Self-adjusting mechanism for operating a clutch, clutch assembly, and vehicle

Abstract

The present invention provides a self-adjusting mechanism for operating a clutch. The self-adjusting mechanism includes: an actuator including a piston; a sleeve; and a self-adjusting locking device that can be self-adjustingly switched to an unlocked state so as to compensate for the wear of the clutch through the axial movement of the sleeve. The locking device includes a pressing body disposed in the piston and axially movably coupled to the piston. In the locked state of the locking device, the pressing body moves radially and presses against the sleeve, while in the unlocked state, the pressing body is radially released. The present invention also relates to a corresponding clutch assembly and a vehicle. The advantages of the present invention are that the structure of the self-adjusting mechanism is simple and compact and has a very small axial dimension, making it applicable to various vehicles.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a self - adjusting mechanism for operating a clutch, a clutch assembly having the self - adjusting mechanism and a clutch, and a vehicle having the self - adjusting mechanism or the clutch assembly. Background Art

[0002] In the prior art, a self - adjusting clutch actuator for a vehicle clutch is known, which includes an axially movable piston arranged to act on the vehicle clutch through a transmission member. A compensation mechanism is provided between the piston and the transmission member, and the compensation mechanism can be switched between an unlocked state and a locked state. The compensation mechanism includes a sleeve and a fitting having a lead screw. The sleeve has an internal thread at one axial end for cooperating with the lead screw and a locking body at the other end for locking with the piston. Based on the axial separation of the sleeve relative to the piston, the piston is unlocked from the fitting. The disadvantage of the prior art is that the axially extending sleeve greatly increases the axial dimension of the clutch actuator, so that a large installation space is required in the vehicle, which conflicts with the increasingly tight installation space inside the vehicle. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a self - adjusting mechanism for operating a clutch, which can significantly reduce the size, thereby saving installation space and being applicable to various vehicles.

[0004] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a self - adjusting mechanism for operating a clutch, the self - adjusting mechanism including: an actuator including a piston which is driven to perform an axial movement when the actuator is started; a bush sleeve which is axially movement - coupled with a release bearing assembly of the clutch; and a self - adjusting locking device which can be self - adjusted to switch to an unlocked state when the piston is in an initial position when the actuator is not started, so that the bush sleeve and the piston are axially movement - decoupled, and thus the wear of the clutch can be compensated based on the axial movement of the bush sleeve relative to the piston. The locking device includes a pressing body which is arranged in the piston and is axially movement - coupled with the piston. In the locked state of the locking device, the pressing body moves radially and presses against the bush sleeve, so that the piston and the bush sleeve are axially movement - coupled, and in the unlocked state of the locking device, the axial movement of the piston and the bush sleeve is decoupled based on the release of the pressing body in the radial direction.

[0005] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the locking device further includes a pressing plate and a first pressure spring. The first pressure spring axially presses the pressing plate towards the piston. When the pressing plate axially presses against the piston, the pressing plate presses the pressing body against the bush sleeve.

[0006] According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the locking device further includes a stop structure for the pressure plate. The stop structure can be arranged on the housing of the actuator or the pressure plate. A first opening is provided on the piston for the axial passage of the stop structure. When the piston is in the initial position when the actuator is not activated, the stop structure passes through the first opening to form a stop, such that the pressure plate is lifted from the piston against the spring force of the first pressure spring, so that the clamping body is radially released and the piston and the bushing are axially decoupled. When the piston moves out of the initial position, the stop structure no longer stops, such that the first pressure spring presses the pressure plate against the piston again, so that the pressure plate presses the clamping body against the bushing and the piston and the bushing are axially coupled again.

[0007] According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a second pressure spring is arranged between the release bearing assembly and the piston.

[0008] According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the pressure plate has an inclined surface. The pressure plate can press the clamping body with the inclined surface, so that the axial spring force of the first pressure spring on the pressure plate is converted into a radial pressing force on the clamping body via the inclined surface.

