Dual clutch
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsClinton E. Carey, James M. Hart, Elizabeth I. Wooden
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A dual clutch selectively transmits torque from a flywheel to a dual input transmission. The transmission has two input shafts a first shaft and a second shaft that is a hollow sleeve shaft. The second shaft is concentric with the first shaft. The dual clutch has two clutch units to selectively couple a crankshaft of an engine to one of the two input shafts. More specifically, the dual clutch includes members such as a clutch housing rotationally fixed to the crankshaft through a flywheel and other members such hubs that are rotationally fixed to the input shafts. The clutches are actuated by a rotationally fixed clutch actuator. Axial loads on the clutches are transferred through a bearing to a fixed member.
Claims20
A dual clutch in a transmission comprising:
- a rotationally fixed member;
- a clutch housing that defines a rotational axis, the clutch housing disposed within the rotationally fixed member;
- a first hub disposed radially inwardly of the clutch housing;
- a second hub disposed radially inwardly of the first hub;
- a first clutch pack configured to selectively rotationally couple the clutch housing with the first hub when the first clutch pack is engaged;
- a second clutch pack configured to selectively rotationally couple the clutch housing with the second hub when the second clutch pack is engaged;
- a clutch actuation assembly connected to the rotationally fixed member, the clutch actuation assembly configured to selectively cause the first clutch pack and the second clutch pack to engage;
- and
- a bearing having inner and outer races, wherein the inner race is interconnected to the clutch housing and the outer race is interconnected to the rotationally fixed member, wherein the bearing is configured to transmit axial loading of the clutch housing during engagement of the first or second clutch pack through the bearing to the rotationally fixed member.
An apparatus comprising:
- a case;
- a radially inwardly extending support member having a first end and a second end located radially inward of the first end, wherein the second end is connected to the case;
- a clutch housing that defines a rotational axis, the clutch housing disposed within the case;
- a first hub disposed radially inwardly of the clutch housing;
- a second hub disposed radially inwardly of the first hub;
- a first clutch pack configured to selectively rotationally couple the clutch housing with the first hub when the first clutch pack is engaged;
- a second clutch pack configured to selectively rotationally couple the clutch housing with the second hub when the second clutch pack is engaged;
- a clutch actuation assembly connected to the case, the clutch actuation assembly configured to selectively engage the first clutch pack and the second clutch pack;
- and
- an axial thrust bearing having inner and outer races, wherein the inner race is interconnected to the clutch housing and the outer race is interconnected to the second end of the support member, wherein the axial thrust bearing is configured to transmit axial loading of the clutch housing during engagement of the first or second clutch pack through the axial thrust bearing to the case via the support member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.