Clutch unit for reversibly coupling drive side to output side of drive train, and actuator for clutch unit of this type

Abstract

The invention relates to a clutch unit for reversibly coupling a drive side (2) to an output side (3) of a drive train, comprising a linearly displaceable shift collar (8), which sits on a drive element (4) of the drive side (2) and engages into an external toothing (5) of the drive element (4) by means of an internal toothing (9), the internal toothing (9) has an external toothing (5), and the shift collar (8) can be shifted along the external toothing (5) via an output element (6) of the output side (3) from an uncoupled position into a coupled position by also engaging the internal toothing (9) into an external toothing (7) of the output element (6), an actuator (10) being provided for shifting the shift collar (8), the actuator has a linearly movable piston (13) and a shift lever (17) coupled to the piston (13) and connected to the shift collar (8), the piston being guided in a pot-shaped cylindrical part (12) formed from a sheet metal, the cylindrical part having, on one side, a guide section through which the shift lever (17) passes, according to the invention, the cylindrical part (12) is closed on the other side by a cover (14) having a guide hole through which the shift lever (17) passes, and wherein, in the assembled state, the cylindrical part (12) is inserted into a conformally shaped recess (35) in the wall (11) of the transmission.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a clutch unit for reversibly coupling a drive side to an output side of a drive train. Background Art

[0002] Such a clutch unit, which is also often referred to as a "disconnecting unit", is used, for example, in a drive unit of a motor vehicle, such as a drive shaft, which can also be an electric shaft, which is often referred to as an electric shaft. The clutch unit is used to reversibly couple a drive side with an output side, to which a torque is applied, to which the torque is transferred and to which the torque is transferred. For example, the clutch unit can be arranged between the drive unit and the intermediate shaft so as to couple the outlet of the drive unit, i.e. the drive side, with the inlet of the intermediate shaft, i.e. the output side. An arrangement between such an intermediate shaft and a differential can also be envisaged, wherein the intermediate shaft to which the torque from the drive is applied represents the drive side, and the differential to which the torque is transferred represents the output side. Therefore, the clutch unit can be incorporated into such a transmission system at different positions. The clutch unit can be switched via a controllable switching device, i.e. an actuator, so as to achieve or cancel the torque-resistance coupling of the drive side and the output side.

[0003] Such a clutch unit connects two toothed elements on the drive side and the output side, i.e. an externally toothed drive element, e.g. a first gear, is arranged on the drive side, while an externally toothed output element, e.g. a second gear, is arranged on the output side, the two toothed elements being reversibly connected via a coupling element. Such a coupling element is usually provided in the form of a linearly movable shift collar, which is seated on the drive element, i.e. arranged on the drive side, and engages into the outer toothing of the drive element via an inner toothing. With the aid of an actuator, the shift collar for coupling the drive side with the output side can be moved along the outer toothing of the drive element and pushed onto the output element, so that the inner toothing of the shift collar also engages with the outer toothing of the output element. The drive element and the output element are then coupled together in a rotationally fixed manner via a shift collar, which surrounds both the drive element and the output element and connects them via a toothed engagement, so that the torque of the drive side can be transmitted to the output side.

[0004] The integration of an actuator requires a corresponding installation space, which is often not available sufficiently at the preferred installation location in the transmission. Summary of the invention

[0005] The invention is based on the problem of providing an improved clutch unit.

[0006] In order to solve this problem, according to the present invention, a clutch unit for reversibly coupling the drive side of a transmission system to the output side is provided, the clutch unit comprising a linearly movable shift collar, the shift collar being seated on a drive element on the drive side and engaging in an external toothing of the drive element via an internal toothing, and the shift collar being capable of shifting from a disconnected coupling position to a coupled position along the external toothing via an output element on the output side by also engaging the internal toothing in the external toothing of the output element, wherein an actuator is provided for shifting the shift collar, the actuator having a linearly movable piston and a shift rod coupled to the piston and connected to the shift collar, wherein the piston is guided in a tub-shaped cylindrical component formed from a metal sheet, wherein the cylindrical component has an opening on one side through which the shift rod passes, and the cylindrical component is closed on the other side by a cover having an opening through which the shift rod passes, wherein in the assembled state the cylindrical component is inserted into a recess having a compatible shape in the wall of the transmission.

