Abstract: A clutch housing assembly for use in vehicle drivelines includes at least one strengthening member at an open end of the housing. The strengthening member preferably is formed by cutting away portions of the housing near the open end and then deforming the remaining portions. The deformed portions preferably are folded over and against a surface of the housing near the open end. The strengthening members provide additional strength to the housing at the open end to resist deformations that may otherwise occur because of forces incident on the assembly during operation of the vehicle driveline.

Abstract: A clutch housing assembly for use in vehicle drivelines includes at least one strengthening member at an open end of the housing. The strengthening member preferably is formed by cutting away portions of the housing near the open end and then deforming the remaining portions. The deformed portions preferably are folded over and against a surface of the housing near the open end. The strengthening members provide additional strength to the housing at the open end to resist deformations that may otherwise occur because of forces incident on the assembly during operation of the vehicle driveline.

Abstract: An assembly for use in a vehicle driveline comprises a housing with an inner surface and an outer surface for a vehicle driveline component, a retention element disposed in the housing, and at least one deformation formed on the inner surface operatively in contact with the retention element to retain the vehicle driveline component in the housing. This design and method of manufacture eliminates the need for differently sized spacers because the location of the deformations and the retention element can be tailored relative to the actual location of the components to ensure proper distance between components and the retention element. Moreover, because the spacer may be used as the retention element, the need for a snap ring is eliminated.

Abstract: A clutch housing for use in a transmission is generally cylindrical or cup-shaped and has an open end. Axially-extending inner planar portions and outer planar portions are alternately disposed about the periphery of the clutch housing. Angular planar portions are disposed between the inner and outer planar portions and are continuous with the inner and outer planar portions. A retaining member is formed on each inner planar portion by lancing each inner planar portion and inwardly displacing a portion of the inner planar portion adjacent the lance. Preferably, the lance is arcuate in shape, with the arc centered toward the open end of the clutch housing. The displaced portion is formed into a retaining member, which has for its shape two generally planar, generally triangular sidewalls and a generally regular-trapezoidal wall. The trapezoidal wall has a long parallel edge and a short parallel edge.

Abstract: A clutch drum is formed from a single piece of material. The clutch drum includes an inner surface having a plurality of spline portions interspersed with inner wall spaces. Each spline portion includes at least one slot to form at least one snap ring groove within the clutch drum. The outer surface of the clutch drum is smooth and continuous and adapted to receive a brake band. The clutch drum does not include any perforations or breaks through the single piece of material forming the cylindrical portion of the clutch drum.

Abstract: A transmission assembly includes an inner housing member and an outer band member. The outer band member is slidingly received over the outer surface of the inner housing member. An inner surface of the outer band member includes a plurality of notches. After the outer band member is placed in a desired radial and axial alignment with the inner housing member, a plurality of deformations are lanced in the inner housing member. The deformations extend radially outward into the notches formed in the band member. The cooperation between the lanced deformations and the notches maintain the two pieces of the transmission assembly in an desired axial and radial alignment.

Abstract: A carrier made up of two housings includes a plurality of drive members that facilitate transferring a driving force between the two housings. When the carrier is used in a vehicle transmission, for example, the two housings preferably include generally cylindrical wall portions. A plurality of lanced drive members are formed on each of the housings. The two housings are interconnected so that the drive members on the first housing engage the drive members on the second housing and a rotary force imposed on one of the housings is transferred to the other.

Abstract: A transmission assembly includes an inner housing member and an outer band member. The outer band member is slidingly received over the outer surface of the inner housing member. An inner surface of the outer band member includes a plurality of notches. After the outer band member is placed in a desired radial and axial alignment with the inner housing member, a plurality of deformations are lanced in the inner housing member. The deformations extend radially outward into the notches formed in the band member. The cooperation between the lanced deformations and the notches maintain the two pieces of the transmission assembly in an desired axial and radial alignment.

Abstract: A clutch housing for use in a transmission is generally cylindrical or cup-shaped and has an open end. Axially-extending inner planar portions and outer planar portions are alternately disposed about the periphery of the clutch housing. Angular planar portions are disposed between the inner and outer planar portions and are continuous with the inner and outer planar portions. A retaining member is formed on each inner planar portion by lancing each inner planar portion and inwardly displacing a portion of the inner planar portion adjacent the lance. Preferably, the lance is arcuate in shape, with the arc centered toward the open end of the clutch housing. The displaced portion is formed into a retaining member, which has for its shape two generally planar, generally triangular sidewalls and a generally regular-trapezoidal wall. The trapezoidal wall has a long parallel edge and a short parallel edge.

Abstract: A torque converter for an automatic transmission includes a turbine having the vanes thereof retained by tabs which fit into fluid-tight recesses formed in the housing of the turbine.

Abstract: A clutch drum is formed from a single piece of material. The clutch drum includes an inner surface having a plurality of spline portions interspersed with inner wall spaces. Each spline portion includes at least one slot to form at least one snap ring groove within the clutch drum. The outer surface of the clutch drum is smooth and continuous and adapted to receive a brake band. The clutch drum does not include any perforations or breaks through the single piece of material forming the cylindrical portion of the clutch drum.

Abstract: A splined assembly 10 is disclosed and includes a generally annular outer spline member 12 into which a second generally annular inner spline member 14 is rotatably placed. Member 12 includes a plurality of splines 22, 24, each having a snap ring reception slot 30 formed therein. In a first embodiment, housing member 12 also includes a band 34 which substantially surrounds the housing member 12 and overlays slots 30. In a second embodiment, housing 12 includes a plurality of elliptically protruding portions 40, each of which is positioned between pairs of adjacent splines 22, 24. Both band 34 and portions 40 are effective to prevent structural deformation caused by the received snap ring.

Abstract: A splined assembly 10 is disclosed and includes a generally annular outer spline member 12 into which a second generally annular inner spline member 14 is rotatably placed. Member 12 includes a plurality of splines 22, 24, each having a snap ring reception slot 30 formed therein. In a first embodiment, housing member 12 also includes a band 34 which substantially surrounds the housing member 12 and overlays slots 30. In a second embodiment, housing 12 includes a plurality of elliptically protruding portions 40, each of which is positioned between pairs of adjacent splines 22, 24. Both band 34 and portions 40 are effective to prevent structural deformation caused by the received snap ring.

Abstract: The method of forming an annular piston with a central hub, a radial pressure face and an outer cylindrical flange having an outwardly opening annular seal receiving groove which comprises the steps of forming an annular sheet metal stamping having an axial hub portion, an annular radial pressure face and an axial cylindrical flange with an annular free end portion; rotating the stamping while radially and axially supporting the hub; radially inwardly rolling and permanently deforming the flange into U-shape while simultaneously axially compressing and bending the free end portion radially inward throughout 360.degree..

Abstract: A method of forming a thin walled annular channel or semi-toroidal shell from a flat rectalinear sheet, including forming the sheet into a cylindrical band and welding or otherwise securing the abutting free ends of the band. The cylindrical band is then forced into a die set having a cylindrical opening which smoothly blends into an inwardly curving semi-toroidal space defined by opposed concave and convex die surfaces. The cylindrical band is curled inwardly and compressed by the die surfaces, accurately conforming the band and the weldment to the outer concave die surface and eliminating tensile fracture of the weldment.

Abstract: Lanced slots are formed in the root section of each spline of a splined member to receive a snap ring for securing discs or other members in position with respect to the splined member.

Abstract: Lanced slots are formed in the root section of each spline of a splined member to receive a snap ring for securing discs or other members in position with respect to the splined member.