Adjusting device for clutch and clutch comprising such adjusting device

Abstract

The invention relates to an adjusting device (1) with an actuation direction (3) for a clutch (2) and to a clutch (2) comprising such an adjusting device (1). The invention also relates to a thrust element (4) for an adjustment device (1), which thrust element has at least two drive ramps (6) in a transverse direction (5) with respect to the actuation direction (3) and an adjustment ramp element (7), one of the two drive ramps (6) having a stepped bearing surface, and the other of the two drive ramps (6) having a stepped bearing surface. The other of the two drive ramps (6) has a bearing surface with a flat design. The invention also relates to a drive element (8) which has at least two first counter slopes (9) in a transverse direction (5) with respect to the actuation direction (3). One of the two first counter ramps (9) has a stepped bearing surface and the other of the two first counter ramps (9) has a corresponding bearing surface with a flat design.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an adjustment device for compensating for wear of a clutch, so that the clutch can always be actuated on the same actuation path by an actuating device. The invention also relates to a clutch, in particular a dry friction clutch, with such an adjustment device, by means of which a torque flow can be established or interrupted in a drive train of a motor vehicle. The invention also relates to a push element and a drive element of the adjustment device. Background Art

[0002] From DE 10 2021 122 730.5, an adjusting device with an actuating device for a clutch is known, which has: a pushing element, which can be moved in an actuating direction for disengaging the clutch, wherein the pushing element has a driving ramp and an adjusting ramp (hereinafter also referred to as an adjusting ramp element) in a lateral direction relative to the actuating direction; a driving element, which can be moved in the actuating direction for actuating the adjusting device via a first reverse ramp, wherein the first reverse ramp has a profile that is opposite to the driving ramp and rests on the driving ramp in the actuating direction via the reverse profile; an adjusting element, which can be moved in a lateral direction and has a second reverse ramp, wherein the second reverse ramp has a profile that is opposite to the adjusting ramp and rests on the adjusting ramp in the actuating direction via the reverse profile. The adjustment element and the drive element are connected to each other in a transverse direction and the drive element is mounted on the adjustment element in a movably manner in an actuation direction, wherein the drive ramp and the counter profile of the drive ramp are designed to be self-locking and the adjustment ramp and the counter profile are designed to slide against each other in a transverse direction when a contact force is applied in the actuation direction, and wherein the adjustment element is fixed in the actuation direction.

[0003] With this adjustment device, the push element must be fixed to the housing in the circumferential direction so that the function of the adjustment device can be achieved. For example, this fixation can be completed using a fixing bolt attached to the housing.

[0004] From DE 10 2022 115 740.7 an adjusting device is known, which is designed similarly to DE 10 2021 122 730.5, wherein a first ramp ring corresponds to a push element, a second ramp ring corresponds to a drive element, and a sleeve element corresponds to an adjusting element. The first ramp ring and the second ramp ring contact one another via ramps, the first ramp ring and the second ramp ring contacting the supporting surfaces of the ramps. These supporting surfaces are designed in the manner of steps, thereby achieving an improved self-locking. The special shape of the steps described here is intended to ensure a safe and precise positioning of the ramps relative to one another.

[0005] If, for example, the ramp ring has three individual ramps (with or without toothing or stepped design) evenly distributed in the circumferential direction, the kinematics of the adjustment device lead to a self-centering of the ramp ring. This also applies to certain geometrical deviations of the components. This generally ensures that the bearing surfaces of the ramps or the ramp ring are evenly stressed.

[0006] If the ramp ring has more than three individual ramps, the positions of the ramp ring relative to each other are kinematically overdetermined. Only components without geometrical deviations will function properly. If there are geometrical deviations in the components (e.g. regarding the positions of the individual ramps relative to each other), certain non-uniform loads will occur on the surfaces of the ramps.

[0007] In particular, geometric deviations of the ramp or stepped ramp can lead, for example, to the ramp ring becoming skewed. This can lead to disadvantageous loading of the adjustment device, increased wear and / or malfunctions. Summary of the invention

[0008] There is a constant need to make clutches and adjustment devices simpler and more robust. The object of the invention is to at least partially solve the problems cited with reference to the prior art and to propose an adjustment device which is designed to be functionally reliable and which reacts independently and essentially steplessly or in small increments to the wear condition of the clutch. "Unintentional readjustments" must be prevented, for example in the presence of torsional vibrations. In particular, an adjustment device is proposed which enables low-wear and functionally reliable operation in the face of geometrical deviations of steps / gears on slopes to be expected due to production processes.

[0009] This object is achieved by an adjusting device having the features of claim 1, a push element having the features of claim 6, a drive element having the features of claim 7 and a clutch having the features of claim 8. Advantageous further developments are the subject matter of the dependent claims. The features listed individually in the claims can be combined with one another in a technically meaningful manner and can be supplemented by explanatory facts from the description and / or details from the drawings, in which further embodiment variants of the invention are shown.

