Clutch unit with manual adjustment for wear

Abstract

The invention relates to a clutch unit comprising: a friction clutch (54) having a counter pressure plate (50) and a pressure plate (14) which can be moved in an axial direction relative to the counter pressure plate (50); at least one actuating element (12); at least one ramp device (24), wherein: the at least one actuating element (12) is arranged on the first bearing device (18) in a pivotable manner; the at least one actuating element (12) is indirectly connected to the pressure plate (14) by means of an intermediate element (16) pivotably arranged on a second bearing device (22) of the at least one actuating element (12); the intermediate element (16) has a first lever arm (30) extending from the second bearing means (22) and a second lever arm (32) extending from the second bearing means (22); the adjustment of the axial initial position (26) of the at least one actuating element (12) can be set by displacing the ramp device (24) orthogonally to the axial direction. By means of the interaction of the ramp device (24) with the intermediate element (16), a change in the initial position (28) of the actuating element (12) due to wear can be eliminated by means of adjustment, such that a simple, functionally reliable and compact clutch unit (10) can be achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a clutch unit including a ramp device, by means of which the initial position of the actuating element can be adjusted simply, safely and with a small number of parts, the initial position of which may be changed due to displacement caused by wear of the pressure plate of the friction clutch relative to the reverse pressure plate. Background Technology

[0002] A friction clutch with a pressure plate is known from DE 10 2009 035 225 A1. This pressure plate can be moved relative to a reverse pressure plate by a rod spring, so as to press the clutch disc frictionally between the reverse pressure plate and the pressure plate. In the force direction between the rod spring and the pressure plate, a displacement adjustment device is provided, wherein inclined planes can slide relative to each other for a sufficiently large wear-related travel distance of the pressure plate, thereby adjusting the distance between the rod spring and the pressure plate. This at least partially compensates for the increased travel distance caused by wear of the friction lining of the clutch disc, thereby substantially restoring the original travel distance of the friction lining in its new state.

[0003] There is always a need to use simple, reliable, and space-saving devices to compensate for the unwanted wear-related effects in the clutch unit. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to demonstrate a method for compensating for unwanted wear-related effects in a clutch unit using a simple, reliable, and space-saving device.

[0005] This objective is achieved by a clutch unit having the features of claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are specifically described in the dependent claims and the following description, and each of the preferred embodiments may individually or in combination present an aspect of the invention.

[0006] One embodiment relates to a clutch unit for connecting a drive shaft of a motor vehicle to at least one transmission input shaft of the motor vehicle, the clutch unit comprising: a friction clutch having a reverse pressure plate and a pressure plate, the pressure plate being axially movable relative to the reverse pressure plate for pressing a clutch disc frictionally between the reverse pressure plate and the pressure plate; at least one actuating element for axially displacing the pressure plate; and at least one inclined plane device for adjusting the initial position of the at least one actuating element, the initial position possibly due to friction between the pressure plate of the friction clutch and the reverse pressure plate. The displacement caused by damage changes, wherein at least one actuating element is pivotally mounted on a first support device, wherein at least one actuating element is indirectly connected to a pressure plate via an intermediate element pivotally mounted on a second support device of at least one actuating element, wherein the intermediate element has a first lever arm and a second lever arm, the first lever arm extending from the second support device for axial support on the contact surface of the inclined device, and the second lever arm extending from the second support device for indirect or direct contact with the pressure plate, wherein the adjustment of the initial axial position of at least one actuating element can be set by displacing the inclined device orthogonally in the axial direction.