[0007] The invention provides for arranging or incorporating the actuator directly in a corresponding recess, which is mounted in a wall of a transmission in which such an actuator or a clutch unit is mounted. The transmission is, for example, part of an electric axle or other drive unit. The wall can be a wall of a transmission housing or a partition wall separating transmissions. Thus, the design of the wall including a corresponding recess with a compatible shape can position the actuator directly on the wall side and embed it accordingly in the recess, so that no additional installation space is required for the installation of the actuator.

[0008] The actuator, which is preferably a hydraulic actuator, has a piston which is linearly guided in a cylindrical part or in a cylindrical section formed in the cylindrical part. According to the invention, the cylindrical part is made of a simple metal sheet which is as thin as possible, preferably by means of deep drawing. The cylindrical part is designed in a corresponding basin-like manner, i.e. the cylindrical part has a specific geometry and is provided with a corresponding opening or hole on one side, which forms a guide section for a shift rod coupled to the piston. On the other side, the cylindrical part is closed by a removable cover with an opening through which the shift rod passes and which forms the guide section on this side. On the one hand, the cover enables the shift rod and the piston to be incorporated into the cylindrical part, and on the other hand, the cylindrical part can also be closed by fastening or arranging the cover, thereby forming a subassembly comprising the cylindrical part, the shift rod, the piston and the cover and a corresponding sealing element, which is used to form a corresponding pressure chamber into which the hydraulic fluid or compressed air is pushed. The subassembly can now advantageously be constructed as part of a preassembly, so that the actuator can be tested for its functionality. Installation is also easy, since the subassembly only needs to be inserted into the recess on the wall side and fixed in place during installation. The recess itself has a corresponding through-hole through which the shift lever engages, as described, for example, on which a shift fork is arranged, which is coupled to the shift collar.

[0009] In order to form a recess with a compatible shape, the parts forming the wall are preferably shaped accordingly in terms of basic geometry. The wall part is, for example, a part made of aluminum or a cast metal part, and during the production of the part, the basic three-dimensional geometry including the recess can be formed on the wall part. It is conceivable that the piston is directly inserted into the cylindrical recess and the piston is guided directly on the cylindrical wall of the recess via the sealing element. However, this requires processing the inner cylindrical wall with appropriate force to form a suitable sealing seat for the piston side sealing element. However, this treatment may lead to the formation of cavities, burrs or similar phenomena. During the movement of the piston, these surface structures will produce an abrasive effect on the sealing element, thereby causing the sealing element to be destroyed. In order to solve this problem, the present invention provides a simple cylindrical part made of a thin metal sheet, which is inserted into the recess as a cylindrical insert or a guide insert, and then only needs to be processed relatively roughly to the cylindrical part, and the cylindrical part itself has a corresponding sealing surface or sealing seat for the piston side sealing element.

[0010] According to the invention, the sheet metal cylindrical part used as an insert in the recess has a cylindrical section guiding the piston, which is axially limited by an annular flange, which is connected to a cylindrical flange, which forms the guiding section. The basin shape is ultimately formed by the cylindrical section and the annular flange.

[0011] The annular flange is preferably followed by an axially extending cylindrical flange, through which the shift rod engages and in which it is guided in a linearly guided manner. In the assembled state, the cylindrical flange engages in a corresponding through-hole or bore in the wall, which also makes it possible to center the cylindrical component or the actuator.

[0012] In addition, it can be provided that the cylindrical part has an end, radially extending flange on which the cover rests, wherein the flange and the cover have a plurality of through holes aligned with each other, which are penetrated by the fastening screws screwed into the housing wall in the assembled state. A contact plane is formed on the annular flange, on which the cover rests. The flange and the cover have aligned through holes. For installation, appropriate fastening screws are guided through the aligned through holes and screwed into corresponding internal threaded holes in the wall, through which the actuator is fixed to the wall. The cover and the fastening screws are used to fix and center the cylindrical part to achieve the required concentricity. In addition, the cover screw connection can also be used to generate a preload, by which the cylindrical part is pressed against the corresponding sealing element arranged on the recess side.

[0013] As described, due to shape compatibility, the recess is also advantageously of a basin-like shape, so that the cylindrical part can be completely inserted into the recess. The recess has a hole as described, whereby the cylindrical flange engages in the assembled state. In addition, the flange of the cylindrical part also advantageously rests on the end face of the wall, so that axial support is provided here, while axial support is provided via the annular flange forming the bottom of the cylindrical section.

