Method, system and apparatus to provide for universal bellhousing between engine and transmission of vehicle
View Patent ↗A universal bellhousing which may be adapted to a variety of automotive engine and transmission combinations and method of making the same is disclosed. The bellhousing is made by spin forming a sheet of steel and welding a transmission plate onto the cone. The cone and transmission plate are indexed to mount to a specified engine-transmission combination.
1. A bellhousing for connecting an engine to a transmission, each having a mounting surface, the bellhousing comprising:
a cone having an axis, a wide end, and a narrow end, the cone formed by deforming a spinning sheet of metal into a mold using an internal spin forming process which asserts a force to the spinning sheet of metal, such force applied along the inner surface of the sheet of metal as it is formed into a cone;
a flange formed from the spinning sheet and integral to the cone, extending from the wide end of the cone normal to the axis;
a transmission plate affixed onto the narrow end of the cone; and
a pattern of holes machined into the flange and transmission plate, the pattern of holes being indexed to an engine and transmission.
2. The bellhousing of claim 1 wherein the applied force is continuously normal to the spinning sheet of metal.
3. The bellhousing of claim 1 wherein the transmission plate is affixed by welding to the cone distal from the flange.
4. A bellhousing for connecting an engine to a transmission, each having a mounting surface, the bellhousing comprising:
a cone having an axis, a wide end, and a narrow end, the cone formed by deforming a spinning sheet of metal onto a mandrel using an external spin forming process which asserts a force continuously normal to the spinning sheet of metal, such force applied along the outer surface of the sheet of metal as it is formed into a cone;
a flange formed from the spinning sheet and integral to the cone, extending from the wide end of the cone normal to the axis;
a transmission plate affixed onto the narrow end of the cone; and
a pattern of holes machined into the flange and transmission plate, the pattern of holes being indexed to an engine and transmission.
5. The bellhousing of claim 4 wherein the transmission plate is affixed by welding to the cone distal from the flange.
6. The bellhousing of claim 4 wherein the applied force is continuously normal to the spinning sheet of metal.