Pump drive launch device actuator

• US 9,194,444 B2
• Filed: 09/25/2012
• Issued: 11/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Wilton, Daryl A., Hart, James M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hansen, Colby M
• Application Number:
  US13/625,892
• Publication Number:
  US 20130081918A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,155 Days
• Field of Search: 192/85.5, 192/85.48, 192/85.49, 192/85.51, 192/85.57, 417/223, 417/316, 417/364, 464/168
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2300/24 Concentric actuation rods, e.g. actuation rods extending concentrically through a shaft
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 25/06 in which the fluid actuates a piston incorporated in, i.e. rotating with the clutch F16D25/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 25/08 with fluid-actuated member not rotating with a clutching member F16D25/02 takes precedence F16D25/048 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 25/086 the clutch being actuated by a push rod extending coaxially through the input or output shaft
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 25/087 the clutch being actuated by the fluid-actuated member via a diaphragm spring or an equivalent array of levers F16D25/085, F16D25/086 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 43/284 controlled by angular speed

Abstract

A powertrain includes an engine, a transmission, a pump for providing pressurized hydraulic fluid and a launch clutch connected between the engine and the transmission for coupling the engine to the transmission when the launch clutch is in an engaged condition and for decoupling the engine from the transmission when the launch clutch is in a disengaged condition. A device is rotationally coupled to the engine and to the pump. The device is translatable along an axis between a first position and a second position. The device moves the launch clutch to the engaged condition when in the first position and does not move the launch clutch to the engaged condition when in the second position. A piston in communication with the pressurized hydraulic fluid provided by the pump is configured to translate the device along the axis between at least one of the first and second positions.

Claims

1. A powertrain comprising:

an engine;

a transmission having a transmission input shaft;

a launch clutch connected between the engine and the transmission input shaft for coupling the engine to the transmission when the launch clutch is in an engaged condition and for decoupling the engine from the transmission when the launch clutch is in a disengaged condition;

a pump for providing pressurized hydraulic fluid;

a device rotationally coupled to the launch clutch and to the pump, wherein the device is translatable along an axis between a first position and a second position, wherein the device moves the launch clutch to the engaged condition when in the first position and does not move the launch clutch to the engaged condition when in the second position, and wherein the transmission input shaft is supported for rotation on the device;

a piston in communication with the pressurized hydraulic fluid provided by the pump and configured to translate the device along the axis between at least one of the first and second positions.

2. The powertrain of claim 1 wherein the device includes a shaft connected to a radial member, wherein the shaft is rotationally coupled to the pump and the radial member is connected to the launch clutch.

3. The powertrain of claim 2 wherein the radial member is a spring plate that biases the launch clutch to the engaged condition.

4. The powertrain of claim 3 wherein the spring plate is generally centrally pivoted by an annular pivot located on the launch clutch.

5. The powertrain of claim 4 wherein the spring plate is secured at an inner diameter to a spring hub and wherein the spring hub is connected to a first distal end of the shaft.

6. The powertrain of claim 5 further comprising a damper connected between the launch clutch and the engine, and wherein the damper is supported for rotation on the spring hub by a plurality of bearings.

7. The powertrain of claim 1 wherein the device includes a shaft that is axially extended and has a first distal end and a second distal end, and wherein the first distal end is connected to the launch clutch and the second distal end is connected to the pump.

8. The powertrain of claim 7 wherein the shaft extends from a front of the transmission to a rear of the transmission.

9. The powertrain of claim 7 wherein the transmission input shaft is supported for relative rotation on the shaft by a plurality of bearings.

10. The powertrain of claim 7 wherein the pump includes a pump rotor connected to the second distal end of the shaft.

11. The powertrain of claim 10 further comprising a biasing member and hub connected to the first distal end of the shaft.

12. The powertrain of claim 11 wherein the pump rotor is coupled to the shaft by a ball splined connection that includes splines that rotationally couples the pump rotor to the shaft and bearings that allow the shaft to translate along the axis without rotationally decoupling from the pump rotor.

13. The powertrain of claim 1 wherein the piston is disposed between the pump and a rear wall of the transmission.

14. The powertrain of claim 13 wherein the piston includes a radial flange connected to an axial flange, and wherein the axial flange contacts an apply-through bearing disposed between the piston and the device.

15. The powertrain of claim 14 wherein the device includes a shaft having a radially extended flange, and wherein the apply-through bearing contacts the radially extended flange.

16. A powertrain comprising:

an engine having an engine output shaft;

a transmission having a transmission input shaft;

a launch clutch connected between the engine output shaft and the transmission input shaft for coupling the engine to the transmission when the launch clutch is in an engaged condition and for decoupling the engine from the transmission when the launch clutch is in a disengaged condition;

a pump having a pump rotor;

a spring plate connected to the launch clutch that biases the launch clutch to the engaged condition;

a shaft rotationally coupled to the pump rotor and to the spring plate, wherein the shaft translates against the bias of the spring plate to move the launch clutch to the disengaged condition;

a spring hub connected to the shaft and to the spring plate;

a damper connected between the launch clutch and the engine, and wherein the damper is supported for rotation on the spring hub by a plurality of bearings; and

an actuator configured to translate the shaft.

17. The powertrain of claim 16 wherein the spring plate is secured at an inner diameter to the spring hub and wherein the spring hub is connected to a first distal end of the shaft.

18. The powertrain of claim 17 wherein the shaft is connected to the pump rotor at a second distal end of the shaft.

19. The powertrain of claim 18 wherein the pump rotor is coupled to the shaft by a ball splined connection that includes splines that rotationally couples the pump rotor to the shaft and bearings that allow the shaft to translate along the axis without rotationally decoupling from the pump rotor.