Shape-memory alloy shift element for an automatic transmission
AssigneeZF Friedrichshafen AG
InventorsDavid Drosback, Abhishek Raydurga
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A friction shifting element includes a plurality of first friction plates. A plurality of second friction plates is interleaved with the plurality of first friction plates. The friction shifting element also includes an actuating plate. A shape-memory alloy shifter is configured for moving the actuating plate along an axial direction between an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration. The actuating plate compresses the plurality of first friction plates and the plurality of second friction plates together when the actuating plate is in the engaged configuration.
Claims17
An automatic transmission, comprising:
- a plurality of planetary gear sets;
- and
- a friction shifting element that defines an axial direction, the friction shifting element comprising
- a plurality of first friction plates;
- a plurality of second friction plates interleaved with the plurality of first friction plates;
- an actuating plate;
- and
- a shape-memory alloy shifter coupled to the actuating plate, the shape-memory alloy shifter configured for moving the actuating plate along the axial direction between an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration,
- wherein the actuating plate compresses the plurality of first friction plates and the plurality of second friction plates together when the actuating plate is in the engaged configuration, and
- wherein one of the plurality of first friction plates and the plurality of second friction plates is fixed to a gear of the plurality of planetary gear sets.
A friction shifting element defining an axial direction, the friction shifting element comprising:
- a plurality of first friction plates;
- a plurality of second friction plates interleaved with the plurality of first friction plates;
- an actuating plate;
- and
- a shape-memory alloy shifter coupled to the actuating plate, the shape-memory alloy shifter configured for moving the actuating plate along the axial direction between an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration,
- wherein the actuating plate compresses the plurality of first friction plates and the plurality of second friction plates together when the actuating plate is in the engaged configuration.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.