[0007] A clutch unit can connect the motor shaft of an internal combustion engine to at least one transmission input shaft of a motor vehicle transmission via a friction clutch. The friction clutch has a pressure plate configured to axially displace against a reverse pressure plate to frictionally press a clutch disc disposed between the reverse pressure plate and the pressure plate. An actuating element allows the pressure plate to displace directly or indirectly in the axial direction, thus disconnecting the motor shaft from the transmission input shaft or establishing power transmission between the motor shaft and the transmission input shaft. As the clutch disc deteriorates due to wear, the axial distance between the reverse pressure plate and the pressure plate may change over time. This causes the initial position of the actuating element to also change in the axial direction, thereby altering the actuation point of the clutch unit. Therefore, the clutch unit has a ramp device for adjusting the actuating element. The ramp device supports a first lever arm of an intermediate element axially on a contact surface. A second lever arm of the intermediate element is directly or indirectly connected to the pressure plate. By changing the axial position of the contact surface, the intermediate element can pivot on a second support device. The intermediate element can pivot only to a limited extent via a second lever arm directly or indirectly attached to the pressure plate, thereby directly or indirectly causing axial displacement of the intermediate element to support itself on the contact surface of the pressure plate and the ramp device. The axial displacement of the intermediate element is transmitted to the actuating element via a second support device, causing the actuating element to pivot about the first support device. Changes in the position of the contact surface, and thus adjustments to the initial axial position of at least one actuating element, can be set by displacing the ramp device orthogonally in the axial direction. The interaction between the ramp device and the intermediate element allows for adjustment of any wear-related changes in the initial position of the actuating element, resulting in a simple, reliable, and space-saving clutch unit.

[0008] The clutch unit has a common axis of rotation for, for example, the motor shaft, transmission input shaft, pressure plate, reverse pressure plate, clutch cover, and clutch disc. The axial direction extends parallel to the axis of rotation. The normal vector of a plane or surface extends orthogonally to that plane or surface.

[0009] Specifically, the clutch unit has at least three actuating elements, each having an intermediate element for axially displacing the pressure plate. This initial position of the actuating element is simultaneously and uniformly achieved by displacing the ramp device orthogonally in the axial direction. Specifically, the actuating elements are operatively connected to each other. This allows for the displacement of the ramp device to simultaneously adjust all actuating elements to the same degree. Specifically, the ramp device is designed such that it can simultaneously adjust the actuating elements to the same degree via the corresponding intermediate element. This ensures that all actuating elements have the same initial position, thereby allowing for a consistent actuation point to be set for the clutch unit.

[0010] Preferably, the inclined plane device is designed to rotate in the circumferential direction. This allows the inclined plane device to have a large contact surface in the circumferential direction with a long inclined surface. This achieves a particularly space-saving inclined plane device for the clutch unit. In particular, this also enables stepless adjustment.

[0011] The inclined surface device is particularly preferably disposed on the housing of the clutch unit and / or on the mating member of the clutch unit housing. The inclined surface device can be positioned to contact a flat surface of the housing and can be moved orthogonally along this surface to the axial direction, the normal vector of which extends parallel to the axial direction. The contact surface has an inclination, meaning the contact surface is at an angle relative to the surface of the housing. If the inclined surface device on the housing is displaced, the contact position of the first lever arm on the contact surface can also be displaced. Due to the existing inclination of the inclined surface, the axial position of the first lever also changes. Therefore, the adjustment of the actuating element can be carried out safely and in a space-saving manner using additional components. In particular, the housing can have a mating member designed as an inclined surface of the housing or a separate mating member designed in a wedge shape. The inclined surface of the inclined surface device and the inclined surface of the mating member can rest on each other in a displaceable manner, wherein if the inclined surface device or the mating member is displaced, the contact surface of the inclined surface device can be displaced in the axial direction. In particular, the inclined surface device and its mating member are designed to be displaceable relative to each other. This allows for large axial variations in the position of the contact surface, even in minimal spaces.

[0012] Specifically, the housing can be designed as part of the reverse pressure plate or the clutch cover. Specifically, the bevel assembly can be arranged directly or indirectly on the reverse pressure plate. Therefore, installation space can be saved in the axial direction. Specifically, the bevel assembly can be arranged directly or indirectly on the clutch cover. This allows suitable surfaces for the bevel assembly to be incorporated into the clutch cover by means of a forming process. Specifically, the mating element can be designed as a surface structure of the clutch cover.

