Coil Spring Patents (Class 192/85.41)
  • Patent number: 11773919
    Abstract: A disconnectable coupling device rotatable about an axis is provided with a first shaft having an end and a hub formed on the end, the hub including a flange extending radially from the end and a round wall projecting axially from the flange and defining a hollow; a second shaft aligned with the first shaft and opposed to the end of the first shaft, the second shaft having a drum overhanging the hub; a multi-plate clutch held between the hub and the drum to disconnectably connect the hub with the drum; a cup so fixed with the hub as to define a gutter around the first shaft; and one or more perforations axially passing through the flange to establish fluid communication between the gutter and the hollow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Limited
    Inventors: Lei Yang, Christopher M. Zagacki
  • Patent number: 11746900
    Abstract: An automatic transmission includes a brake including a fixed-side cylindrical member spline-coupled to a transmission case, a rotation-side cylindrical member coupled to a given rotating member, a plurality of friction plates disposed between the fixed-side cylindrical member and the rotation-side cylindrical member, and including a fixed-side friction plate configured to be spline-engaged with the fixed-side cylindrical member and a rotation-side friction plate configured to be spline-engaged with the rotation-side cylindrical member, and a piston configured to engage the plurality of friction plates. The automatic transmission further includes a shock absorbing member disposed between a spline part of the transmission case and a spline part of the fixed-side cylindrical member and configured to absorb impact when the fixed-side cylindrical member rotates relative to the transmission case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Narifumi Domen, Kenta Fukuchi, Kotaro Suzuki, Masanori Sasaki, Tomotaka Ishizaka, Atsushi Abe
  • Patent number: 11739800
    Abstract: A first multi-plate brake device and a second multi-plate brake device are arranged side by side in a direction of a rotating axis X along an inner peripheral surface of a transmission case. In the second multi-plate brake device, the snap ring is supported by a supporting portion which is formed on the first multi-plate brake device side of the snap ring and protrudes from the inner peripheral surface of the transmission case radially inward to the rotating axis X. The piston retainer of the first multi-plate brake device includes an abutting portion that protrudes to the second multi-plate brake device side and abuts the supporting portion from the opposite side of the snap ring of the second multi-plate brake device. The abutting portion includes a thick portion whose radial thickness on a lower side in a vertical direction is increased as compared to on an upper side in the vertical direction based on a state of mounting the automatic transmission on a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignees: JATCO LTD, NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hisashi Toyama, Yuya Kimura
  • Patent number: 10982696
    Abstract: An automobile vehicle transmission air vent system includes a first component of a vehicle transmission having a resilient material seal member retained in a cavity created in the first component. A second component of a metal material includes a vent groove facing toward the seal member. A clutch pack of the vehicle transmission is actuated by one of the first component or the second component being displaced into engagement with the clutch pack. The vent groove receives a portion of the seal member in a first displaced position of the displaced one of the first component or the second component defining an air and oil flow path through the vent groove between the first component and the second component. The seal member is positioned outside of the vent groove in a second displaced position of the displaced one of the first component or the second component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Scott Heitzenrater
  • Patent number: 10883551
    Abstract: Provided is a frictional engagement device including outer and inner base bodies, outer and inner friction plates, a piston, a return spring, and a spring seat. Sliding grooves which guide sliding movement of the outer or inner friction plate in the axial direction are provided in at least one of the outer and inner base bodies at intervals in a circumferential direction, the outer or inner friction plate which slides in the sliding grooves includes protruding pieces fitted in the sliding grooves, a spring seat which is located on one end portion of each of the sliding grooves and supports one end of the return spring is provided on the outer or inner base body in which the sliding grooves are provided, and a through-hole which communicates with the sliding grooves and is capable of discharging lubricating oil that has accumulated in the sliding grooves is provided in the spring seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shoji Nomura
  • Patent number: 10274025
    Abstract: A balance module 10 for a clutch comprises a first annular piston part 11, a second annular piston part 12, which is arranged opposite the first piston part 11 in the axial direction and spaced therefrom, at least three spring elements 13 operating in the axial direction, which are arranged axially between the first 11 and the second piston part 12, and a sealing element 14 with at least one radially outwardly directed sealing lip 15, which is attached on the first piston part 11. The spring elements 13, the first 11 and the second piston part 12 are connected to one another in a loss-proof manner, in order to form an integral module 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Sealing Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Cem Yoldjou, Erika Szele
  • Patent number: 10054173
    Abstract: A brake or clutch assembly includes a piston that moves within a housing in response to fluid pressure and is engaged with a clutch pack. A ring-shaped return spring includes a plurality of coil springs extending axially from a face of the return spring. An outer periphery of the return spring is disposed in an annular groove in the housing which axially fixes the return spring in the housing. The springs are engaged with and bias the piston away from the clutch pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Luke A. Rippelmeyer
  • Patent number: 9027724
