Friction Clutch Patents (Class 475/327)
  • Patent number: 8177677
    Abstract: A multi-speed transmission for a vehicle is provided with a selectable one-way braking clutch (SOWBC). The transmission has one or more planetary gear sets, and a set of intermeshing gears, which may be a planetary gear set. Multiple torque-transmitting mechanisms are engagable in different combinations to establish at least one reverse speed ratio and multiple forward speed ratios between an input member and an output member. A selectable one-way braking clutch is configured to brake in one rotational direction and is selectively reversible to brake in an opposite rotational direction, and freewheels in some speed ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Farzad Samie, Chunhao J. Lee
  • Patent number: 8038569
    Abstract: A transmission includes: a plurality of rotating elements interposed between a driving source and an output portion; a rotating member that rotatably supports one of the rotating elements and is formed at a radially outer portion thereof with a plurality of recesses or protrusions; a support member having a surface, that is facing the rotating member, and a plurality of protrusions or recesses that are formed in a radially inner portion thereof and engage with the recesses or protrusions of the rotating member, the rotating member being mounted in the support member such that the rotating member is not able to rotate; and a friction producing mechanism that is provided between the rotating member and the above-indicated surface of the support member and is arranged to produce a frictional force between the rotating member and the surface of the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshimitsu Yokouchi, Hideto Watanabe, Kunio Takeda, Masayuki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7566287
    Abstract: A clutch device for an automatic transmission, including a clutch drum supporting frictional coupling elements, a clutch piston disposed radially outwardly of the clutch drum, and a rotary speed sensor disposed radially outwardly of the clutch piston to detect a rotating speed of the clutch piston. The clutch piston has an inner spline for engagement with an outer spline of the clutch drum to prevent relative rotation between the clutch piston and the clutch drum, and further has a plurality of recesses formed in an outer circumferential surface thereof and corresponding to respective teeth of the inner spline, and a plurality of oil holes formed therethrough at an axial position of the clutch device at which the rotary speed sensor is located. The recesses and the oil holes are equally spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction of the clutch piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hirofumi Onishi, Yuji Yasuda
  • Patent number: 7179193
    Abstract: Method and arrangement for driving a wheel of a vehicle in which the arrangement includes a planetary gear transmission (6) which in turn has a sun gear (7) connected to a driving axle (4), a planet carrier (11) on which at least one planet gear (8) is arranged and the planet gear is also arranged in engagement with the sun gear (7), and a ring gear (9) arranged around, and also in engagement with the planet gear. The driving arrangement also includes a braking device (16) and a wheel hub (12), which hub is connected to the planet carrier (11). The braking device is adapted to brake the planet carrier relative to a static part (18) arranged outside the planet gear carrier in the radial direction. The ring gear (9) and the outer, static part (18) are constructed in one piece in the form of an annular member (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment Components AB
    Inventors: Timothy Kingston, Mats â„«kerblom
  • Patent number: 6837817
    Abstract: Changeover clutch discs for a direct coupling clutch and a change-speed clutch, respectively, are disposed in two stages in a radial direction across a movable element which can move in axial directions of an input shaft. A carrier and the movable element are brought into meshing engagement with each other such that the movable element does not rotate relative to the carrier. The changeover clutch discs mesh with clutch discs which are disposed on the input shaft and a casing, respectively. A coned disc spring and an electromagnetic actuator are disposed such that operating directions of the spring and the actuator are opposed to each other. The coned disc spring keeps the direct coupling clutch in normally engaged condition with its biasing force, and the electromagnetic actuator brings a change-speed clutch into engagement after it has released the engagement of the direct coupling clutch by virtue of its thrust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Mori, Yasuji Shibahata, Takehiko Furuya
  • Patent number: 6824494
    Abstract: Friction disks of a clutch are axially positioned and supported relative to the drum of the clutch, using a tapered snap ring. Furthermore, an engaging member coupled with a ring gear is axially positioned and supported by sandwiching between the tapered snap ring and another snap ring. Accordingly, the structure accommodates and supports receipt of hydraulic pressure, as well as thrust force of the ring gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Yasuda, Akihiko Kita
  • Patent number: 6790152
    Abstract: Changeover clutch discs for a direct coupling clutch and a change-speed clutch, respectively, are disposed in two stages in a radial direction across a movable element which can move in axial directions of an input shaft. A carrier and the movable element are brought into meshing engagement with each other such that the movable element does not rotate relative to the carrier. The changeover clutch discs mesh with clutch discs which are disposed on the input shaft and a casing, respectively. A coned disc spring and an electromagnetic actuator are disposed such that operating directions of the spring and the actuator are opposed to each other. The coned disc spring keeps the direct coupling clutch in a normally engaged condition with its biasing force, and the electromagnetic actuator brings a change-speed clutch into engagement after it has released the engagement of the direct coupling clutch by virtue of its thrust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Mori, Yasuji Shibahata, Takehiko Furuya
  • Patent number: 4924961
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle for gardening and agricultural work provided with four wheels, of which at least two are drive wheels, and an engine, comprising a frame consisting essentially of a longitudinally extending beam preferably of hollow box section and internally housing the drive shaft or shafts. It is provided with a least one power take-off, and preferably two, of which one is at the front and one is at the rear. The vehicle is preferably provided with a steering handlebar and a seat for the operator. Preferably, the engine is positioned at the rear and at least the front wheels are drive wheels. The vehicle is provided with a gearbox and preferably a separate quick-reversing mechanism. This mechanism and the gearbox are housed in casings preferably disposed on the axis of the beam-frame to form a structural part thereof.The vehicle is suitable for fast travel on and off the road and for use as a vehicle without the addition of implements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Assignee: BCS S.p.A.
    Inventor: Guido Bernardi