Wet clutch system with mechanical locking function

Abstract

The invention provides a wet clutch system with a mechanical locking function. The wet clutch system comprises a hydraulic oil way, an oil way switching mechanism and an intermediate shaft. An input hub, an output hub and a large piston are sequentially arranged on the intermediate shaft, and the input hub is used for being connected with a differential shell to transmit torque; the output hub is sleeved with a clutch, the large piston is used for pushing a friction plate of the clutch to be pressed tightly, and then the torque of the input hub is transmitted to the output hub and the intermediate shaft. The input hub is sleeved with a mechanical locking mechanism and a small piston, the small piston is used for pushing the mechanical locking mechanism to be mechanically locked with the output hub, and then the torque of the input hub is transmitted to the output hub and the intermediate shaft; the oil way switching mechanism is used for switching a hydraulic oil way into the large piston or the small piston. The large torque of the differential shell can be transmitted to the output hub and the intermediate shaft through the mechanical locking mechanism, the strong cross-country requirement of customers can be met, and the clutch is protected.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of wet clutch, and in particular to a wet clutch system with a mechanical locking function. Background Art

[0002] A clutch that is cooled and operated by oil is called a wet clutch. The power transmission is smooth and gentle, and the clutch is engaged by pressing the steel plate and friction plate through the action of the hydraulic cylinder. When the low-adhesion wheel slips, the torque provided by the differential will be lost. The clutch transfers this lost torque to the high-adhesion wheel through the engagement of the friction plate. The torque transmitted by the engagement of the friction plate is flexible, and the size of the torque depends on the size of the oil pressure, that is, the degree of compression of the friction plate, but it is often not large enough because the area of ​​the friction plate cannot be large enough due to space limitations, and the oil pressure is limited and the system strength cannot be designed to be large enough.

[0003] Therefore, the current wet clutch can only adapt to light off-road conditions and meet the needs of improving dynamic driving performance. It cannot be expanded to a large enough torque to cope with strong off-road conditions, affecting customers' off-road experience and vehicle reliability. Summary of the invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a wet clutch system with a mechanical locking function, which can transmit greater torque to the output hub and the intermediate shaft through the mechanical locking mechanism, can meet the strong off-road needs of customers, and protect the clutch.

[0005] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is: a wet clutch system with a mechanical locking function, comprising a hydraulic oil circuit, an oil circuit switching mechanism and an intermediate shaft;

[0006] An input hub, an output hub and a large piston are arranged on the intermediate shaft in sequence, and the input hub is used to connect to the differential housing to transmit torque;

[0007] The output hub is provided with a clutch, and the large piston is used to push the friction plate of the clutch to tighten, thereby transmitting the torque of the input hub to the output hub and the intermediate shaft;

[0008] The input hub outer sleeve is provided with a mechanical locking mechanism and a small piston, and the small piston is used to push the mechanical locking mechanism to mechanically lock with the output hub, thereby transmitting the torque of the input hub to the output hub and the intermediate shaft;

[0009] The oil circuit switching mechanism is used to switch the hydraulic oil circuit into the large piston or the small piston.

[0010] Preferably, the intermediate shaft outer sleeve is provided with a supporting housing.

[0011] Preferably, the mechanical locking mechanism comprises a sliding sleeve, a fork, an adapter ring, a needle bearing and a push ring;

[0012] The sliding sleeve is arranged on the input hub;

[0013] The fork, adapter ring, needle bearing and push ring are arranged outside the input hub in sequence, and the push ring is used to push the sliding sleeve to slide on the input hub and mechanically lock with the output hub;

[0014] A spring is arranged between the input hub and the push ring, and the spring is used for driving the sliding sleeve to reset.

[0015] Preferably, the small piston comprises a first small piston and a second small piston;

[0016] The first small piston and the second small piston are respectively arranged on both sides of the fork, and are used to drive the fork to move left and right;

[0017] The oil circuit switching mechanism is connected to the first small piston and the second small piston through an oil pipe. The first small piston is arranged farther away from the oil circuit switching mechanism than the second small piston. A one-way valve is arranged at the oil inlet of the first small piston.

