Abstract: A power transfer device for a four-wheel drive vehicle includes a first shaft for transferring torque to a first driveline, a second shaft for transferring torque to a second driveline, and a transfer mechanism driving the second shaft. A mode clutch assembly drivingly connects the first shaft to the transfer mechanism and includes a clutch gear driven by the transfer mechanism and a mode sleeve. A sprocket hub associated with the transfer mechanism has external drive teeth meshed with internal drive teeth on the clutch gear with a predetermined amount of backlash therebetween. A ball cam mechanism centers the backlash and permits relative rotation between the transfer mechanism and the mode sleeve to circumvent a blocked mode shift.

Abstract: A freewheeling synchronizer for a power transmission device includes a clutch race rotationally fixable to a component of the power transmission device, and a synchronizer hub disposed radially outwardly of the clutch race and unidirectionally rotatable relative to the clutch race. The clutch race and synchronizer hub are freewheelable relative to one another.

Abstract: A transmission mechanism with a pair of selectively engageable clutch systems that has an upstream gear ratio and a downstream gear ratio that combine to provide an effective gear ratio. A different clutch drive member is associated with an input side of each of the pair of clutch systems. The clutch drive members are driven for rotation by an engine input member. The upstream gear ratio is determined by the gear ratio between the engine input member and one of the clutch drive members. Output sides of each of the clutch systems drive an associated one of a pair of non-coaxial layshafts. Pinions are located on and selectively driven by the layshafts. A countershaft is spaced from both of the layshafts, and has a plurality of gears. Each of the gears is driven for rotation by one of the pinions of the layshafts. The downstream gear ratio is determined by the gear ratio between the selected pinion and the intermeshed gear.

Abstract: A dual clutch mechanism includes an input shaft, a first output shaft and a second output shaft. The mechanism includes a pair of clutch arrangements each having a set of intermeshed annular driving and driven discs frictionally compressible to selectively drive either the first or second output shaft via the input shaft. Each of the clutch arrangements has a separate driving plate and a common driven plate. The rotational inertia of the driving plates are reduced by associating the driving plates with inner diameters of the annular discs, as opposed to their outer diameters. Cooling and/or lubricating fluid is separately supplied to each of the sets of discs such that the flow rates of fluid to the sets of discs can be independently increased or decreased without a corresponding increase or decrease in the flow rate to the other set of discs.

Abstract: A power transfer device for a four-wheel drive vehicle includes a first shaft for transferring torque to a first driveline, a second shaft for transferring torque to a second driveline, and a transfer mechanism driving the second shaft. A mode clutch assembly drivingly connects the first shaft to the transfer mechanism and includes a clutch gear driven by the transfer mechanism and a mode sleeve. A sprocket hub associated with the transfer mechanism has external drive teeth meshed with internal drive teeth on the clutch gear with a predetermined amount of backlash therebetween. A ball cam mechanism centers the backlash and permits relative rotation between the transfer mechanism and the mode sleeve to circumvent a blocked mode shift.

Abstract: A transmission mechanism with a pair of selectively engageable clutch systems is disclosed that has an upstream gear ratio and a downstream gear ratio that combine to provide an effective gear ratio. A different clutch drive member is associated with an input side of each of the pair of clutch systems. The clutch drive members are driven for rotation by an engine input member. The upstream gear ratio is determined by the gear ratio between the engine input member and one of the clutch drive members. Output sides of each of the clutch systems drive an associated one of a pair of non-coaxial layshafts. Pinions are located on and selectively driven by the layshafts. A countershaft is spaced from both of the layshafts, and has a plurality of gears. Each of the gears is driven for rotation by one of the pinions of the layshafts. The downstream gear ratio is determined by the gear ratio between the selected pinion and the intermeshed gear.

Abstract: A flexplate coupling is disclosed. The flexpate coupling may be used as part of a transmission. The flexplate coupling comprises a flywheel, a damper assembly including a hub portion, and a flexplate. The flexplate includes a hub fastened to the hub portion of the damper assembly and a peripheral portion fastened to the flywheel.

Abstract: A transmission mechanism with a pair of selectively engageable clutch systems has an upstream gear ratio and a downstream gear ratio that combine to provide an effective gear ratio. A different clutch drive member is associated with an input side of each of the pair of clutch systems. The clutch drive members are driven for rotation by an engine input member. The upstream gear ratio is determined by the gear ratio between the engine input member and one of the clutch drive members. Output sides of each of the clutch systems drive an associated one of a pair of non-coaxial layshafts. Pinions are located on and selectively driven by the layshafts. A countershaft is spaced from both of the layshafts, and has a plurality of gears. Each of the gears is driven for rotation by one of the pinions of the layshafts. The downstream gear ratio is determined by the gear ratio between the selected pinion and the intermeshed gear.

Abstract: A dual clutch transmission is provided which in a preferred embodiment includes a first and second input gears rotatable along a first axis and first and second clutches torsionally connected with the respective first and second input gears. First and second coaxial input shafts are provided having a plurality of selectively synchronized ratio defining gears rotatable along a second axis parallel with the first axis, the first and second input shafts are torsionally associated with the first and second input gears. An output shaft is provided that is rotatable along the first axis. The output shaft has gears meshing with the ratio defining gears of the first and second gear input shafts.