    Abstract: A lockup clutch mechanism of a hydraulic transmission device includes a lockup piston that is capable of moving toward a front cover to press first and second friction plates, and a flange member that together with the lockup piston defines an engagement-side oil chamber. The front cover and the lockup piston define a first lubricant passage that supplies hydraulic oil to the first and second friction plates. A second lubricant passage communicating with the first lubricant passage is formed in a centerpiece of the front cover. A first shaft oil passage communicating with the engagement-side oil chamber and a second shaft oil passage communicating with the second lubricant passage are formed in an input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junji Tanaka, Yuito Abe, Kazuyoshi Ito, Koji Maeda, Naohisa Momiyama
  • Patent number: 8991583
    Abstract: A spring pack for a transmission includes first rotatable piston and a second rotatable piston. The first rotatable piston includes a first retainer plate, and the second rotatable piston includes a second retainer plate. The spring pack further includes a tabbed retainer plate that is stationary with respect to the first piston and the second piston and also includes a set of biasing members with a first subset of biasing members and a second subset of biasing members. The first subset of biasing members is disposed between the first retainer plate and the tabbed retainer plate, and the second subset of biasing members is disposed between the second retainer plate and the tabbed retainer plate. As the first and second pistons are activated, they stroke independently of each other as each retainer plate compresses its respective subset of biasing members against the tabbed retainer plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventor: Douglas John Dwenger
  • Patent number: 8893870
    Abstract: A dual shift coupling including two operatively connected coupling units mounted on a shared, integrally formed inner body in a rotationally fixed and axially movable manner. Further, a multi-part pressure disk is arranged between the coupling units in an axially fixed manner and is supported by the inner body, and has two axially movable pressure pistons ventilated by respective pressure spring assemblies arranged in the inner body. A radial notch for accommodating the pressure disk is provided in the inner body, wherein the radial depth of the notch extends at least to radial inner wall segments of recesses for the pressure spring assemblies. Each pressure spring assembly has a plurality of pressure springs which rest on the inner side of the pressure disk relative to the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: GKN Stromag AG
    Inventors: Robert Rank, Matthias Glomm, Christian Hampel, Thomas Haeseker
  • Patent number: 8813935
    Abstract: A launch and disconnect clutch for the electric motor of a P2 hybrid powertrain is compact and provides improved operation. The clutch is mounted between the engine and transmission in the space formerly occupied by the torque converter. The clutch assembly is configured so that actuation, compensation and cooling are provided by only two oil channels. The clutch utilizes single-sided reaction plates which achieve high clutch gain thereby providing high torque capacity under electric operation and improved launch shudder characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventors: James M. Hart, Edwin T. Grochowski, Anthony L. Smith
  • Patent number: 8794415
    Abstract: The invention relates to a positively engaging shifting element which can be hydraulically or pneumatically actuated, comprising a hydraulically or pneumatically actuatable piston (I) having a piston compartment (2) containing a hydraulic medium or pressure medium, a pressure medium supply (6) for the piston (I), a jaw (3) and a mating jaw (4) with which the jaw (3) meshes when engaged. The engaging speed of the jaw (3) can be increased by decoupling the jaw (3) from the hydraulic or pneumatic volume flow when the jaws (3) and (4) are in a tooth butt position in relation to each other and by pretensioning the jaw (3) by means of a hydraulic or pneumatic pressure reservoir (7) that is actively connected to the piston (I) and that is connected to the pressure medium supply (6). The gap between the jaws, i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Matthias Reisch, Ralf Dreibholz, Gerhard Gumpoltsberger, Peter Ziemer, Mark Mohr, Manuel Götz
  • Patent number: 8408375
    Abstract: A clutch assembly includes a plurality of reaction plates separated by one or more separator springs to maintain a distance between the reaction plates when the clutch is not activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin A. Copeland
  • Patent number: 8256600
    Abstract: A transmission includes an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque-transmitting devices. A hydraulic fluid control circuit is provided for controlling the operation of the plurality of torque-transmitting devices. The hydraulic fluid control circuit receives pressurized hydraulic fluid from an off-axis hydraulic fluid pump and has a plurality of fluid passages disposed in the transmission house, input member and other coupling members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: William S. Reed, Douglas Scott Burchett, Rayman Eton Bazilio
  • Patent number: 8245827
    Abstract: A clutch-brake assembly transmits force to rotate a shaft and to retain the shaft against rotation. The assembly includes a plurality of force transmitting members which transmit force between a piston and a base member. A plurality of springs urge the piston to move relative to the base member. A plurality of spring retainers are disposed between the base member and the piston. Each of the spring retainers includes a plurality of projecting portions extending from the base portion. Each of the springs is telescopically disposed on one of the projecting portions. Each of the force transmitting members is disposed between adjacent spring retainers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Steve Tekesky, James M. Latsko, Gerald Matthew Szpak
  • Patent number: 8235197
    Abstract: A seal structure provided in an inner mechanism of an automatic shift gear includes: a housing; a piston; a canceller; a return spring; an opponent member which is disposed opposite to a centrifugal canceller chamber in the canceller and forms an oil path between the opponent member and the canceller; an outer circumferential seal unit which is provided on an outer circumferential portion of the canceller and comes into contact with the piston to seal an operating oil supplied to the canceller chamber; and a second outer circumferential seal unit which is provided on the outer circumferential portion of the canceller and comes into contact with the opponent member to seal an operating oil flowing through the oil path, in which the second circumferential seal unit has an axial seal shape which comes into contact with an inner circumferential shape of a cylindrical shape provided on the opponent member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: NOK Corporation
