Plate clutch device

Abstract

The invention relates to a plate clutch device (1), comprising a housing (2) having a supply channel (3) connected to a collecting opening (4), through which a liquid, in particular oil, can be fed into at least one axial channel (12), which is arranged in an inner plate carrier (10) of the plate clutch device (1), an oil guide element (8), in particular an oil guide plate, is arranged between the supply channel (3) and the axial channel (12) and forms a gap (11) for bridging between the housing (2) and the inner plate carrier (10).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a plate clutch device comprising a housing having a supply channel connected to a collection opening through which liquid, particularly oil, can be delivered to at least one axial channel disposed in an inner friction plate support of the plate clutch device. Background Technology

[0002] The type of plate clutch device mentioned at the beginning is known in principle from the prior art. Typically, especially in so-called wet-operation plate clutches, the inner friction plates on the inner friction plate holder and the outer friction plates on the outer friction plate holder are surrounded by a fluid, particularly oil, for example, to cool them. After flowing through the friction plate assembly, the fluid typically collects in a reservoir or tank and is resupplyed to the circulation system. Here, a collection opening is typically provided within the housing, which, for example, receives fluid ejected from the outer friction plate holder and supplies it to a supply channel. This supply channel connects to an axial channel provided in the inner friction plate holder, through which the fluid can be resupplyed to the friction plate assembly.

[0003] Clearly, fluid needs to be supplied from the stationary components of the plate clutch to the rotating components of the plate clutch assembly between the supply channel in the housing and the axial channel in the inner friction plate holder. To rotatably support the inner friction plate holder relative to the housing, a support device is typically required, through which the fluid must pass on its path from the supply channel to the axial channel. Therefore, a compromise is necessary to avoid overfilling the support device while still ensuring sufficient fluid is introduced into the axial channel for supply to the friction plate assembly. Furthermore, the rotational motion causes the fluid to move radially outward, allowing it to flow into the gap between the rotating inner friction plate holder and the stationary housing, thus reducing the effective volumetric flow rate of the fluid supplied to the axial channel. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The objective of this invention is to provide an improved plate clutch device compared to the present invention, wherein, in particular, the supply of fluid to the friction plate assembly is improved.

[0005] The task is accomplished by a plate clutch device having the features of claim 1. An advantageous solution is the subject of the dependent claims.

[0006] As described at the outset, the present invention relates to a plate clutch device having a housing with a supply channel connected to a collection opening through which liquid, such as oil, can be supplied to an axial channel extending in the axial direction through an inner friction plate support of the plate clutch device. In other words, the liquid, such as oil, is collected by means of the collection opening, for example, when the liquid is previously ejected from the outer friction plate support, and fed from the collection opening into the supply channel. The liquid should be introduced from the supply channel into the axial channel in the inner friction plate support, which extends in the axial direction, i.e., parallel to the axis of rotation. The supply channel may extend in the radial direction or at an angle to it.

[0007] This invention is based on the knowledge of providing an oil guiding element, particularly an oil guiding plate, between the supply channel and the axial channel, forming a bridging space between the housing and the inner friction plate support. Therefore, this invention proposes that the oil guiding element be positioned between the supply channel and the axial channel, allowing liquid, or oil, to flow from the supply channel into the oil guiding element or be specifically delivered to the axial channel via the oil guiding element. On the one hand, this solves the problem that liquid is squeezed radially outward due to rotational motion. The oil guiding element enables the liquid to be directed to the axial channel. Furthermore, the oil guiding element can deliver or transfer oil to the axial channel, thus bridging the gap between the housing and the inner friction plate support. The oil guiding element can, for example, be embedded in the axial channel or the pre-chamber (which feeds multiple axial channels) in the axial direction, and thus liquid can flow from the oil guiding element into the axial channel, allowing the liquid to remain in the axial channel without any liquid entering the gap between the housing and the inner friction plate support and thus preventing loss of oil for the friction plate assembly.

[0008] Advantageously, this results in relatively low delivery pressure and faster oil filling. The oil column, which rotates around the surface due to the rotational motion, is intercepted by an oil guide element and introduced into the axial channel. The oil guide element can be positioned, in particular, around an axis that is connected to and thus rotates with the inner friction plate support.

