Global supplier Federal-Mogul has revealed details of its updated Unipiston technology for clutches, which uses integrated springs to minimize package space.
The company says that the Unipiston eliminates separate spring carriers, reducing the axial length requirement that is often a crucial constraint in pistons for multiplate clutch packs. It also says that the system reduces the quality risks that can arise from separate springs.
“The introduction of the original Unipiston by Federal-Mogul was an industry first that helped make clutch pistons more compact and easier to assemble,” said Federal-Mogul powertrain CTO Gian Maria Olivetti. “Now this innovative Unipiston with integrated springs provides even greater advantages allowing our customers to design even more compact and robust transmissions.”
The Unipiston applies hydraulic pressure to a clutch pack to facilitate torque transfer and can be used as an apply piston or a balancer piston closing a hydraulic chamber avoiding unwanted activation of the apply piston.
“The Unipiston with integrated springs removes the need for our customers to undertake a difficult assembly operation that could introduce quality concerns,” explained Cem Yoldjou, technical specialist, Unipiston and dynamic seals, Federal-Mogul Powertrain. “Many clutch systems are closed off by a welding operation following assembly, making it impractical to rectify any quality issues after that point.”
Federal-Mogul says that the technology has already been validated with one customer and is expected to enter series production in the near future.
December 7, 2015