[0010] A regulating device with an actuating direction for a clutch is proposed. The regulating device comprises

[0011] a push element which is movable in an actuation direction (relative to the housing of the adjusting device) for disengaging the clutch, wherein the push element has at least two drive ramps and an adjusting ramp element in a transverse direction to the actuation direction,

[0012] a drive element which is movable in an actuation direction (relative to the housing) for actuating the adjustment device by means of at least two first reversing ramps, wherein each first reversing ramp has a profile which is reversed with respect to the corresponding drive ramp and rests on the corresponding drive ramp by means of the reversing profile in the actuation direction,

[0013] An adjusting element which is movable in a transverse direction (relative to the housing) and has a second counter-ramp, wherein the second counter-ramp has a profile which is inverse to the adjusting ramp element and can act on the adjusting ramp element via the counter-ramp profile in an actuating direction.

[0014] The adjusting element and the drive element are connected to each other in the transverse direction, and the drive element is mounted on the adjusting element in a movably manner in the actuation direction. The drive ramp and the first reverse ramp are designed to be self-locking, and the adjusting ramp element and the second reverse ramp are designed to slide against each other in the transverse direction when a contact force is applied in the actuation direction. One of the two drive ramps and one of the two first reverse ramps each have a stepped bearing surface resting against each other, wherein at least one of the bearing surfaces of the other of the two drive ramps and the other of the two first reverse ramps resting against each other has a flat design.

[0015] The adjustment device proposed here corresponds in particular to the adjustment device according to DE 10 2021 122 730.5 mentioned at the outset, wherein the adjustment ramp described there corresponds substantially to the adjustment ramp element mentioned here. Furthermore, the adjustment device proposed here corresponds substantially in particular to the adjustment device according to DE 10 2022 115 740.7 mentioned at the outset, wherein the first ramp ring there corresponds to the push element described here, the second ramp ring corresponds to the drive element, and the sleeve element corresponds to the adjustment element. The first ramp ring and the second ramp ring of DE 10 2022 115 740.7 contact each other via ramps, and the first ramp ring and the second ramp ring contact the supporting surfaces of the ramps. These supporting surfaces are designed in a stepped manner, so that improved self-locking is achieved.

[0016] In contrast, it is proposed here that only the necessary number of ramps with steps or teeth should be designed on the push element (first ramp ring) and the drive element (second ramp ring). This special form of ramp or support surface (i.e. with steps or with teeth) is intended to prevent unintentional adjustments (i.e. even adjustments without wear). Due to the reduced number of stepped ramps, alignment and self-centering of the ramp rings (or push element and drive element) are possible without any problems. If geometric deviations now occur on the components actually used, these can be compensated (e.g. by elastic compliance of the components) more easily than if steps or teeth were provided on all ramps.

[0017] A conventional clutch has at least two pressing plates (but also for example a pressure plate, a counter plate and a clutch disc arranged to be sandwiched therebetween), one of the at least two pressing plates (for example the pressure plate and the counter plate) being connected to the input shaft and one (for example the clutch disc) being connected to the output shaft, and when the clutch is closed, the at least two pressing plates are frictionally connected to each other via a friction element. When the clutch is closed, the distance between the pressing plates is determined by the thickness of the friction element. If the friction element wears, the distance between the pressing plates decreases when the clutch is closed. As a result, with increasing wear, the actuating element of the clutch, such as a release lever or a diaphragm spring tongue, covers a greater distance between the opening and closing of the clutch. If no adjustment device is provided on the clutch, this additional distance is also covered by an upstream actuating device, such as a clutch pedal. In order to prevent the actuating device from having to travel this distance and instead always being able to cover the same distance, an adjustment device is arranged between the clutch and the actuating device.

[0018] When the drive element is actuated in the actuation direction on the input side, for example via a clutch pedal, the drive element displaces the push element in the actuation direction via the first reverse ramp resting on the drive ramp, which then disengages the clutch on the output side, for example via a release lever or a diaphragm spring tongue. The fact that the first reverse ramp rests on the drive ramp in a self-locking manner makes it possible to transmit such movement or the associated forces between the first reverse ramp and the drive ramp in the actuation direction without the first reverse ramp sliding off the drive ramp and subsequently moving in the transverse direction. During the actuation and the associated movement of the push element, the adjustment ramp moves away from the second reverse ramp, which is fixed, i.e. immovable, in the actuation direction.

[0019] If the actuation is released, the clutch closes again, for example by means of a spring element, and the push element is pushed back until the friction elements of the clutch come into contact with each other again. At the same time, the adjustment ramp or the adjustment ramp element and the second reverse ramp come into contact with each other again. As soon as the clutch wears, a force is generated between the second reverse ramp and the adjustment ramp or the adjustment ramp element in the actuation direction, because the clutch pushes the push element back a greater distance than before, but the second reverse ramp is immovable in the actuation direction. This force causes the second reverse ramp to slide along the adjustment ramp or the adjustment ramp element in the transverse direction. Since the adjustment element is connected to the drive element in the transverse direction, the drive element is adjusted in the transverse direction by sliding, so that the first reverse ramp also slides on the drive ramp. Therefore, the distance between the push element and the drive element changes to the same extent as the distance between the push element and the adjustment element, i.e. until there is no longer any force between the push element and the adjustment element. If the inclinations correspond (for example, when the drive ramp and the adjustment ramp or the adjustment ramp element have the same inclination, or when the inclinations of the ramp system have the same ratio), the axial lengths of the push element and the adjustment element in the actuation direction and the axial lengths of the push element and the drive element always have the same fixed difference. In this way, when the clutch is closed, the drive element always remains in the same position in the actuation direction and any extended travel due to wear of the actuation device is not transmitted.