[0009] According to one embodiment of a plate clutch device, the oil guiding element can be configured in a funnel shape, wherein one end of the oil guiding element with a smaller opening cross-section faces the axial position of the friction plate assembly. In other words, the funnel shape is configured in the axial direction, i.e., the oil guiding element has a larger opening at one axial end and a relatively smaller opening at the opposite axial end. The smaller opening, or smaller opening cross-section, faces the friction plate assembly. This causes the fluid guided from the supply channel into the oil guiding element to be guided in the direction of the rotation axis, because the diameter decreases due to the funnel shape, i.e., the inner wall of the oil guiding element is reduced. Therefore, the entire oil column (on which the oil guiding element is disposed) running around the axis can be intercepted and supplied in a defined manner to the inner region or the axial channel. The funnel shape of the oil guiding element can be configured in stages or continuously. Thus, advantageously, the fluid can exit the oil guiding element close to the center or the rotation axis.

[0010] As already described, the oil guiding element may have an axial end with a larger opening cross-section compared to the other axial end. According to one embodiment of a plate clutch device, the oil guiding element may have a through-hole in its circumferential surface at the end with the larger opening cross-section, the through-hole being located at the outlet of the supply channel. This through-hole specifically serves as a defined oil inlet, through which liquid, or oil, can be introduced from the supply channel into the oil guiding element. Furthermore, the orientation of the oil guiding element can be ensured by the through-hole or by a separate anti-torsional portion. As already described, the oil guiding element can, in principle, remain stationary and thus be fixedly connected to the housing. The oil guiding element may surround the shaft (described above and connected to the inner friction plate support) such that the oil guiding element is arranged around the shaft, but not torsively connected to the shaft; rather, the shaft can rotate relative to the stationary oil guiding element.

[0011] Additionally, in a plate clutch device, a blocking element disposed radially outside the oil guide element can be specified. This blocking element serves to block or restrict the flow of fluid into the bridging gap. As already explained, a gap is provided between the inner friction plate support, which has an axial channel, and the housing, through which the inner friction plate support remains rotatable relative to the housing. In the axial direction, this gap is bridging the oil guide element as described above, allowing fluid to be introduced from the oil guide element into the inner friction plate support from within the axial channel or from a pre-chamber preceding the axial channel, or exiting the oil guide element there. The blocking element is provided to prevent fluid from flowing back into the gap in the desired axial direction. The blocking element can be disposed between the inner friction plate support and the oil guide element on the inner circumference of the inner friction plate support and surround the oil guide element, such that the gap between the housing and the inner friction plate support is sealed by the blocking element. In other words, the liquid flowing out of the oil guide element and toward the gap, that is, in the axial direction away from the friction plate assembly, is stopped or blocked by the blocking element, so as to maintain a volumetric flow rate toward the friction plate assembly.

[0012] As already described, the oil guiding element is specifically fixed to the housing, ensuring that fluid is introduced into the oil guiding element from the supply channel. According to one embodiment of the plate clutch device, the oil guiding element, particularly the oil guiding element fixed to the housing, and the blocking element are rotatably supported relative to each other. The relative movement between the oil guiding element and the blocking element can be achieved in such a way that the oil guiding element is fixed to the housing and the blocking element is fixedly connected to a shaft or to an inner friction plate support having multiple axial channels or at least one axial channel.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the plate clutch device, the at least one axial channel described herein can be connected to an intermediate reservoir, which is radially upper bounded by an inner friction plate support and connected to the friction plate assembly via at least one radial channel within the inner friction plate support. In other words, fluid introduced into the axial channel via an oil guiding element can flow through the axial channel and be guided into the intermediate reservoir. The fluid can then exit radially from the intermediate reservoir through the at least one radial channel and thus be guided into the friction plate assembly. Therefore, in particular, the fluid is first collected in the intermediate reservoir and held there, such that a uniform distribution of the fluid from the intermediate reservoir is achieved through the at least one or more radial channels leading to the friction plate assembly. The radial channels can be, in particular, radial holes that introduce fluid between the inner friction plates, which are disposed on the inner friction plate support.

[0014] Furthermore, the described plate clutch device can be further configured such that the outer friction plate support of the plate clutch device has at least one discharge channel extending radially through the outer friction plate support. Fluid introduced into the friction plate assembly, especially due to rotational motion, is guided radially outward, allowing the fluid to exit the friction plate assembly, or plate clutch, of the plate clutch device again through the at least one discharge channel.

[0015] The discharge channel can be provided, in particular, as a radial hole in the outer friction plate support. The outer friction plate support, especially between two outer friction plates supported on it, has at least one discharge channel. Here, the axial position corresponds to the axial position of the friction plate assembly. In particular, the outer friction plate support can have multiple discharge channels in both the circumferential and axial directions. As already explained at the beginning, liquid leaving the outer friction plate support, or being ejected from the outer friction plate support through the discharge channel, is resupplyed to the collection opening, allowing the liquid to be resupplyed to the oil guiding element and thus to the oil circulation via the supply channel.

