Transmission assembly

Abstract

A multi cone clutch is used on the input to a transmission. The clutch has a multi-cone structure which employs sandwiched cone friction surfaces. The multi-cone structure is used for gears selection inside the transmission. In this case, sandwiched cone friction surfaces are in free or unengaged state while the corresponding friction surfaces are engaged. The cone selector is used to engage free rotating female part of a multi-cone selector. A hydraulic actuator is received by internal gear case wall to prevent any radial or axial movement of the actuator itself. The crown of hydraulic spring outlet piston is formed so as to clip in a housing of a thrust bearing is to provide relative rotational movements between cone clutch male part and a piston in idling or power transmitting mode.

1 . A multi-cone clutch in combination with a transmission, the transmission having a main input drive shaft and the multi-cone clutch being on the main drive shaft to the transmission.  
   
   
       2 . A multi-cone clutch in combination with a transmission according to  claim 1  wherein the clutch is a quad cone clutch on the input shaft and is used in place of a conventional torque convertor.  
   
   
       3 . A multi-cone clutch in combination with a transmission according to  claim 1  wherein the multi-cone clutch comprises a female cone surface and a male cone body having a driven cone surface and a driving cone surface, the driven cone surface being located between the driving cone surface and the female cone surface, the male cone body being axially moveable by a male cone body drive means to cause said cone surfaces to engage and thereby couple an input drive to the drive shaft and then to the transmission.  
   
   
       4 . A multi-cone clutch in combination with a transmission according to  claim 1  wherein the multi-cone clutch comprises a female cone surface and a male cone body having a driven cone surface and a driving cone surface, the driven cone surface being located between the driving cone surface and the female cone surface, the male cone body being axially moveable by a male cone body drive means to cause said cone surfaces to engage, the male cone body drive means comprises a hydraulic drive assembly comprising an input piston, an output piston and hydraulic coupling between the input and output pistons.  
   
   
       5 . A multi-cone clutch in combination with a transmission according to  claim 1  wherein the multi-cone clutch comprises a female cone surface and a male cone body having a driven cone surface and a driving cone surface, the driven cone surface being located between the driving cone surface and the female cone surface, the male cone body being axially moveable by a male cone body drive means to cause said cone surfaces to engage, the male cone body drive means comprises a hydraulic drive assembly comprising an input piston, an output piston and hydraulic coupling between the input and output pistons, the hydraulic coupling being configured to amplify the applied force.  
   
   
       6 . A multi-cone clutch in combination with a transmission according to  claim 1  wherein the multi-cone clutch comprises a female cone surface and a male cone body having a driven cone surface and a driving cone surface, the driven cone surface being located between the driving cone surface and the female cone surface, the male cone body being axially moveable by a male cone body drive means to cause said cone surfaces to engage, the male cone body drive means comprises a hydraulic drive assembly comprising an input piston, an output piston and hydraulic coupling between the input and output pistons, the hydraulic cylinder assembly of said male cone body drive means being a fixed annular cylinder assembly with thrust bearings coupling the output piston to the male cone body.  
   
   
       7 . A multi-cone clutch in combination with a transmission according to  claim 1  wherein cones are constrained to move axially by respective guides.  
   
   
       8 . A multi-cone clutch in combination with a transmission according to  claim 1  wherein cones are constrained to move axially by respective guides, the guides being respective concentric axially slidable guides moving in axially extending guide ways.