[0014] As described, one or more sealing elements are preferably arranged in the recess, which seal the cylindrical part so that a corresponding impermeability is also provided at the opening or joint in case the corresponding volumes are to be separated and sealed via a wall or intermediate wall.

[0015] Corresponding sealing elements are also provided on the piston and the cover, via which they are sealed with the cylindrical part and the shift rod. This forms corresponding pressure chambers, one at the front of the piston and one at the rear of the piston, so that the piston can be actively pushed in one direction or the other and specific positions of the shift collar, i.e. the decoupled position and the coupled position, can be approached.

[0016] In addition to the clutch unit itself, the invention relates to an actuator for such a clutch unit, which has a tub-shaped cylindrical component formed from a metal sheet, in which a piston is accommodated in a linearly movable manner, and a shift rod connected to the piston, wherein the cylindrical component is closed on one side by an opening penetrated by the shift rod and on the other side by a cover having an opening penetrated by the shift rod.

[0017] The cylinder component can have a cylinder section which guides the piston and is delimited in the axial direction by an annular flange which is adjoined by a cylinder flange which forms the opening and thus the guide section.

[0018] The cylindrical component may further comprise an end, radially extending flange on which the cover rests, wherein the flange and the cover comprise a plurality of aligned through holes through which, in the assembled state, fastening screws screwed into the housing wall pass.

[0019] Sealing elements provided on the piston and the cover ensure that the piston and the cover are sealed with the barrel component and the shift rod. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The present invention will be described below based on exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings are schematic representations, in which:

[0021] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a clutch unit according to the present invention, and

[0022] Figure 2 An enlarged partial view of an actuator as a subassembly of a clutch unit is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a clutch unit 1 according to the invention is shown, which can also be referred to as a coupling device and is used to couple a drive side 2, where a torque is introduced or present, with an output side 3, to which the torque is transmitted and on which the torque is further branched. A drive element 4 with an external toothing 5 is provided on the drive side 2. The drive element 4 is, for example, a gear or an externally toothed shaft.

[0024] On the output side 3, an output element 6 with an external toothing 7 is provided, wherein the output element 6 can also be a gear or an externally toothed shaft or the like. The external toothing 5, 7 is a linear radial toothing with the same tooth pitch and located on the same radius. In order to connect the drive element 4 to the output element 6 in a rotationally fixed manner, an axially displaceable shift collar 8 is provided. The shift collar has an internal toothing 9, which is located at the Figure 1In the decoupled position shown, the shift collar is fully engaged with the external toothing 5 of the drive element 4 via the internal toothing. This means that in the decoupled position, the shift collar 8 is only coupled to the drive element 4. In this position, it is not possible to transfer torque to the output element 6. However, if torque is to be transferred, it is necessary to axially move the shift collar 8 and push it onto the output element 6 or the external toothing 7 of the output element, so that the internal toothing 9 of the shift collar 8 is pushed into the external toothing 7 and meshes with it. At the same time, the engagement of the internal toothing 9 with the external toothing 5 is maintained, so that the drive element 4 and the output element 6 are coupled in a rotationally fixed manner via the shift collar 8.

[0025] In order to achieve this movement of the shift collar 8, an actuator 10 is provided, which is a hydraulic actuator. The actuator is integrated into the wall 11 of the transmission, which for this purpose has a pot-shaped recess 34 with a through hole 35. The actuator 10 has a pot-shaped cylindrical part 12 formed from a metal sheet, which is inserted into the recess 34 with a compatible shape in a form-fitting manner and is completely recessed in the recess. In the cylindrical part 12, a cylindrical section 36 is provided, which forms a guide cylindrical part and in which a piston 13 is arranged. The cylindrical part 12 is axially closed by a cover 14. In the cylindrical part 12, the piston 13 can be axially displaced via a hydraulic fluid, for which purpose a first pressure chamber 15 is provided, which is realized between the piston 13 and the cover 14. On the opposite side, a second pressure chamber 16 is realized, which is realized between the piston 13 and the front wall of the insert 12. Depending on into which pressure chamber 15 , 16 the hydraulic fluid is pushed, the piston moves in one direction or the other.

