Patent ID: 8485333
Filing Date: 2013-07-16
Classification: F16C,F16D

Abstract:
1. A dual clutch actuation device for actuating a dual clutch in a dual clutch transmission, the dual clutch actuation device comprising: a housing fixedly secured to the dual clutch transmission, wherein the housing includes a base portion, an inner annular portion extending from the base portion, an outer annular portion extending from the base portion, and an middle annular portion extending from the base portion and disposed between the inner and outer annular portions, and the inner annular portion combines with the middle annular portion to define a first annular slot and the outer annular portion combines with the middle annular portion to define a second annular slot; a first annular piston at least partially slidably disposed in the first annular slot, wherein the first annular piston includes an axially facing first end and a second end opposite the first end, and a first annular end seal fixedly secured to the first end of the first annular piston; a second annular piston at least partially slidably disposed in the second annular slot, wherein the second annular piston includes an axially facing first end and a second end opposite the first end, and a second annular end seal fixedly secured to the first end of the second annular piston; a first annular piston chamber defined by the first annular slot and the first annular piston, wherein the first annular piston chamber is filled with a hydraulic fluid; a second annular piston chamber defined by the second annular slot and the second annular piston, wherein the second annular piston chamber is filled with the hydraulic fluid; a position sensor attached to the housing of the actuation device and having a first and a second sensing element, and wherein the a first sensing element is disposed in the middle annular portion of the housing and the second sensing element is disposed radially adjacent to the outer annular portion of the housing; a first annular bearing assembly having a first race in contact with the first annular piston and a second race in communication with one of the clutches of the dual clutch; and a second annular bearing assembly in contact with the second annular piston with the second annular piston and a second race in communication with the other of the clutches of the dual clutch, and wherein the dual clutch is actuated by independently pressurizing the hydraulic fluid in at least one of the first and second annular piston chambers forcing at least one of the first and second annular pistons to slide out of the first and second annular slots.