[0013] Specifically, at least one inclined device is designed in a wedge shape, and the first lever arm of the intermediate element is axially supported on the contact surface of the inclined device, wherein the normal vector of the contact surface extends parallel to or not parallel to the axial direction. Specifically, when the wedge-shaped mating member is arranged between the inclined device and the housing, the normal vector of the contact surface extends parallel to the axial direction. Specifically, when the inclined device rests directly on the housing without a wedge-shaped mating member, the normal vector of the contact surface does not extend parallel to the axial direction.

[0014] Preferably, at least one inclined device is designed as an inclined annular member, wherein the inclined annular member has a contact surface that varies in axial distance along its circumferential direction for each intermediate element. The inclined device designed as an inclined annular member allows a large number of actuating elements to be adjusted simultaneously and to the same degree. This ensures that the actuation points of the actuating elements of the clutch unit have the same initial position. In particular, shifting the inclined device designed as an inclined annular member along a first circumferential direction can shift the contact position of at least one lever arm of at least one intermediate element along the axial direction, and shifting the inclined device designed as an inclined annular member along the opposite circumferential direction can shift the contact position of at least one lever arm of at least one intermediate element along the opposite axial direction.

[0015] Particularly preferably, the contact surface has a gentle, in particular, tilt angle of less than or equal to 15 degrees. A smaller tilt angle allows for precise adjustment of the initial position of at least one actuating element. A smaller tilt angle also helps to reliably support the first lever arm of at least one intermediate element. In particular, this avoids high lateral forces that could cause slippage of the inclined plane device and the first lever arm.

[0016] Specifically, the inclined device can be locked in place on the housing in a non-rotatable manner by means of at least one fastening device. Specifically, the fastening device can be designed as a releasable fastening device, preferably a screw. This allows the lock to be released via the fastening device to adjust the initial position of at least one actuating element, and then tightened again. Specifically, at least one fastening device enables incremental or stepless adjustment of at least one actuating element.

[0017] Preferably, the bevel device has at least one recess extending circumferentially to receive at least one fastening device. The recess allows at least one fastening device to be attached to a predetermined position on the housing. The recess allows the bevel device to move circumferentially and enables stepless locking of the bevel device by means of at least one fastening device. This ensures reliable adjustment of the initial position of at least one actuating element.

[0018] Particularly preferably, at least one actuating element has a first leg and a second leg, the second leg extending parallel to the first leg along the longitudinal direction of the actuating element, wherein an intermediate element is pivotally mounted at least partially between the first leg and the second leg. Specifically, a second support device is arranged between the first leg and the second leg. The intermediate element is preferably designed as a P-shaped lever, wherein a first lever arm and a second lever arm extend laterally from the longitudinal extent of the intermediate element. Attached Figure Description

[0019] In the following description, the invention will be illustrated by way of example using preferred exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the features presented below may individually or in combination represent aspects of the invention. In the drawings: Figure 1a The operating principle of a first embodiment of the clutch unit in a non-actuated state is shown. Figure 1b : Shows according to Figure 1a The operating principle of the clutch unit in the actuated state. Figure 1c : Shows according to Figure 1a The operating principle of the clutch unit in the adjustment state. Figure 2a The operating principle of the second embodiment of the clutch unit in the non-actuated state is shown. Figure 2b : Shows according to Figure 2a The operating principle of the clutch unit in the actuated state. Figure 2c : Shows according to Figure 2a The operating principle of the clutch unit in the adjustment state. Figure 3 A perspective view of a third embodiment of the clutch unit is shown. Figure 4 : Shows according to Figure 3 A perspective view of the inclined plane device of the clutch unit. Figure 5a : Shows according to Figure 3 A side cross-sectional view of the clutch unit. Figure 5b : Shows according to Figure 3 A side cross-sectional view of the clutch unit in the adjusted state. Figure 6a : Shows according to Figure 3 The end view of the clutch unit, and Figure 6b : Shows according to Figure 3 An end view of the clutch unit in the adjusted state. Detailed Implementation