[0009] According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the piston is annular and has a U-shaped profile in cross-section, and the U-shaped profile opens towards the release bearing assembly. The inner piston ring of the piston has a shoulder, which is composed of a first inner piston ring portion and a second inner piston ring portion extending axially and a third inner piston ring portion extending radially. The first inner piston ring portion is adapted to act on the bushing via the clamping body, while the second inner piston ring portion is radially offset outward relative to the first inner piston ring portion and is connected to the first inner piston ring portion via the third inner piston ring portion. The first opening is arranged in the third inner piston ring portion, and the clamping body is arranged in the second opening of the first inner piston ring portion.

[0010] According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the housing is annular and has a U-shaped profile in cross-section, and the U-shaped profile opens towards the release bearing assembly. The cylindrical inner housing of the housing guides the bushing. The housing includes a boss, and the boss is complementary in shape to the shoulder of the inner piston ring. A groove is provided between the boss and the inner housing for the axial movement of the bushing when compensating for the wear of the clutch. The stop structure is arranged on the boss corresponding to the position of the first opening.

[0011] According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the pressure plate is annular and has an L-shaped profile in cross-section. The first L-shaped side of the pressure plate is adapted to press against the third inner piston ring portion of the piston, while the second side is supported and guided on the first inner piston ring portion of the piston.

[0012] According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the release bearing assembly includes a release bearing and an end cover. The end cover is fixed to the sleeve and covers the open side of the piston. A second pressure spring is arranged between the end cover and the bottom wall of the piston.

[0013] According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the self-adjusting mechanism includes the release bearing assembly.

[0014] According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the pressing body is a ball or a cylindrical rolling pin.

[0015] According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, at least four pressing bodies are circumferentially arranged in the piston.

[0016] According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the actuator is a pneumatic cylinder.

[0017] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a clutch assembly is provided. The clutch assembly includes a clutch and a self-adjusting mechanism for operating the clutch.

[0018] According to a third aspect of the present invention, a vehicle is provided. The vehicle has the aforementioned self-adjusting mechanism for operating the clutch or has the aforementioned clutch assembly.

[0019] The positive effect of the present invention is that the self-adjusting mechanism of the present invention can self-adjustingly compensate for the wear of the clutch with a simple and compact locking device, and the overall size of the self-adjusting mechanism is significantly reduced, so as to adapt to the increasingly stringent installation space requirements of the vehicle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail by referring to the accompanying drawings, and the principles, features and advantages of the present invention can be better understood. The drawings include:

[0021] Figure 1 A cross-sectional view showing an example of the self-adjusting mechanism of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 Shown in enlarged view Figure 1 of the area of the locking device of the self-adjusting structure, the locking device being in the locked state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0023] In order to make the technical problems to be solved, technical solutions and beneficial technical effects of the present invention clearer, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and multiple exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention, rather than to limit the protection scope of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 1An example of a self - adjusting mechanism 1 for operating a clutch according to the present invention is shown in a sectional view. The self - adjusting mechanism 1 includes an actuator, which includes a piston 101 that can be driven to perform an axial movement when the actuator is activated. The piston 101 is arranged, for example, in a housing 102 of the actuator. The self - adjusting mechanism 1 further includes a sleeve 20, which can be arranged, for example, radially inside the piston 101 and in particular can have a radial clearance with respect to the piston 101. The sleeve 20 is at least axially movement - coupled to a release bearing assembly of the clutch. The release bearing assembly operates the release fingers of the clutch to disengage and engage the clutch. The self - adjusting mechanism 1 also includes a self - adjusting locking device that axially movement - couples the piston 101 and the sleeve 20 in a locked state and axially decouples the piston 101 and the sleeve 20 in an unlocked state. When the piston 101 is in an initial position when the actuator is not activated - - the initial position is, for example, the right - most position of the piston 101 in the housing 102 in the illustration - - the locking device can self - adjustably switch to the unlocked state so that wear of the clutch can be compensated based on the axial movement of the sleeve 20 relative to the piston 101.

