Central separator device

Abstract

The invention relates to a central separator device (1) for a hydraulic separation system (2) of a clutch system (3), in particular for a motor vehicle (4), comprising a central separator housing (5) having an annular central separator piston chamber (6) in which a central separator piston (8) is axially movably accommodated by means of a hydraulic fluid (7) which can be fed to the central separator piston chamber (6), wherein the central separator piston (8) has at least one central separator piston seal (9) which seals the central separator piston (8) relative to the central separator piston chamber (6), wherein the central separator piston (8) has at least one annular guide groove (10) which extends in the axial direction and which engages into a mating piston guide ring (11) which extends in the axial direction and is provided at the central separator housing (5) such that the central separator piston (8) is axially movably guided on the piston guide ring (11).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a central separator device for a hydraulic separation system, particularly for a clutch system of a motor vehicle, comprising a central separator housing having an annular central separator piston chamber, wherein a central separator piston is axially movably accommodated in the central separator piston chamber by means of hydraulic fluid supplyable to the central separator piston chamber, wherein the central separator piston has at least one central separator piston seal that seals the central separator piston relative to the central separator piston chamber. Background Technology

[0002] Central separator devices for hydraulic separation systems, especially those used in clutch systems of motor vehicles, are well known from the prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0003] A persistent need exists to optimize central separator units in terms of their lifespan, functional reliability, and production costs. The object of this invention is therefore to provide a correspondingly improved central separator unit.

[0004] The objective is achieved by a central separator device, particularly for a hydraulic release system of a motor vehicle clutch system, comprising a central separator housing having an annular central separator piston chamber in which a central separator piston is axially movably accommodated by hydraulic fluid supplied to the central separator piston chamber. The central separator piston has at least one central separator piston seal that seals the central separator piston relative to the central separator piston chamber. The central separator piston has at least one annular, axially extending guide groove that engages with a mating, axially extending piston guide ring disposed at the central separator housing, such that the central separator piston is axially movably guided on the piston guide ring.

[0005] The main advantage of the central separator device according to the invention is that the central separator piston is internally guided, i.e., axially movably supported at the piston guide ring mating with the central separator housing via a guide groove formed in the central separator piston. This achieves greater stability during operation, preventing the central separator piston from swaying and overturning. Furthermore, the internally guided central separator piston also allows for guidance in the wet areas of the central separator device, thereby significantly reducing wear on the movable components and correspondingly improving the operational reliability of the central separator device. Moreover, this eliminates the need for the reinforcements that have been commonly used between the moving components until now.

[0006] In particular, the internally guided central separator piston, whose internal side surface is mechanically protected only by a seal, ensures that no mechanical wear is actually expected at the sealing surface, thereby enabling a high and reliable sealing effect.

[0007] First, the various elements of the claimed inventive subject matter are described in sequence, and a particularly preferred design of the inventive subject matter is described below.

[0008] The fully hydraulic clutch system of a motor vehicle can be equipped with a central clutch, which is also commonly referred to as a concentric driven cylinder (CSC). The concentric driven cylinder can in particular be a ring-shaped hydraulic central clutch cylinder with an integrated release bearing, preferably centrally located in the clutch housing between the transmission and the clutch relative to the transmission input shaft, thereby eliminating the need for a lever in the transmission housing, as is used in devices with conventional driven cylinders.

[0009] In vehicles with manually operated dry clutches, the pedal force generated by the driver is amplified and transmitted to the clutch by a mechanical device. Modern foot-operated clutches use hydraulic clutch operating mechanisms. In fully hydraulic systems, the function of the disengagement mechanism on the transmission side is performed by the central clutch (CSC – concentric driven cylinder). The central clutch is directly housed in the transmission housing between the transmission and the clutch.

[0010] Hydraulic release systems typically have a master cylinder that transmits pressure generated at the master cylinder to a driven cylinder via hydraulic pressure lines. The driven cylinder, by means of an axially movable piston and with the clutch release bearing engaged, transmits hydraulic pressure to a lever system, which can be formed, for example, by a disc spring. The disc spring loads a clutch pressure plate, which is torsionally and axially movable and connected to the clutch housing, and tensions it to a clamping plate fixedly connected to the clutch housing. A clutch disc with clutch friction plates is disposed between the clamping plate and the clutch pressure plate, which, depending on tension, forms a frictional engagement between the clamping plate and the clutch pressure plate, and the friction clutch engages or disengages when the frictional engagement is released.

[0011] The clutch system for motor vehicles has the following function: to switchably engage or disengage the driving engine side of the vehicle's powertrain from the transmission side, thereby enabling gear shifting of the transmission while driving and thus allowing the driving engine to operate within a preferred speed / torque range.

