Separating clutch with locking device

Abstract

The invention relates to a disconnect clutch (10) for a vehicle, comprising: a first clutch part (12) which can be rotated about an axis of rotation (16); a rotatable second clutch member (14); an actuating device (30) having an axially displaceable actuating element (32) for changing the state of the clutch; a coupling element (24) which, in a first clutch state (82), connects the first clutch part (12) and the second clutch part (14) to each other in a torque-transmitting manner and, in a second clutch state (58), discouples them from each other; and a locking device (52) for axially securing the coupling element (24), a locking element (54) of the locking device (52) being locked between the first clutch part (12) and the coupling element (24) in a first clutch state (82) in a first locking position (56) and being locked between the first clutch part (12) and the coupling element (24) in a second clutch state (58) in a second locking position (60).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a separable clutch according to the preamble of claim 1. Background Technology

[0002] DE 10 2022 132 440 A1 describes a separable clutch having a rotatable first clutch component and a second clutch component, which are connected to each other in a torque-transmitting manner depending on the clutch state. In this respect, a locking device with a displaceable locking element fixes the clutch state. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to maintain the clutch state more energy-efficiently and safely. The actuating force used to change the clutch state will be reduced.

[0004] At least one of these objectives is achieved by a disengageable clutch having the features of claim 1. In this way, the clutch state can be reliably and energy-efficiently maintained. The clutch state can be employed in a more energy-efficient manner. The actuating force used to change the clutch state is reduced.

[0005] A disengaged clutch can be positioned between the drive element and the output element in a vehicle. The drive element can be an electric motor. The output element can be a gear unit, particularly a differential gear unit. The disengaged clutch can also be located in the vehicle's electric drive axle.

[0006] The disengaged clutch can be a form-fit clutch. In a first engaged state, a first clutch component and a second clutch component can be form-fitted together. The first clutch component may have radial and / or axial teeth for form-fitting engagement with the coupling element and / or the second clutch component in the first clutch state. The coupling element and / or the second clutch component may have radial and / or axial teeth for form-fitting engagement with the first clutch component in the first clutch state. The first clutch component and the second clutch component can rotate relative to each other in the second clutch state.

[0007] The first clutch state corresponds to an engaged disengaged clutch. When the disengaged clutch is engaged, torque can be transmitted between the drive element and the output element via the disengaged clutch. The second clutch state corresponds to an disengaged disengaged clutch. When the disengaged clutch is disengaged, torque transmission between the drive element and the output element is interrupted via the disengaged clutch.

[0008] The first clutch assembly and the second clutch assembly can be arranged coaxially. The first clutch assembly and the second clutch assembly can be arranged to be axially offset relative to each other.

[0009] The first clutch component can be a shaft or a hub. The second clutch component can be a shaft or a hub. The first clutch component and / or the second clutch component can have teeth, preferably external teeth, for shaped engagement with the coupling element.

[0010] The connecting element can be a sliding coupling. The connecting element may have teeth, preferably internal teeth, for form-fitting connection with the first clutch component and / or the second clutch component. The connecting element can be permanently connected to the first clutch component via the teeth. The connecting element can be axially displaceable and accommodated on the first clutch component. In the first clutch state, the connecting element can be form-fitted to the first and second clutch components, thus connecting the first and second clutch components together in a torque-transmitting manner.

[0011] The actuating element can take the form of a shift fork. The actuating element can be axially displaced via a clutch actuator.

[0012] In the first locked position, the locking element can fix the first clutch state. In the second locked position, the locking element can fix the second clutch state. The locking element can be or includes at least one spherical element.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is advantageous that the first shift stroke of the actuating element, starting from the second clutch state, for employing the first clutch state, differs from the second shift stroke of the actuating element, starting from the first clutch state, for employing the second clutch state. The first shift stroke may be less than or greater than the second shift stroke. The coupling element may affect the axial travel between the first and second clutch states. The axial travel may differ from the first and second shift strokes. The axial travel may be less than the first and / or second shift strokes.

[0014] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the locking element is locked in a first recess in the first clutch component when in a first locked position. The locking element can be received in a receiving portion of the connecting element in an axially displaceable manner. The locking element can be axially fixed relative to the connecting element in the receiving portion.