[0025] The locking device includes a pressing body 401 (see Figure 2 ), the pressing body 401 is arranged in the piston 101 and is axially movement - coupled to the piston 101. In the locked state of the locking device, the pressing body 401 moves radially, in particular moves radially beyond the contour of the piston 101 and presses against the sleeve 20, so that the piston 101 and the sleeve 20 are axially movement - coupled, while in the unlocked state of the locking device, the pressing body 401 is released radially, so that the piston 101 and the sleeve 20 are axially decoupled. Since the pressing body 401 is arranged in the piston 101 and the switching between the locked state and the unlocked state of the locking device is only carried out by the radial movement of the pressing body 401, the locking device has basically no influence on the axial dimension of the entire self - adjusting mechanism, and the axial dimension of the self - adjusting mechanism of the present invention is significantly reduced compared with known mechanisms. The pressing body 401 is a ball in the illustration, but can alternatively have other shapes, such as cylindrical rolling pins, etc. For example, at least four pressing bodies can be arranged circumferentially in the piston.

[0026] Figure 2 Shown in an enlarged view Figure 1 the area of the locking device of the self - adjusting mechanism 1.

[0027] The locking device may also include, for example, a pressure plate 402 and a first pressure spring 403. The first pressure spring 403 may be arranged, for example, between the release bearing assembly and the pressure plate 402 and axially presses the pressure plate 402 against the piston 101. When the pressure plate 402 presses against the piston 101 axially, the pressure plate 402 presses the pressing body 401 against the bushing 20. A snap ring 60 may be provided, for example, on the piston, and the snap ring 60 can prevent the pressure plate 402 from disengaging from the piston 101 in the direction of the release bearing assembly.

[0028] The locking device may further include a stop structure 404 for the pressure plate 402. In the illustration, the stop structure 404 is arranged on the housing 102 of the actuator. However, it is also conceivable that the stop structure 404 is arranged on the pressure plate. A first opening 1011 is provided on the piston 101 for the stop structure 404 to axially pass through. When the piston 101 is in the initial position when the actuator is not activated, the stop structure 404 passes through the first opening 1011 to form a stop, which is on the pressure plate 402 in the illustration, so that the pressure plate 402 is lifted from the piston 101 against the spring force of the first pressure spring 403, thereby releasing the pressing body 401 radially. When the piston 101 moves out of the initial position, the stop structure 404 no longer stops, and in the illustration, disengages from the pressure plate 402, so that the first pressure spring 403 presses the pressure plate 402 against the piston 101 again, and thus the pressure plate 402 presses the pressing body 401 against the bushing 20.

[0029] The pressure plate 402, the first pressure spring 403 and the stop structure 404 of the locking device for self - adjustably pressing and releasing the pressing body 401 are only exemplary. For example, it is also conceivable that the locking device has an electric drive device instead of the first pressure spring 403 and the stop structure 404, and the electric drive device drives the pressure plate 402 or directly drives the pressing body 401 to cancel the pressure plate according to the position of the piston 101.

[0030] A second pressure spring 50 is arranged between the release bearing assembly and the piston 101 for balancing with the reaction force from the clutch release fingers in the initial state of the piston 101. The elastic modulus, diameter and / or length of the second pressure spring 50 are, for example, greater than those of the first pressure spring 403.

[0031] The pressure plate 402 may have an inclined surface 4021, and the pressure plate 402 can press the pressing body 401 with the inclined surface 4021, so that the axial spring force of the first pressure spring 403 on the pressure plate 402 is converted into a radial pressing force on the pressing body 401 via the inclined surface 4021.

