Pressure plate assembly for rotary locking

Abstract

Pressure plate assembly (1) comprising: a pressure plate (2) containing an outer circumferential surface (5), wherein the radial distance of the outer circumferential surface (5) from an axis X of the pressure plate (2) varies to define a plurality of ramps (6); and a ring (3) comprising a plurality of axial projections (7), each of the plurality of axial projections (7) comprising a radially inner surface (8) which, by a rotation of the pressure plate (2) with respect to the ring (3), engages with a radially outer surface (9) of the plurality of ramps (6) to frictionally connect the pressure plate (2) and the ring (3), wherein the pressure plate (2) is an extruded or injection-molded plastic part.

Description

INCLUSION THROUGH REFERENCE

[0001] The following documents are based on priority filing US 61 / 830,948 dated June 4, 2013. AREA OF INVENTION

[0002] This application generally concerns a pressure plate and in particular a pressure plate for friction-fit connection. BACKGROUND

[0003] Pressure plates for torque converters are well known. Known two-piece pressure plates are disclosed in US patent US 5,489,255 A. Two-piece pressure plates typically include detent tongues that engage in slots of a mating part. These types of pressure plates require precise alignment of the tongues with the slots during assembly.

[0004] Further pressure plates for torque converters are disclosed in documents US 2009 / 0 252 449 A1 and JP 2004 - 308 855 A. SUMMARY

[0005] It would be desirable to provide a pressure plate and a counterpart that are inexpensive and do not contain precisely fitting parts.

[0006] A pressure plate assembly is provided, comprising a pressure plate and a ring. The pressure plate has an outer circumferential surface whose radial distance from an axis is variable to define a plurality of ramps. The ring has a plurality of axial projections, each containing a radial inner surface. By rotating the pressure plate relative to the ring, these projections engage with a radial outer surface of the plurality of ramps, thus frictionally connecting the pressure plate and the ring. The pressure plate is an extruded or injection-molded plastic part.

[0007] Preferred arrangements incorporating one or more features of the invention are described below and in the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The above summary and the following detailed description are best understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, whereby: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a pressure plate assembly according to the invention. Fig. 2 is a top view of the pressure plate assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EXECUTION FORMS

[0009] Certain terms appearing in the following description are used for convenience only and are not intended as limitations. The terms "inner," "outer," "within," and "outside" refer to directions toward and away from the parts indicated in the drawings. A reference to an enumeration of objects in the form "a, b, and / or c" (where a, b, and c represent the enumerated objects) refers to each of the objects a, b, or c individually, or to any combination thereof. The terminology includes the words specifically mentioned above, their derivatives, and words of similar meaning.

[0010] The Fig. 1 and Fig.Figure 2 shows a preferred embodiment of a pressure plate assembly 1 according to the present invention. The pressure plate assembly 1 comprises a pressure plate 2 and a ring 3. The pressure plate 2 includes an outer circumferential surface 5, the radial distance of which from an axis X of the pressure plate 2 is variable in order to define a plurality of ramps 6.

[0011] According to the invention, the pressure plate 2 is formed as an extruded or injection-molded plastic part. For example, phenolic resin or polyetheretherketone (PEEK) are suitable materials for the pressure plate. The ramps 6 are preferably formed during the extrusion or injection molding of the pressure plate 2. The ramps 6 are preferably aligned in the same direction. All ramps 6 preferably have the same profile. Preferably, five ramps 6 are formed on the pressure plate 2. Alternatively, four ramps can be arranged at a distance of 90° from each other, or eight ramps at a distance of 45° from each other. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that the number and the distance between the ramps can vary. The radial height of the ramps 6 preferably increases by 4 to 10%, particularly preferably by approximately 4.5%, over an angle of approximately 60°.The radial height of a ramp 6 is measured as the radial distance (r1) from the axis X of the pressure plate 2 at one point on the ramp and as the radial distance (r2) from the axis X of the pressure plate 2 at another point located at the opposite end of the same ramp (r2). The change in the radial height of the ramp 6 is calculated using the equation (r2 - r1) / r1.

[0012] The ring 3 comprises a plurality of axial projections 7, each containing a radially inner surface 8 which, upon rotation of the pressure plate 2 relative to the ring 3, engages with a radially outer surface 9 of the plurality of ramps 6 to frictionally connect the pressure plate 2 and the ring 3. The ring 3 and the projections 7 may be comparable to the components shown and described in U.S. Patent 8,371,116 B2, which was assigned to the same applicant. The ring 3 is preferably formed from a stamped sheet metal part. The axial projections 7 are preferably formed by stamping the ring 3. The pressure plate 2 and the ring 3 have axial end faces that lie against each other. The projections 7 preferably have an axial height that is at least 50% of the axial thickness of the pressure plate 3.It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that other ratios of the axial height of the projections 7 to the axial thickness of the pressure plate 3 can be used, especially if the thickness of the pressure plate 3 increases.