[0020] In particular, the adjusting device is independent and separate from the actuating device. The adjusting device can then, for example, be mounted directly on the clutch and no further adjustments need to be made during subsequent assembly with the actuating device. The adjusting device can also be combined with a variety of different actuating devices. Another advantage is that the adjusting device is completely self-actuating and requires no maintenance. Wear indicators that are required to indicate when maintenance is required can also be omitted. Finally, the proposed adjusting device has a smaller number of components, so that a corresponding smaller number of manufacturing tolerances interact. Therefore, the corresponding tolerances can be selected to be large enough so that the adjusting device can be manufactured cost-effectively. In summary, a simple and easy-to-operate clutch with low installation and maintenance requirements has been created.

[0021] Disengaging the clutch by means of a push element is understood to mean that the push element moves an actuating element of the clutch. Such an actuating element is, for example, a release lever or a diaphragm spring tongue and acts directly or indirectly on at least one pressure plate of the clutch so that the pressure plates move away from each other and the friction contact between the friction elements of the pressure plates is eliminated. The clutch may be disengaged, for example, in order to change gears in a downstream transmission or during purely electric driving of a downstream hybrid transmission.

[0022] If the push element has a slope in the transverse direction, this means that the inclination of the slope extends in the transverse direction. The inclination of the reverse ramp also extends in the transverse direction. Therefore, the sliding of the reverse ramp on the inclined plane formed between the ramp and the reverse ramp is accompanied by the movement of the reverse ramp in the transverse direction. At the same time, each ramp preferably has a longer slope than its associated reverse ramp, so that the reverse ramp can be safely supported on the ramp via a corresponding path in the transverse direction. Depending on the available installation space, the corresponding reverse ramp or one of the reverse ramps can also have a longer slope than the associated ramp, so that the ramp can be safely supported on the reverse ramp on a corresponding path in the transverse direction. It can also be provided that only one of the surfaces sliding against each other has an inclination, and the other surface can be designed to extend parallel to the transverse direction. The decisive factor is that when one component is displaced in a lateral direction relative to the other component, the corresponding ramp system causes a relative displacement of the one component relative to the other component in the actuation direction, and when one component is displaced in the actuation direction relative to the other component, the corresponding ramp system causes a relative displacement of the one component relative to the other component in the lateral direction.

[0023] The drive element is particularly intended for actuating the adjusting device. This means that the drive element will be engaged by the actuating device. For example, the drive element has an actuating bearing, which is arranged to receive the actuating device. For example, such an actuating device is a push rod that engages with the drive element and is mechanically coupled to a clutch pedal or an automated device for clutch actuation.

[0024] In particular, the counter profiles on at least one drive ramp and the first counter ramp of the push element are designed in a step-like manner. The step-like structure ensures that the bearing surface, via which the drive ramp and the first counter ramp rest against each other, has good self-locking properties. In particular, the step prevents the drive element from returning relative to the push element.

[0025] In particular, the adjustment element and the drive element are connected to one another in a positive-fitting manner in the transverse direction, for example by means of a projection on the drive element engaging in a recess on the adjustment element.

[0026] In particular, the other of the two drive ramps and the other of the two first counter ramps each have a bearing surface with a flat design, which rest against one another.

[0027] In particular, the actuation direction is an axial direction of a cylindrical coordinate system and the transverse direction is a circumferential direction of a cylindrical coordinate system, wherein the push element, the drive element and the adjustment element are formed in a coaxial manner, in particular with respect to the axial direction.

[0028] In this way, a compact adjustment device is created which can be easily arranged on a clutch which is also usually of coaxial design. The drive ramp and the adjustment ramp as well as the counter ramp then each have an inclination along a trajectory following the circumferential direction. The connection between the drive element and the adjustment element can be realized, for example, via a toothing or an axial interlocking projection.

[0029] In particular, the push element is in contact with the actuating element, for example with the tip of an actuating rod, in particular due to its function in the adjusting device. Such an actuating rod is mounted on the housing, for example, via a rotational joint. The torque supporting the rotation of the push element can be achieved in particular via the above-mentioned centering screw and its fixing to the housing.

[0030] In particular, the adjustment device comprises a plurality of (first) actuating elements (preferably exactly three) distributed along the circumferential direction.

