Actuation device for two clutches and hybrid transmission and dual clutch transmission

Abstract

The invention relates to an actuation device (1) for actuating two clutches (2, 3), comprising a first selector fork (4) which can be adjusted in a first actuation direction against a first restoring force in order to actuate a first clutch (2), and a second selector fork (5) which can be adjusted in a second actuation direction against a second restoring force in order to actuate a second clutch (3), the first actuation device and the second actuation device being oriented in opposite directions to one another. Furthermore, the invention relates to a hybrid transmission (17) comprising the actuation device (1) and to a dual-clutch transmission (21) comprising the actuation device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an actuation device for actuating / switching two clutches, particularly two clutches in a hybrid transmission. The clutches to be actuated are preferably form-fit clutches, such as claw clutches. Each form-fit clutch can be formed, for example, by a sliding sleeve carrier, a sliding sleeve, and a clutch body. The actuation device has a first selector fork that can be adjusted against a first (axial) restoring force in a first actuation direction to actuate the first clutch, particularly to disengage the first clutch. The first selector fork is preferably engaged in the sliding sleeve of the first clutch to be actuated. The actuation device has a second selector fork that can be adjusted against a second (axial) restoring force in a second actuation direction to actuate the second clutch, particularly to disengage the second clutch. The second selector fork is preferably engaged in the sliding sleeve of the second clutch to be actuated. Furthermore, this invention relates to a hybrid transmission having such an actuation device and a dual-clutch transmission having such an actuation device. Background Technology

[0002] Actuation devices are known in the prior art. For example, US2017 / 0051826 A1 or WO 2017 / 140961A1 discloses a clutch actuation device for a claw clutch, which is formed by a sliding sleeve carrier, a sliding sleeve and a clutch body, and the clutch actuation device is realized by means of an actuator and a spring.

[0003] In particular, in hybrid transmissions comprising two electric motors and an internal combustion engine, as known for example from DE 10 2018103 245A1, where one motor essentially functions as a generator and is firmly connected to the internal combustion engine, and the other motor essentially functions as a drive motor / traction motor / traction machine, it is necessary to be able to switch between different operating modes. Specifically, it should be possible to switch between series hybrid mode, parallel hybrid mode, and combustion mode.

[0004] Series hybrid mode is understood to mean that the internal combustion engine no longer has a mechanical / torque transmission connection to the drive shaft / output shaft. The internal combustion engine drives the first motor, which primarily functions as a generator, and the first motor then supplies power to the second motor, which primarily functions as a traction / drive motor, or charges the battery. The drive shaft is driven by the second motor. Parallel hybrid mode is understood to mean that the internal combustion engine has a mechanical / torque transmission connection to the drive shaft / output shaft. The second motor can idle, boost, or resume operation. This mode is understood to mean that the second motor is disconnected from the drive shaft and only the internal combustion engine (along with the first motor) is connected to the drive shaft.

[0005] In order to switch between these operating modes, a first clutch (arranged between the internal combustion engine and the output shaft) and a second clutch (arranged between the second electric motor and the output shaft) are used in the hybrid transmission to enable the internal combustion engine and the first electric motor to be connected or the second electric motor to be connected to or disconnected from the drive shaft.

[0006] However, existing technology has always had the drawback that it is necessary to be able to actuate two clutches independently for the desired switching state, which means that when using known clutch actuation devices, there is a lot or double the work involved. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to avoid or at least mitigate the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, a robust and cost-effective actuation device for independently actuating two clutches will be provided.

[0008] According to the invention, this objective is achieved in a universal device, wherein the first actuation direction and the second actuation direction are oriented in opposite directions to each other. This means that the action directions of the two clutches are opposite to each other, and therefore the geometry and configuration are chosen such that the first actuation direction is opposite to the second actuation direction.