[0016] Furthermore, in a plate clutch device, the rotatable transmission element, particularly the outer friction plate support, can be configured to tangentially transport liquid from the ejection point to a collection opening connected to a supply channel. For example, the discharge channel can be provided in the outer friction plate support such that liquid is tangentially ejected from the outer friction plate support as it leaves the ejection point, and thus transported to the collection opening.

[0017] Furthermore, due to the rotational motion of the transmission element, especially the outer friction plate support, a liquid column circulating in the circumferential direction can be generated. Therefore, the liquid from the tank is circumferentially transported to the collection opening along with the rotating transmission element. In other words, the liquid from the tank is carried or driven by the rotating outer friction plate support and tangentially introduced into the collection opening in the upper region of the housing. Thus, through the rotation of the rotatable transmission element, especially the outer friction plate support, an oil column circulating in the housing is generated, which specifically transports liquid, especially oil, towards the collection opening via a tangential transition portion.

[0018] This improves the volumetric flow rate of the liquid that can be resupplyed to the supply channel. Here, the collection opening can have a defined collection geometry with a radius adapted to maximize the supply of liquid guided into the collection opening to the supply channel. In particular, the collection opening can have a curved section that deflects the ejected liquid into the supply channel. The liquid ejected from the outer friction plate support, or guided by the surrounding fluid, eventually moves into a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation, where it is deflected through the collection opening, particularly axially, and—especially radially outward—backward into the supply channel.

[0019] According to an extended embodiment of the plate clutch device, the supply channel is axially disposed between the support device and the at least one axial channel. As explained at the beginning, fluid leaving the supply channel is typically guided through the support device, which supports the inner friction plate holder. However, in the described embodiment, the support device is axially disposed on the side of the supply channel opposite to the axial channel. In other words, the shaft (on which the inner friction plate holder is disposed) is supported by the support device, which is disposed on the side of the supply channel opposite to the friction plate assembly.

[0020] Therefore, it is ensured, especially since the oil guiding element is open in both axial directions, that sufficient fluid for supplying the support device can flow towards the support device. Because a seal is provided on the opposite side of the support device, i.e., on the side opposite the supply channel in the axial direction to the reference support device, the fluid is blocked in this area, making the fluid volume significantly less than that supplied to the friction plate assembly. However, this fluid volume is sufficient for lubricating the support device. In particular, it can be specified that a locking ring for securing the outer ring of the support device to the housing also secures the oil guiding element in the axial direction. Additionally, the inner ring of the support device can be secured to the shaft by means of a locking ring, which supports the inner friction plate holder.

[0021] In the aforementioned plate clutch device, it may be further specified that the housing has at least one curved section configured to divert liquid flowing tangentially into the collection opening into the axial direction, particularly towards the supply channel. Accordingly, liquid in the collection opening can flow through the curved section (especially when utilizing the kinetic energy of the liquid, particularly oil) and be specifically diverted tangentially into the axial direction entering the supply channel, and guided radially within the supply channel to the described oil guiding element. Liquid can also be guided back radially outward into the supply channel in the opposite axial direction (in which liquid is guided in the axial channel).

[0022] In addition to the plate clutch device, the present invention relates to a motor vehicle that includes the plate clutch device described above. All the advantages, details and features described with respect to the plate clutch device are fully applicable to the motor vehicle. Attached Figure Description

[0023] The present invention will now be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. The drawings are schematic diagrams and are as follows:

[0024] Figure 1 Showing a cross-sectional view of a plate clutch assembly;

[0025] Figure 2 show Figure 1 Detailed drawing of the plate clutch device;

[0026] Figure 3 show Figure 1 , 2 The oil guide element of the disc clutch device;

[0027] Figure 4 Displayed Figures 1-3 A cross-sectional view of a plate clutch device in the axial direction;

[0028] Figure 5 show Figure 4 Detailed view of the sectional view;

[0029] Figure 6 Displayed in radial view Figure 5 Detailed drawings;

[0030] Figure 7 show Figures 1-6 A cross-sectional view of the inner friction plate support connected to the shaft in a disc clutch device; and

[0031] Figure 8 show Figures 1-7 A perspective view of the outer friction plate support of a disc clutch device. Detailed Implementation

[0032] Figure 1 The image shows a plate clutch assembly 1, which has a housing 2 and a supply channel 3 extending within the housing, connected to a collection opening 4. Liquid, such as oil, can be supplied through the supply channel 3 to the friction plate assembly 5 of the plate clutch 6 of the plate clutch assembly 1. Clearly, the supply channel 3 extends substantially or at least partially in the radial direction toward the rotation axis 7 of the plate clutch assembly 1.