[0013] The radially inner surface 8 of each of the plurality of axial projections 7 meets at a contact point with one of the plurality of ramps 6. The contact point is preferably located along an endpoint on the circumference of the axial projection 7. The pressure plate 2 can include a plurality of axially extending holes 4 to reduce the weight of the pressure plate 2 and / or to make the ramps 6 more radially elastic, thereby facilitating easier assembly of the pressure plate assembly 1 and ensuring a precise fit in the installed state. The radially inner surfaces 8 of the plurality of axial projections 7 can have an arcuate contour with a radially inner surface having a constant radius measured from the axis X of the pressure plate 2, or the shape of a straight chord, wherein the radius of the radially inner surface is variable with respect to the axis X of the pressure plate 2.The ratio of the number of ramps 6 to the number of projections 7 can be 1 to 1. Alternatively, several projections 7 can be provided for each ramp 6.

[0014] From the various embodiments of the present pressure plate assembly described in such detail, it is clear and obvious to those skilled in the art that modifications can be made to the pressure plate assembly according to the invention, of which only a few are shown in the above detailed description, without deviating from the concepts and fundamental principles of the invention implemented therein. The present embodiments are therefore to be regarded in every respect as illustrations and not as limitations, the scope of protection of the invention being defined not by the above description but by the accompanying claims, so that all changes relating to the meanings and interpretations of the claims are covered by them. Reference sign 1 Pressure plate assembly 2 pressure plate 3 Ring 4 holes 5 Outer circumferential surface of the pressure plate 6 ramps 7 protrusions 8 Radially inner surface of the projections 9 Radially located outside area of ​​the ramps X-axis of the pressure plate

Claims

[1] Pressure plate assembly (1) comprising: a pressure plate (2) containing an outer circumferential surface (5), wherein the radial distance of the outer circumferential surface (5) from an axis X of the pressure plate (2) varies to define a plurality of ramps (6); and a ring (3) comprising a plurality of axial projections (7), each of the plurality of axial projections (7) comprising a radially inner surface (8) which, by a rotation of the pressure plate (2) with respect to the ring (3), engages with a radially outer surface (9) of the plurality of ramps (6) to frictionally connect the pressure plate (2) and the ring (3), wherein the pressure plate (2) is an extruded or injection-molded plastic part. [2] Pressure plate assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the radially inner surface (8) of each of the plurality of axial projections (7) engages at a contact point into one of the plurality of ramps (6). [3] Pressure plate assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the pressure plate (2) contains a plurality of axially extending holes (4). [4] Pressure plate assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the radially inner surfaces (8) of the plurality of axial projections (7) have an arc-shaped contour having a constant radius measured from the axis X of the pressure plate (2). [5] Pressure plate assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the radially inner surface (8) of the plurality of axial projections (7) has the shape of a chord whose radius is variable with respect to the axis X of the pressure plate (2). [6] Pressure plate assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein all of the plurality of ramps (6) point in the same circumferential direction. [7] Pressure plate assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the ring (3) is a stamped sheet metal part. [8] Pressure plate assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of projections (7) is formed by punching. [9] Pressure plate assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the radial height of the ramps (6) from the axis X of the pressure plate (2) varies between 4% and 10%. [10] Pressure plate assembly (1) comprising: a pressure disk (2) comprising an outer circumferential surface (5), wherein the radial height of the outer circumferential surface (5) varies from an axis X of the pressure disk (2) to define a plurality of ramps (6) whose radial height varies; and a ring (3) comprising a plurality of stamped axial projections (7) and an axial end surface engaging in an axial end surface of the pressure plate (2), wherein the plurality of axial projections (7) extend from the ring (3) by at least 50% of an axial thickness of the pressure plate (2) and each comprise a radially inner surface (8) which, by a rotation of the pressure plate (2) with respect to the ring (3), engages in a radially outer surface (9) of the plurality of ramps (6) to frictionally connect the pressure plate (2) and the ring (3), the pressure plate (2) is an extruded or injection-molded plastic part. [11] Pressure plate assembly (1) according to claim 10, wherein the radial height of the ramps (6) from the axis X of the pressure plate (2) varies between 4 and 10%. [12] Pressure plate assembly (1) according to claim 10, wherein there are at least four ramps (6). [13] Pressure plate assembly (1) according to claim 10, wherein the ratio of the number of ramps (6) to the number of axial projections (7) is 1 to 1.

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