The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 30, 2010
Filed:
Jul. 10, 2007
Brian C. Schneidewind, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Brian C. Schneidewind, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Erlanger, KY (US);
Abstract
A clutch assembly for use in an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle includes a drum movable about a rotational axis and having a generally annular recess for supporting components of the clutch assembly therein. A clutch pack is supported in the recess in the drum. A clutch piston is movably coupled to the drum and movable in a generally axial direction between engaged and disengaged positions relative to the clutch pack. At least one biasing spring continuously biases the clutch piston toward the disengaged position. A resin balancer plate has a side wall in contact with one end of the at least one biasing spring. The side wall is reinforced by a box section formed by: an outer wall that extends at an angle from one end of the side wall, an inner wall that extends from an opposite end of the side wall and is stepped in an axial direction toward the clutch piston, and a reinforcing rib interconnecting the side wall, outer wall and inner wall. An integral lip extends from an outer end of the balance plate to form a seal with the clutch piston.