably connected to the output shaft, the flange having an axially extending surface centering the cover plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH $ Co. KG
    Inventor: Adam Uhler
  • Patent number: 8006820
    Abstract: A torsional damper with a hub assembly and a disc assembly has coil springs disposed therebetween. The coil springs are disposed in pockets defined in part by apertures in opposed cover plates. The apertures have sharply angled end portions providing deflection relief near the ends of the coil springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Michael L. Bassett
  • Patent number: 7980369
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a lash prevention spring of unique design having a plurality of spring legs shaped into an s-curve and an inner circumference formed into at least one spline. The invention also comprises a lash prevention assembly in which the disclosed lash spring is attached to a damper hub and is biased against the several teeth from a turbine hub that extend through the damper hub from its opposite side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Craig Kneidel, Jens Schroeter
  • Patent number: 7934588
    Abstract: A torque damper can comprise a clutch piston arranged within a cover of a torque converter and can be adapted to be moved between a connected position and a non-connected position relative to the cover. Damper springs can be arranged along the circumference of the clutch piston. Connecting members can be arranged abutting against one end of the damper spring and adapted to connect a turbine arranged within the cover and the clutch piston via the damper spring. Damper holders can be arranged abutting against the other end of the damper spring and adapted to hold the damper spring against the compressive force applied to the damper spring from the connecting member. Guide sheets having wear resistance can be interposed between the circumference of the clutch piston and the damper spring and can be adapted to guide the damper spring. A torque input to the cover can be transmitted to the turbine via the clutch piston and the damper springs when the clutch piston is in the connected position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha F.C.C.
    Inventors: Akira Tsuboi, Yoshihiko Ozawa, Yasutaka Amano, Hiromi Fujiwara, Ryo Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 7905337
    Abstract: A force transmission device including an input and an output, a hydrodynamic component, having at least one pump shell and one turbine shell, and a device for damping vibrations including a primary component and a secondary component, rotatable relative to each other in circumferential direction, wherein the secondary component is connected at least indirectly torque proof with the output, and the turbine shell is connected at least indirectly torque proof with the output. The connection between the turbine shell and the output, or an element coupled torque proof with the output, is performed through the intermediary element connected with the turbine shell in a first coupling section and coupled in a second coupling section with the output, or with the element coupled torque proof with the output, wherein the intermediary element is characterized by a substantially constant wall thickness, and the two coupling areas are disposed offset relative to each other in axial and in radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Mario Degler, Stephan Maienschein
  • Patent number: 7896144
    Abstract: The present invention broadly comprises a stator and one-way clutch assembly including a segment of a stator, a one-way clutch engaged with the segment, and at least one elastically deformable element engaged with the segment and the clutch and arranged to dampen transfer of torque from the stator to the clutch. In some aspects, the clutch includes a first plate and the deformable element is engaged with the segment and the plate. The segment urges the deformable element against the first plate. The first plate is arranged to rotate in response to the urging. The segment and the first plate are arranged to rotationally lock. The first plate and a second plate, connected to a clutch hub, rotationally lock in response to the urging, and the segment and the first plate are arranged to rotationally lock following the locking of the first and second plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: William Brees