[0012] In principle, there is a distinction between manually operated clutch systems and automatic clutch systems. In a manually operated clutch system, the engagement or disengagement process is manually triggered and controlled by the driver, for example, by operating the clutch pedal through muscle movement.

[0013] In automatic clutch systems, control and operation are handled by electronic control mechanisms and actuators, eliminating the need for driver intervention in gear shifting during driving. Therefore, automatic clutch systems typically do not have a clutch pedal.

[0014] In order to enable the driver to make certain manual interventions in gear selection in an automatic clutch system, such as steering wheel buttons that are known for manual gear selection, the clutch and gear shifting processes are also automatically controlled by the clutch system.

[0015] The term "motor vehicle" in the sense of this application refers to a land-based means of transport that is moved by mechanical force and is not connected to rails. Motor vehicles can be selected from, for example, passenger vehicles (PKW), freight vehicles (LKW), small motorcycles, light motor vehicles, motorcycles, buses (KOM), or tractor-trailers.

[0016] The central separator housing can be constructed as a single piece or in multiple pieces. Preferably, the central separator housing can be formed from plastic, metal, and / or ceramic materials.

[0017] The central separator piston chamber, formed within the central separator housing, is used to house and guide the central separator piston, which is linearly movable and supported within the central separator housing.

[0018] Hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic release system of a motor vehicle serves the following function: to transfer energy in the form of pressure with minimal loss, for example, within the vehicle's clutch system. In addition to these primary functions, hydraulic fluid also provides lubrication and corrosion protection for the metal surfaces and moving parts of the hydraulic release system. Furthermore, it effectively removes contaminants (caused by wear), water, air, and lost heat.

[0019] The central separator piston has the function of converting hydraulic pressure loading into linear movement of the central separator piston, wherein the linear movement causes the clutch system to shift from an engaged operating state to a disengaged operating state. The central separator can have one annular central separator piston or multiple central separator pistons (multi-piston separator).

[0020] The central separator piston seal seals the linearly movable central separator piston relative to the central separator housing that houses the central separator piston. The central separator piston seal can particularly be configured as a sealing ring. The central separator piston seal can particularly be form-fitted to the central separator piston. Particularly preferably, the form-fitted connection between the central separator piston and the central separator piston seal is configured as a snap-fit ​​connection.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the central separator piston is advantageously formed of plastic, particularly fiber-reinforced plastic. This allows the central separator piston to be manufactured cost-effectively, and even complex component geometries can be achieved through injection molding. The strength of the central separator piston can be improved by using fiber-reinforced, particularly glass fiber-reinforced, plastic.

[0022] Furthermore, it is advantageous that the central separator housing and / or piston guide ring are formed of plastic, particularly fiber-reinforced plastic. This allows the central separator housing and / or piston guide ring to be manufactured cost-effectively, with more complex component geometries also achievable through injection molding. The strength of the central separator housing and / or piston guide ring can be improved by using fiber-reinforced, particularly glass fiber-reinforced plastic.

[0023] In an improved embodiment of the invention, it is further preferred that the central separator housing and the piston guide ring be constructed as a single piece. Particularly preferred is that the piston guide ring and the central separator housing are injection molded from plastic, thereby further optimizing production costs. It is also conceivable, in principle, to use a dual-injection molding method, such that, for example, the piston guide ring is formed from a different plastic than the central separator housing, with the two components formed as a single piece in the injection molding process.

[0024] Furthermore, it is advantageous that the piston guide ring extends into the piston chamber of the central separator, such that the piston guide ring is at least partially surrounded by hydraulic fluid. This, in principle, provides lubrication of the central separator piston relative to the piston guide ring. This configuration of the piston guide ring also enables a particularly compact axial structure.

[0025] According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the guide groove and piston guide ring of the central separator piston are preferably configured such that, in the installed state, a hydraulically permeable lubricating annular gap is formed between their contact surfaces, through which the central separator piston is lubricatedly supported on the piston guide ring. Lubrication is thus achieved along the opposing surfaces of the guide groove and piston guide ring. Particularly preferred is that the lubricating annular gap is configured such that lubrication is achieved entirely along the opposing surfaces of the guide groove and piston guide ring. Furthermore, the hydraulic fluid can remove any generated wear particles from the lubricating annular gap, preventing them from causing undesirable surface defects at the contact area between the guide groove and piston guide ring.

