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US 7,111,716 B2Granted
Power-operated clutch actuator for torque transfer mechanisms
AssigneeMagna Powertrain USA, Inc.
InventorsTodd Ekonen, Douglas Bradley
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A torque transfer mechanism is provided for controlling the magnitude of a clutch engagement force exerted on a multi-plate clutch assembly that is operably disposed between a first rotary and a second rotary member. The torque transfer mechanism includes a power-operated face gear clutch actuator for generating and applying a clutch engagement force on the clutch assembly.
Claims25
A power transmission device comprising:
- a rotary input member adapted to receive drive torque from a power source;
- a rotary output member adapted to provide drive torque to an output device;
- a torque transfer mechanism operable for transferring drive torque from said input member to said output member, said torque transfer mechanism including a clutch assembly operably disposed between said input member and said output member and a clutch actuator assembly for applying a clutch engagement force to said clutch assembly, said clutch actuator assembly including an electric motor driving a geared drive unit for controlling said clutch engagement force applied to said clutch assembly by a clutch apply operator, said geared drive unit includes a drive gear driven by said electric motor and first and second face gears with said drive gear in meshed engagement therebetween so as to cause said first and second face gears to rotate in opposite directions in response to driven rotation of said drive gear, said clutch apply operator including a first cam plate fixed for rotation with said first face gear, a second cam plate fixed for rotation with said second face gear and rollers disposed between said first and second cam plates;
- and
- a control system for actuating said electric motor so as to control the direction and amount of opposite rotary movement between said first and second face gears which, in turn, controls the direction and amount of translational movement of said first cam plate relative to said clutch assembly so as to vary the clutch engagement force exerted on said clutch assembly.
2 more elements
A torque transfer mechanism for transferring drive torque from a rotary input member to a rotary output member, comprising:
- a friction clutch assembly having a drum fixed for rotation with one of the input member and the output member, a hub fixed for rotation with the other of the input member and the output member, a clutch pack operably disposed between said drum and said hub, and a pressure plate moveable between a first position whereat a minimum clutch engagement force is exerted on said clutch pack and a second position whereat a maximum clutch engagement force is exerted on said clutch pack;
- a clutch actuator assembly for moving said pressure plate between its first and second positions and including an electric motor driving a geared drive unit for controlling movement of a clutch apply operator, said geared drive unit includes a drive gear driven by said electric motor and first and second face gears with said drive gear in meshed engagement therebetween so as to cause said first and second face gears to rotate in opposite directions in response to driven rotation of said drive gear, said clutch apply operator including a first cam plate fixed for rotation with said first face gear, a second cam plate fixed for rotation with said second face gear and rollers disposed between said first and second cam plates;
- and
- a control system for actuating said electric motor so as to control rotary movement of said first face gear relative to said second face gear between a first position and a second position, said first cam plate being located in a first axial position when said first face gear is in its first position so as to cause said pressure plate to be located in its first position, and said first cam plate is located in a second axial position when said first face gear is rotated to its second position so as to cause said pressure plate to move to its second position.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.