[0009] The advantage of this is that the two clutches can be actuated by the same actuator, but can be engaged independently of each other simultaneously. This reduces the number of components required for the actuator system and provides a particularly cost-effective actuation device. Specifically, switching can be performed between states where both clutches are engaged, between states where only the first clutch is engaged (while the other is disengaged), and between states where only the second clutch is engaged (while the other is disengaged). With the structure according to the invention, only one clutch can be disengaged at a time, but the two clutches can be engaged independently of each other.

[0010] In other words, for example, the two selector forks in the actuation device according to the invention can each act in the axial direction by a preload / restoring force, each selector fork being pressed into the closed / engaged switching position, i.e., pressed into the position where the clutch to be actuated is engaged, via this preload / restoring force. Conversely, each selector fork can be pressed into the open / disengaged engagement switching position, i.e., pressed into the position where the clutch to be actuated is disengaged, by means of the opposite orientation of the preload / restoring force or the actuation direction. The two selector forks can be switched via the same actuator, because when the actuator is adjusted in the first actuation direction, the first selector fork switches from the engaged switching position to the disengaged engagement switching position, while the second selector fork is held in the engaged switching position or returns from the disengaged engagement switching position to the engaged switching position by a second restoring force (acting in the direction of the first actuation direction). Therefore, when the actuator is adjusted in the second actuation direction, the second selector fork is adjusted from the engagement switching position to the disengagement engagement switching position, while the first selector fork is held in the engagement switching position or returns from the disengagement engagement switching position to the engagement switching position by a first restoring force (acting in the direction of the second actuation direction). In this way, a particularly simple synchronization device can be realized.

[0011] Advantageous embodiments are claimed in the dependent claims and are described in more detail below.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment, the actuation device may have a (preloaded) spring axially arranged between a first selector fork and a second selector fork, such that the spring applies a first restoring force and a second restoring force. This means that a preload acts axially between the two selector forks, and the two selector forks are pushed apart by the spring, causing the sliding sleeves to engage with the clutch bodies respectively and the two form-fit clutches to engage. Therefore, using a single preloaded spring is sufficient, which implements the actuation device in a cost-effective manner.

[0013] According to an alternative preferred embodiment, the actuation device may have a first spring for applying a first restoring force and a second spring for applying a second restoring force. Specifically, the actuation device may have a (transmission) housing, and a first selector fork and a second selector fork may be axially displaced relative to the housing for adjustment of the first and second selector forks. In an alternative preferred embodiment, the first spring may be arranged between the housing and the first selector fork, and / or the second spring may be arranged between the housing and the second selector fork. This means that two separate preload springs (each acting between the selector fork and the housing) can also be used instead of a single preload spring. The resulting directions of action on the selector forks must remain the same, i.e., opposite to each other.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, the actuating device may have an actuator having two opposing actuating surfaces, a first actuating surface for adjustment acting on a first selector fork and a second actuating surface for adjustment acting on a second selector fork. Depending on the actuation direction of the actuator, either the first actuating surface or the second actuating surface can be effectively engaged.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment, the actuator may have three switching positions. In a first switching position, such as the center position, the actuator does not act on either of the selector forks. In a second switching position, in which the second actuating surface presses against the second selector fork, the actuator acts only on the second selector fork (and not on the first selector fork), thus the second selector fork pushes the associated sliding sleeve out of its engagement and disengages the second clutch. In a third switching position, in which the first actuating surface presses against the first selector fork, the actuator acts only on the first selector fork (and not on the second selector fork), thus the first selector fork pushes the associated sliding sleeve out of its engagement and disengages the first clutch. Therefore, switching between three different operating modes can be easily performed.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment, the actuator is designed to be self-locking. This has the advantage that the actuator only needs to be actuated to change between switching positions and remains in the switched position when not actuated.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment, the actuating device may have a first stop for limiting the maximum adjustability of the first selector fork in the direction of the first restoring force and / or a second stop for limiting the maximum adjustability of the second selector fork in the direction of the second restoring force. The first and / or second stops may preferably be formed on the housing. In other words, the end position of the selector fork in the closing direction is defined by the stop between the corresponding selector fork and the housing, such that the selector fork in the engaged end position (i.e., in the closed / engaged switching position) is prevented from being supported on the sliding sleeve of the clutch to be actuated, and from generating frictional heat due to relative rotation, thus resulting in power loss and wear.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment, the actuating device may have a path limiter for limiting maximum adjustability in a first actuation direction and for limiting maximum adjustability in a second actuation direction. This advantageously prevents one clutch from disengaging before the other clutch engages when switching between states. Thus, the path limiter forms a safety device to prevent unintentional shift to neutral and an overload protection device for the spring. According to a preferred embodiment, the path limiter may be sized such that the maximum adjustability of the two selector forks corresponds to the simple travel path of the sliding sleeve to be actuated by the selector forks. Preferably, the path limiter may be sized such that the maximum adjustability is limited to 5 to 8 mm.