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the central separator piston, guide groove, piston guide ring, and central separator piston cavity are advantageously configured such that contact between the piston guide ring and the central separator piston cavity is prevented as the central separator piston moves axially on the piston guide ring. By guiding the central separator piston "inside" on the piston guide ring, swaying or overturning of the central separator piston during operation can be prevented. This is further achieved by guiding the central separator piston practically and entirely on the piston guide ring via the guide groove, rather than merely at points. This also results in a relatively elongated guide along the axial direction, which leads to greater reliability in resisting swaying and / or overturning movements of the central separator piston on the piston guide ring.

[0027] Furthermore, it is advantageous that the guide groove of the central separator piston has an axial depth corresponding to 50%-95% of the length of the central separator piston, preferably 65%-90%, and particularly preferably 75%-90%. This allows for the establishment of particularly high reliability against undesirable swaying and / or tipping movements of the central separator piston.

[0028] In an improved embodiment of the invention, it is further preferred that the guide groove and piston guide ring of the central separator piston define the end stop of the central separator piston acting in the axial direction, thereby enabling a particularly compact axial structure and simple construction of the central separator. Attached Figure Description

[0029] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, without limiting the general inventive concept. The drawings are merely illustrative and are for understanding the invention only. Identical elements are given the same reference numerals. Different features of different embodiments can also be freely combined with each other to the extent technically feasible.

[0030] The attached diagram shows:

[0031] Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of the central separator device according to the present invention is shown.

[0032] Figure 2 A schematic cross-sectional view of the central separator device according to the present invention is shown, and

[0033] Figure 3 A schematic block diagram of a motor vehicle having a central separator device according to the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0034] Figure 1 An embodiment of the central separator device 1 of the hydraulic separation system 2 of the clutch system 3 for a motor vehicle 4 is shown, as exemplarily described in... Figure 3 Described in the text.

[0035] The central separator device 1 includes a central separator housing 5 having an annular central separator piston chamber 6, in which a central separator piston 8 is axially movably accommodated by hydraulic fluid 7 supplied to the central separator piston chamber 6. The central separator piston 8 has two central separator piston seals 9 that seal the central separator piston 8 relative to the central separator piston chamber 6.

[0036] The central separator piston 8 is characterized by an annular, axially extending guide groove 10, which engages with a mating, axially extending piston guide ring 11 disposed at the central separator housing 5, such that the central separator piston 8 is axially movable and guided on the piston guide ring 11. The guide groove 10... Figure 1 The illustrated embodiment is configured in a ring shape.

[0037] Despite Figure 1 Not shown, but in principle, it is also possible for the guide groove 10 to have annular sections with different axial groove depths, which engage with a piston guide ring having a corresponding piston guide annular section. This would allow for further optimization or adjustment of friction and support between the components.

[0038] If the hydraulic pressure is increased by means of the hydraulic fluid 7 in the piston chamber 6 of the central separator, such as in Figure 1 As indicated by the arrow, the central separator piston 8 moves linearly to the left on the piston guide ring 11 from its indicated end position, as indicated by the arrow.

[0039] In the illustrated embodiment, the central separator piston 8 is formed of plastic, particularly fiber-reinforced plastic. The central separator housing 5 and the piston guide ring 11 are formed of plastic, particularly fiber-reinforced plastic, in one piece.

[0040] The piston guide ring 11 thus extends into the central separator piston chamber 6, such that the piston guide ring 11 is at least partially surrounded by hydraulic fluid 7. The guide groove 10 of the central separator piston 8 and the piston guide ring 11 are further configured such that, in the installed state, the guide groove and the piston guide ring form a lubricating annular gap 12 permeable to hydraulic fluid 7 between their contact surfaces, through which the central separator piston 8 is lubricatedly supported on the piston guide ring 11.

[0041] according to Figure 1It is also evident that the central separator piston 8, guide groove 10, piston guide ring 11, and central separator piston chamber 6 are configured such that when the central separator piston 8 moves axially on the piston guide ring 11, contact between the piston guide ring 11 and the central separator piston chamber 6 is prevented. This is essentially achieved by guiding the central separator piston 8 entirely within the piston guide ring 10 via the inner side surface of the guide groove 10, thereby minimizing the possibility of the central separator piston 8 swaying or overturning.

[0042] This is also based on Figure 2 The guide groove 10 of the central separator piston 8, as shown here, has an axial depth 13, which corresponds to 50%-95% of the axial length 14 of the central separator piston 8, preferably 65%-90%, and particularly preferably 75%-90%, thereby providing sufficiently reliable guidance on the piston guide ring 10. At its two end positions... Figure 2 In the end position shown, the piston guide ring 10 is completely submerged in the guide groove 10 of the central separator piston 8. The guide groove 10 and piston guide ring 11 of the central separator piston 8 thus define the end stop of the central separator piston 8 acting in the axial direction.