[0031] In particular, a plurality of ramp elements distributed around the circumference are arranged as drive ramps and / or adjustment ramp elements. Then, the reverse ramp is also divided into several parts accordingly. In particular, all ramp elements of the ramp, preferably except the drive ramp and / or the first reverse ramp, are designed in the same way. In particular, at least a part of the drive ramp and / or a part of the first reverse ramp is stepped, and another part has a flat design. It is precisely because of the different designs of some ramps that the drive element or the adjustment element on the push element is evenly supported around the circumference.

[0032] In particular, the adjusting device has a housing, wherein the adjusting element is mounted on the housing so as to be movable in the transverse direction and fixed in the actuation direction. The adjusting device is then independent and can operate independently. It can be used as a single component with a variety of clutches of different designs. Alternatively, the adjusting device can be fixed to a fixed part of the clutch and, in particular, can be designed to be combined with the clutch. In any case, the position of the adjusting element is fixed in the actuation direction so as to act as a counter support for the force between the adjusting ramp and the second reverse ramp in this direction.

[0033] In particular, the push element has a plurality of drive ramps along the circumferential direction and the drive element has a plurality of first counter ramps along the circumferential direction.At least two, preferably exactly three drive ramps and two, preferably exactly three first counter ramps have a stepped bearing surface.

[0034] In particular, the stepped bearing surfaces of the drive ramp and / or the first reverse ramp and the flat bearing surfaces of flat design are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction. In particular, the same number of stepped drive ramps and flat drive ramps is provided (in particular, exactly three of each). In particular, the same number of stepped first reverse ramps and flat first reverse ramps is provided (in particular, exactly three of each).

[0035] A push element for the described adjustment device is also proposed. The push element is designed in a coaxial manner and has at least two drive ramps and an adjustment ramp element in a transverse direction to the actuation direction, wherein one of the two drive ramps has a stepped bearing surface and the other of the two drive ramps has a bearing surface of flat design.

[0036] In particular, the push element is designed as a disk element having an axis of rotation.The push element can be moved in the adjustment device along an actuation direction.

[0037] In particular, the push element has a plurality of drive ramps and adjustment ramp elements along the transverse direction (here the circumferential direction), and these drive ramps and adjustment ramp elements are each particularly distributed at equal intervals. In particular, the drive ramps are arranged on the outer edge of the push element in the radial direction. In particular, the adjustment ramp elements are arranged on the inner edge of the push element in the radial direction. Between the drive ramps and the adjustment ramp elements, the push element is disc-shaped. In particular, six drive ramps (three drive ramps have a stepped support surface, and three drive ramps have a flat support surface) and three adjustment ramp elements are provided.

[0038] A drive element for the described adjustment device is also proposed, wherein the drive element is formed in a coaxial manner. The drive element has at least two reverse ramps in a transverse direction relative to the actuation direction, wherein one of the two first reverse ramps has a stepped bearing surface and the other of the two first reverse ramps has a bearing surface of flat design.

[0039] In particular, the drive element is designed as a disk element having an axis of rotation.The drive element can be moved in the adjustment device along an actuation direction.

[0040] In particular, the drive element has a plurality of first reverse slopes along the transverse direction (here the circumferential direction), which are particularly distributed at equal intervals. In particular, the first reverse slopes are arranged on the outer edge of the drive element in the radial direction. In particular, a plurality of protrusions engaged in the recess of the adjustment element are arranged on the inner edge of the drive element in the radial direction. Between the first reverse slopes and the protrusions, the drive element is disc-shaped. In particular, six first reverse slopes (three first reverse slopes have a stepped bearing surface and three first reverse slopes have a flat bearing surface) and three protrusions are provided.

[0041] Furthermore, a clutch is proposed for selectively connecting and disconnecting an input shaft and at least one output shaft, wherein the clutch has the described adjustment device.

[0042] The adjusting device and the clutch can be combined into a single unit and share a common housing. In this way, the number of components can be reduced so that fewer component tolerances work together. The adjusting device is alternatively provided as a separate component and arranged on the receiving portion of the clutch.

[0043] In particular, the clutch has a plurality of component clutches for a plurality of output shafts, wherein at least one component clutch has an adjustment device as described above.

[0044] For example, such a clutch is provided for use in agricultural machinery or construction machinery, wherein the first output shaft is used to drive the operation of the machine and is, for example, the input shaft of a drive transmission, while the second shaft is a power output shaft for secondary applications such as driving a winch or a lifting device. In one embodiment, only the first sub-clutch of the first output shaft is designed or equipped with an adjustment device, since this is subject to greater wear due to more frequent use, especially under load. In such an embodiment in which the adjustment device is formed coaxially in a cylindrical coordinate system, the push element, the adjustment element and / or the drive element can have recesses distributed around the circumference for the passage of elements of the second sub-clutch, so as to form a particularly compact clutch.

[0045] What has been stated about the adjusting device applies in particular also to the thrust element, the drive element and the clutch, and what has been stated about the thrust element, the drive element and the clutch applies in particular also to the adjusting device.