[0019] The object of the present invention is also achieved by a hybrid transmission for a hybrid vehicle having such an actuation device. The hybrid transmission includes: a first drive shaft connectable to an internal combustion engine and a first electric motor; a second drive shaft connectable to a second electric motor; an output shaft connected to the first drive shaft and / or the second drive shaft; a first disengaged clutch for switchably connecting the first drive shaft to the output shaft; and a second disengaged clutch for switchably connecting the second drive shaft to the output shaft. The first and second disengaged clutches can be actuated / switched by the actuation device according to the present invention.

[0020] The object of the present invention is also achieved by a dual-clutch transmission for motor vehicles having such an actuation device. The dual-clutch transmission has: two drive shafts, each of which is connected to an output shaft via a sub-transmission; a first clutch for switching between two gear stages of the first sub-transmission; and a second clutch for switching between two gear stages of the second sub-transmission. The first and second clutches can be actuated / switched by the actuation device according to the present invention. Attached Figure Description

[0021] The invention will now be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0022] Figures 1 to 3 show schematic diagrams of the actuator according to the invention in a first embodiment for use in a hybrid transmission;

[0023] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the actuator in the second embodiment for use in a hybrid transmission is shown.

[0024] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the actuator in a third embodiment for a dual-clutch transmission is shown;

[0025] Figures 6 to 11 A three-dimensional view of the actuation device is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The accompanying drawings are merely illustrative in nature and are intended only to understand the invention. The same elements are given the same reference numerals. Features of the various embodiments are interchangeable.

[0027] Figures 1 to 3 show schematic diagrams of the actuation device 1 according to the invention in the first embodiment. The actuation device 1 is used to actuate the first clutch 2 and the second clutch 3, that is, to switch the first clutch and the second clutch.

[0028] Actuation device 1 has a first selector fork 4. To actuate the first clutch 2, the first selector fork 4 can be adjusted against a first (axial) restoring force in a first actuation direction. In the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 3, the first axial restoring force acts from left to right, while the first actuation direction is the opposite, from right to left. The first selector fork 4 can be adjusted against the first restoring force in the first actuation direction to disengage the first clutch 2. This means that the first clutch 2 is engaged when the actuation device 1 is in a non-actuated state.

[0029] The actuating device 1 has a second selector fork 5. The second selector fork 5 can be adjusted against a second (axial) restoring force in the second actuation direction to actuate the second clutch 3. In the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 3, the second axial restoring force acts from right to left, while the second actuation direction is the opposite, from left to right. The second selector fork 5 can be adjusted against the second restoring force in the second actuation direction to disengage the second clutch 3. This means that the second clutch 3 is engaged when the actuating device 1 is in the non-actuated state.

[0030] Therefore, each of the two selector forks 4 and 5 is subjected to a preload / restoring force in the axial direction. Each selector fork 4 and 5 is pressed into the closed / engaged switching position by this force, that is, pressed into the position where the clutches 2 and 3 to be actuated are engaged. Each selector fork 4 and 5 can resist the preload / restoring force (i.e., in the corresponding actuation direction) and be pressed into the open / disengaged engagement switching position, that is, pressed into the position where the clutches 2 and 3 to be actuated are disengaged.