[0026] Furthermore, a shift rod 17 is provided, which extends through the cylindrical part 12 and the cover 14 and is sealed with the cylindrical part and the cover via corresponding sealing elements 18, 19. The shift rod 17 can be moved axially, for which purpose it is coupled with the piston 13. For this purpose, two axial stops 20, 21 are provided on the shift rod 17, which are realized via two retaining rings 24, 25 received in corresponding grooves 22, 23. Between these axial stops 20, 21, the piston 13 can be slightly displaced axially.

[0027] This axial displacement can be counteracted by a spring element 26 which is designed as a wave spring or a disk spring or as a corresponding spring assembly and which is accommodated in an annular recess 27 of the piston. On the one hand, the spring element 26 bears on the piston 13 or on the bottom of the recess 17 and on the other hand, on the axial stop 20 or on a support disk 28 which bears on the retaining ring 24. If fluid is pressed into the pressure chamber 15, the piston 13 is displaced to the left until the spring element 26 rests on the support disk 28, unless this is already the case. The shift rod 17 is also connected to a carrier 29, for example a shift fork, which in turn is connected to the shift collar 8 via a corresponding form-fitting engagement. For this purpose, the shift collar 8 which rotates with the drive element 4 has, for example, a circumferential annular projection 30 which engages in a corresponding receiving groove 31 on the shift fork 29.

[0028] The cylindrical component 12 further comprises an annular flange 37 adjoining the cylindrical section 36, to which a cylindrical flange 38 is connected, which engages in the through hole 35. The gearshift rod 17 passes through the cylindrical flange 38; the cylindrical flange serves on this side as a guide section or linear guide for the gearshift rod 17. On the other side, the cylindrical component 12 has a flange 39 extending radially outwards, which in the assembled state rests on the end face of the wall 34 and on which the cover 14 sits. The cover 14 is fastened to the wall 11 by means of a plurality of fastening screws 40, which pass through through holes provided in the cover 14 and the flange 39 and are screwed into internal threaded holes provided in the wall 11. The cylindrical component 12 is sealed in the recess 35 via a sealing element 41, wherein the preload on the sealing element is generated via the threaded connection of the cover 14.

[0029] Two sealing elements 32, 33 are provided on the piston, via which a seal is provided for the shift rod 17 on the one hand and for the cylindrical part 12 on the other hand. Two sealing elements 42, 43 are also provided on the cover, via which a seal is provided for the cylindrical part 12 and the shift rod 17. The shift rod 17 is in turn provided with a sealing element 44, which seals against the cylindrical flange 38. The sealing elements 32, 33, 42, 43 are accommodated in corresponding grooves.

[0030] Figure 2 An enlarged view of the actuator 10 is shown as a pure subassembly. This is obviously a separate, preassembled unit, which can therefore be tested before installation. For this purpose, hydraulic fluid is fed, for example, via feed holes 45, 46 provided on the cylindrical part 12 into the pressure chamber 15 or the pressure chamber 16 in order to displace the piston 13. During assembly, the subassembly only has to be inserted into the recess 34 by passing the shift rod 17 through the through hole 35 and fixed using the fastening screw 40.

[0031] Also shown is a displacement sensor 47 arranged on the actuator, which serves to accurately detect the position of the shift lever 17 and, therefore, the shift collar 8. The displacement sensor 47 comprises a sensor 48, for example a Hall sensor, which is accommodated in a sensor housing 49. The sensor housing 49 is L-shaped and is fixed by means of a fastening screw 40. The sensor housing is extended with one leg axially adjacent to the shift shaft 17, wherein the sensor 48 is arranged in this leg and, therefore, adjacent to the shift lever 17. A magnetic element 50 is arranged axially on the shift lever 17, which is, for example, glued and covered with a protective cover 51. The magnetic element interacts with the sensor 48, the signal of which is evaluated by the control and processing device in order to detect the exact position of the magnetic element.