[0020] Figure 1aThe simplified functional principle of the clutch unit 10 shown includes an actuating element 12 for axially displacing a pressure plate 14. The actuating element 12 is operatively connected to the pressure plate 14 via an intermediate element 16 and is pivotally mounted on a first support 18 on the housing 20 of the clutch unit 10. An additional second support 22 is provided on the actuating element 12 for the pivotal arrangement of the intermediate element 16. This allows the intermediate element 16 to act indirectly or directly on the pressure plate 14 in the axial direction via the second support due to the pivoting of the actuating element 12. The clutch unit 10 also has a ramp device 24 for adjusting the initial position 26 of at least one actuating element 12, which may change due to displacement caused by wear of the pressure plate 14. The ramp device 24 has a contact surface 28 for axially supporting a first lever arm 30 of the intermediate element 16 extending from the second support 22. The normal vector of the contact surface 28 extends parallel to the axial direction. The second lever arm 32, extending from the second support device 22, of the intermediate element 16 is directly or indirectly connected to the pressure plate 14. According to an embodiment, the inclined device 24 is designed in a wedge shape and mounted on a wedge-shaped mating member 36 on the housing 34 of the clutch unit 10. This allows the axial position of the contact surface 28 to be specifically adjusted by the relative displacement of the inclined device 24 relative to the mating member 36. In this way, the axial position of the first lever arm 30 can be changed or adjusted via the second support device 22, and simultaneously the axial position of the actuating element 12 can be changed or adjusted. Figure 1a The clutch unit is shown in a state where the actuating element 12 is not actuated.

[0021] Figure 1b It shows according to Figure 1a A simplified view of the operating principle of the clutch unit 10 in the actuated state. The actuating element 12 pivots about the actuation path 38 at the opposite end of the first support. The actuation path 38 extends generally in the axial direction. Due to the leverage effect at the second support 22, the second lever arm 32 of the intermediate element 16 is displaced axially along the pressure plate path 40. The pressure plate path 40 represents the distance required for the pressure plate 14 to engage or disengage.

[0022] Figure 1c It shows according to Figure 1aA simplified view of the operating principle of the clutch unit in the adjusted state. Due to wear, a wear path 42 is formed on the pressure plate 14. This can produce an adjustment of the initial position of the actuator 12 via the intermediate element 16. This can change the actuation path or actuation point of the actuator 12. To compensate for the wear path 42, the initial position 26 of the actuator 12 can be adjusted via the inclined plate device 24. The adjustment path 44 of the inclined plate device 24 is basically generated by the displacement of the inclined plate device 24 orthogonal to the axial direction, causing the inclined plate device 24 to slide axially on the wedge-shaped mating member 36 of the housing 34. In this way, the axial position of the contact surface 28 of the first lever arm 30 for the intermediate element 16 can be set, and the predetermined initial position 26 of the actuator 12 can be restored.

[0023] Figure 2a The simplified functional principle of another embodiment of the clutch unit 10 shown basically includes, according to Figure 1a All components of the first embodiment of the clutch unit 10 in its non-actuated state are present. The key difference lies in the design and positioning of the inclined device 24. In this embodiment, the mating member 36 of the housing 34 is omitted. The wedge-shaped inclined device 24 now directly abuts against the housing 34 and has an inclined contact surface 28 for axially supporting the first lever arm 30 of the intermediate element 16. With the inclined contact surface 28, the normal vector of the contact surface 28 does not extend parallel to the axial direction.

[0024] Figure 2b It shows according to Figure 2a A simplified view of the operating principle of the clutch unit in the actuated state. Except for the inclined plane device 24, according to... Figure 2a Beyond the design, the operating principles and basis Figure 1b The implementation methods are basically the same.