[0046] The use of indefinite articles ("a" and "an"), in particular in the patent claims and in the description reproducing the patent claims, should be understood as indefinite articles rather than numbers. Therefore, the terms or components introduced in this way are to be understood in the following way: these terms or components appear at least once and in particular may also appear several times.

[0047] As a precaution, it should be noted that the numerals used herein ("first", "second", etc.) are primarily (only) used to distinguish between several similar objects, dimensions or processes, and in particular do not need to indicate any dependency and / or order of these objects, dimensions or processes with respect to each other. If a dependency and / or order is necessary, this is explicitly stated here or it is followed in a manner obvious to a person skilled in the art when studying the specifically described embodiments. If a component may appear several times ("at least once"), a description of one of these components may apply equally to most or all of these components, but this is not mandatory. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] Both the present invention and the technical field are described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the present invention is not intended to be limited to the exemplary embodiments shown. In particular, it should be noted that the drawings and in particular the proportions shown are merely schematic in nature. In the drawings:

[0049] Figure 1 : A known clutch with an adjustment device is shown in a three-dimensional diagram;

[0050] Figure 2 : A cross-sectional side view shows the Figure 1 Clutch;

[0051] Figure 3 : A part of a known adjustment device is shown in a perspective view;

[0052] Figure 4 : A part of the adjusting device is shown in a three-dimensional view;

[0053] Figure 5 : A top view showing the Figure 4 part of;

[0054] Figure 6 :shows the Figure 3 a schematic side view of an adjustment device; and

[0055] Figure 7 :shows the Figure 4 and Figure 5 Schematic side view of the adjustment device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] Figure 1 A clutch 2 with an adjustment device 1 known from DE 10 2021 122 730.5 is shown in a perspective view. Figure 2 The cross-sectional side view shows the Figure 2 The clutch 2 is described below. Figure 1 and Figure 2 .

[0057] With regard to the basic functions of the clutch 2 and the adjusting device 1 , reference is made to DE 10 2021 122 730.5.

[0058] The clutch 2 is suitable for selectively connecting or disconnecting an input shaft 15 and at least one output shaft 16, wherein the clutch 2 has an adjustment device 1. The adjustment device 1 and the clutch 2 are combined into a single unit and share a common housing 12. The clutch 2 has a first sub-clutch 17 and a second sub-clutch 18, which is only mentioned indirectly. Each sub-clutch 17, 18 is assigned to the output shaft 16, wherein only the first sub-clutch 17 has the adjustment device 1. The first sub-clutch 17 is assigned a first actuating element 13. The second sub-clutch 18 is assigned a second actuating element 19.

[0059] The adjusting device 1 comprises a push element 4 which is movable in the actuation direction 3 for disengaging the clutch 2 or the first sub-clutch 17, wherein the push element 4 has a drive ramp 6 and an adjustment ramp (hereinafter referred to as an adjustment ramp element 7) in a transverse direction 5 relative to the actuation direction 3. In addition, the adjusting device 1 has a drive element 8 which is movable in the actuation direction 3 for actuating the adjusting device 1 via a first reverse ramp 9, wherein the first reverse ramp 9 has a profile which is reversed relative to the drive ramp 6 and rests on the drive ramp 6 in the actuation direction 3 via a reverse profile. In addition, the adjusting device 1 has an adjusting element 10 which is movable in the transverse direction 5 and has a second reverse ramp 11, wherein the second reverse ramp 11 has a profile which is reversed relative to the adjustment ramp or the adjustment ramp element 7 and can be applied to the adjustment ramp in the actuation direction 3 via a reverse profile. The adjustment element 10 and the drive element 8 are connected to each other in the transverse direction 5, and the drive element 8 is mounted on the adjustment element 10 in a movably manner in the actuation direction 3, wherein the drive ramp 6 and the reverse profile of the drive ramp 6 are designed to be self-locking, and the adjustment ramp and the reverse profile are designed to slide against each other in the transverse direction 5 when a contact force is applied in the actuation direction 3, and wherein the adjustment element 10 is fixed in the actuation direction 3.

[0060] The clutch 2 has a pressure plate 20, a reverse plate 21 and a clutch disc 22 arranged to be clamped between the pressure plate and the reverse plate, wherein the pressure plate 20 and the reverse plate 21 are connected to the input shaft 15, and the clutch disc 22 is connected to the output shaft 16, and when the clutch 2 is closed, the pressure plate, the reverse plate and the clutch disc are frictionally connected to each other via the friction element. When the clutch 2 is closed, the distance between the pressure plates (pressure plate 20, reverse plate 21, clutch disc 22) is determined by the thickness of the friction element. If the friction element is worn, the distance between the pressure plates will decrease when the clutch 2 is closed. Therefore, the first actuating element 13 of the clutch 2, which is shown here as a release lever, covers a larger distance between the opening and closing of the clutch 2 when the wear increases. If the adjustment device 1 is not provided on the clutch 2, this additional distance is also covered by the upstream actuating device, such as a clutch pedal. In order to prevent the actuating device from having to travel this distance, but always being able to cover the same distance, the adjustment device 1 is arranged between the clutch 2 and the actuating device.