[0033] The disc clutch assembly 1 has an oil guiding element 8, which is disposed on or around a shaft 9, the shaft supporting or being tortuously connected to an inner friction plate holder 10. Liquid transferred from the supply channel 3 to the oil guiding element 8 is further conveyed towards the rotation axis 7 due to the funnel shape of the oil guiding element 8, and has already been transferred axially within the shaft 9 or within the inner friction plate holder 10. Therefore, a gap 11 is bridged between the inner friction plate holder 10 and the housing 2. The shaft 9 can also be considered, in principle, a component of the inner friction plate holder 10.

[0034] In the direction of friction plate group 5 (i.e. in) Figure 1 , 2 In the diagram (to the right), the fluid leaving the oil guiding element 8 then flows through the axial channel 12 in the inner friction plate holder 10, or in the shaft 9, so that the fluid is guided into the intermediate reservoir 13 within the inner friction plate holder 10. Furthermore, the inner friction plate holder 10 has a plurality of radial channels 14 that extend radially through the inner friction plate holder 10 and thus connect the intermediate reservoir 13 to the friction plate assembly 5. As further shown in... Figure 8 As described, the outer friction plate support 15 has multiple discharge channels 16 through which liquid can leave the friction plate assembly 5 or be ejected from the outer friction plate support 15.

[0035] Figure 2 A detailed view of the disc clutch assembly 1 in the area of ​​the oil guide element 8 is shown. As explained, the oil guide element 8 is disposed around the shaft 9 and is fixedly connected to the housing 2. The oil guide element 8 has a through-hole 17 that communicates with the supply channel 3, allowing liquid to flow from the supply channel 3 into the oil guide element 8. Due to the funnel shape of the oil guide element 8, the oil column circulating around the shaft 9 based on the rotational movement of the shaft 9 is further guided toward the axis of rotation 7 and has already been introduced into the inner friction plate holder 10 in the axial direction within the shaft 9, or rather, within the inner friction plate holder 10. In this embodiment, the shaft 9 and the inner friction plate holder 10 are integrally connected to each other, such that the liquid exiting from the oil guide element 8 in the axial direction is supplied not only to the inner friction plate holder 10 but also to the shaft 9, with the gap 11 bridging, as explained.

[0036] Furthermore, a blocking element 18 is provided in the plate clutch device 1, which is mounted on the shaft 9 or the inner friction plate support 10 and surrounds the oil guiding element 8. The blocking element 18 prevents or blocks the flow of fluid from the oil guiding element 8 toward the gap 11. In other words, the fluid is blocked by the blocking element 18, thus ensuring the flow direction toward the friction plate assembly 5 and preventing the fluid from entering the gap 11 in the opposite direction.

[0037] In addition Figure 2 As can be seen, the supply channel 3 is arranged axially between the axial channel 12, or friction plate assembly 5, and the support device 19, which supports the shaft 9. Multiple locking rings can be provided here to lock the inner and outer rings of the support device 19 axially. One of the locking rings can also be used to simultaneously lock the oil guide element 8 axially. For example, as by... Figure 1 As can be seen, the region in the axial direction, behind the support device 19 and away from the oil guide element 8, is sealed, thus forming a stagnation chamber and restricting oil flow through the support device 19. Therefore, the main portion of the fluid flow flows through the oil guide element 8 towards the axial channel 12 or the friction plate assembly 5.

[0038] Figure 3 A separate view of the oil guiding element 8 is shown. It can be seen that a through-hole 17 is provided, through which a connection to the supply channel 3 is established. Therefore, a circulating oil column is formed in this area, which is further guided towards the rotation axis 7 due to its funnel shape.

[0039] Figure 4 This shows an axial sectional view of the disc clutch assembly 1 in the region of the outer friction plate support 15. Arrow 20 schematically illustrates how the liquid (e.g., the liquid exiting one of the discharge channels 16) is tangentially ejected from the ejection point and flows into the collection opening 4. Here, particularly through the curved section 21, the collection opening 4 deflects the liquid in the axial direction, as shown, for example, in… Figure 6 As described in the text. The curved section 21 or the collection opening 4 is formed in the housing 2, such that, in particular, liquid can be introduced unimpeded from the outer friction plate support 15 into the collection opening 4 as indicated by arrow 20. Specifically, the housing 2 has no sharp edges or similar features in the transition region to the collection opening 4, which would interfere with liquid reception. In other words, the liquid flows against the axial direction in the curved section 21 or in the collection opening 4, i.e., opposite to the flow direction in the axial channel 12, and is thus resupplying to the supply channel 3, as is the case in... Figure 1 The description is in the middle. Curved section 21 or collection opening 4 is in... Figure 5 , 6 A detailed description is provided here. Figure 6 Displayed in the radial direction and in Figure 5 The illustrations described are offset by 90°.

