Clutch disc assembly with friction plate

Abstract

Clutch disc assembly (112) comprising: a central axis (102); a clutch disc (100) comprising a first friction surface (104) and a radially outer recessed section; and a ring (114) made of friction material, which is glued to the first friction surface (104) and extends radially outside the first friction surface (104), so that an outer section of the ring (114) made of friction material is axially aligned with the radially outer recessed section of the clutch disc (100), wherein the ring (114) made of friction material comprises a first section with a first compressed thickness (128) and a second section with a second compressed thickness (132) that is greater than the first compressed thickness (128); and wherein at least one section of the first section is axially aligned with the first friction surface (104) and at least one section of the second section is axially aligned with the radially outer recessed section.

Description

AREA OF INVENTION

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to a clutch disc assembly and in particular to a clutch disc assembly with a friction plate. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Clutch disc assemblies are known. An example is shown in US patent application US 2013 / 0230385 A1, which was assigned to the same applicant.

[0003] From DE 44 20 959 A1, a hydrodynamic flow converter with a clutch disc assembly is known, comprising a clutch disc with a first friction surface and a radially outer recessed section, as well as a ring of friction material which is bonded to the first friction surface and extends radially outside the first friction surface, such that an outer section of the ring of friction material is axially aligned with the radially outer recessed section of the clutch disc. SUMMARY

[0004] Exemplary aspects generally include a clutch disc assembly comprising a central shaft, a clutch disc with a first friction surface and a radially outer recessed section, and a friction ring. The friction ring is bonded to the first friction surface and extends radially outside the first friction surface such that an outer section of the friction ring is axially aligned with the radially outer recessed section of the clutch disc. The friction ring has a first section with a first compressed thickness and a second section with a second compressed thickness greater than the first compressed thickness. At least one section of the first section is axially aligned with the first friction surface, and at least one section of the second section is axially aligned with the radially outer recessed section.

[0005] According to one exemplary embodiment, the first friction surface is arranged at an acute angle to a plane perpendicular to the central axis. According to some exemplary embodiments, the first friction surface is conical. According to one exemplary embodiment, the radially outer recessed section is conical and axially offset from the first friction surface. According to one exemplary embodiment, the radially outer recessed section is produced by machining, punching, or stamping.

[0006] According to some exemplary embodiments, the clutch disc assembly has a gap between the radially outer recessed section and the friction material ring. According to some exemplary embodiments, the clutch disc assembly has an elastic component arranged in the gap. According to one exemplary embodiment, the elastic component is a diaphragm spring. According to one exemplary embodiment, the clutch disc has an outer lug for retaining the elastic component.

[0007] Other exemplary aspects generally include a turbine assembly with a casing containing the clutch disc assembly and a plurality of blades attached to the casing. Other exemplary aspects generally include a torque converter containing the turbine assembly.

[0008] Other exemplary aspects generally include a torque converter containing the clutch disc assembly. According to some exemplary embodiments, the torque converter has a housing. When the clutch disc assembly is in a disengaged state, only the second portion of the friction ring contacts the housing. The first and second portions of the friction ring contact the housing when the clutch disc assembly is in an engaged state. According to one exemplary embodiment, the housing has a second friction surface, and the second portion of the friction ring is arranged to contact this second friction surface. According to another exemplary embodiment, the second portion of the friction ring is arranged to contact a curved portion of the housing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The nature and functioning of the present revelation will now be described in detail in the following description, in conjunction with the accompanying figures, whereby: Fig. 1 a top view of a clutch disc according to an exemplary aspect; Fig. 2 a perspective cross-sectional view of the clutch disc of Fig. 1 is; Fig. 3 a perspective partial view of the clutch disc of Fig. 2 is; Fig. 4 is a top view of a clutch disc assembly according to an exemplary aspect; Fig. 5 a perspective cross-sectional view of the clutch disc assembly of Fig. 4 is, Fig. 6 a perspective partial view of the clutch disc assembly of Fig. 5 is; Fig. 7 a partial cross-sectional view of the clutch disc assembly of Fig. 4 is; Fig. Figure 8 shows a partial cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the clutch disc assembly of the figure, which shows an elastic component; Fig. 9 a partial cross-sectional view of the clutch disc assembly of Fig. Figure 7 shows differently compressed stages of a ring made of friction material; Fig. Figure 10 shows a cross-sectional view of a torque converter that engages the clutch disc assembly of Fig. 4 contains; Fig. 11 a partial view of an alternative embodiment of the torque converter of Fig. Figure 10 shows a ring of friction material that rests against a curve of the housing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] It should be obvious from the outset that identical drawing numbers in different drawing views denote identical or functionally similar structural elements. Furthermore, it is clear that this disclosure is not limited to the individual embodiments, methods, materials, and modifications described herein and may therefore naturally vary. It is also clear that the terms used herein serve only to describe individual aspects and do not limit the scope of protection of this disclosure, which is limited only by the accompanying claims.

