Torque transmission device for vehicle and vehicle

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a torque transmitting device for a vehicle, which is disposed between an engine and a gearbox of the vehicle and transmits torque therebetween, the torque transmitting device comprising: a flexible disc directly coupled to one of a crankshaft of the engine and an input shaft of the gearbox; the inertia disc is circumferentially locked with the flexible disc, and the inertia disc is directly connected to the other one of the crankshaft of the engine and the input shaft of the gearbox. The utility model further relates to a vehicle which comprises the torque transmission device.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a torque transmission device for a vehicle. The present disclosure also relates to a vehicle comprising such a torque transmission device. BACKGROUND

[0002] In a hybrid vehicle, the engine is usually fixed to work in a high efficiency range for driving the generator to generate electricity or directly driving the vehicle under certain driving conditions. Since the engine works only in the high efficiency range, the fluctuation of the torque generated by the engine is very small. The torque fluctuation absorbing mechanism, such as torsional damper and torque limiter, traditionally arranged between the engine and the gearbox, can be omitted to reduce the cost.

[0003] However, it is still not recommended to directly connect the engine and the gearbox. It is desirable that such small torque fluctuation can also be absorbed without being transmitted into the gearbox to improve the driving comfort of the vehicle as much as possible. In addition, due to assembly tolerances, there may be an uncertain gap between the engine crankshaft and the gearbox input shaft, making it difficult to be directly connected. SUMMARY

[0004] Therefore, the present disclosure aims to solve the above problems, and the purpose is to provide a torque transmission device for a vehicle, which has a certain torque fluctuation absorbing capacity and can connect upstream and downstream components together in the presence of assembly tolerances.

[0005] The torque transmission device for a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is arranged between and transmits torque between an engine and a gearbox of a vehicle, and comprises: a flexible disc directly coupled to one of a crankshaft of the engine and an input shaft of the gearbox; an inertia disc circumferentially locked with the flexible disc, and the inertia disc is directly coupled to the other one of the crankshaft of the engine and the input shaft of the gearbox.

[0006] One of the purposes of the present disclosure is to provide a torque transmission device for a vehicle, which has a certain torque fluctuation absorbing capacity and can connect upstream and downstream components together in the presence of assembly tolerances. The torque transmission device for a vehicle according to the present disclosure comprises a flexible disc and an inertia disc. The flexible disc can produce a certain elastic deformation, thereby being able to absorb torque fluctuation and adapt to the unfixed spacing between the engine crankshaft and the gearbox input shaft due to assembly tolerances. The inertia disc has a large moment of inertia, which can make the torque output of the engine more smooth. In addition, compared with the traditional torque fluctuation absorbing mechanism, the torque transmission device according to the present disclosure has a simple structure, a lower cost, and saves installation space.

[0007] The torque transmission device according to the present disclosure can also have one or more of the following features, alone or in combination.

[0008] According to one optional embodiment of the present disclosure, the flexible disk comprises a first central portion and a first outer rim portion, the inertia disk comprises a second central portion and a second outer rim portion, the first outer rim portion is locked circumferentially with the second outer rim portion, and the flexible disk is directly coupled to one of the crankshaft of the engine and the input shaft of the gearbox at the first central portion, and the inertia disk is directly coupled to the other one of the crankshaft of the engine and the input shaft of the gearbox at the second central portion.

[0009] According to one optional embodiment of the present disclosure, an axial spacing between the first central portion and the second central portion is greater than an axial spacing between the first outer rim portion and the second outer rim portion. The axial spacing between the first central portion and the second central portion corresponds to a spacing between the crankshaft of the engine and the input shaft of the gearbox.

[0010] According to one optional embodiment of the present disclosure, the first central portion of the flexible disk is axially offset relative to the first outer rim portion, and / or the second central portion of the inertia disk is axially offset relative to the second outer rim portion.

[0011] According to one optional embodiment of the present disclosure, the flexible disk is fastened to the crankshaft of the engine at the first central portion by a fastener.

[0012] According to one optional embodiment of the present disclosure, the inertia disk is coupled to the input shaft at the second central portion by a spline in an interference fit, such that the inertia disk is locked circumferentially with the input shaft.

[0013] According to one optional embodiment of the present disclosure, the inertia disk comprises an outer protrusion radially protruding from the second outer rim portion, and the flexible disk comprises a clamping portion radially protruding from the first outer rim portion, the clamping portion being configured to clamp on and lock with the outer protrusion.