[0032] The piston 101 can be annular, for example, and has a U-shaped profile in cross-section, the U-shaped profile being open in the direction of the release bearing assembly. The inner piston ring of the piston 101 has a shoulder 1012 (see Figure 2), the shoulder 1012 being composed of a first axially extending inner piston ring part and a second axially extending inner piston ring part and a third radially extending inner piston ring part. The first inner piston ring part is adapted to act on the bushing 20 via the pressing body 401, the second inner piston ring part is radially offset outward relative to the first inner piston ring part and is connected to the first inner piston ring part via the third inner piston ring part. The first opening 1011 is arranged in the third inner piston ring part, while the pressing body 401 is arranged in the second opening of the first inner piston ring part.

[0033] The housing 102 can be annular and has a U-shaped profile in cross-section, the U-shaped profile being open in the direction of the release bearing assembly. The cylindrical inner housing ring 1021 of the housing 102 guides the bushing 20, in particular by means of the first guide ring 701. The housing 102 can include a boss 1022, the boss 1022 being complementary in shape to the shoulder 1012 of the inner piston ring. A groove 1023 can be provided between the boss 1022 and the inner housing ring 1021, the groove 1023 being provided for the axial movement of the bushing when compensating for the wear of the clutch. The stop structure 404 can be arranged on the boss 1022 corresponding to the position of the first opening 1011.

[0034] The pressure plate 402 is annular, for example, and has an L-shaped profile in cross-section. The L-shaped first side of the pressure plate is adapted to bear against the third inner piston ring part of the piston 101, while the second side is supported and guided on the first inner piston ring part of the piston 101.

[0035] The release bearing assembly includes, for example, a release bearing 301 and an end cap 302. The end cap 302 has a central hole, for example, and the bushing 20 is installed in the central hole of the end cap 302. The end cap 302 is positively and / or frictionally and / or by means of additional fixing elements fixed to the bushing 20 and covers the open side of the piston. The second pressure spring 50 is arranged, for example, between the end cap 302 and the bottom wall of the piston 101.

[0036] A dust cover 90 can be provided, the dust cover 90 being fixed to the housing 102 on the outside, for example, by bolts and being fixed to the release bearing assembly on the inside, for example, between the release bearing 301 and the end cap 302.

[0037] In the illustration, the actuator is exemplarily configured as a pneumatic cylinder. On the right side of the piston 101, a main air chamber is delimited by the piston 101 and the housing 102. A first sealing ring 801 and a second sealing ring 802 may be provided between the piston 101 and the housing 102 so as to enable the sealing of the main air chamber. A second guide ring 702 may also be provided for guiding the piston. The housing 102 may have an air inlet and an air outlet. The air inlet is in communication with the main air chamber, and the air outlet may be connected, for example, to a second chamber located on the left side of the piston in the housing 102. An electromagnetic valve unit for the air inlet and the air outlet may be provided. When the actuator is started, the electromagnetic valve unit can, for example, connect the air inlet to a compressed gas source so that the compressed gas can enter the main air chamber via the air inlet, thereby driving the piston to move leftward. When the actuator is not started, the electromagnetic valve unit can, for example, connect the air inlet to the air outlet, whereby the main air chamber is depressurized. Here, the gas in the main air chamber can, for example, reach the air outlet from the air inlet via the electromagnetic valve unit and enter the second chamber, so that the reaction force of the clutch release finger and the spring force of the second pressure spring 50 return the piston to the initial position. A filtering device may also be provided, and the gas enters the second chamber only after being filtered by the filtering device.

[0038] The following describes the working mode of the self-adjusting mechanism by taking a pneumatic cylinder as an example of the actuator:

[0039] When the actuator is not started, due to the reaction force of the clutch release finger and the action of the second pressure spring 50, the piston 101 is in the initial position at the rightmost side of the inner cavity of the housing 102. At this time, the stop structure 404 pushes up the pressure plate 402 through the first opening 1011 located in the piston 101, especially the third piston inner ring portion of the piston 101, so that the pressure plate 402 is lifted from the piston 101 against the spring force of the first spring 403. Thereby, the pressure plate 402, especially the inclined surface 4021 of the pressure plate 402, no longer presses the pressing body 401 radially against the bushing 20, so that the pressing body 401 is radially released. Here, the locking device is in the unlocked state and the bushing 20 and the piston 101 are axially decoupled. The bushing 20 is in the force balance position at the rightmost side, where the reaction force from the release finger on the left side of the bushing and the spring forces from the first pressure spring and the second pressure spring on the right side reach force balance.