[0061] When the drive element 8 is actuated in the actuation direction 3 on the input side, for example via a clutch pedal, the drive element 8, confirmed by the actuation force 25 of the actuating device, displaces the push element 4 in the actuation direction 3 via the first reverse ramp 9 resting on the drive ramp 6, which then disengages the clutch 2 on the output side here via the first actuating element 13. The fact that the first reverse ramp 9 rests on the drive ramp 6 in a self-locking manner enables this movement or the associated force to be transmitted between the first reverse ramp 9 and the drive ramp 6 in the actuation direction 3 without the first reverse ramp 9 sliding off the drive ramp 6 and subsequently moving in the transverse direction 5. During the actuation and the associated movement of the push element 4, the adjustment ramp or the adjustment ramp element 7 moves away from the second reverse ramp 11, which is fixed, i.e. immovable, in the actuation direction 3.

[0062] If the actuation is released, the clutch 2 is closed again, for example by means of a spring element, and the push element 4 is pushed back until the friction elements of the clutch 2 are in contact with each other again. At the same time, the adjustment ramp or adjustment ramp element 7 and the second reverse ramp 11 are in contact with each other again. As soon as the clutch 2 is worn, a force is generated between the second reverse ramp 11 and the adjustment ramp or adjustment ramp element 7 in the actuation direction 3, because the clutch 2 pushes the push element 4 back a greater distance than before, but the second reverse ramp 11 is not movable in the actuation direction 3. This force causes the second reverse ramp 11 to slide along the adjustment ramp or adjustment ramp element 7 and in the transverse direction 5. Since the adjustment element 10 is connected to the drive element 8 in the transverse direction 5 via the protrusion 26 and the recess 27, the drive element 8 is adjusted in the transverse direction 5 by sliding, so that the first reverse ramp 9 also slides on the drive ramp 6. Thus, the distance between the push element 4 and the drive element 8 varies to the same extent as the distance between the push element 4 and the adjusting element 10, i.e. until there is no longer any force between the push element 4 and the adjusting element 10. If the inclinations correspond (e.g. when the drive ramp 6 and the adjusting ramp or the adjusting ramp element 7 have the same inclination or when the inclinations of the ramp system have the same ratio), the axial lengths of the push element 4 and the adjusting element 10 in the actuation direction 3 and the axial lengths of the push element 4 and the drive element 8 always have the same fixed difference. In this way, when the clutch 3 is closed, the drive element 8 always remains in the same position in the actuation direction 3 and does not transmit any extended travel due to wear of the actuation device.

[0063] Disengaging the clutch 2 by means of the push element 4 is understood to mean that the push element 4 moves the first actuating element 13 of the clutch 2. The first actuating element 13 is a release lever and acts directly on the pressure plate 20 of the clutch 2, so that the pressure plate 20 is removed from the counter plate 21 and the clutch disc 22 and the friction contact between the friction elements of the pressure plate is released.

[0064] For such an adjustment device 1, the push element 4 must be fixed to the housing 12 in the circumferential direction (lateral direction 5) so that the function of the adjustment device 1 can be realized. This fixing is done using a fixing bolt 23 attached to the housing 12. An area 24 for contacting the fixing bolt 23 is formed on the push element 4 to be fixed.

[0065] Figure 3A portion of a known adjusting device 1 is shown in a perspective view. The adjusting device 1 comprises a push element 4 which is movable in an actuation direction 3 for disengaging the clutch 2 or the first sub-clutch 17, wherein the push element 4 has a drive ramp 6 and an adjusting ramp element 7 in a transverse direction 5 relative to the actuation direction 3. Furthermore, the adjusting device 1 has a drive element 8 which is movable in the actuation direction 3 for actuating the adjusting device 1 via a first reversing ramp 9, wherein the first reversing ramp 9 has a profile which is reversed relative to the drive ramp 6 and rests on the drive ramp 6 in the actuation direction 3 via a reversing profile. Furthermore, the adjusting device 1 has an adjusting element 10 which is movable in the transverse direction 5 and has a second reversing ramp 11, wherein the second reversing ramp 11 has a profile which is reversed relative to the adjusting ramp element 7 and can be applied to the adjusting ramp element 7 in the actuation direction 3 via the reversing profile. The adjustment element 10 and the drive element 8 are connected to each other in the transverse direction 5 via a protrusion 26 and a recess 27, and the drive element 8 is mounted on the adjustment element 10 in a movably manner in the actuation direction 3, wherein the drive ramp 6 and the reverse profile of the drive ramp 6 are designed to be self-locking, and the adjustment ramp element 7 and the reverse profile are designed to slide against each other in the transverse direction 5 when a contact force is applied in the actuation direction 3, and wherein the adjustment element 10 is fixed in the actuation direction 3.

[0066] The push element 4 and the drive element 8 are in contact with each other via the ramps 6, 9, which rest against each other with the support surfaces of the ramps 6, 9. These support surfaces are designed in a stepped manner, so that an improved self-locking is achieved.

