Patent Publication Number: US-2022213936-A1

Title: Clutch Hub Assembly Providing Added Strength and Stability

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present patent application/patent claims the benefit of priority of co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/133,489, filed on Jan. 4, 2020, and entitled “CLUTCH HUB PROVIDING ADDED STRENGTH AND STABILITY,” the contents of which are incorporated in full by reference herein. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a clutch hub assembly and more generally relates to a clutch hub assembly for providing strength and stability and preventing flexing of the support portion. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A clutch for a vehicle transmission may use a plurality of plates can be utilized to transmit torque or apply a braking force. The plates may include friction clutch plates and steel plates forming a clutch pack. The plates may be mounted to a clutch hub, which is positioned between a clutch basket and a pressure plate. The clutch hub rotates with the main shaft and during use the plates may overheat, causing damage. Oil may be directed to flow over the plurality of plates to lubricate and cool the plates. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, a clutch hub assembly includes a shaft, a plate engaged to the shaft, extending outwardly from the shaft in the axial direction having a top surface and a bottom surface. A collar is engaged to the plate, wherein the plate and the collar define a cavity. A plurality of teeth axially extend from the collar, and a support member extends outwardly from the collar. 
     According to another embodiment of the present invention, the clutch hub assembly includes a plurality of teeth that extend from an upper edge of the collar to the top surface of the support member. 
     According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the clutch hub assembly includes a passageway extending between an outer surface of each tooth to the bottom surface of the plate. 
     According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the clutch hub assembly includes a plate engaged to a side portion of the collar. 
     According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the clutch hub assembly includes a notch disposed adjacent the top surface of the support member. 
     According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the clutch hub assembly includes a hollow shaft extending in the longitudinal direction having an internal surface, an external surface, a first end, and a second end. A plate is engaged to the external surface of the shaft, extending outwardly from the external surface of the shaft in the axial direction and having a top surface and a bottom surface. A collar is engaged to the plate having an internal surface and an external surface, wherein the top surface of the plate and the internal surface of the collar define a cavity. A plurality of teeth axially extending from the external surface collar, and a support member extends outwardly from the collar. 
     According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the clutch hub assembly includes a plurality of splines extending axially from the external surface of the second end of the shaft. 
     According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the clutch hub assembly includes a support member that is circular and surrounds the external surface of the collar. 
     According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the clutch hub assembly includes a plurality of top holes disposed within the top surface of the plate and adjacent the shaft, corresponding bottom holes disposed on the bottom surface of the plate with a passageway extending between each top hole to each bottom hole, wherein the passageways are angled between each top hole to each bottom hole. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention is illustrated and described herein with reference to the various drawings, in which like reference numbers denote like method steps and/or system components, respectively, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of the clutch hub assembly of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of the clutch hub assembly of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the clutch hub assembly of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a cut-away view of the clutch hub assembly of the present invention along the line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 ; and 
         FIG. 5  is a cut-away view of the clutch hub assembly of the present invention along the line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 3 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of the invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention. Any and all patents and other publications identified in this specification are incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein. 
     Also, as used in the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to “about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. 
     Referring now specifically to the drawings, a clutch hub assembly is illustrated in  FIG. 1  and is shown generally at reference numeral  10 . The clutch hub assembly  10  comprises a shaft  12 , a plate  14 , a collar  16 , and a support member  18 . The shaft  12  is a hollow shaft, with a generally circular cross-section, extending in the longitudinal direction of the clutch hub assembly  10  with an internal surface and an external surface. An interior void is defined by the internal surface of the shaft  12  and extends from a first end to the second end of the shaft  12 . The plate  14  extends outwardly from the external surface of the shaft  12  in the axial direction. The first end of the plate  14  is engaged to the external surface of the shaft  12  at a predetermined distance along the shaft  12  and the collar  16  is disposed on the second end of the plate  12 . The shaft  12  and plate  14  are engaged to each other and preferably integral to each other, wherein the shaft  12  and plate  14  rotate together during use. 
     The collar  16  extends in the longitudinal direction of the clutch hub assembly  10  and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft  12 . A first portion of the collar  16  extends in a first direction away from the plate  14 , and a second portion of the collar  16  extends in a second direction, opposite the first direction, away from the plate  14 , resulting in the collar  16  extending away from both the top surface and bottom surface of the plate  14 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . The second end of the plate  14  is engaged to the collar  16  along the side portion and not an end portion of the collar  16 . In other words, the second end of the plate  14  is engaged to a side portion of the collar  16  disposed between the first portion and the second portion of the collar  16 . 