[0011] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as they would be understood by a person skilled in the art to whom this disclosure is addressed. Although any methods, units, or materials similar to or equivalent to those described herein may be used to implement or test the disclosure, the following are examples of such methods, units, and materials.

[0012] The following description refers to the Fig. 1 to 3. Fig. Figure 1 is a top view of a clutch disc according to claim 100 according to an exemplary aspect. Fig. Figure 2 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the clutch disc of Fig. 1. Fig. Figure 3 is a perspective partial view of the clutch disc of Fig. 2. The clutch disc 100 comprises a central axis 102, a friction surface 104, and a radially outer recessed section 106. The friction surface 104 is arranged at an acute angle 108 to the plane 110, which is perpendicular to the central axis 102. Although the friction surface 104 is shown as conical, it can also have other shapes. For example, the friction surface 104 can be flat (not shown). In other words, the friction surface 104 can be parallel to a surface perpendicular to the central axis 102. The radially outer recessed section 106 is conical and axially offset from the friction surface 104. The section 106 can be produced, for example, by machining, punching, or stamping.

[0013] The following description refers to the Fig. 4 to 7. Fig. Figure 4 is a top view of a clutch disc assembly according to an exemplary aspect. Fig. Figure 5 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the clutch disc assembly of Fig. 4. Fig. Figure 6 is a perspective partial view of the clutch disc assembly of Fig. 5. Fig. Figure 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the clutch disc assembly of Fig. 4. The clutch disc assembly 112 comprises the central shaft 102, a clutch disc 100, and a friction ring 114. The friction ring 114 is bonded to the friction surface 104, for example, by a thermosetting adhesive, and extends radially outside the friction surface 104, such that the outer section 116 of the friction ring 114 is axially aligned with the radially outer recessed section 106 of the clutch disc. The outer section 116 forms a flexible friction plate, which is described in more detail below.

[0014] The following description refers to the Fig. 7 to 8. Fig. Figure 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment 118 of the clutch disc assembly of Fig. Figure 7 shows the elastic component 120. The clutch disc assembly 112 contains a gap 122 between the radially outer recessed section 106 and the ring 114 made of friction material. In the Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 8, the elastic component 120 is arranged in the gap 122. Although the elastic component 120 is in Fig. Figure 8 shows a diaphragm spring, but other types of elastic components can be used. For example, a compressible rubber or a wave spring are possible. The clutch disc 100 has an outer lug 124 for retaining the elastic component 120. The elastic component 120 bends the outer section 116 of the friction ring 114, which is indicated by a dashed line 125 in Fig. 8 is shown.

[0015] The following description refers to Fig. 9. Fig. Figure 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of the clutch disc assembly 112. Fig. Figure 7 shows the different thicknesses of the friction material ring 114. The friction material ring 114 contains a section 126 with a compressed thickness 128 and a section 130 with a compressed thickness 132, which is greater than the thickness 128. The section 126 is axially aligned with the friction surface 104, and the section 130 with the compressed section 106. The thickness 132 is greater than the thickness 128 due to the compression of the friction material ring 114 during bonding. That is, since the section 130 is not supported by the gap 122, this section is not compressed when the clutch disc assembly is clamped in a bonding mold. In the Fig. 4 to 5 the turbine assembly 200 contains a housing 202 with a coupling disc assembly 112 and blades 204 attached to the housing 202.