[0018] The one-way valve is turned on when the hydraulic oil pressure is greater than a set value, the end surface of the first small piston is larger than the end surface of the second small piston, and a limiting clamping ring is provided on the support shell to limit the telescopic distance between the first small piston and the second small piston.

[0019] Preferably, a locking ring matching the groove on the support shell is provided on the adapter ring, and the locking ring is used to get stuck in the groove on the support shell after the oil pressure of the small piston is released, so as to continuously mechanically lock the sliding sleeve limit and the output hub.

[0020] Preferably, the input hub and the sliding sleeve are connected via three teeth, and the length of the teeth is greater than the axial displacement length of the sliding sleeve.

[0021] Preferably, the shift fork is connected to the adapter ring via three cylindrical pins, and the shift fork is connected to the small piston via claws on the shift fork.

[0022] Preferably, the hydraulic oil circuit includes a motor and a plunger pump, and the motor is used to rotationally drive the plunger pump to provide hydraulic oil of different pressures.

[0023] Preferably, the oil circuit switching mechanism is a switch solenoid valve.

[0024] Preferably, the oil circuit switching mechanism comprises a forward and reverse motor, and the forward and reverse motor is used to deliver hydraulic oil to the large piston and the small piston respectively through forward and reverse rotation.

[0025] The beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0026] This solution transmits the larger torque of the differential case to the output hub and the intermediate shaft by setting a mechanical locking mechanism, which can meet the strong off-road needs of customers and protect the clutch; and retain the original friction meshing transmission components; it can meet the needs of improving dynamic driving performance and hardcore off-road and high torque. Moreover, the two share the same hydraulic oil circuit and oil circuit switching mechanism, saving costs and flexible switching to avoid mutual interference between the two.

[0027] This solution realizes the control of the engagement or separation of the sliding sleeve and the dog teeth of the output hub by controlling the oil pressure by setting a one-way valve, a first small piston and a second small piston. The mechanical locking process is relatively flexible and will not damage the components.

[0028] This solution provides a locking ring, which can be stuck in the groove on the support shell after the oil pressure of the small piston is released, and continuously mechanically locks the sliding sleeve limit and the output hub, thereby ensuring the mechanical locking effect and saving a large amount of hydraulic oil. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0030] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 2 It is a structural schematic diagram of the mechanical locking mechanism of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the oil circuit operation in the mechanical locking mode of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the positions of the fork and the claw of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the positions of the shift fork and the cylindrical pin of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the cooperation between the input hub and the sliding sleeve of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 7 It is an overall external schematic diagram of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 1-7In the middle, 1. intermediate shaft, 2. input hub, 3. output hub, 4. large piston, 5. clutch, 6. support housing, 7. sliding sleeve, 8. fork, 9. adapter ring, 10. needle bearing, 11. push ring, 12. spring, 13. first small piston, 14. second small piston, 15. one-way valve, 16. locking ring, 17. teeth, 18. cylindrical pin, 19. claw, 20. switch solenoid valve, 21. limit clamping ring. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] The present invention will be further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0039] The structures, proportions, sizes, etc. illustrated in the drawings of this specification are only used to match the contents disclosed in the specification so as to facilitate understanding and reading by persons familiar with the technology. They are not used to limit the conditions under which the present invention can be implemented, and therefore have no substantive technical significance. Any structural modification, change in proportion or adjustment of size shall still fall within the scope of the technical contents disclosed in the present invention without affecting the effects and purposes that can be achieved by the present invention.

[0040] At the same time, it should be noted that: unless otherwise defined, the technical terms or scientific terms used in this article should be the ordinary meaning understood by people with ordinary skills in the technical field to which the present invention belongs. The meaning of "multiple" used in the patent application specification and claims of the present invention is two or more; the orientation or position relationship indicated by the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "front end", "rear end", etc. is based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the drawings, which is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present invention. Changes or adjustments in their relative relationships should also be regarded as the scope of the implementation of the present invention without substantially changing the technical content.

[0041] The present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0042] Embodiment 1:

[0043] The present invention discloses a wet clutch system with a mechanical locking function. Figure 1 , 3 As shown in , 7, the embodiment includes a hydraulic oil circuit, an oil circuit switching mechanism and an intermediate shaft 1. The hydraulic oil circuit includes a motor and a plunger pump, and the motor is used to rotate and drive the plunger pump to provide hydraulic oil of different pressures. The ECU receives the vehicle signal, determines when to provide oil pressure, and supplies power to the motor. The motor rotates at a certain speed to drive the plunger pump to work and provide hydraulic oil of a certain pressure.