[0067] If the push element 4 and the drive element 8 have, for example, three independent ramps 6, 9 (with or without toothing or stepped design) that are evenly distributed in the circumferential direction, the kinematics of the adjustment device 1 lead to self-centering of the push element 4 and the drive element 8. This also applies to certain geometrical deviations of the components. This generally ensures that the bearing surfaces of the ramps 6, 9 or the push element 4 and the drive element 8 are evenly stressed.

[0068] The components shown, the push element 4 and the drive element 8, each have six individual ramps 6, 9, so that the positions of the push element 4 and the drive element 8 relative to each other are kinematically overdetermined. Only components without geometric deviations can function properly. If there are geometric deviations of the components (e.g., regarding the positions of the individual ramps 6, 9 relative to each other), certain uneven loads will appear on the surfaces of the ramps 6, 9.

[0069] In particular, geometrical deviations of the ramps 6, 9 or of the stepped ramps 6, 9 can lead, for example, to a skewing of the push element 4 or the drive element 8. This can lead to disadvantageous loading of the adjustment device 1, increased wear and / or malfunctions.

[0070] Figure 4 A part of the adjustment device 1 is shown in a perspective view. Figure 5 The top view shows the Figure 4 The following describes Figure 4 and Figure 5 . Reference Figures 1 to 3 Related explanations.

[0071] The push element 4 has a plurality of drive ramps 6 along the circumferential direction, and the drive element 8 has a plurality of first reverse ramps 9 along the circumferential direction. Exactly three drive ramps 6 and exactly three first reverse ramps 9 have stepped bearing surfaces and are in contact with each other. Exactly three drive ramps 6 and exactly three first reverse ramps 9 have bearing surfaces of flat design and are in contact with each other.

[0072] The stepped bearing surfaces of the driving ramp 6 and the first counter ramp 9 and the flat bearing surfaces of flat design are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction.

[0073] The pushing element 4 is designed in a coaxial manner and has six drive ramps 6 and three adjustment ramp elements 7 in a transverse direction 5 relative to the actuation direction 3, wherein three of the six drive ramps 6 have stepped support surfaces and the other three of the six drive ramps 6 have support surfaces with a flat design.

[0074] The drive ramp 6 is arranged on the outer edge of the push element 4 in radial direction 14. The adjustment ramp element 7 is arranged on the inner edge of the push element 4 in radial direction 14. Between the drive ramp 6 and the adjustment ramp element 7, the push element 4 is disc-shaped.

[0075] The drive element 8 is formed in a coaxial manner. The drive element 8 has six first reverse ramps 9 in a transverse direction 5 relative to the actuation direction 3, wherein three of the six reverse ramps 9 have stepped bearing surfaces and the other three of the six first reverse ramps 9 have bearing surfaces of flat design.

[0076] The first counter ramp 9 is arranged on the outer edge of the drive element 8 in the radial direction 14. Three projections 26 engaging in recesses 27 of the adjustment element 10 are arranged on the inner edge of the drive element 8 in the radial direction 14. Between the first counter ramp 9 and the projections 26, the drive element 8 is disc-shaped.

[0077] Figure 6 Shown according to Figure 3 Schematic side view of the adjustment device 1. Figure 7 Shown according to Figure 4 and Figure 5A schematic side view of the adjustment device 1 is shown below. Figure 6 and Figure 7 . Reference Figures 1 to 5 Related explanations.

[0078] The drive element 8 and the push element 4 shown have corresponding ramps 6, 9 that contact each other. The push element 4 is fixed to the housing 12 in the transverse direction 5. The drive element 8 is arranged to be movable in the transverse direction 5 relative to the push element 4 or, in the event of wear, to be driven in the transverse direction 5 via the adjustment element 10.

[0079] exist Figure 6 , the drive ramp 6 and the first counter ramp 9 are in contact with each other via a stepped bearing surface. The push element 4 is fixed to the housing 12 in the transverse direction 5. The drive element 8 is arranged to be movable in the transverse direction 5 relative to the push element 4 or, in the event of wear, to be driven in the transverse direction 5 via the adjustment element 10. Geometric deviations of the stepped ramps 6, 9 may cause the push element 4 or the drive element 8 to become skewed. This may lead to unfavorable loads, increased wear and / or malfunctions of the adjustment device 1.

[0080] exist Figure 7 In the embodiment of the present invention, the drive ramp 6 and the first reverse ramp are in contact with each other via stepped bearing surfaces and bearing surfaces with a flat design. The stepped bearing surfaces and the flat bearing surfaces with a flat design of the drive ramp 6 and the first reverse ramp 9 are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction. Due to the reduced number of stepped ramps 6, 9, alignment and self-centering of the push element 4 and the drive element 8 are possible without any problems. If geometric deviations now occur on the components actually used, these geometric deviations can be compensated more easily (for example, by the elastic compliance of the components) than if steps or teeth were provided on all ramps 6, 9.