Abstract: A dual clutch transmission 17 for an automotive vehicle is provided, including a dual clutch assembly 216 for selective torsional connection with geared first and second shafts 214, 218 rotatable about a first axis. A third geared shaft 230 having at least one gear 226 for meshed engagement with at least one gear 210 of said first and second geared shafts. A plurality of synchronizers 228, 232 for selectively determining torsional transfer between at least one of said first and second geared shafts 214, 218 and said third shaft 230. At least one synchronized gear 226 can be acted upon by a first synchronizer 228 for direct connection to one of said shafts 230 and said one synchronized gear 226 can be connected to one of said shafts 230 by a planetary gear set 234, 236, 237 to provide a second gear ratio for said transmission 17.

Abstract: A freewheeling synchronizer for a power transmission device includes a clutch race rotationally fixable to a component of the power transmission device, and a synchronizer hub disposed radially outwardly of the clutch race and unidirectionally rotatable relative to the clutch race. The clutch race and synchronizer hub are freewheelable relative to one another.

Abstract: A clutch assembly and damper arrangement is provided that includes a driver hub and a driven element coupled to the driver hub by a compliance element. A clutch is provided that is selectively engageable to the driven element. The clutch has a housing supporting the compliance element and is torsionally unitary with the driven element.

Abstract: A clutch assembly and damper arrangement is provided that includes a driver hub and a driven element coupled to the driver hub by a compliance element. A clutch is provided that is selectively engageable to the driven element. The clutch has a housing supporting the compliance element and is torsionally unitary with the driven element.

Abstract: A clutch assembly and damper arrangement is provided that includes a driver hub and a driven element coupled to the driver hub by a compliance element. A clutch is provided that is selectively engageable to the driven element. The clutch has a housing supporting the compliance element and is torsionally unitary with the driven element.

Abstract: An arrangement 7 of a powertrain for a four wheel drive vehicle with a dual clutch transmission is provided including a longitudinal mounted engine 10 with an output shaft 13 extending rearward from the engine 10, a dual clutch transmission 30 having inner and outer geared input shafts 50, 40 generally coaxial with the engine output shaft 13; an output shaft 80 having a plurality output gears operatively associated with gears of the input shafts 50, 40, a clutch module 20 connected with the transmission 30, the clutch module mounting a dual clutch assembly 14 for selectively connecting the inner and outer input shafts 50, 40 with the engine output shaft 13. A rear differential 40 is powered from a rear end of the output shaft 80 and a front differential 120 is powered from a front end of the output shaft 80.

Abstract: A dual clutch transmission is provided which in a preferred embodiment includes a first and second input gears rotatable along a first axis and first and second clutches torsionally connected with the respective first and second input gears. First and second coaxial input shafts are provided having a plurality of selectively synchronized ratio defining gears rotatable along a second axis parallel with the first axis, the first and second input shafts are torsionally associated with the first and second input gears. An output shaft is provided that is rotatable along the first axis. The output shaft has gears meshing with the ratio defining gears of the first and second gear input shafts.

Abstract: One embodiment includes a flexplate coupling for a wet clutch transmission.

Abstract: A dual clutch transmission 17 for an automotive vehicle is provided, including a dual clutch assembly 216 for selective torsional connection with geared first and second shafts 214, 218 rotatable about a first axis. A third geared shaft 230 having at least one gear 226 for meshed engagement with at least one gear 210 of said first and second geared shafts. A plurality of synchronizers 228, 232 for selectively determining torsional transfer between at least one of said first and second geared shafts 214, 218 and said third shaft 230. At least one synchronized gear 226 can be acted upon by a first synchronizer 228 for direct connection to one of said shafts 230 and said one synchronized gear 226 can be connected to one of said shafts 230 by a planetary gear set 234, 236, 237 to provide a second gear ratio for said transmission 17.

Abstract: A dual clutch mechanism includes an input shaft (40) , a first output shaft (16) and a second output shaft (18). The mechanism includes a pair of clutch arrangements (20, 30) each having a set of intermeshed annular driving and driven discs frictionally compressible to selectively drive either the first or second output shaft via the input shaft. Each of the clutch arrangements (20, 30) has a separate driving plate (102, 104) and a common driven plate (198). The rotational inertia of the driving plates are reduced by associating the driving plates with inner diameters of the annular discs, as opposed to their outer diameters. Cooling and/or lubricating fluid is separately supplied to each of the sets of discs such that the flow rates of fluid to the sets of discs can be independently increased or decreased without a corresponding increase or decrease in the flow rate to the other set of discs.

Abstract: A synchronizer for first and second drives is provided which includes a first drive having a first fluid passage, a hub affixed with the first drive having a second fluid passage connected with the first fluid passage, a piston mounted on the hub forming a control volume between the piston and the hub, the control volume intersecting the second passage, the piston being responsive to fluid pressure within the control volume, a friction member rotated with the hub being moved by the piston and a friction surface rotating with the second drive member for engagement with the friction member to synchronize the first and second drives together, first teeth rotating with the hub being moved by the piston, and second teeth rotating with said second drive member.