     The plate  14  preferably extends outwardly and upwardly from the external surface of the shaft  12  and completely surrounds the shaft  12 . The top surface of the plate  14  preferably contains a smooth surface without any ridges, slots, or protrusions. The top surface of the plate  14  is angled towards the second end of the plate  14 . As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the top surface of the plate adjacent the external surface of the shaft  12  is not angled for a predetermined distance, but instead extends in the axial direction from the shaft, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft  12 , for a predetermined distance. After the predetermined distance, the top surface of the plate  14  is angled towards the second end of the plate  14  in the direction of the first end of the shaft  12 . The external surface of the shaft  12 , the top surface of the plate  14 , and the internal surface of the collar  16  define a cavity  22 . 
     The bottom surface of the plate  14  contains a ring  24  disposed adjacent the external surface of the shaft  12 . The ring  24  circumvents the external surface of the shaft  12 , creating a shoulder  26  disposed between the ring  24  and bottom surface of the plate  14 . The ring  24  extends in the axial direction and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft  12 . The bottom surface of the plate  14  is angled, similar to the angle of the top surface of the plate  14  to a transition  28  disposed adjacent the second end of the plate  14  and adjacent the internal surface of the collar  16 . The top surface of the plate  14  contains a plurality of holes  34  spaced an equal distance apart circumferentially around the shaft  12 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . The holes  34  correspond to holes  50  disposed on the bottom surface of the plate  14 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , and a passageway  52  extends between each of the holes  34  disposed on the top surface of the plate  14  to each of the holes  50  disposed on the bottom surface of the plate  14 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . The passageways  52  allow oil to flow there through from an area external to the clutch hub assembly  10  and an interior portion of the clutch hub assembly  10 . 
     The support member  18  extends outwardly from the second portion of the collar  16 . The support member  18  extends in the axial direction and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft  12 . The support member  18  has a top surface and a bottom surface and is generally circular and completely surrounds the collar  16 . The top and bottom surface of the support member  18  is a smooth surface without any channels, grooves, indentations on either the top or bottom surface. When in use, the support member  18  extends to the outer edge of an adjacent steel pressure plate (not shown) to support the steel pressure plate, thus the support member  18  increases the strength and stability of the clutch hub assembly  10  over prior art versions. 
     A plurality of teeth  30  circumferentially surround the external surface of the collar  16  and extend axially outward from the collar  16 . The teeth  30  are preferably spaced an equal distance apart along the external surface of the collar  16 . The top portion of the teeth  30  are preferably aligned with the upper edge of the collar  16  and extend to a bottom portion that engages the top surface of the support member  18 . The bottom portion of the teeth  30  contain a notch  32  disposed adjacent the top surface of the support member  18 . The teeth  30  are machined in the manufacturing process and provide additional contact points because they extend from the upper edge of the collar  16  to the top surface of the support member  18 , thus preventing flexing of the clutch backing plate. The teeth  30  have two side portions that extend between the top portion and the bottom portion of the teeth  30 . The side portions are opposed each other and extend from a top surface of the teeth  30  to the external surface of the collar  16  on each side of each tooth  30 . A channel  46  is defined by the side portion of a tooth  30 , the side portion of an adjacent tooth  30 , and the external surface of the collar  16 . A channel  46  is disposed between the teeth  30  along the external surface of the collar  16 , resulting in a plurality of channels  46  disposed between the plurality of teeth  30 . 
     A shelf  38  may be disposed on the internal surface of the collar  16 . The shelf  38  is formed by a chamfered portion adjacent the upper edge of the collar  16 . The shelf  38  extends from the upper edge of the collar  16  and into the cavity  22  on the internal surface of the collar  16  and disposed along the entire circumference of the upper edge of the collar  16 , as shown in  FIGS. 1, 4, and 5 . A snap ring, spacer, or o-ring (not shown) may be placed adjacent the shelf during operation. At least one slot (not shown) may be disposed within the internal surface of the collar  16 . Alternatively, two pairs of slots may be disposed within the internal surface of the collar  16  and continuous along the entire circumference of the internal surface of the collar  16 . The slots may be disposed near the first portion of the collar  16  or adjacent or in close proximity to the upper edge of the collar  16 . Snap rings (not shown) may be inserted into the slots during operation. 
