# US 8,499,600 B2 · Clutch assembly with formed retention ring

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- Number: US 8,499,600 B2
- Document ID: US8499600B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/540,201
- Filed: 2012-07-02
- Published: 2012-11-01
- Granted: 2013-08-06
- Earliest claimed: 2010-06-04
- Assignees: Value Extraction LLC; Szuba Consulting, Inc.
- Applicants: Joseph Szuba
- Inventors: Joseph Szuba
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8499600B2

## CPC

- F16D 13/683: {for clutches with multiple lamellae}
- F16D 13/52: Clutches with multiple lamellae {; Clutches in which three or more axially moveable members are fixed alternately to the shafts to be coupled and are pressed from one side towards an axially-located member (F16D13/385 takes precedence)}
- F16D 13/646: {Mounting of the discs on the hub}
- F16D 25/0638: with more than two discs, e.g. multiple lamellae
- F16D 13/70: Pressure members, e.g. pressure plates, for clutch-plates or lamellae; Guiding arrangements for pressure members {(clutch flywheels comprising two or more masses with a rotational damper F16F15/12)}
- Y10T 29/49622: Vehicular structural member making
- Y10T 29/49826: Assembling or joining
- Y10T 29/49938: Radially expanding part in cavity, aperture, or hollow body
- F16D: COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A clutch assembly for a vehicle transmission includes a housing defined by a wall having an annular configuration circumscribing a clutch axis. The wall extends between an open end and a floor. The floor extends inwardly from the wall toward the clutch axis. A plurality of splines formed in the wall and each is spaced from the open end of the housing. A snap ring retains clutch plates in the housing. The open end of the wall is deformed inwardly toward the clutch axis defining a retainer for retaining the snap ring within the housing.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of forming housing for use with a clutch assembly, comprises the steps of:
forming an annular wall and a floor from a continuous sheet of metal, with said annular wall terminating at a flange disposed at an opposite end of said annular wall from said floor;
forming a plurality of splines radially inwardly of said annular wall and said splines extending between said floor and said flange; and
slotting said flange for defining a plurality of teeth in a distal end of said flange, then folding said flange radially inwardly forming a retainer defining a space between said retainer and said splines, with said teeth being circumferentially aligned with said splines formed in said annular wall securing a snap ring of the clutch assembly between said retainer and said splines.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method set forth in claim 1, wherein said step of forming said splines is further defined by spacing said splines from an open end of said housing from said floor of said housing.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method set forth in claim 1, wherein said step of folding said flange to form a retainer is further defined by identifying a target hem on said flange and folding said flange at said target hem.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method set forth in claim 1, wherein said step of folding said flange is further defined by folding said flange radially inwardly of said annular wall.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method set forth in claim 1, wherein said step of folding said flange is further defined by flow forming or roll forming said flange.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method set forth in claim 1, wherein said step of forming said splines in said annular wall is further defined by deforming said annular wall radially inwardly to define splines having a minor spline diameter.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The method set forth in claim 6, wherein said step of folding said flange is further defined by folding said teeth inwardly of said annular wall terminating at a location spaced outwardly of said minor spline diameter.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method set forth in claim 1, wherein said step of folding said flange is further defined by folding said flange prior to assembling said clutch assembly.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method set forth in claim 1, wherein said step of slotting said flange to define a plurality of teeth is further defined by aligning said teeth in a same circumferential location on said annular wall as said splines.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The method set forth in claim 9, wherein said step of aligning said teeth in a same circumferential location on said annular wall as said splines is further defined by aligning said teeth in a same circumferential location on said annular wall prior to folding said flange to form a retainer defining a space between said retainer and said splines.