[0043] from Figure 2 As can also be seen, in the cross-section, the radially outer support leg of the U-shaped guide groove 10 is shorter axially than the radially inner support leg. This allows for significant weight and material savings without compromising the stable guidance of the central separator piston 8.

[0044] Figure 1 Furthermore, it is shown that the central separator unit 1 can be connected to the hydraulic control and actuator unit 15 via its high-pressure hydraulic line, which supplies hydraulic fluid 7 for operating the central separator piston 8 to the central separator piston chamber 6. In principle, leakage of hydraulic fluid 7 can occur at the contact surface between the seal 9 and the inner side surface of the central separator piston chamber 6, as shown in… Figure 1 As schematically shown, the leakage flow of hydraulic fluid 7 in the illustrated embodiment is intercepted and stored in an oil pan (not shown in detail). The hydraulic control and actuator unit 15 delivers hydraulic fluid 7 from the oil pan located on the low-pressure side of the hydraulic separation system and loads the central separator piston chamber 6 with the pressurized hydraulic fluid 7. Therefore, it is theoretically feasible to replenish the leakage flow of hydraulic fluid 7 from the central separator housing 5.

[0045] The directional descriptions used in this application, including axial, radial, tangential, and / or circumferential directions, refer to the imaginary axes of rotation of the respective associated or described components.

[0046] The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. The above description should therefore not be considered limiting, but rather illustrative. This does not preclude the existence of other features. As long as the foregoing description defines "first" and "second" features, the terms are used to distinguish two similar features, without specifying an order.

[0047] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0048] 1. Central Separator Unit

[0049] 2 Hydraulic separation system

[0050] 3-clutch system

[0051] 4 motor vehicles

[0052] 5. Central Separator Housing

[0053] 6. Central separator piston chamber

[0054] 7. Hydraulic fluid

[0055] 8. Central separator piston

[0056] 9. Central separator piston seal

[0057] 10 Guide slots

[0058] 11 Piston guide ring

[0059] 12 Lubricating annular gap

[0060] 13 Axial depth

[0061] 14 Axial length

[0062] 15 Hydraulic control and actuator unit

Claims

1. A central decoupler device (1) for a hydraulic decoupling system (2) of a clutch system (3) of a motor vehicle (4), comprising: Central separator housing (5) with an annular central separator piston chamber (6), in which a central separator piston (8) is axially movably accommodated by means of a hydraulic fluid (7) which can be fed to the central separator piston chamber (6), wherein the central separator piston (8) has at least one central separator piston seal (9) which seals the central separator piston (8) relative to the central separator piston chamber (6), characterized in that the central separator piston (8) has at least one annular guide groove (10) which extends in the axial direction and which engages into a piston guide ring (11) which extends in the axial direction and which is provided at the central separator housing (5), such that the central separator piston (8) is axially movably guided on the piston guide ring (11), the guide groove (10) of the central separator piston (8) and the piston guide ring (11) being configured such that, in the mounted state, between their contact faces they form a lubricating annular gap (12) which is permeable to the hydraulic fluid (7), by means of which the central separator piston (8) is lubricatingly supported on the piston guide ring (11).

2. Central separator device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the central separator piston (8), the central separator housing (5) and / or the piston guide ring (11) are formed from plastic.

3. Central separator device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the central separator piston (8), the central separator housing (5) and / or the piston guide ring (11) are formed from a fiber-reinforced plastic.

4. Central separator device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the central separator housing (5) and the piston guide ring (11) are formed in one piece.

5. Central separator device (1) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the piston guide ring (11) projects into the central separator piston chamber (6) such that it is at least partially surrounded by the hydraulic fluid (7).

6. Central separator device (1) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the central separator piston (8), the guide groove (10), the piston guide ring (11) and the central separator piston chamber (6) are configured such that, when the central separator piston (8) is moved axially on the piston guide ring (11), the piston guide ring (11) is prevented from coming into contact with the central separator piston chamber (6).

7. Central separator device (1) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the guide groove (10) of the central separator piston (8) has an axial depth (13) which is 50% to 95% of the axial length (14) of the central separator piston (8).

8. Central separator device (1) according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the guide groove (10) of the central separator piston (8) has an axial depth (13) which is 65-90% of the axial length (14) of the central separator piston (8).

9. Central separator device (1) according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the guide groove (10) of the central separator piston (8) has an axial depth (13) which is 75-90% of the axial length (14) of the central separator piston (8).

10. Central separator device (1) according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the piston guide ring (11) and the guide groove (10) of the central separator piston (8) define an end stop of the central separator piston (8) acting in axial direction.

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