Gap-filling clutch with ramps

A clutch for a transmission, comprising:

• an inner carrier;
• a clutch pack including:
• plurality of pressure plates non-rotationally connected to one of the inner carrier or a housing for the transmission;
• and,
• a plurality of friction plates non-rotationally connected to the other of the inner carrier or the housing;
• a compression plate including a first portion;
• a first ramp ring including second and third portions;
• a second ramp ring including a fourth portion;
• a first ramp assembly including:
• the first portion of the compression plate including a first plurality of ramps;
• and,
• the second portion of the first ramp ring including a second plurality of ramps in contact with the first plurality of ramps;
• a second ramp assembly,
• including:
• the third portion of the first ramp ring including a third plurality of ramps;
• and,
• the fourth portion of the second ramp ring including a fourth plurality of ramps in contact with the third plurality of ramps;
• or
• the third portion of the first ramp ring including a third plurality of ramps or a first radial surface;
• the fourth portion of the second ramp ring including a fourth plurality of ramps or a second radial surface;
• and,
• a plurality of spheres or rollers axially disposed between the third and fourth portions and in contact with the third and fourth portions;
• a lever spring;
• and,
• an axially displaceable piston, wherein:
• the piston is arranged to axially displace the lever spring a first distance in a first axial direction such that:
• the lever spring applies a first force to the third portion in the first axial direction;
• the first ramp ring rotates in a first circumferential direction and axially displaces in the first axial direction;
• and,
• the first ramp ring displaces the compression plate in the first axial direction to contact a portion of the clutch pack;
• and,
• the piston is arranged to further displace the lever spring in the first axial direction such that the compression plate displaces further in the first axial direction and the plurality of pressure plates frictionally engages the plurality of friction plates to rotationally fix the inner carrier with respect to the housing.

A clutch for a transmission, comprising:

• an inner carrier;
• a clutch pack including:
• a plurality of pressure plates non-rotationally connected to one of the inner carrier or a housing for the transmission;
• and,
• a plurality of friction plates non-rotationally connected to the other of the inner carrier or the housing;
• a compression plate;
• a first ramp ring;
• a second ramp ring non-rotatably connected to the housing;
• a first ramp assembly including:
• a first portion of the compression plate including a first plurality of ramps;
• and,
• a second portion of the first ramp ring including a second plurality of ramps in contact with the first plurality of ramps;
• a second ramp assembly including:
• a third portion of the first ramp ring including a third plurality of ramps or a first radial surface;
• a fourth portion of the second ramp ring including a fourth plurality of ramps or a second radial surface;
• and,
• a plurality of spheres or rollers axially disposed between the third and fourth portions and in contact with the third and fourth portions;
• a lever spring;
• a first spring urging the first ramp ring in a first circumferential direction with respect to the second ramp ring;
• a second spring urging the compression plate in a first axial direction with respect to the inner carrier;
• and,
• an axially displaceable piston, wherein:
• when the clutch is open the compression plate is free of contact with the plurality of pressure plates and the plurality of friction plates;
• the piston is arranged to axially displace the lever spring a first distance in a first axial direction such that:
• the lever spring applies a first force to the second ramp assembly in the first axial direction;
• the third portion rotates in a first circumferential direction and axially displaces in the first axial direction;
• and,
• the second portion displaces the compression plate in the first axial direction to contact a portion of the clutch pack;
• the piston is arranged to further displace the lever spring in the first axial direction such that the compression plate displaces further in the first axial direction and the plurality of pressure plates frictionally engages the plurality of friction plates to rotationally lock the inner carrier to the housing;
• and,
• the piston is displaceable in the second axial direction such that:
• the first spring displaces the first ramp ring in the first circumferential direction with respect to the second ramp ring;
• and,
• the first ramp ring and the compression plate displace in the first axial direction such that the compression plate is free of contact with the clutch pack.