[0015] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the locking element, when in the second locked position, is locked in a second recess in the first clutch component that is axially offset relative to the first recess. The groove depths of the first and second recesses may be the same or different. The first recess may have a greater groove depth than the second recess.

[0016] In a preferred advantageous configuration of the invention, the actuating element can be displaced relative to the coupling element. The actuating element may have another locking device that axially fixes the actuating element in both a first clutch state and a second clutch state.

[0017] In a particular embodiment of the invention, it is advantageous that the actuating device has an axially displaceable interlocking element that secures the locking element at least in a first locked position. The interlocking element can be axially displaceable and accommodated on the connecting element. The interlocking element can be arranged radially outward of the connecting element. The interlocking element can secure the locking element in a second locked position.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the interlocking element is pre-tensioned by a spring in the direction of a first locked position. The interlocking element may be pre-tensioned by a spring element, such as a helical spring. In the second locked position, the spring element may apply a spring force to the interlocking element. In the first locked position, the spring element may apply a smaller spring force to the interlocking element compared to the second locked position, or no spring force may be applied.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is advantageous that the actuating element acts on the actuating portion of the connecting element to employ a first clutch state. The actuating element may have a U-shaped portion in which the actuating portion is axially received. The actuating element may act on a first axial side of the actuating portion to employ the first clutch state.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is advantageous that the actuating element acts on the contact portion of the interlocking element and on the actuating portion of the connecting element to employ a second clutch state. The actuating element may act on a second axial side of the actuating portion that is axially opposite to the first axial side to employ a second clutch state. The actuating element may first act on the contact portion of the interlocking element and then on the actuating portion of the connecting element to employ a second clutch state.

[0021] In a particular configuration of the invention, it is advantageous that the actuating element acts on a first axial side of the actuating portion to employ a first clutch state, and acts on a second axial side of the actuating portion opposite in axis to employ a second clutch state. The actuating portion may take the form of a radially projecting portion protruding from the connecting element as a single piece. The actuating portion may be circumferentially limited.

[0022] Other advantages and advantageous embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the description of the figures and accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0023] The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Specifically, in the drawings: Figure 1 The diagram shows a half-section through a disengaged clutch in a particular embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 : Shows the Figure 1 The operation of changing the disengaged clutch to the first clutch state; Figure 3 : Shows the Figure 1 The operation of changing the disengaged clutch to the second clutch state; Figure 4 It shows Figure 1 An example of the shift stroke of a disengaged clutch. Detailed Implementation

[0024] Figure 1 A half-section of a disengaged clutch according to a specific embodiment of the invention is shown. The disengaged clutch 10 is arranged in a vehicle between a drive element, such as an electric motor, and an output element, such as a differential gear unit. A first clutch component 12 is torque-transmittingly connected to the drive element, and a second clutch component 14 is torque-transmittingly connected to the output element.

[0025] The first clutch component 12 is rotatable about a rotation axis 16 and takes the form of a shaft 18. The second clutch component 14 is arranged coaxially with the first clutch component 12, is rotatable about the rotation axis 16, and takes the form of a shaft 20. The first clutch component 12 has external teeth 22. A connecting element 24 is axially displaceable on the first clutch component 12. The connecting element 24 takes the form of a sliding coupling 26 and has internal teeth 28 for form-fitting engagement with the external teeth 22 of the first clutch component 12.

[0026] The connecting element 24 is associated with the actuating device 30, which also includes an actuating element 32 that can be axially displaced to change the clutch state. The actuating element 32 takes the form of a shift fork 34, which has a U-shaped portion 36 that accommodates the actuating portion 38 of the connecting element 24. The actuating portion 38 takes the form of a radially projecting portion 40 and is axially arranged between the two legs of the actuating element 32.