[0040] To disengage the clutch, air is introduced into the air inlet by controlling the solenoid valve unit, thereby establishing air pressure in the main air chamber. This air pressure pushes the piston 101 to move leftward against the spring force of the second pressure spring 50. After the piston has moved slightly leftward, the stop structure 404 disengages from the pressure plate 402, whereupon the first pressure spring 403 presses the pressure plate 402 against the piston 101 again, especially against the third inner piston ring portion of the piston 101. As a result, the pressure plate 402, especially the inclined surface 4021 of the pressure plate 402, presses the clamping body 401 radially inward against the sleeve 20. The locking device switches to the locked state and the sleeve 20 and the piston 101 are axially motion-coupled. Thereafter, the piston 101 pushes the release bearing assembly leftward via the sleeve 20 and disengages the clutch.

[0041] To engage the clutch again, the air inlet is exhausted by controlling the solenoid valve unit, and the gas in the main air chamber reaches the second chamber in the housing. The reaction force of the clutch release fingers pushes the release bearing assembly and the sleeve 20 to move rightward. The sleeve 20 pushes the piston 101 rightward via the locking device as well, until the locking device is converted to the unlocked state by the stop structure 404 lifting the pressure plate 402. After the locking device is converted to the unlocked state, the spring force of the second pressure spring 50 causes the piston to return to its initial position on the far right.

[0042] When there is wear in the clutch, the release bearing 301 still needs to move further rightward after completing the engagement stroke in the non-worn condition. At this time, the piston 101 is in the initial position and the locking device is in the unlocked state, enabling the sleeve 20 to continue moving rightward relative to the piston 101 based on the reaction force of the clutch on the release bearing 301 until a new force balance is established. The distance that the sleeve 20 continues to move is equivalent to the wear amount of the clutch.

[0043] Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail herein, they are given for purposes of explanation only and should not be considered as limiting the scope of the present invention. Various substitutions, alterations, and modifications can be conceived without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0044] List of reference numerals

[0045] 1 Self-adjusting mechanism

[0046] 101 Piston

[0047] 1011 First opening

[0048] 1012 Shoulder

[0049] 102 Housing

[0050] 1021 Inner housing ring

[0051] 1022 Boss

[0052] 1023 groove

[0053] 20 bushing

[0054] 301 release bearing

[0055] 302 end cover

[0056] 401 pressing body

[0057] 402 pressure plate

[0058] 4021 inclined plane

[0059] 403 first pressure spring

[0060] 404 stop structure

[0061] 50 second pressure spring

[0062] 60 snap ring

[0063] 701 first guide ring

[0064] 702 second guide ring

[0065] 801 first sealing ring

[0066] 802 second sealing ring

[0067] 90 dust cover

Claims

1. A self - adjusting mechanism (1) for operating a clutch, the self - adjusting mechanism (1) comprising: An actuator including a piston (101), which is driven to perform an axial movement when the actuator is activated; A sleeve (20) that is axially movably coupled to the release bearing assembly of the clutch; And A self - adjusting locking device that can self - adjustably switch to an unlocked state when the piston (101) is in an initial position with the actuator not activated, such that the sleeve (20) and the piston (101) are axially decoupled in movement, so that wear of the clutch can be compensated for by axial movement of the sleeve relative to the piston; Wherein, the locking device includes a pressing body (401) arranged in the piston (101) and axially movably coupled to the piston (101). In the locked state of the locking device, the pressing body (401) moves radially and presses against the sleeve (20), so that the piston (101) and the sleeve (20) are axially coupled in movement. In the unlocked state of the locking device, the axial movement decoupling of the piston (101) and the sleeve (20) is achieved based on the release of the pressing body (401) in the radial direction; Wherein, the locking device further includes a pressure plate (402) and a first pressure spring (403). The first pressure spring (403) axially presses the pressure plate (402) towards the piston (101). When the pressure plate (402) axially presses against the piston (101), the pressure plate (402) presses the pressing body (401) against the sleeve (20).