[0031] The first clutch 2 and / or the second clutch 3 may be specifically designed as form-fit clutches, such as claw clutches. A form-fit clutch consists of a sliding sleeve 6, a sliding sleeve carrier 7, and a clutch body 8. The form-fit clutch is actuated by axial displacement of the sliding sleeve 6. Selector forks 4 and 5 engage in the sliding sleeve 6 of the clutches 2 and 3 to be actuated, such that (axial) adjustment of the selector forks 4 and 5 results in axial displacement of the sliding sleeve 6.

[0032] According to the invention, the first actuation direction and the second actuation direction are oriented in opposite directions to each other. This means that the two clutches 2 and 3 act in opposite directions. The actuation device 1 has an actuator 9 by means of which the first selector fork 4 and the second selector fork 5 can be actuated together but independently of each other. The two selector forks 4 and 5 can be switched via the same actuator 9 by means of a preload / restoring force or by the opposite orientation of the actuation directions.

[0033] When the actuator 9 is adjusted in the first actuation direction (here, to the left), the first selector fork 4 is adjusted from the engaged switching position to the disengaged engagement switching position, while the second selector fork 5 is held in the engaged switching position or returns from the disengaged engagement switching position to the engaged switching position by a second restoring force (acting in the direction of the first actuation direction). When the actuator 9 is adjusted in the second actuation direction (here, to the right), the second selector fork 5 is adjusted from the engaged switching position to the disengaged engagement switching position, while the first selector fork 4 is held in the engaged switching position or returns from the disengaged engagement switching position to the engaged switching position by a first restoring force (acting in the direction of the second actuation direction). Therefore, switching can be performed between a first switching state (see Figure 1), a second switching state (see Figure 2), and a third switching state (see Figure 3). In the first switching state, both clutches 2 and 3 are engaged; in the second switching state, only the first clutch 2 is engaged (while the second clutch 3 is disengaged); and in the third switching state, only the second clutch 3 is engaged (while the first clutch 2 is disengaged).

[0034] Actuation device 1 may preferably have a (preloaded) spring 10 axially arranged between the first selector fork 4 and the second selector fork 5, such that the spring applies a first restoring force and a second restoring force. Thus, spring 10 acts axially between the two selector forks 4 and 5, such that the spring pushes the two selector forks 4 and 5 apart, and the sliding sleeve 6 engages with the clutch body 8 respectively, and the two form-fit clutches are engaged. Even if not shown, actuation device 1 may alternatively have a first spring for applying the first restoring force and a second spring for applying the second restoring force. In particular, actuation device 1 may have a (transmission) housing, with the first selector fork 4 and the second selector fork 5 axially displaced relative to the housing for adjustment of the first and second selector forks. This means that the first spring may be arranged between the housing and the first selector fork 4 and / or the second spring may be arranged between the housing and the second selector fork 5.

[0035] The actuator 9 may preferably have two opposing actuating surfaces 11, 12, wherein the first actuating surface 11 for adjustment acts on the first selector fork 4, and the second actuating surface 12 for adjustment acts on the second selector fork 5. Specifically, the actuator 9 may have three switching positions. In the first switching position (see Figure 1), for example, in the center position, the actuator 9 does not act on either selector fork 4, 5. In the second switching position (see Figure 2), where the second actuating surface 12 presses against the second selector fork 5, the actuator 9 acts only on the second selector fork 5 (and not on the first selector fork 4), causing the second selector fork 5 to push the associated sliding sleeve 6 out of engagement and disengage the second clutch 3. In the third switching position where the first actuating surface 11 is pressed on the first selector fork 4, the actuator 9 acts only on the first selector fork 4 (and not on the second selector fork 5), causing the first selector fork 4 to move the associated sliding sleeve 6 out of engagement and disengage the first clutch 2.

[0036] Preferably, the first selector fork 4 and / or the second selector fork 5 can be arranged in the housing within the axial guide member 13.

[0037] In particular, actuator 9 can be designed to be self-locking. This means that actuator 9 only needs to be actuated to change between switching positions and remains in the switching position of the actuator when not actuated.