[0044] The intermediate shaft 1 is provided with an input hub 2, an output hub 3 and a large piston 4 in sequence, and the intermediate shaft 1 is provided with a support housing 6 on its outer sleeve. The input hub 2 is used to connect to the differential housing to transmit torque. The output hub 3 is provided with a clutch 5 on its outer sleeve, and the large piston 4 is used to push the friction plate of the clutch 5 to press, thereby transmitting the torque of the input hub 2 to the output hub 3 and the intermediate shaft 1.

[0045] The input hub 2 is provided with a mechanical locking mechanism and a small piston on its outer sleeve. The small piston is used to push the mechanical locking mechanism to mechanically lock with the output hub 3, thereby transmitting the torque of the input hub 2 to the output hub 3 and the intermediate shaft 1.

[0046] The oil circuit switching mechanism is used to switch the hydraulic oil circuit into the large piston 4 or the small piston, and the oil circuit switching mechanism is specifically a switch solenoid valve 20. In the case of light off-road conditions, the switch solenoid valve 20 is not energized, and the hydraulic oil circuit is directly supplied to the large piston 4, pushing the piston forward to press the friction plate. The different hydraulic oil pressures produce different degrees of friction plate compression, and the torque generated is also different. This is the normal working mode.

[0047] In the face of severe off-road conditions, the switch solenoid valve 20 is energized, and the hydraulic oil circuit is supplied to the small piston. The small piston pushes the mechanical locking mechanism and the output hub 3 for mechanical locking. The torque obtained from the differential case is transmitted to the output hub 3 and the intermediate shaft 1. At this time, it is in mechanical locking mode.

[0048] When the low-adhesion wheel slips, the torque that the low-adhesion wheel can obtain is smaller. Due to the principle of equal distribution of differential torque, if the mechanical locking mode is not entered, the torque provided by the high-adhesion wheel differential is also smaller. When entering the mechanical locking mode, the torque provided by the differential remains unchanged, and the low-adhesion wheel will obtain a strong torque from the differential housing through the mechanical locking mechanism. The size of the torque depends on the total input torque. As long as the strength of the mechanical locking mechanism is strong, all the torque can be transferred to the high-adhesion wheel.

[0049] Embodiment 2:

[0050] like Figure 1 , 6 As shown, the difference between this embodiment and embodiment 1 is that the mechanical locking mechanism comprises a sliding sleeve 7, a shift fork 8, an adapter ring 9, a needle bearing 10 and a push ring 11. The sliding sleeve 7 is arranged on the input hub 2.

[0051] The input hub 2 is connected to the sleeve 7 via three teeth 17, and the length of the teeth 17 is greater than the axial displacement length of the sleeve 7. That is, after the sleeve 7 is meshed with the output hub 3, the teeth 17 of the input hub and the sleeve 7 are still connected. Under the premise of ensuring strength, the number of teeth 17 is reduced to reduce friction resistance.

[0052] The shift fork 8, adapter ring 9, needle bearing 10 and push ring 11 are sequentially arranged outside the input hub 2, and the push ring 11 is used to push the sliding sleeve 7 to slide on the input hub 2 and mechanically lock with the output hub 3. A spring 12 is arranged between the input hub 2 and the push ring 11, and the spring 12 is used to drive the sliding sleeve 7 to reset.

[0053] In the mechanical locking mode, the small piston pushes the fork 8 to move toward the output hub 3, so that the push ring 11 pushes the sliding sleeve 7 to slide on the intermediate shaft 1 and mechanically lock with the output hub 3. The mechanical locking mode is canceled, the small piston stops supplying oil, and the spring 12 rebounds to drive the sliding sleeve 7 to reset.

[0054] Embodiment 3:

[0055] like Figure 1 , 3 As shown, the difference between this embodiment and embodiment 2 is that the small piston includes a first small piston 13 and a second small piston 14, and the first small piston 13 and the second small piston 14 are respectively arranged on both sides of the fork 8 to drive the fork 8 to move left and right.