     A lip  48  may be disposed on the opposite portion of the collar  16  from the shelf  38 . The lip  48  is formed on the internal surface of the collar  16  on the second portion and adjacent the location where the second end of the plate  14  engages the collar  16 . The lip  48  circumvents the internal surface of the collar  16  and while adjacent the second end of the plate  14 , the lip  48  is spaced-apart from the second end of the plate  14 . A snap ring, spacer, or o-ring (not shown) may be placed adjacent the shelf during operation. 
     Channels  40  are disposed on the external surface of the shaft  12 . The channels  40  may be disposed at any position along the first end of the external surface of the shaft  12 . As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , one or more channels  40  may be adjacent to each other along the shaft  12  with one or more channels  40  spaced a distance away from one or more channels  40 . Two channels  40  are disposed adjacent each other, wherein at least one of these channels  40  is positioned at a height the same as or higher than the upper edge of the collar  16 . At least one additional channel  40  is located at another portion on the shaft  12 . The channels  40  are designed to receive a spacer (not shown) during operation, wherein the internal edge of the spacer surrounding the internal bore is received within a channel  40  on the external surface of the shaft  12  and the external edge of the spacer is placed adjacent either the shelf  38  or lip  48 , depending upon the specific channel  40  receiving the internal edge of the spacer and desires of the user. 
     A snap ring, spacer, or o-ring may be placed within the cavity  22  of the clutch hub assembly  10  so that it is adjacent the lip  48 . In other words, a surface of a snap ring, spacer, or o-ring may be disposed adjacent the lip  48  with its external side adjacent the internal surface of the collar  16 . A piston (not shown), which may be comprised of at least one piston seal and a clutch piston, is designed to be received within the cavity  22  of the clutch hub assembly  10  and a snap ring, spacer, or o-ring is disposed adjacent the lip  48 , for retaining the piston within the appropriate position within the cavity  22  of the clutch hub assembly  10 . A plurality of friction clutch plates (not shown) and separator clutch plates (not shown) may be positioned within the cavity  22  of the clutch hub assembly  10 . The plurality of friction clutch plates and separator clutch plates may form a clutch pack. At least one snap ring, spacer, o-ring or release spring may be disposed within the cavity  22  and disposed between the piston, friction clutch plates, and/or separator clutch plates. A snap ring, spacer, and/or o-ring may be disposed adjacent the shelf  38 , piston, friction clutch plates, separator clutch plates, and snap ring, spacer, o-ring and/or release spring within the cavity  22 . A side of the snap ring, spacer, and/or o-ring is disposed adjacent the shelf  38  with its external side adjacent the internal surface of the collar  16 . 
     A slot (not shown) may be disposed on the second portion of the collar  16  and adjacent or in close proximity to the top surface of the plate  14 . Alternatively, a pair of slots may be disposed on the second portion of the collar  16  and adjacent or in close proximity to the top surface of the plate  14 . The slot or pair of slots may be disposed within the internal surface of the collar  16  between the lip  48  and the second end of the plate  14 . A snap ring, spacer, or o-ring may be placed with its outer side received within the slot or slots of the collar for retaining the piston within the appropriate position within the cavity  22  of the clutch hub assembly  10 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 2, and 5 , a plurality of passageways  36  are disposed within the collar  16  extending from an opening within the teeth  30  to an opening  54  within the bottom surface of the plate  14  and collar  16 . The passageways  36  extend through the teeth  30 , collar  16 , and plate  14 . The passageways  36  allow oil to flow there through from an area external to the clutch hub assembly  10  and an interior portion of the clutch hub assembly  10 . A plurality of bores  42  may also be disposed on the shaft  12 , extending from the external surface to the internal surface and into the interior void  20 . The openings  42  are spaced apart on the shaft  12  and preferably spaced an equal distance from each other on the shaft  12 . 
     The second end of the shaft  12  contains a plurality of outwardly extending splines  44 . The splines  44  extend axially from the external surface of the second end of the shaft  12 . The clutch hub assembly  10  is preferably composed of aluminum and more preferably also contains an anodized coating, such as Mil-Spec Type III. The aluminum is preferably 7075-T6 that has a shear strength of 48,000 PSI. 
     Although the present invention has been illustrated and described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples may perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the present invention and are intended to be covered by the following claims.