[0038] Preferably, the actuating device 1 may have a first stop 14 for limiting the maximum adjustability of the first selector fork 4 in the direction of the first restoring force and / or a second stop 15 for limiting the maximum adjustability of the second selector fork 5 in the direction of the second restoring force. The first stop 14 and / or the second stop 15 may preferably be formed on the housing.

[0039] Figure 4 A second embodiment of the actuating device 1 corresponding to the first embodiment is shown. Furthermore, the actuating device 1 in the second embodiment may have a path limiter 16, which limits the maximum adjustability in a first actuation direction and also limits the maximum adjustability in a second actuation direction. The path limiter 16 may preferably be sized such that the maximum adjustability of the two selector forks 4, 5 corresponds to a simple travel path of the sliding sleeve 6 to be actuated by the selector forks 4, 5. For example, the path limiter 16 may be sized such that the maximum adjustability is limited to 5 to 8 millimeters.

[0040] In Figure 1 to Figure 4 In the illustrated embodiment, the actuation device 1 is used in a hybrid transmission 17. The hybrid transmission 17 has a first drive shaft 18 that can be connected to an internal combustion engine and a first electric motor, a second drive shaft 19 that can be connected to a second electric motor, and an output shaft 20 that can be connected to / connected to the first drive shaft 18 and / or the second drive shaft 18. The figures only show a portion of the gears mounted on the second drive shaft 19 or a portion of the differential gears mounted on the output shaft 20. For simplicity, the gears and differential gears are referred to as the second drive shaft 19 and the output shaft 20, respectively. A first clutch 2 serves as a first disengaged clutch 2 for switchably connecting the first drive shaft 18 to the output shaft 20. A second clutch 3 serves as a second disengaged clutch 3 for switchably connecting the second drive shaft 19 to the output shaft 20. The first disengaged clutch 2 and the second disengaged clutch 3 can be actuated / switched by the actuation device 1 according to the invention.

[0041] exist Figure 5 In the illustrated embodiment, the actuation device 1 is used in a dual-clutch transmission 21. Depending on the switching position of the first clutch 2 and the second clutch 3, the first gear stage 22, the second gear stage 23, the third gear stage 24, and / or the fourth gear stage 25 are engaged to connect the first drive shaft 26 or the second drive shaft 27 to the output shaft 28. In the unactuated position of the actuator 9, the second gear stage 23 and the third gear stage 24 are engaged. By actuation in the first actuation direction (here, to the right), the second gear stage 23 is disengaged and the fourth gear stage 25 is engaged. By actuation in the second actuation direction (here, to the left), the third gear stage 24 is disengaged and the first gear stage 22 is engaged.

[0042] Figures 6 to 11 A perspective view of the actuator 1 in different switching positions is shown. The actuator 1 has an actuator 9 in the form of an actuator motor 29. By actuating the actuator motor 29, the nut 30 can move (up and down) on the threaded spindle 31. By the movement of the nut 30, the rod 32 rotates about the rotary joint 33. The rod 32 is connected to the first selector fork 4 at the first hinge point 34 (or the first actuating surface 11) and to the second selector fork 5 at the second hinge point 35 (or the second actuating surface 12). By actuating the actuator motor 29, the first selector fork 4 or the second selector fork 5 is axially displaced on the guide rod 36 (or the axial guide member 13) against the restoring force of the spring 10.

[0043] Figure 6 and Figure 7 The actuator 1 is shown in the center position, in which the selector forks 4 and 5 are in the unactuated position. Figure 8 and Figure 9 The actuating device 1 is shown in the position where the nut 30 has been moved downwards, the second selector fork 5 is in the actuated position and the first selector fork 4 is in the unacted position. Figure 10 and Figure 11 The actuation device 1 is shown in a position where the nut 30 has moved upward, the first selector fork 4 is in the actuated position and the second selector fork 5 is in the unacted position.