[0014] According to one optional embodiment of the present disclosure, the clamping portion comprises two side walls and a bottom wall connecting the two side walls, the two side walls are opposite to each other and flared outward at a top portion to form a flared portion, the outer protrusion is provided with a central groove, an extending direction of the central groove is parallel to a direction in which the two side walls of the clamping portion are opposite to each other, and the two side walls of the clamping portion are provided with through holes aligned with each other, such that a fastener can pass through the through holes and the central groove and clamp the outer protrusion between the two side walls.

[0015] According to one optional embodiment of the present disclosure, the inertia disk is locked with the input shaft in an axial direction.

[0016] According to one optional embodiment of the present disclosure, the input shaft has a stepped portion, and the inertia disc is screwed onto the input shaft with a nut pressed against the stepped portion.

[0017] According to one optional embodiment of the present disclosure, the inertia disc is coupled to an input shaft of the gear box through a second spline portion provided at the second central portion, such that the inertia disc is locked in the circumferential direction with the input shaft.

[0018] According to one optional embodiment of the present disclosure, a first outer edge portion of the flexible disc and a second outer edge portion of the inertia disc are riveted together.

[0019] According to one optional embodiment of the present disclosure, the inertia disc includes a second through-hole provided on the second central portion, and a fastener can pass through the second through-hole to fasten the flexible disc to a crankshaft of the engine.

[0020] According to one optional embodiment of the present disclosure, the inertia disc is fastened to a crankshaft of the engine at the second central portion through a fastener, and the flexible disc is coupled to an input shaft of the gear box through a first spline portion provided at the first central portion.

[0021] According to one optional embodiment of the present disclosure, a first outer edge portion of the flexible disc and a second outer edge portion of the inertia disc are riveted together.

[0022] According to one optional embodiment of the present disclosure, the flexible disc includes a first through-hole provided on the first central portion, and a fastener can pass through the first through-hole to fasten the inertia disc to a crankshaft of the engine.

[0023] The present disclosure also relates to a vehicle including the torque transmission device as described above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0024] The above and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference made to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0025] Figure 1 A torque transmission device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure is shown, in which an input shaft of a gear box is shown.

[0026] Figure 2 is Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the torque transmission device shown.

[0027] Figure 3 A torque transmission device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure is shown, in which an input shaft of a gear box is shown. Figure 1The input shaft of the gear box and the flat key for coupling the input shaft and the inertia disc of the torque transmission device.

[0028] Figure 4 The inertia disc in the embodiment shown. Figure 1 The inertia disc in the embodiment shown.

[0029] Figure 5 The flexible disc in the embodiment shown. Figure 1 The flexible disc in the embodiment shown.

[0030] Figure 6 is a sectional view of a torque transmission device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 7 is a sectional view of a torque transmission device according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] In the various figures, the same or similar components are denoted by the same reference signs. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] In order to make the purposes, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described clearly and completely below with reference to the drawings of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0034] Unless otherwise defined, technical terms or scientific terms used herein should be understood as having the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. The terms “one”, “an” or “the” and similar words used in the specification and claims of the present patent application do not mean a quantity limitation, but mean that there is at least one. The terms “include” or “contain” and similar words mean that the elements or objects before the words encompass the elements or objects listed after the words and their equivalents. Although expressions such as “first” and “second” are used to describe various elements of the present disclosure, they are only used to distinguish one component from another, and do not limit the order or importance of the corresponding elements. Without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, “a first element” can be written as “a second element”, and similarly, “a second element” can be written as “a first element”. “Up”, “down”, “left”, “right” and the like are only used to indicate relative positional relationships, and when the absolute position of the described object changes, the relative positional relationship may also change accordingly. The directions “axial”, “radial”, “circumferential” and the like are defined relative to the rotation axis X of the torque transmission device, the axial direction is the direction in which the rotation axis X extends, the radial direction is perpendicular to the rotation axis X, and the circumferential direction is the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X. Two components “rotationally fixed” means that there is no relative rotation between them.

[0035] The torque transmission device 100 according to the present disclosure is intended to replace conventional torque fluctuation absorption mechanisms, such as torsional vibration dampers and torque limiters, placed between a vehicle's engine and gearbox. This device is capable of transmitting torque between the engine and gearbox, exhibits a certain degree of torque fluctuation absorption capacity, and can accommodate assembly tolerances between the engine and gearbox. The device's simple structure reduces component costs and assembly complexity.

[0036] Figures 1 to 5 A torque transmission device 100 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. As shown, the torque transmission device 100 includes a flexible disc 10 and an inertia disc 20, both of which are coaxially arranged about a rotation axis X. The flexible disc 10 is directly coupled to the crankshaft of the engine, and the inertia disc 20 is circumferentially locked with the flexible disc 10 and directly coupled to the input shaft 1 of the gearbox.