[0056] The oil circuit switching mechanism is connected to the first small piston 13 and the second small piston 14 through an oil pipe. The first small piston 13 is arranged farther away from the oil circuit switching mechanism than the second small piston 14. A one-way valve 15 is arranged at the oil inlet of the first small piston 13. The one-way valve 15 is turned on when the hydraulic oil pressure is greater than a set value. The end surface of the first small piston 13 is greater than the end surface of the second small piston 14. A limit clamp 21 for limiting the telescopic distance between the first small piston 13 and the second small piston 14 is arranged on the support housing 6.

[0057] In the mechanical locking mode, when the hydraulic oil is less than 25 bar, the one-way valve 15 cannot be opened, and the oil pressure only reaches the second small piston 14. At this time, the oil pressure pushes the second small piston 14 to move leftward, which is the disconnection process of the mechanical locking mechanism. The second small piston 14 drives the shift fork to move leftward until it contacts the limit clamping ring 21 of the support housing 6. At the same time, the push ring 11 is pushed to the left by the spring 12, and the mechanical locking mechanism is separated from the output hub 3. The disengagement force of the mechanical locking mechanism depends on the magnitude of the spring 12 force.

[0058] The oil pressure range of 25bar-30bar is a safe area to prevent the one-way valve 15 from opening unexpectedly. When the oil pressure is greater than 30bar, it is the mechanical locking mechanism engagement process. At this time, the high-pressure oil reaches the first small piston 13 and the second small piston 14. Since the end surface of the first small piston 13 is larger than the end surface of the second small piston 14, the pressure difference overcomes the force of the spring 12 to make the shift fork move to the right, and then drives the adapter ring 9, the needle bearing 10, the push ring 11, and the sliding sleeve 7 to move to the right until they reach the limit position of the first small piston 13. At this time, the dog teeth on the sliding sleeve 7 are in meshing state.

[0059] Embodiment 4:

[0060] like Figure 1 , 2 As shown, the difference between this embodiment and embodiment 3 is that: the adapter ring 9 is provided with a locking ring 16 that matches the groove on the support shell 6. The locking ring 16 is used to be stuck in the groove on the support shell 6 after the small piston oil pressure is released, and the sliding sleeve 7 is limited and the output hub 3 is continuously mechanically locked. When the dog teeth on the sliding sleeve 7 are in a meshing state, the locking ring 16 is stuck in the groove on the support shell 6. At this time, the hydraulic oil can be released, and the sliding sleeve 7 cannot rebound to the left, and the teeth will always remain in a meshing state. If you want to disconnect the meshing state, you need to reactivate the hydraulic oil circuit, push the fork to the left, and make the locking ring 16 withdraw from the groove on the support shell 6 under the action of the thrust, and then the sliding sleeve 7 can move to the left under the action of the spring 12 to separate the dog teeth.

[0061] Embodiment 5:

[0062] like Figure 1-5 As shown, the difference between this embodiment and embodiment 4 is that the shift fork 8 and the adapter ring 9 are connected by three cylindrical pins 18, and the shift fork and the small piston are connected by claws 19 on the shift fork.

[0063] The push ring 11 and the input hub 2 are connected by three pins, which are inserted into the holes of the input hub 2, so that the two can rotate at the same speed, and there is no relative rotation between them, only axial relative displacement. The remaining six holes on the input hub 2 are lubricating oil holes, which ensure that the lubricating oil can smoothly enter the friction plate area to lubricate the friction plate, dog teeth, splines, etc.

[0064] Embodiment 6:

[0065] like Figure 1 As shown, the difference between this embodiment and embodiment 1 is that the oil circuit switching mechanism includes a forward and reverse motor, and the forward and reverse motor is used to transport hydraulic oil to the large piston 4 and the small piston respectively through forward and reverse rotation.

[0066] The present invention can meet the needs of improving dynamic driving performance, as well as the needs of hardcore off-road and high torque. Moreover, the mechanical locking mechanism and the friction engagement transmission assembly share the same hydraulic oil circuit and oil circuit switching mechanism, saving costs and enabling flexible switching to avoid mutual interference between the two.

