Power transfer device with hydraulic clutch actuation
AssigneeMagna Drivetrain of America, Inc.
InventorsEric A. Bansbach, Joseph G. Mueller, James Brissenden, John D. Zalewski, Sankar K. Mohan, Richard Mizon, Aaron Ronk, Khazaee Mozaffar
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A power transfer system is provided and equipped with a torque transfer coupling which includes a clutch and a ball-screw actuator. The ball-screw actuator functions to axially translate an apply plate via a closed hydraulic system to operatively engage the clutch and vary the frictional engagement thereof.
Claims20
A power transfer assembly for use in a motor vehicle having a powertrain and first and second drivelines, comprising:
- a first shaft adapted to transfer drive torque from the powertrain to the first driveline;
- a second shaft adapted for connection to the second driveline;
- a transfer clutch operably disposed between said first and second shafts;
- an apply plate operable in a first position to exert a minimum clutch engagement force on said transfer clutch and in a second position to exert a maximum clutch engagement force on said transfer clutch;
- and
- a clutch actuator for controlling movement of said apply plate, said clutch actuator including a first piston disposed in a first chamber, a second piston disposed in a second chamber, a hydraulic fluid source interconnecting said first and second chambers, a nut fixed to said second piston, a lead screw in threaded engagement with said nut, and an electric motor for controlling rotation of said lead screw.
A power transfer assembly for use in a motor vehicle having a powertrain and a driveline, comprising:
- a first shaft driven by the powertrain;
- a second shaft connected to the driveline;
- a transfer clutch adapted to transmit drive torque from said first shaft to said second shaft;
- an apply plate that is axially moveable relative to said transfer clutch between a first position for generating a minimum clutch engagement force and a second position for generating a maximum clutch engagement force;
- a transfer plate that is axially moveable relative to said apply plate to selectively transmit force thereon;
- an apply piston disposed in an apply chamber and operable to selectively translate said transfer plate in response to a hydraulic force;
- and
- a clutch actuator for generating said hydraulic force and including a control piston disposed in a control chamber, a hydraulic fluid circuit connecting said control chamber to said apply chamber, and a power-operated mechanism for controlling movement of said control piston in said control chamber.
A power transfer assembly for use in a motor vehicle having a powertrain and first and second drivelines, comprising:
- a first rotary member adapted to transfer drive torque from the powertrain to the first driveline;
- a second rotary member adapted for connection to the second driveline;
- a transfer clutch capable of transmitting drive torque from said first rotary member in response to a clutch engagement force exerted thereon;
- an apply plate operable in a first position to exert a minimum clutch engagement force on said transfer clutch and in a second position to exert a maximum clutch engagement force on said transfer clutch;
- a first piston disposed in a first chamber and operable to move said apply plate between its first and second positions in response to a hydraulic force;
- a second piston disposed in a second chamber;
- a hydraulic fluid circuit connecting said first chamber to said second chamber;
- and
- a drive assembly including a first drive member fixed to said second piston, a second drive member, and an electric motor for moving said second drive member to cause corresponding movement of said first drive member and said second piston for applying said hydraulic force to said first piston.
A power transfer assembly for use in a motor vehicle having a powertrain and a driveline, comprising:
- a first rotary member driven by the powertrain;
- a second rotary member coupled to the driveline;
- a transfer clutch adapted to transmit drive torque from said first rotary member to said second rotary member;
- an apply plate that is axially moveable relative to said transdfer clutch between a first position for generating a minimum clutch engagement force and a second position for generating a maximum clutch engagement force;
- a ball screw assembly;
- and
- a closed hydraulic system including a control piston disposed for sliding movement in a control chamber and an apply piston disposed in an apply chamber which is in fluid communication with said control chamber, said ball screw assembly operable to move control piston to transfer pressurized fluid between said control chamber and said apply chamber for controlling movement of said apply piston and said apply plate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.