[0040] Figure 7 A separate illustration shows shaft 9 or inner friction pad support 10. Multiple radial channels 14 are shown, through which the intermediate reservoir 13 is connected to the friction pad assembly 5. These radial channels are arranged at different axial positions, by way of example, to allow for a uniform supply of intermediate space to the friction pads in the friction pad assembly 5 from the intermediate reservoir.

[0041] Figure 8 A separate illustration of the outer friction plate support 15 is shown in the perspective view. Discharge channels 16 disposed in the outer friction plate support 15 are exemplarily arranged in pairs, wherein multiple pairs of discharge channels 16 are distributed around the circumference of the outer friction plate support 15. Through the discharge channels 16, liquid, such as oil, can flow away from the friction plate assembly 5, as already described, and be resupplyed to the collection opening 4, thus enabling an oil circulation or liquid circulation.

[0042] The advantages, details and features shown in the various embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, exchanged and transferred to each other.

[0043] List of reference numerals

[0044] 1-plate clutch device

[0045] 2 shells

[0046] 3 supply channels

[0047] 4 Collection openings

[0048] 5 friction plate groups

[0049] 6-plate clutch

[0050] 7 Rotation axis

[0051] 8 oil guiding elements

[0052] 9-axis

[0053] 10 Internal Friction Plate Support

[0054] 11 gaps

[0055] 12-axis channel

[0056] 13 intermediate storage

[0057] 14 radial channels

[0058] 15 External Friction Plate Support

[0059] 16 discharge channels

[0060] 17 Pass-through part

[0061] 18 blocking elements

[0062] 19 Support devices

[0063] 20 arrows

[0064] 21 curve section

Claims

1. A plate clutch device (1) comprising a housing (2) having a supply channel (3) connected to a collection opening (4) through which a liquid, in particular oil, can be delivered into at least one axial channel (12) provided in an inner friction plate carrier (10) of the plate clutch device (1), characterized in that An oil guiding element (8), in particular an oil guiding plate, is arranged between the supply channel (3) and the axial channel (12) and constitutes a gap (11) bridged between the housing (2) and the inner friction plate carrier (10).

2. The sheet clutch device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The oil guiding element (8) is funnel-shaped, wherein one end of the oil guiding element (8) having a smaller open cross section is directed towards the axial position of the friction plate pack (5) of the plate clutch (6) of the plate clutch device (1).

3. The sheet clutch device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The oil guiding element (8) has a through-going portion (17) in the peripheral surface on the end of the oil guiding element (8) having a larger open cross section, which is arranged on the outlet of the supply channel (3).

4. The sheet clutch device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that A barrier element (18) is arranged radially outside the oil guiding element (8), which constitutes a barrier or a restriction for the liquid flow into the bridged gap (11).

5. The sheet clutch device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that The oil guiding element (8), in particular the oil guiding element fixed to the housing, and the barrier element (18) are rotatably supported relative to each other.

6. The sheet clutch device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The at least one axial channel (12) is connected to an intermediate reservoir (13), which is delimited in the radial direction by the inner friction plate carrier (10) and is connected to the friction plate pack (5) by at least one radial channel (14) in the inner friction plate carrier (10).

7. The sheet clutch device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The outer friction plate carrier (15) of the plate clutch device (1) has at least one discharge channel (16), which extends in the radial direction through the outer friction plate carrier (15).

8. The sheet clutch device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The rotatable drive element, in particular the outer friction plate carrier (15), of the plate clutch device (1) constitutes a tangential transport of the liquid from the throw-off point into the collection opening (4) connected to the supply channel (3).

9. The sheet clutch device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The supply channel (3) is arranged in the axial direction between a bearing device (19) and the at least one axial channel (12).

10. The sheet clutch device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The housing (2) has at least one curve section (21), which constitutes a deflection of the liquid flowing in the tangential direction into the collection opening (4) into the axial direction, in particular into the direction of the supply channel (3).

11. Motor vehicle comprising a plate clutch device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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