[0032] Reference numerals list

[0033] 1 Clutch unit

[0034] 2 Drive side

[0035] 3 Output side

[0036] 4. Driving components

[0037] 5 External teeth

[0038] 6 Output elements

[0039] 7 External teeth

[0040] 8 Shift collar

[0041] 9 Internal teeth

[0042] 10 Actuator

[0043] 11 walls

[0044] 12 Cylindrical parts

[0045] 13 Piston

[0046] 14 Cover

[0047] 15 Pressure Chamber

[0048] 16 Pressure Chamber

[0049] 17 Gear lever

[0050] 18 Sealing element

[0051] 19 Sealing element

[0052] 20 Axial stop

[0053] 21 Axial stop

[0054] 22 grooves

[0055] 23 Grooves

[0056] 24 Retaining ring

[0057] 25 Retaining ring

[0058] 26 Spring element

[0059] 27 concave part

[0060] 28 Support plate

[0061] 29 Bearing

[0062] 30 Annular protrusion

[0063] 31 Shift fork

[0064] 32 Sealing element

[0065] 33 Sealing element

[0066] 34 recess

[0067] 35 Through Hole

[0068] 36 cylindrical section

[0069] 37 Annular flange

[0070] 38 cylindrical flange

[0071] 39 Flange

[0072] 40 Fastening screw

[0073] 41 Sealing element

[0074] 42 Sealing element

[0075] 43 Sealing element

[0076] 44 Sealing element

[0077] 45 Feed hole

[0078] 46 Feed hole

[0079] 47 Displacement Sensor

[0080] 48 Sensors

[0081] 49 Sensor housing

[0082] 50 Magnetic components

[0083] 51 Protective cover

Claims

1. A clutch unit for reversibly coupling a drive side (2) to an output side (3) of a transmission system, the clutch unit comprising a linearly movable shift collar (8), the shift collar being seated on a drive element (4) of the drive side (2) and engaging via an internal toothing (9) in an external toothing (5) of the drive element (4), and the shift collar being shiftable from a disconnected position to a coupled position along the external toothing (5) via an output element (6) of the output side (3) by also engaging the internal toothing (9) in an external toothing (7) of the output element (6), wherein: An actuator (10) is provided for shifting the shift collar (8), the actuator having a linearly movable piston (13) and a shift rod (17) connected to the piston (13) and to the shift collar (8), wherein the piston is guided in a tub-shaped cylindrical component (12) formed from a metal sheet, the cylindrical component having an opening on one side through which the shift rod (17) passes, and the cylindrical component is closed on the other side by a cover (14) having an opening through which the shift rod (17) passes, wherein in the assembled state the cylindrical component (12) is inserted into a recess (35) of a compatible shape in a wall (11) of the transmission.

2. The clutch unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cylindrical component (12) has a cylindrical section (36) for guiding the piston (13), which is limited in the axial direction by an annular flange (37) to which a cylindrical flange (38) is connected, and which forms the guide section.

3. The clutch unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The cylindrical part (12) has an end, radially extending flange (39) on which the cover (14) rests, wherein the flange (39) and the cover (14) have a plurality of through holes aligned with one another and which, in the assembled state, are penetrated by fastening screws (40) screwed into the wall (11).

4. The clutch unit according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The recess (35) is cup-shaped and has a hole (35), wherein, in the assembled state, the cylindrical flange (38) engages in the hole (35) and / or the flange (39) rests on the end face of the wall (11).

5. The clutch unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that One or more sealing elements (41) are arranged in the recess (35), which seal towards the cylindrical component (12).

6. The clutch unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The piston (13) and the cover (14) are each provided with a sealing element (32, 33, 42, 43), and the piston (13) and the cover (14) are sealed toward the cylindrical component (12) and toward the shift rod (17) via the sealing element.

7. An actuator for a clutch unit according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a tub-shaped cylindrical component (12) formed from sheet metal, in which a piston (13) is received so as to be linearly movable, and a shift rod (17) coupled to the piston (13), wherein: The cylindrical member (12) has an opening on one side through which the shift rod (17) passes, and the cylindrical member is closed on the other side by a cover member (14) having an opening through which the shift rod (17) passes.

8. The actuator according to claim 7, characterized in that The cylindrical component (12) has a cylindrical section (36) for guiding the piston (13), which is limited in the axial direction by an annular flange (37) to which a cylindrical flange (38) is connected, and which forms the guide section.

9. The actuator according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that: The cylindrical part (12) has an end, radially extending flange (39) on which the cover (14) rests, wherein the flange (39) and the cover (14) have a plurality of through holes aligned with one another and which, in the assembled state, are penetrated by fastening screws (40) screwed into the wall.

10. Actuator according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that The piston (13) and the cover (14) are each provided with a sealing element (32, 33, 42, 43), and the piston (13) and the cover (14) are sealed toward the cylindrical component (12) and toward the shift rod (17) via the sealing element.

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