[0025] Figure 1c It shows according to Figure 2a A simplified view of the operating principle of the clutch unit in the adjusted state. In this embodiment, a wear path 42 is also formed on the pressure plate 14 due to wear. This can be used to adjust the initial position 26 of the actuator 12 via the intermediate element 16. This can change the actuation path or actuation point of the actuator 12. To compensate for the wear path 42, the initial position of the actuator 12 can be adjusted via the inclined plate device 24. The adjustment path 44 of the inclined plate device 24 is basically generated by the displacement of the inclined plate device 24 orthogonal to the axial direction, causing the contact point of the first lever arm 30 to shift on the inclined contact surface 28 of the inclined plate device 24 to a contact point with a different axial position. In this way, the axial position of the first lever arm 30 of the intermediate element 16 can be set, and the predetermined initial position 26 of the actuator 12 can be restored.

[0026] Figure 3 A perspective view of a third embodiment of the clutch unit 10 is shown. The clutch unit 10 is designed as a dual clutch and has three actuating elements 12, each having an intermediate element 16. Each actuating element 12 is pivotally mounted on a first support on a housing 20, which is designed as a clutch cover. Each actuating element 12 has two legs 46 extending in parallel. An intermediate element is pivotally mounted between the two legs 46 at the corresponding actuating element 12 and mounted on a second support 22. A first lever arm 30 of the intermediate element 16 extending from the second support 22 is supported axially on a ramp device 24. The ramp device 24 is designed as a ramp ring and is non-rotatably fastened to a housing 34 by means of a fastening device 48, wherein the housing 34 is designed as a reverse pressure plate 50. The ramp device 24 has a contact surface 28 extending circumferentially, which has increasing and / or decreasing axial positional variations to support the first lever arm 30 of the intermediate element 16. This allows for uniform adjustment of the actuating element 12 by means of rotation of the inclined plate device 24. The inclined plate device 24 has a recess 52 extending in the direction of rotation for receiving the fastening device 48 and for stepless adjustment of the inclined plate device 24. The second lever arm 32 of the intermediate element 16, extending from the second support device 22, is operatively connected to the pressure plate 14.

[0027] Figure 4 It shows according to Figure 3 A perspective view of the inclined device 24 of the clutch unit 10. The inclined device 24 is designed as an inclined annular member having three contact surfaces 28 extending in the rotational direction for each of the first lever arms 30 of the intermediate element 16. The inclination angle of the contact surfaces 28 is very gentle, thereby allowing the lever arms 30 to be firmly supported. The inclined device 24 has three recesses 52 extending in the rotational direction for receiving the fastening device 48. This allows the inclined device 24 to rotate continuously and lock onto the housing 34 in a non-rotatable manner. Furthermore, stepless adjustment of the initial position of the actuating element 12 is possible via the inclined device 24.

[0028] Figure 5a and Figure 5b Each showed according to Figure 3 A side cross-sectional view of the clutch unit, wherein, Figure 5bThe clutch unit 10 in an adjusted state is shown. The clutch unit 10 has a reverse pressure plate 50 and a friction clutch 54 having a pressure plate 14 that is axially movable relative to the reverse pressure plate 50 to press a clutch disc 56 frictionally between the reverse pressure plate 50 and the pressure plate 14. The pressure plate 14 is operatively connected to the actuating element 12 via a second lever arm 32 of an intermediate element 16 and a second support device 22. The first lever arm 30 of the intermediate element 16 is axially supported on the inclined device 24. By making... Figure 5b The rotation of the inclined plane device 24 can change the axial position of the first lever arm 30 on the contact surface 28, and can compensate for the wear path 42 via the intermediate element 16. This allows for easy and safe adjustment of the initial position 26 of the actuator element 24.

[0029] Figure 6a and Figure 6b Each showed according to Figure 3 An end view of the clutch unit 10, wherein, Figure 6b The clutch unit 10 in an adjustment state is shown. According to... Figure 6a and Figure 6b The inclined plane device 24 can be rotated circumferentially to adjust the initial position 26 of the actuating element 12, and can be locked to the housing 34 in a rotationally fixed manner by means of the fastening device 48. This allows the initial position 26 of the actuating element 12 to be adjusted simultaneously and to the same degree.