2. The self - adjusting mechanism according to claim 1, wherein, The locking device further includes a stop structure (404) for the pressure plate (402). A first opening (1011) through which the stop structure (404) axially passes is provided on the piston (101). When the piston (101) is in the initial position with the actuator not activated, the stop structure (404) passes through the first opening (1011) to form a stop, such that the pressure plate (402) is lifted from the piston (101) against the spring force of the first pressure spring (403), so that the pressing body (401) is released in the radial direction. When the piston (101) moves out of the initial position, the stop structure (404) no longer stops, such that the first pressure spring (403) presses the pressure plate (402) against the piston (101) again, so that the pressure plate (402) presses the pressing body (401) against the sleeve (20).

3. The self - adjusting mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, A second pressure spring (50) is arranged between the piston (101) and the release bearing assembly.

4. The self - adjusting mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The pressing plate (402) has an inclined surface (4021). The pressing plate (402) can press the pressing body (401) with the inclined surface (4021), so that the axial spring force of the first pressure spring (403) on the pressing plate (402) is converted into a radial pressing force on the pressing body (401) via the inclined surface (4021).

5. The self-adjusting mechanism according to claim 2, wherein The piston (101) is annular and has a U-shaped profile in cross-section. The U-shaped profile opens towards the direction of the release bearing assembly. The inner piston ring of the piston (101) has a shoulder (1012), which is composed of an axially extending first inner piston ring part and a second inner piston ring part and a radially extending third inner piston ring part. The first inner piston ring part is adapted to act on the bushing (20) via the pressing body (401). The second inner piston ring part is radially offset outward relative to the first inner piston ring part and is connected to the first inner piston ring part via the third inner piston ring part. The first opening (1011) is arranged in the third inner piston ring part. The pressing body (401) is arranged in the second opening of the first inner piston ring part.

6. The self-adjusting mechanism according to claim 5, wherein The actuator includes a housing (102) for arranging the piston (101). The housing (102) is annular and has a U-shaped profile in cross-section. The U-shaped profile opens towards the direction of the release bearing assembly. The cylindrical inner housing (1021) of the housing (102) guides the bushing (20). The housing (102) includes a boss (1022), which is complementary in shape to the shoulder (1012) of the inner piston ring. A groove (1023) is provided between the boss (1022) and the inner housing (1021). The groove (1023) is provided for the axial movement of the bushing (20) when compensating for the wear of the clutch. The stop structure (404) is arranged on the boss (1022) corresponding to the position of the first opening (1011); and / or The pressing plate (402) is annular and has an L-shaped profile in cross-section. The first L-shaped side of the pressing plate (402) is adapted to press against the third inner piston ring part of the piston (101), while the second side is supported and guided on the first inner piston ring part of the piston (101); and / or The release bearing assembly includes a release bearing (301) and an end cap (302). The end cap (302) is fixed on the bushing (20) and covers the open side of the piston (101). A second pressure spring (50) is arranged between the end cap (302) and the bottom wall of the piston (101).

7. The self-adjusting mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The self-adjusting mechanism (1) includes the release bearing assembly; and / or The pressing body (401) is a ball or a cylindrical rolling pin; and / or At least four pressing bodies (401) are circumferentially arranged in the piston (101); and / or The actuator is a pneumatic cylinder.

8. A clutch assembly, the clutch assembly comprising a clutch and a self-adjusting mechanism (1) for operating the clutch according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A vehicle having a self-adjusting mechanism (1) for operating a clutch according to any one of claims 1 to 7 or having a clutch assembly according to claim 8.

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