[0037] Flexible disc 10 includes a first central portion 11 and a first outer edge portion 12. First central portion 11 is axially offset relative to first outer edge portion 12, resulting in a concave configuration of flexible disc 10, with a lower center and a higher periphery. First central portion 11 is provided with a first through-hole 15, through which a fastener, such as a screw, is passed to secure flexible disc 10 to the engine's crankshaft.

[0038] The inertia disc 20 includes a second central portion 21 and a second outer edge portion 22. The inertia disc 20 is coupled to the input shaft 1 via the second central portion 21 and is circumferentially locked with the flexible disc 10 via the second outer edge portion 22.

[0039] exist Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the second central portion 21 is also axially offset relative to the second outer edge portion 22 in a direction opposite to the offset of the first central portion 11 relative to the first outer edge portion 12, and the degree of offset is less than that of the first central portion 11. Consequently, the axial spacing between the first central portion 11 of the flexible disk 10 and the second central portion 21 of the inertia disk 20 is greater than the axial spacing between the first outer edge portion 12 of the flexible disk 10 and the second outer edge portion 22 of the inertia disk 20. In other words, the torque transmission device 100 as a whole exhibits a centrally bulged structure. The flexible disk 10 has a certain degree of elastic deformation, allowing the degree of offset of the first central portion 11 relative to the first outer edge portion 12 to be variable. In other words, the centrally bulged degree of the torque transmission device 100 is variable, thereby accommodating variations in the distance between the engine crankshaft and the gearbox input shaft 1 due to assembly tolerances. Furthermore, the distance between the engine crankshaft and the gearbox input shaft 1 may also vary due to vibration during vehicle operation. The elastic deformation of the flexible disk 10 also accommodates these variations in distance.

[0040] It is understood that the second central portion 21 and the second outer edge portion 22 of the inertia disk 20 may also be substantially flush, or the second central portion 21 and the first central portion 11 may be offset in the same direction, with only the degree of offset being different. Furthermore, the first central portion 11 and the first outer edge portion 12 of the flexible disk 10 may be substantially flush, as long as the first central portion 11 is elastically deformable in the axial direction relative to the first outer edge portion 12 to change the axial distance between the first central portion 11 and the second central portion 21.

[0041] refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 The inertia disc 20 is coupled to the input shaft 1 at its second center portion 21 via a flat key 2 in an interference fit, circumferentially locking the inertia disc 20 with the input shaft 1. Specifically, the input shaft 1 has a stepped portion 1a with a flat keyhole 1b formed therein. The flat key 2 is positioned above the flat keyhole 1b, its height greater than the depth of the flat keyhole 1b, thereby partially protruding beyond the flat keyhole 1b. The inertia disc 20 has a coupling groove 211 in its center hole. During assembly, the inertia disc 20 is first rotated until the coupling groove 211 aligns with the flat keyhole 1b. The inertia disc 20 is then axially translated so that the portion of the flat key 2 protruding beyond the flat keyhole 1b is accommodated in the coupling groove 211. Thus, the inertia disc 20 is circumferentially locked to the input shaft 1 via the flat key 2. The flat key 2 can be slightly larger than the flat keyhole 1b and / or the coupling groove 211, thereby forming an interference fit with the input shaft 1 and / or the inertia disc 20. In addition, a nut 3 is screwed onto the input shaft 1 to press the inertia disc 20 against the step 1 a. The nut 3 locks the inertia disc 20 to the input shaft 1 in the axial direction to prevent the flat key 2 from falling out of the inertia disc 20 .

[0042] The first outer edge portion 12 of the flexible disk 10 is circumferentially locked with the second outer edge portion 22 of the inertia disk 20. Figure 2 、 Figure 4 and Figure 5 The inertia disk 20 includes an outer protrusion 23 radially protruding from the second outer edge portion 22, while the flexible disk 10 includes a snap-fit ​​portion 13 radially protruding from the first outer edge portion 12. The snap-fit ​​portion 13 includes two side walls 131 and a bottom wall 132 connecting the two side walls 131. The two side walls 131 are opposite to each other and flare outward at the top to form a flared opening. The outer protrusion 23 is provided with a central groove 231. The extension direction of the central groove 231 is parallel to the direction in which the two side walls 131 of the snap-fit ​​portion 13 face each other, that is, substantially along the tangent direction of the second outer edge portion 22. The two side walls 131 of the snap-fit ​​portion 13 are provided with through holes 133 aligned with each other, and the line connecting the two through holes 133 passes through the central groove 231. In other words, it is possible to reach the other through hole 133 from one through hole 133 via the central groove 231.

