Retainer ring having a trapezium-shaped cross-section

Inventors: Vishvjit Vitthal Kurade (Bangalore, IN); Shylesh Kumar P B (Bangalore, IN); Sunil Kumar (Bangalore, IN); Vikram Kumar Reddy (Nandyal, IN)

Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

F16B21/183 F16D13/68

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Quick Facts

Patent No.: US 12680567
App. No.: 19/219,542
Granted: Jul 14, 2026
Kind: B1

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Abstract

A component system includes a first component having a first surface. The first surface includes an annular groove. A second component is positioned on the first surface of the first component adjacent to the annular groove. A retainer ring is positioned in the annular groove to limit axial movement of the second component relative to the first component. The retainer ring includes a trapezium-shaped cross-section including an outwardly facing edge and an inwardly facing edge. One of the outwardly facing edge and the inwardly facing edge is positioned in the annular groove and the other of the outwardly facing edge and the inwardly facing edge includes an angled surface configured to selectively engage with the second component.

Claims (35)

1 . A component system comprising:

a first component having a first surface, the first surface including an annular groove;

a second component positioned on the first surface of the first component adjacent to the annular groove; and

a retainer ring positioned in the annular groove to limit axial movement of the second component relative to the first component, the retainer ring including a trapezium-shaped cross-section including an outwardly facing edge and an inwardly facing edge, wherein one of the outwardly facing edge and the inwardly facing edge is positioned in the annular groove and the other of the outwardly facing edge and the inwardly facing edge includes an angled surface configured to selectively engage with the second component, wherein the second component contacts only a portion of the angled surface, the portion of the angled surface being less than 75% of the angled surface.

2 . The component system according to claim 1 , wherein the angled surface includes an angle of between about 30-degrees and about 50-degrees.

3 . The component system according to claim 2 , wherein the angled surface includes an angle of about 38-degrees.

4 . The component system according to claim 1 , wherein the angled surface includes an aspect ratio of between about 1 and about 2.

5 . The component system according to claim 4 , wherein the angled surface includes an aspect ratio of about 1.5.

6 . The component system according to claim 1 , wherein the angled surface includes a contact zone configured to selectively engage the second component.

7 . The component system according to claim 6 , wherein the contact zone is defined at about a mid-point of the angled surface.

8 . An automatic transmission comprising:

a housing;

a first transmission component is mounted in the housing, the first transmission component includes a first surface having an annular groove;

a second transmission component is supported on the first surface adjacent to the annular groove; and

a retainer ring is positioned in the annular groove to limit axial movement of the second transmission component relative to the first transmission component, the retainer ring includes a trapezium-shaped cross-section including an outwardly facing edge and an inwardly facing edge, wherein one of the outwardly facing edge and the inwardly facing edge is positioned in the annular groove and the other of the outwardly facing edge and the inwardly facing edge includes an angled surface configured to selectively engage with the second transmission component.

9 . The automatic transmission according to claim 8 , wherein the angled surface includes an angle of between about 30-degrees and about 50-degrees.

10 . The automatic transmission according to claim 9 , wherein the angled surface includes an angle of about 38-degrees.

11 . The automatic transmission according to claim 8 , wherein the angled surface includes an aspect ratio of between about 1 and about 2.

12 . The automatic transmission according to claim 11 , wherein the angled surface includes an aspect ratio of about 1.5.

13 . The automatic transmission according to claim 8 , wherein the angled surface includes a contact zone configured to selectively engage the second transmission component.

14 . The automatic transmission according to claim 13 , wherein the contact zone is defined at about a mid-point of the angled surface.

15 . The automatic transmission according to claim 8 , wherein the first transmission component includes a clutch support including a support member having an outer surface and a plurality of clutch members supported on the outer surface, the annular groove being formed in the outer surface, and the transmission further comprising a shaft having a clutch arm supporting a plurality of clutch plates, wherein the retainer ring supports axial forces applied to the plurality of clutch members.

16 . A vehicle comprising:

a body defining a passenger compartment;

a plurality of wheels supporting the body;

a motor arranged in the body; and

a transmission operatively connecting the motor and the plurality of wheels, the transmission comprising:

a housing;

a first transmission component is mounted in the housing, the first transmission component includes a first surface having an annular groove;

a second transmission component is supported on the first surface adjacent to the annular groove; and

17 . The vehicle according to claim 16 , wherein the angled surface includes an angle of between about 30-degrees and about 50-degrees.

18 . The vehicle according to claim 17 , wherein the angled surface includes an angle of about 38-degrees.

19 . The vehicle according to claim 18 , wherein the angled surface includes an aspect ratio of between about 1 and about 2.

20 . The vehicle according to claim 16 , wherein the first transmission component includes a clutch support including a support member having an outer surface and a plurality of clutch members supported on the outer surface, the annular groove being formed in the outer surface, and the transmission further comprising a shaft including a clutch arm supporting a plurality of clutch plates, wherein the retainer ring supports axial forces applied to the plurality of clutch members.