Dual clutch mechanism for a transmission

A dual clutch mechanism comprising:

• an input shaft, a first output shaft and a second output shaft, the input shaft being axially spaced from the first and second output shafts;
• a first clutch mechanism substantially overlying the input shaft and having a first clutch driven side and a first clutch driving side, the first clutch driven side being rotatably drivable by the input shaft and the first output shaft being selectively rotatably drivable by the first clutch driving side;
• and
• a second clutch mechanism substantially overlying the input shaft and having a second clutch driven plate and a second clutch driving plate, the second clutch driven side being rotatably drivable by the input shaft and the second output shaft being selectively rotatably drivable by the second clutch driving side.

A dual clutch mechanism comprising:

• an input shaft, a first output shaft and a second output shaft;
• a clutch hub operatively connected to the input shaft such that the clutch hub is able to be driven by the input shaft, the clutch hub being axially separated from the first and second output shafts;
• a first clutch mechanism substantially overlying the input shaft and having a first clutch driven side and a first clutch driving side, the first clutch driven side able to be driven by the clutch hub, and the first output shaft able to be selectively driven by the first clutch driving side;
• and
• a second clutch mechanism substantially overlying the input shaft and having a second clutch driven plate and a second clutch driving plate, the second clutch driven side able to be driven by the clutch hub, and the second output shaft able to be selectively driven by the second clutch driving side.

A dual clutch mechanism for an automotive transmission, the dual clutch mechanism comprising:

• an input shaft adapted for rotation about a longitudinally extending axis;
• a first clutch arrangement coaxial with the axis of the input shaft, the first clutch arrangement having a first clutch driven plate and a first clutch driving plate;
• a second clutch arrangement coaxial with the axis of the input shaft and spaced from the first clutch mechanism, the second clutch arrangement having a second clutch driven plate and a second clutch driving plate;
• a clutch hub coaxial with the axis of the input shaft and at least partially surrounding a portion of the input shaft, the clutch hub being operably connected to the first and second clutch driven plates to drive the driven plates for rotation, the clutch hub being axially separated from the inner and outer output shafts;
• a hollow outer output shaft operably connected to the first clutch driving plate for rotation therewith, the hollow outer output shaft being coaxial with the axis of the input shaft and spaced a lateral distance from the input shaft;
• an inner output shaft positioned within the outer output shaft and adapted for rotation independent thereof, the inner output shaft operably connected to the second clutch driving plate for rotation therewith, and the inner output shaft being coaxial with the axis of the input shaft and spaced a lateral distance from the input shaft;
• the first and second clutch mechanisms each comprise a plurality of clutch plates, each of the first and second clutch mechanisms having a driven set of clutch plates operably connected to the clutch driven plate and a driving set of clutch plates operably connected to the clutch driving plate, each of the driven and driving set of clutch plates disposed in an intermeshing mechanism;
• the first and second clutch mechanisms each comprise a pressure apply chamber and a balance chamber, the pressure apply chamber and the pressure balance chamber being separated at least in part by an apply piston, the apply piston having an apply position where the piston is arranged to frictionally engage the driven set of clutch plates operably connected to the clutch driven plate and the driving set of clutch plates operably connected to the clutch driving plate to drive the clutch driving plate in rotation with the clutch driven plate when sufficient pressure is applied in the pressure apply chamber and an unapplied position where the piston is not arranged to frictionally engage the driven set of clutch plates operably connected to the clutch driven plate and the driving set of clutch plates operably connected to the clutch driving plate so the clutch driving plate is not in rotation with the clutch driven plate;
• a biasing device disposed in at least one of the pressure balance chambers to bias the apply piston away from the apply position and to the unapplied position;
• and
• a clutch feed support positioned between the clutch hub and the input shaft, the clutch feed support having a plurality of fluid passages for feeding oil to the first and second clutch arrangements, and an oil distribution sleeve is positioned between the clutch feed support and the input shaft, the oil distribution sleeve having fluid passages aligned with the fluid passages of the clutch feed support for feeding oil to the clutch feed support fluid passages.

A dual clutch mechanism for an automotive transmission, the dual clutch mechanism comprising:

• an input shaft adapted for rotation about a longitudinally extending axis;
• a first clutch arrangement coaxial with the axis of the input shaft, the first clutch arrangement having a first clutch driven plate and a first clutch driving plate;
• a second clutch arrangement coaxial with the axis of the input shaft and spaced from the first clutch mechanism, the second clutch arrangement having a second clutch driven plate and a second clutch driving plate;
• a clutch hub coaxial with the axis of the input shaft and at least partially surrounding a portion of the input shaft, the clutch hub being operably connected to the first and second clutch driven plates to drive the driven plates for rotation;
• a hollow outer output shaft operably connected to the first clutch driving plate for rotation therewith, the hollow outer output shaft being coaxial with the axis of the input shaft and spaced a lateral distance from the input shaft;
• an inner output shaft positioned within the outer output shaft and adapted for rotation independent thereof, the inner output shaft operably connected to the second clutch driving plate for rotation therewith, and the inner output shaft being coaxial with the axis of the input shaft and spaced a lateral distance from the input shaft;
• and
• an outer housing disposed around the first and second clutch mechanisms, the outer housing being rotatably independent relative to the input and output shafts and having a sealing member disposed between the input shaft and the outer housing to allow for relative rotation between the input shaft and the outer housing while minimizing the amount of fluid that can pass between the sealing member and the input shaft.