[0043] At the time of assembly, the flexible disk 10 and the inertia disk 20 are first rotated to an angular position in which the engaging portion 13 and the outer protrusion 23 are aligned, and then one or both of them is / are axially translated so that the engaging portion 13 is engaged on the outer protrusion 23. Then, a fastener such as a screw is passed through the two through-holes 133 and the central slot 231 and locks the outer protrusion 23 in a clamped manner between the two side walls 131. In this way, the flexible disk 10 and the inertia disk 20 are circumferentially locked. At the time of torque transmission, a certain elastic deformation in the circumferential direction can occur between the central portion 11 and the engaging portion 13 of the flexible disk 10. This elastic deformation can serve to absorb torque fluctuations.

[0044] At the time of assembly of the torque transmission device 100 according to the first embodiment, the flexible disk 10 and the inertia disk 20 are first assembled to the crankshaft of the engine and to the input shaft 1 of the gearbox, respectively, and then circumferentially locked together. This assembly sequence avoids interference of one of the flexible disk 10 and the inertia disk 20 with the assembly of the other.

[0045] Figure 6 and Figure 7 A second embodiment and a third embodiment of the torque transmission device 100 according to the present disclosure are shown, respectively. The following description of the second embodiment and the third embodiment focuses on the differences from the first embodiment, while a detailed description of the identical parts of the first embodiment is omitted.

[0046] Figure 6 The second embodiment of the torque transmission device 100 shown differs from the first embodiment mainly in the way the flexible disk 10 and the inertia disk 20 are circumferentially locked, and in the way the inertia disk 20 is circumferentially locked to the input shaft 1 of the gearbox. Specifically, in the second embodiment, the first outer rim portion 12 of the flexible disk 10 and the second outer rim portion 22 of the inertia disk 20 are riveted together, achieving circumferential locking of both. The inertia disk 20 comprises a second spline portion 24 at the second central portion 21, which mates with a corresponding spline portion on the input shaft 1 of the gearbox, circumferentially locking the inertia disk 20 and the input shaft 1. In addition, the inertia disk 20 comprises a second through-hole 25 provided on the second central portion 21, through which a fastener can pass and fasten the flexible disk 10 to the crankshaft of the engine via the first through-hole 15. The flexible disk 10 is elastically deformable in both the circumferential direction and the axial direction, absorbing torque fluctuations and adapting to changes in the distance between the crankshaft of the engine and the input shaft 1 of the gearbox.

[0047] In Figure 7In the third embodiment of the torque transfer device 100 shown, the flexible disc 10 is coupled to the input shaft 1 of the gearbox, while the inertia disc 20 is coupled to the crankshaft of the engine. Specifically, the flexible disc 10 is arranged at the first spline portion 14 of the first central portion 11, which mates with a corresponding spline portion on the input shaft 1 of the gearbox, locking the flexible disc 10 and the input shaft 1 in the circumferential direction. The flexible disc 10 is further provided with a first through hole 15 on the first central portion 11, through which a fastener can pass and fasten the inertia disc 20 to the crankshaft of the engine through a second through hole 25. Similar to the second embodiment, the circumferential locking of the flexible disc 10 and the inertia disc 20 is also achieved by riveting the first outer rim portion 12 and the second outer rim portion 22. The flexible disc 10 is elastically deformable in both the circumferential direction and the axial direction, absorbing torque fluctuations and adapting to the distance changes between the crankshaft of the engine and the input shaft 1 of the gearbox.

[0048] In the second and third embodiments, the fastener can pass through one of the first through hole 15 and the second through hole 25, and fasten the flexible disc 10 or the inertia disc 20 to the crankshaft of the engine through the other. In this way, the flexible disc 10 and the inertia disc 20 of the torque transfer device 100 can be first riveted together to form an integral torque transfer device 100, and then the torque transfer device 100 is assembled to the crankshaft of the engine and the input shaft 1 of the gearbox. Preferably, the torque transfer device 100 is first fastened to the crankshaft of the engine, and then assembled to the input shaft of the gearbox. Such an assembly sequence can avoid interference of the gearbox with the fastening of the torque transfer device 100 to the crankshaft of the engine.

[0049] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle is proposed, which comprises the torque transfer device 100 as described above. In particular, the vehicle can be a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV, Hybrid Electric Vehicle), including a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle), a range extended electric vehicle (Range extended EV), etc.

[0050] Some features, structures or characteristics in one or more embodiments of the present disclosure can be appropriately combined.