[0027] The actuating element 32 can be axially displaced to change the clutch state. To employ a first clutch state—in which the first clutch component 12 and the second clutch component 14 are connected to each other via the coupling element 24 in a torque-transmitting manner—the actuating element 32 acts on the first axial side 46 of the actuating portion 38 of the coupling element 24 using its first leg 42, and axially displaces the coupling element 24 in the direction of the second clutch component 14 until the coupling element 24 is form-fitted to the second clutch component 14, thus connecting the first clutch component 12 and the second clutch component 14 together in a form-fitting and torque-transmitting manner. Changing the clutch state to a second clutch state—in which the coupling element 24 is disengaged from the second clutch component 14—is achieved by having the actuating element 32 act on the second axial side 50, which is axially opposite to the first axial side 46, and by axially displacing the coupling element 24 away from the second clutch component 14, thus disengaging the first clutch component 12 and the second clutch component 14 from each other.

[0028] The first clutch state and the second clutch state are axially fixed by a locking device 52. The locking device 52 includes a locking element 54, which, in the first clutch state, is locked between the first clutch component 12 and the coupling element 24 in a first locked position 56, and in the second clutch state 58, shown here, is locked between the first clutch component 12 and the coupling element 24 in a second locked position 60. In this way, the coupling element 24 is axially fixed in both the first and second clutch states. The locking element 54 includes at least one spherical member 62, which is received in a receiving portion 64 in the coupling element 24 for axial displacement together with the coupling element.

[0029] The locking element 54 is locked in a first recess 66 in the first clutch component 12 at a first locking position 56, and is locked in a second recess 68 in the first clutch component 12 at a second locking position 60, shown here, which is axially offset relative to the first recess 66. In this way, the coupling element 24 is axially fixed relative to the first clutch component 12.

[0030] The actuating device 30 includes an axially displaceable interlocking element 70 that secures the locking element 54 at least in a first locked position 56. The interlocking element 70 is pre-tensioned by a spring element 72, here a helical spring, in the direction of the first locked position 56. The spring element 72 rests axially against the fixing element 74.

[0031] The interlocking element 70 has a ramp-shaped contact portion 76, which applies axial and radial forces to the locking element 54 by means of the spring force of the spring element 72, and presses the locking element 54 radially into the second recess 68 in the second clutch state 58, thereby fixing the connecting element 24 axially relative to the first clutch component 12.

[0032] The actuating element 32 is displaceable relative to the coupling element 24, and in the second clutch state 58 shown here, the actuating element 32 is disengaged from the interlocking element 70 and the actuating portion 38. Therefore, the second clutch state 58 can be maintained relative to the actuating element 32 in a forceless manner.

[0033] Figure 2 It shows that Figure 1 The operation of changing the disengaged clutch to the first engaged state. Actuator element 32 from... Figure 2 Starting from the second clutch state 58 in a), it shifts along the first axial direction 78, as follows: Figure 2 As shown in b), the force acts on the first axial side 46 of the actuating part 38, and displaces the connecting element 24 along the first axial direction 78 until the connecting element 24 is form-fitted into the second clutch component 14, as shown in b). Figure 2 As shown in c). During this process, the second locking position 60 is released, and the locking element 54 moves out of the second recess 68 and assumes the first locking position 56, in which the locking element 54 is arranged in the first recess 66. In the first locking position 56, the interlocking element 70, assisted by the spring force of the spring element 72, can move radially on the locking element 54 together with the fixed part 80, thereby preventing the first locking position 56 from being released, which fixes the first clutch state.

[0034] If the first clutch state is adopted—in which the first clutch component 12 and the second clutch component 14 are form-fitted together via the coupling element 24 in a torque-transmitting manner—the actuating element 32 moves slightly in the second axial direction 84 and disengages from the interlocking element 70 and the actuating portion 38. In this way, the first clutch state 82, fixed by the first locked position 56, can be maintained relative to the actuating element 32 in a forceless manner.

[0035] Figure 3 It shows that Figure 1 The operation of changing the disengaged clutch to the second clutch state. To engage the second clutch state, the actuating element 32... Figure 3 a) The first clutch state 82 shown in the diagram begins to move initially along the second axial direction 84. During this process, the first leg 42 of the actuating element causes the interlocking element 70 to move along the second axial direction 84, thus enabling the release of the first locked position 56, as shown in the diagram. Figure 3 As shown in b). The groove depth of the first recess 66 allows the locking element 54 to be unrestrained and to be moved out of the first recess 66 by the connecting element 24 and / or centrifugal force.