[0067] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not constitute any form of limitation to the present invention. Although the present invention has been disclosed as a preferred embodiment as above, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any technician familiar with the profession can make some changes or modifications to equivalent embodiments of equivalent changes using the technical contents disclosed above without departing from the scope of the technical solution of the present invention. However, any simple modifications, equivalent changes and modifications made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the content of the technical solution of the present invention should be covered within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A wet clutch system with a mechanical locking function, characterized in that: It comprises a hydraulic oil circuit, an oil circuit switching mechanism and an intermediate shaft (1); An input hub (2), an output hub (3) and a large piston (4) are sequentially arranged on the intermediate shaft (1); the input hub (2) is used to connect to a differential housing to transmit torque; The output hub (3) is provided with a clutch (5) on its outer sleeve, and the large piston (4) is used to push the friction plate of the clutch (5) to be pressed, thereby transmitting the torque of the input hub (2) to the output hub (3) and the intermediate shaft (1); The outer sleeve of the input hub (2) is provided with a mechanical locking mechanism and a small piston, and the small piston is used to push the mechanical locking mechanism to mechanically lock with the output hub (3), thereby transmitting the torque of the input hub (2) to the output hub (3) and the intermediate shaft (1); The oil circuit switching mechanism is used to switch the hydraulic oil circuit into the large piston (4) or the small piston.

2. The wet clutch system with mechanical locking function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The intermediate shaft (1) is outer-circuited with a supporting housing (6).

3. The wet clutch system with mechanical locking function according to claim 2, characterized in that: The mechanical locking mechanism comprises a sliding sleeve (7), a shift fork (8), an adapter ring (9), a needle roller bearing (10) and a push ring (11); The sliding sleeve (7) is arranged on the input hub (2); The shift fork (8), the adapter ring (9), the needle bearing (10) and the push ring (11) are sequentially arranged outside the input hub (2); the push ring (11) is used to push the sliding sleeve (7) to slide on the input hub (2) and mechanically lock with the output hub (3); A spring (12) is provided between the input hub (2) and the push ring (11), and the spring (12) is used to drive the sliding sleeve (7) to reset.

4. The wet clutch system with mechanical locking function according to claim 3, characterized in that: The small piston comprises a first small piston (13) and a second small piston (14); The first small piston (13) and the second small piston (14) are respectively arranged on both sides of the shift fork (8) and are used to drive the shift fork (8) to move left and right; The oil circuit switching mechanism is connected to the first small piston (13) and the second small piston (14) via an oil pipe; the first small piston (13) is arranged farther away from the oil circuit switching mechanism than the second small piston (14); a one-way valve (15) is arranged at the oil inlet of the first small piston (13); The one-way valve (15) is opened when the hydraulic oil pressure is greater than a set value, the end surface of the first small piston (13) is larger than the end surface of the second small piston (14), and a limiting clamping ring (21) for limiting the telescopic distance between the first small piston (13) and the second small piston (14) is provided on the support housing (6).

5. The wet clutch system with mechanical locking function according to claim 4, characterized in that: The adapter ring (9) is provided with a locking ring (16) matching the groove on the support shell (6). The locking ring (16) is used to be stuck in the groove on the support shell (6) after the oil pressure of the small piston is released, so as to limit the sliding sleeve (7) and continuously mechanically lock the output hub (3).

6. The wet clutch system with mechanical locking function according to claim 3, characterized in that: The input hub (2) and the sliding sleeve (7) are connected via three teeth (17), and the length of the teeth (17) is greater than the axial displacement length of the sliding sleeve (7).

7. The wet clutch system with mechanical locking function according to claim 3, characterized in that: The shift fork (8) and the adapter ring (9) are connected via three cylindrical pins (18), and the shift fork and the small piston are connected via a claw (19) on the shift fork.

8. The wet clutch system with mechanical locking function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The hydraulic oil circuit includes a motor and a plunger pump, and the motor is used to rotate and drive the plunger pump to provide hydraulic oil with different pressures.

9. The wet clutch system with mechanical locking function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The oil circuit switching mechanism is a switch solenoid valve (20).

10. The wet clutch system with mechanical locking function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The oil circuit switching mechanism comprises a forward and reverse motor, and the forward and reverse motor is used to deliver hydraulic oil to the large piston (4) and the small piston respectively through forward and reverse rotation.

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