[0081] The adjusting device 1 proposed here corresponds essentially to the adjusting device 1 mentioned at the outset according to DE 10 2022 115740.7, wherein a portion of the drive ramp 6 or the first counter ramp 9 is stepped and another portion is of flat design.

[0082] Reference numerals list

[0083] 1 Adjustment device

[0084] 2 Clutch

[0085] 3 Actuation direction

[0086] 4 Pushing element

[0087] 5 Horizontal direction

[0088] 6 Drive ramp

[0089] 7 Adjusting the ramp element

[0090] 8 Drive components

[0091] 9 First reverse slope

[0092] 10. Adjustment element

[0093] 11 Second reverse slope

[0094] 12 Housing

[0095] 13. First actuating element

[0096] 14 Radial direction

[0097] 15 Input shaft

[0098] 16 Output shaft

[0099] 17 First sub-clutch

[0100] 18 Second sub-clutch

[0101] 19 Second actuating element

[0102] 20 Pressure Plate

[0103] 21 Reverse plate

[0104] 22 Clutch disc

[0105] 23 Fixing bolt

[0106] 24 Regions

[0107] 25 Actuation force

[0108] 26 Protrusion

[0109] 27 recess

Claims

1. An adjusting device (1) for a clutch (2), the adjusting device having an actuating direction (3), the adjusting device having at least a pushing element (4) which is movable in the actuating direction (3) for disengaging the clutch (2), wherein: The push element (4) has at least two drive ramps (6) and an adjustment ramp element (7) in a transverse direction (5) relative to the actuation direction (3), a drive element (8) which is movable in the actuation direction (3) for actuating the adjustment device (1) by means of at least two first reversing ramps (9), wherein each first reversing ramp (9) has a profile which is reversed with respect to the corresponding drive ramp (6) and rests on the corresponding drive ramp (6) in the actuation direction (3) by means of a reversing profile, an adjusting element (10) which is movable in the transverse direction (5) and has a second reverse ramp (11), wherein the second reverse ramp (11) has a profile which is reversed with respect to the adjusting ramp element (7) and can act on the adjusting ramp element (7) via the reverse profile in the actuating direction (3); wherein the adjusting element (10) and the driving element (8) are connected to each other in the transverse direction (5), and the driving element (8) is mounted on the adjusting element (10) in a movably manner in the actuating direction (3); wherein the driving ramp (6) and the first reverse ramp (9) are designed to be self-locking, and the adjusting ramp element (7) and the second reverse ramp (11) are designed to slide against each other in the transverse direction (5) when a contact force is applied in the actuating direction (3); wherein one of the two driving ramps (6) and one of the two first reverse ramps (9) each have a stepped supporting surface resting against each other, wherein at least one of the supporting surfaces of the other of the two driving ramps (6) and the other of the two first reverse ramps (9) resting against each other has a flat design.

2. The adjustment device (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The other of the two drive ramps (6) and the other of the two first counter ramps (9) each have a bearing surface of flat design, which rest against each other.

3. The adjustment device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The actuation direction (3) is an axial direction of a cylindrical coordinate system, and the transverse direction (5) is a circumferential direction of a cylindrical coordinate system, wherein the pushing element (4), the driving element (8) and the adjusting element (10) are formed in a coaxial manner.

4. The adjustment device (1) according to claim 3, wherein: The pushing element (4) has a plurality of driving ramps (6) along the circumferential direction, and the driving element (8) has a plurality of first reverse ramps (9) along the circumferential direction; wherein at least two driving ramps (6) and two first reverse ramps (9) each have a stepped supporting surface.

5. The adjustment device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 3 and 4, wherein: The stepped bearing surfaces and the flat bearing surfaces of flat design of the drive ramp (6) or the first counter ramp (9) are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction.

6. A pushing element (4) for an adjusting device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The actuation direction (3) is an axial direction of a cylindrical coordinate system, and the transverse direction (5) is a circumferential direction of a cylindrical coordinate system, wherein the pushing element (4) is formed in a coaxial manner, wherein the pushing element (4) has at least two drive ramps (6) and an adjustment ramp element (7) in the transverse direction (5) relative to the actuation direction (3), wherein one of the two drive ramps (6) has a stepped support surface, and the other of the two drive ramps (6) has a support surface with a flat design.

7. A drive element (8) for an adjustment device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The actuation direction (3) is an axial direction of a cylindrical coordinate system, and the transverse direction (5) is a circumferential direction of a cylindrical coordinate system, wherein the drive element (8) is formed in a coaxial manner, wherein the drive element (8) has at least two reverse slopes (9) in the transverse direction (5) relative to the actuation direction (3), wherein one of the two first reverse slopes (9) has a stepped support surface, and the other of the two first reverse slopes (9) has a support surface with a flat design.

8. A clutch (2) for selectively connecting or disconnecting an input shaft (15) and at least one output shaft (16), the clutch having an adjustment device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

9. The clutch (2) according to claim 8, wherein: The clutch (2) has a plurality of component clutches (17, 18) for a plurality of output shafts (16), wherein at least one component clutch (17, 18) has an adjustment device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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