[0036] Only when the first locking position 56 is released, the actuating element 32 acts on the second axial side 50 of the actuating portion 38 with its second leg 48, thereby moving the connecting element 24 in the second axial direction 84 and thus removing the locking element 54 from the first recess 66, as... Figure 3 As shown in c). The connecting element 24 is displaced by the actuating element 32 along the second axial direction 84 until the locking element 54 engages in the second recess 68 via the ramp-shaped contact portion 76, as shown. Figure 3 As shown in d), the second clutch state 58 is thus adopted and fixed. The actuating element 32 is then moved sufficiently along the first axial direction 78 to disengage from the interlocking element 70 and the actuating portion 38. In this way, the second clutch state 58 can be maintained without force.

[0037] Figure 4 It shows Figure 1 An example of the shift stroke of a disengaged clutch. The first shift stroke 86 of the actuator 32 from the second clutch state to the first clutch state is less than the second shift stroke 88 of the actuator 32 from the first clutch state to the second clutch state.

[0038] The connecting element 24 moves between a first clutch state and a second clutch state by an axial travel of 90, which is less than the first shift travel 86 and the second shift travel 88.

[0039] List of reference numerals 10. Separate clutch 12 First Clutch Component 14 Second Clutch Components 16. Rotation axis 18-axis 20-axis 22 External teeth 24 Connecting elements 26 Sliding connector 28 Internal teeth 30 Actuation device 32 Actuating elements 34. Shift fork 36 parts 38 Actuating Part 40 Radial protrusion 42 First leg 46 First axial side 48 Second leg 50 Second axial side 52 Locking device 54 Locking elements 56 First Lock Position 58 Second Clutch Status 60 Second Lock Position 62 spherical parts 64 Reception Department 66 First recess 68 Second recess 70 Interlocking components 72 Spring Components 74 Fixing Components 76 Contact Part 78 First axial direction 80 Fixed part 82 First Clutch State 84 Second Axial Direction 86 First shift travel 88 Second shift travel 90 axial travel

Claims

1. A separable clutch (10) for a vehicle, said separable clutch having The first clutch component (12) is rotatable about the rotation axis (16); Rotatable second clutch component (14); An actuation device (30) having an axially displaceable actuation element (32) for changing the state of a clutch; The connecting element (24) connects the first clutch component (12) and the second clutch component (14) to each other in a torque transmission manner in the first clutch state (82), and disconnects the first clutch component and the second clutch component from each other in the second clutch state (58). and a locking device (52) for axially fixing the connecting element (24). Its features are, The locking element (54) of the locking device (52) is locked between the first clutch component (12) and the connecting element (24) in the first locking position (56) in the first clutch state (82), and in the second clutch state (58), it is locked between the first clutch component (12) and the connecting element (24) in the second locking position (60).

2. The separable clutch (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first shift stroke (86) of the actuating element (32) starting from the second clutch state (58) for using the first clutch state (82) is different from the second shift stroke (88) of the actuating element (32) starting from the first clutch state (82) for using the second clutch state (58).

3. The separable clutch (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The locking element (54) engages in the first recess (66) in the first clutch component (12) when it is in the first locked position (56).

4. The separable clutch (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The locking element (54) is locked in the second locking position (60) in the second recess (68) of the first clutch component (12) which is axially offset relative to the first recess (66).

5. The separable clutch (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The actuating element (32) is capable of shifting relative to the connecting element (24).

6. The separable clutch (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The actuating device (30) has an axially displaceable interlocking element (70) that fixes the locking element (54) at least in the first locking position (56).

7. The separable clutch (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that, The interlocking element (70) is pre-tensioned by a spring in the direction of the first locking position (56).

8. The separable clutch (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The actuating element (32) acts on the actuating portion (38) of the connecting element (24) to employ the first clutch state (82).

9. The separable clutch (10) according to claim 6 or 7 and claim 8, characterized in that, The actuating element (32) acts on the contact portion (76) of the interlocking element (70) and on the actuating portion (38) of the connecting element (24) to employ the second clutch state (58).

10. The separable clutch (10) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The actuating element (32) acts on the first axial side (46) of the actuating portion (38) to employ the first clutch state (82), and acts on the second axial side (50) opposite to the actuating portion (38) to employ the second clutch state (58).

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