    Inventor: Tomoaki Nishimura
  • Patent number: 8181762
    Abstract: An annular frictional engaging piston includes an annular pressure apply portion which pushes a frictional engagement element in an axial direction against urging force of a return spring that urges in a direction opposite the frictional engagement element, and which has a cutout portion where a portion in the circumferential direction has been removed to avoid interference between the piston and another member. A partially removed region is provided, and a mounting hole for mounting the return spring on the piston is provided in a region other than the partially removed region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabuskiki Kaisha, Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Terasu Harashima, Shundou Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 7954615
    Abstract: A device for actuating a disk clutch (B) in a transmission, which consists of an actuating piston-cylinder arrangement with rotation pressure compensation, whose actuating piston (6) is associated with a pressure chamber (4) for a pressure medium fluid to produce the actuating force, and in which a pressure compensation chamber (26) is provided, in which by virtue of centrifugal action a pressure medium fluid produces on the actuating piston a compensation force directed in opposition to the actuation direction of the actuating piston, the pressure chamber and the pressure compensation chamber each having a delivery line (9, 21) for pressure medium fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Peter Tiesler, Christoph Margraf
  • Patent number: 7921975
    Abstract: A clutch actuation mechanism having a plurality of friction plates engaged with a clutch outer and a clutch inner in a relatively non-rotatable manner and arranged alternately between a bearing plate portion and a pressing plate portion. A clutch disengage/engage control mechanism for switching disengagement/engagement of the clutch actuation mechanism. A clutch piston having opposite sides facing toward a control hydraulic chamber and a hydraulic canceler chamber. A division wall member forming the hydraulic canceler chamber between the division wall member and the clutch piston for forming an oil passage, which introduces lubricating oil toward the friction plates, in cooperation with the clutch inner. A control hydraulic chamber, hydraulic canceler chamber, and division wall member are arranged within a range corresponding to the space between the outer surfaces of a bearing plate portion and pressing plate portion and radially inward of a clutch actuation mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Ogasawara, Yoshinki Tsukada, Junya Watanabe, Takashi Ozeki, Shigeru Tajima, Kazuyuki Fukaya
  • Patent number: 7845480
    Abstract: A support structure for supporting a brake, as a frictional coupling device, includes a snap ring, a friction plate, and a back plate. The snap ring fits in a groove that extends in a circle. The back plate is disposed between the friction plate and the snap ring. The back plate is pressed against the snap ring. The snap ring has a first end face that faces the back plate and a second end face that faces the opposite side from the first end face and is in contact with a sidewall of the groove. The back plate has an end face that is in contact with the first end face. The static friction coefficient between the first end face of the snap ring and the end face of the back plate is smaller than that between the second end face of the snap ring and the sidewall of the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuo Obata, Tetsuya Kohno, Junichi Nishinosono, Hirofumi Onishi, Yuji Yasuda, Takanori Nukata
  • Patent number: 7841457
    Abstract: A transmission having a shaft driven by a prime mover such as an engine or motor is provided. The transmission includes a first stationary element for supporting the shaft for rotation, and a torque transmitting device connectable to the shaft and rotatable about an axis. The torque transmitting device is actuated by a hydraulic fluid. A first passage is connected to the torque transmitting device and is in communication with the hydraulic fluid. The first passage extends radially inward from the torque transmitting device. A vent passage is located within the first stationary element and is in communication with the first passage. Rotation of the torque transmitting device about the axis separates entrained air from the fluid and urges air radially inward through the first passage and into the vent passage, thereby removing air from the hydraulic fluid and circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Drew A. Crafton, Charles F. Long, Randall S. Conn
  • Publication number: 20100279810
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a piston-actuated clutch assembly for a transmission. Interconnecting members are integrated into a pressure plate of the clutch assembly. The interlocking members are configured to selectively interlock the piston and the pressure plate. The location of the interlocking members reduces wear on the piston and other transmission components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventor: Bradley Ronald Heuver
  • Publication number: 20100140038
    Abstract: In an embodiment of the present invention, a piston apparatus of an automatic transmission includes a piston member capable of moving in the axial direction of the rotation shaft, and a hydraulic chamber, and has been configured so that the piston member moves in the axial direction due to pressure in the hydraulic chamber. The piston member includes a cylinder part that extends in the axial direction and to which pressure in the hydraulic chamber is transmitted, a pressing part that extends in the radial direction and presses against a friction engaging element of the automatic transmission, and a connecting part that connects the cylinder part and the pressing part and, with respect to the axial direction, is offset from the pressing part in a direction of separation from the friction engaging element. Also, the axial direction offset amount of the connecting part from the pressing part of the piston member has been set larger than the stroke amount of the piston member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shintaro Goto, Hirofumi Morishita, Naoki Kato