CVT hydraulic start clutch

摘要

A hydraulically-actuated starting clutch (10) for a continuously variable transmission which is designed to reduce the centrifugal torque of the clutch with respect to the chain belt/sheave torque. This is accomplished by adjusting the diameters of the clutch piston (18) to reduce the resultant clutch torque to a value lower than the chain belt/sheave torque. A pair of oil feed passages (83, 84) are positioned in the clutch assembly to feed oil through openings (82) in the friction plate (78) at all times during operation, even when rotation of the friction plate ceases. Further, an improved retractor spring (64) is utilized in the clutch assembly (10) with circumferentially extending tabs (68) on its inner periphery (66) which extend over the snap ring (62) holding the spring onto the actuating piston (18) to prevent release of the snap ring due to centrifugal force during operation of the clutch. <IMAGE>