[0051] The above is a summary of the disclosure and should not be considered an interpretation of its full extent. While several exemplary embodiments of the disclosure have been described, those skilled in the art will readily comprehend that many modifications can be made to the exemplary embodiments without departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the disclosure. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure as defined in the claims. It is to be understood that the above is a description of the disclosure and that the disclosure should not be considered as limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, and that modifications to the disclosed embodiments, as well as other embodiments, are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

1. A torque transmission device (100) for a vehicle, the torque transmission device (100) being arranged between an engine and a gearbox of the vehicle and transmitting torque therebetween, characterized in that: The torque transmission device (100) comprises: a flexible disc (10) directly coupled to one of a crankshaft of the engine and an input shaft (1) of the gearbox; an inertia disc (20) which is circumferentially locked with the flexible disc (10) and is directly coupled to the other of the crankshaft of the engine and the input shaft (1) of the gearbox, The flexible disk (10) comprises a first central portion (11) and a first outer edge portion (12), the inertia disk (20) comprises a second central portion (21) and a second outer edge portion (22), the first outer edge portion (12) and the second outer edge portion (22) are circumferentially locked, and The flexible disc (10) is directly coupled to one of the crankshaft of the engine and the input shaft (1) of the gearbox at the first center portion (11), and the inertia disc (20) is directly coupled to the other of the crankshaft of the engine and the input shaft (1) of the gearbox at the second center portion (21).

2. The torque transmission device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that An axial distance between the first central portion (11) and the second central portion (21) is greater than an axial distance between the first outer edge portion (12) and the second outer edge portion (22).

3. The torque transmission device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The first central portion (11) of the flexible disk (10) is axially offset relative to the first outer edge portion (12), and / or The second center portion (21) of the inertia disk (20) is offset in the axial direction relative to the second outer edge portion (22).

4. The torque transmission device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The flexible disc (10) is fastened to the crankshaft of the engine at the first central portion (11) by fasteners.

5. The torque transmission device (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that The inertia disc (20) is coupled to the input shaft (1) at the second center portion (21) by means of a flat key (2) in an interference fit manner, so that the inertia disc (20) and the input shaft (1) are circumferentially locked.

6. The torque transmission device (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that The inertia disk (20) includes an outer protrusion (23) radially protruding from the second outer edge (22), and the flexible disk (10) includes a snap-fit ​​portion (13) radially protruding from the first outer edge (12), and the snap-fit ​​portion (13) is configured to snap-fit ​​onto the outer protrusion (23) and lock with the outer protrusion (23).

7. The torque transmission device (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that The buckle portion (13) includes two side walls (131) and a bottom wall (132) connecting the two side walls (131), the two side walls (131) are opposite to each other and open outward at the top to form a flared opening. The outer protrusion (23) is provided with a central groove (231), the extension direction of the central groove (231) is parallel to the direction in which the two side walls (131) of the buckling portion (13) are opposite to each other, and Through holes (133) aligned with each other are provided on the two side walls (131) of the buckling portion (13), so that a fastener can pass through the through hole (133) and the central groove (231) and clamp the outer protrusion (23) between the two side walls (131).

8. The torque transmission device (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that The inertia disc (20) is locked with the input shaft (1) in the axial direction.

9. The torque transmission device (100) according to claim 8, characterized in that The input shaft (1) has a stepped portion (1a), and the inertia disc (20) is pressed against the stepped portion (1a) by a nut (3) screwed onto the input shaft (1).

10. The torque transmission device (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that The inertia disc (20) is coupled to the input shaft (1) of the gearbox via a second spline portion (24) provided at the second center portion (21), such that the inertia disc (20) is circumferentially locked with the input shaft (1).

11. The torque transmission device (100) according to claim 10, characterized in that The first outer edge portion (12) of the flexible disk (10) and the second outer edge portion (22) of the inertia disk (20) are riveted together.

12. The torque transmission device (100) according to claim 10, characterized in that The inertia disk (20) includes a second through-hole (25) provided on the second central portion (21), through which a fastener can pass to fasten the flexible disk (10) to the crankshaft of the engine.

13. The torque transmission device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The inertia disc (20) is fastened to the crankshaft of the engine at the second center portion (21) by fasteners, and The flexible disc (10) is coupled to the input shaft (1) of the gearbox via a first spline portion (14) provided at the first central portion (11).

14. The torque transmission device (100) according to claim 13, characterized in that The first outer edge portion (12) of the flexible disk (10) and the second outer edge portion (22) of the inertia disk (20) are riveted together.

15. The torque transmission device (100) according to claim 13, characterized in that The flexible disk (10) includes a first through-hole (15) provided on the first central portion (11), through which a fastener can pass to fasten the inertia disk (20) to the crankshaft of the engine.

16. A vehicle, characterized in that: The vehicle comprises a torque transmitting device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

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