[0030] List of reference numerals 10 Clutch Units 12 actuators 14 pressure plates 16 intermediate components 18 First Support Device 20 housing 22 Second support device 24 ramp device 26 Initial Position 28 contact surfaces 30 First lever arm 32 Second lever arm 34 housing 36 pairs 38 Actuation Path 40 pressure plate path 42 Wear Path 44 Adjust Path 46 legs 48 Fastening Devices 50 Reverse Pressure Plate 52 recess 54 Friction Clutch 56 clutch disc 58 Rotation axis

Claims

1. A clutch unit for connecting a drive shaft of a motor vehicle to at least one transmission input shaft of the motor vehicle, the clutch unit comprising: A friction clutch (54) having a reverse pressure plate (50) and a pressure plate (14), the pressure plate being axially movable relative to the reverse pressure plate (50) for pressing a clutch disc (56) frictionally between the reverse pressure plate (50) and the pressure plate (14). At least one actuating element (12) is provided for axially displacing the pressure plate (14). At least one inclined plane device (24) is provided for adjusting the initial position (26) of at least one of the actuating elements (12), the initial position being changeable due to displacement caused by wear of the pressure plate (14) of the friction clutch (54) relative to the reverse pressure plate (50). At least one of the actuating elements (12) is pivotally mounted on the first support device (18). At least one of the actuating elements (12) is indirectly connected to the pressure plate (14) via an intermediate element (16), the intermediate element being pivotally mounted on a second support device (22) of at least one of the actuating elements (12). The intermediate element (16) has a first lever arm (30) and a second lever arm (32). The first lever arm extends from the second support device (22) for axial support on the contact surface (28) of the inclined device (24), and the second lever arm extends from the second support device (22) for indirect or direct contact with the pressure plate (14). The adjustment of the initial position (26) of the axial direction of at least one of the actuating elements (12) can be set by shifting the inclined plane device (24) orthogonally to the axial direction.

2. The clutch unit according to claim 1, comprising: At least three actuating elements (12), each having an intermediate element (16) for axially displacing the pressure plate (14). The initial position (26) of the actuating element (12) is simultaneously and consistently achieved at the actuating element (12) by shifting the inclined plane device (24) orthogonally to the axial direction.

3. The clutch unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The inclined plane device (24) is designed to be able to rotate along the circumferential direction.

4. The clutch unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The inclined plate device (24) is disposed on the housing (34) of the clutch unit (10) and / or on the mating member (34) of the housing. Specifically, the housing (34) is designed as part of the reverse pressure plate or part of the clutch cover.

5. The clutch unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, At least one of the inclined plane devices (24) is designed to be wedge-shaped, and the first lever arm (30) of the intermediate element (16) is axially supported on the contact surface (28) of the inclined plane device (24), wherein the normal vector of the contact surface (28) extends parallel to or not parallel to the axial direction.

6. The clutch unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, At least one of the inclined device (24) is designed as an inclined ring, wherein the inclined ring has a contact surface (28) that varies in axial distance along the circumferential direction of the inclined ring for each intermediate element (16).

7. The clutch unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, The contact surface (28) has a gentle, in particular, tilt angle of less than or equal to 15 degrees.

8. The clutch unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, The inclined plate device (24) can be locked to the housing (34) in a non-rotatable manner by means of at least one fastening device (48).

9. The clutch unit according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein, The inclined device (24) has at least one recess (52) that extends along the circumferential direction to receive at least one fastening device (48).

10. The clutch unit according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, At least one of the actuating elements (12) has a first leg (46) and a second leg, the second leg extending parallel to the first leg (46) along the longitudinal direction of the actuating element, wherein the intermediate element (16) is pivotally mounted at least partially between the first leg (46) and the second leg.

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