[0016] The following description refers to the Fig. 10 to 11. Fig. Figure 10 is a partial view of a torque converter 300, which includes the clutch disc assembly 112. Fig. Contains 4. Fig. Figure 11 is a partial view of an alternative embodiment of the torque converter of Fig. Figure 10 shows a ring of friction material bearing against a curvature of the housing. The torque converter 300 includes a turbine assembly 200. The torque converter 300 includes a clutch disc assembly 112. The torque converter 300 includes a housing 302. When the clutch disc assembly is in a disengaged state, only section 130 of the ring of friction material bears against the housing 302. Sections 126 and 130 of the ring of friction material bear against the housing when the clutch disc assembly is in an engaged state. The housing 302 includes a friction surface 304, and section 130 of the ring of friction material is arranged to bear against the friction surface 304.

[0017] The torque converter 300 comprises an impeller 306, a cover 308, a damper 310, and a stator 312 with a freewheel clutch 314. The turbine 200 is attached to the damper 310 by a rivet 316. The turbine assembly 200 includes a bushing 318 for sealing against a (not shown) drive shaft of the gearbox. Although the friction surface 304 on the impeller is shown, other configurations are possible. For example, the friction surface 304 can be on the cover 308 (not shown). In the alternative embodiment of Fig. Figure 11 clearly shows that the section 130 of the ring made of friction material is arranged so that it rests against a curved section 320 of the housing.

[0018] The following description refers to the Fig.1 to 11. The elastic component 120 and the thicker section 130 keep the friction ring 114 in contact with the housing 302 when the clutch assembly is disengaged. When engaged, the gap created by the recessed section allows the elastic component and / or the friction ring's lamella to bend towards the clutch disc 100, bringing section 126 into contact with the friction surface 304. The contact between the friction ring 114 and the housing 302 seals the two components against each other, preventing fluid from leaking past the friction surface when the torque converter is subjected to higher pressure to engage the clutch. This allows for faster pressure build-up and reduces the clutch's response time.

[0019] One advantage is that the clutch disc assembly 112 maintains contact between the friction ring 114 and the housing 302. This improves engagement at idle (i.e., when the turbine is rotating faster than the impeller) and reduces the overall clutch response time (i.e., the engagement time). Although the above description refers to a turbine piston, the clutch disc assembly 112 can also be advantageous in a conventional clutch application with a standard piston plate.

[0020] Naturally, changes and modifications to the above examples of the disclosure should be obvious to a person skilled in the art, without altering the essential content or scope of protection of the claimed disclosure. Although the disclosure is described with reference to certain preferred and / or exemplary embodiments, it is clear that changes can be made to them without altering the scope of protection or the essential content of the claimed disclosure.

Claims

[1] Clutch disc assembly (112) comprising: a central axis (102); a clutch disc (100) comprising a first friction surface (104) and a radially outer recessed section; and a ring (114) made of friction material, which is glued to the first friction surface (104) and extends radially outside the first friction surface (104), so that an outer section of the ring (114) made of friction material is axially aligned with the radially outer recessed section of the clutch disc (100), wherein the ring (114) made of friction material comprises a first section with a first compressed thickness (128) and a second section with a second compressed thickness (132) that is greater than the first compressed thickness (128); and wherein at least one section of the first section is axially aligned with the first friction surface (104) and at least one section of the second section is axially aligned with the radially outer recessed section. [2] Clutch disc assembly (112) according to claim 1, wherein the first friction surface (104) is conical. [3] Clutch disc assembly (112) according to claim 2, wherein the radially outer recessed section is conically and axially offset from the first friction surface (104). [4] Clutch disc assembly (112) according to claim 1, which further comprises a gap (122) between the radially outer recessed section and the ring (114) made of friction material. [5] Clutch disc assembly (112) according to claim 4, which further comprises an elastic component (120) arranged in the gap (122). [6] Torque converter (300) comprising the clutch disc assembly (112) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and a housing (302), wherein: only the second section of the friction material is in contact with the housing (302) when the clutch disc assembly (112) is in a disengaged state; and the first and second sections are in contact with the housing (302) when the clutch disc assembly (112) is in an engaged state. [7] Torque converter (300) according to claim 6, wherein the housing (302) comprises a second friction surface (304) and the second section of the ring (114) made of friction material is arranged such that it rests against the second friction surface (304). [8] Torque converter (300) according to claim 6, wherein the second section of the ring (114) made of friction material is arranged such that it rests against a curved section of the housing (302).

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