[0044] List of reference numerals

[0045] 1 Actuation device

[0046] 2 First Clutch

[0047] 3 Second Clutch

[0048] 4 First selector fork

[0049] 5 Second Selector Fork

[0050] 6. Sliding sleeve

[0051] 7 Sliding sleeve bearing component

[0052] 8. Clutch body

[0053] 9 Actuators

[0054] 10 Springs

[0055] 11 First Action Surface

[0056] 12 Secondary working surface

[0057] 13-axis guide component

[0058] 14 First stop component

[0059] 15 Second stop

[0060] 16 Path Limiters

[0061] 17. Hybrid transmission

[0062] 18 First drive shaft

[0063] 19 Second drive shaft

[0064] 20 Output shaft

[0065] 21 Dual-clutch transmission

[0066] 22 First gear stage

[0067] 23 Second gear stage

[0068] 24 Third gear stage

[0069] 25 Fourth gear stage

[0070] 26 First drive shaft

[0071] 27 Second drive shaft

[0072] 28 Output shaft

[0073] 29 Actuator Motor

[0074] 30 nuts

[0075] 31 Threaded spindle

[0076] 32 strokes

[0077] 33 Rotary Joint

[0078] 34 First hinge point

[0079] 35 Second hinge point

[0080] 36 guide rods

Claims

1. An actuation device (1) for actuating two clutches, the two clutches being a first clutch (2) and a second clutch (3), the actuation device comprising a first selector fork (4) and a second selector fork (5), the first selector fork being adjustable against a first restoring force in a first actuation direction to actuate the first clutch (2), and the second selector fork being adjustable against a second restoring force in a second actuation direction to actuate the second clutch (3), characterized in that, The first actuation direction and the second actuation direction are oriented in opposite directions to each other. The actuation device (1) has a spring (10) axially arranged between the first selector fork (4) and the second selector fork (5) such that the spring applies the first restoring force and the second restoring force. The actuation device (1) includes an actuator (9) having two opposite first action surfaces (11) and second action surfaces (12), wherein the first action surface (11) for adjustment acts on the first selector fork (4) and the second action surface (12) for adjustment acts on the second selector fork (5). The actuator includes a first switching position, a second switching position and a third switching position, wherein the actuator (9) does not act on the first selector fork (4) and the second selector fork (5) in the first switching position, acts only on the second selector fork (5) in the second switching position, and acts only on the first selector fork (4) in the third switching position.

2. The actuation device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the first switching position, the first clutch (2) and the second clutch (3) are engaged; in the second switching position, only the first clutch (2) is engaged; and in the third switching position, only the second clutch (3) is engaged.

3. The actuation device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The actuator (9) is designed to be self-locking.

4. The actuation device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The actuation device (1) has a first stop (14) for limiting the maximum adjustability of the first selector fork (4) in the direction of the first restoring force and / or a second stop (15) for limiting the maximum adjustability of the second selector fork (5) in the direction of the second restoring force.

5. The actuating device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The actuation device (1) has a path limiter (16) for limiting the maximum adjustability in the first actuation direction and for limiting the maximum adjustability in the second actuation direction.

6. A hybrid transmission (17) for a hybrid vehicle, the hybrid transmission comprising: The actuation device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5; A first drive shaft, which can be connected to an internal combustion engine and to a first electric motor; A second drive shaft, which can be connected to a second motor; an output shaft, which is connected to the first drive shaft and / or the second drive shaft; a first clutch (2), which is used to switchably connect the first drive shaft to the output shaft; and a second clutch (3), which is used to switchably connect the second drive shaft to the output shaft, characterized in that the first clutch (2) and the second clutch (3) can be actuated by the actuating device (1).

7. A dual-clutch transmission (21) for a motor vehicle, the dual-clutch transmission comprising: The actuation device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5; A first drive shaft and a second drive shaft, the first drive shaft being connected to an output shaft via a first sub-transmission and the second drive shaft being connected to an output shaft via a second sub-transmission; a first clutch (2) for switching between two gear stages of the first sub-transmission; and a second clutch (3) for switching between two gear stages of the second sub-transmission, characterized in that the first clutch (2) and the second clutch (3) are actuated by the actuating device (1).

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