Connection arrangement

Abstract

Connecting arrangement for connecting a piston-cylinder module to a connecting element (2), wherein the piston-cylinder module has a cylinder housing (1), wherein a piston is arranged such that it can be moved axially in a cavity of the cylinder housing, and wherein the cylinder housing (1) can be detachably fastened to the connecting element (2), wherein at least two fastening elements (3) are arranged on the cylinder housing (1) distributed over the circumference, by means of which the cylinder housing (1) can be fastened to the connecting element (2) by means of a latching connection, characterized in that the fastening elements (3) distributed over the circumference have an elastically designed wing (3.1) running parallel to the longitudinal axis (L) of the cylinder housing (1), at the free end of which wing a snap hook (3.2) directed radially outwards or radially inwards is arranged, and in that the wings (3.1) of the fastening elements (3) have at least one latching area (3.11) and at least one actuating area (3.12) and are fastened to a circumferential contour (1.1) of the cylinder housing (1) via a solid-state joint (3.13) in such a way that by pressing the actuating area (3.12) along a direction (A) running parallel to the longitudinal axis (L) of the cylinder housing (1), the wing (3.1) can be twisted about a solid-state joint (3.13) arranged on the circumferential contour (1.1) of the cylinder housing (1) and the locking area (3.11) of the wing (3.1) can be pressed in a direction (B) towards the cylinder housing (1), whereby the engagement of the snap elements (3.2) in the undercut (2.1) can be released.

Description

The invention relates to a connecting arrangement for connecting a piston-cylinder module, in particular a CSC, to a connecting element according to the preamble of the first patent claim.Hydraulic cylinders which are part of a hydraulic line for actuating a clutch, such as slave cylinders, consist essentially of a housing with a piston which is arranged therein in an axially movable manner and which is sealed off from the surrounding housing in order to realize a pressure transmission.If this slave cylinder is arranged concentrically around a transmission input shaft, the piston arranged in the cylinder housing is designed as an annular piston for the passage of this transmission input shaft. Such slave cylinders are also referred to as CSCs or central disengages. The annular piston slides in an annular bore defined between an inner and an outer cylinder wall of the cylinder housing in order to create an annular actuating chamber (pressure chamber). By introducing a hydraulic fluid, the piston is displaced with respect to the housing and a clutch release bearing operatively connected to the piston is thus moved, as a result of which the associated clutch is in turn actuated. Such a CSC or central releaser is described, for example, in DE 10 2007 023 275 A1.In known systems, the CSC is usually screwed to the clutch housing via two brackets. In this case, two additional screws are necessary and, in the case of a plastic housing of the CSC, two additional steel sleeves are necessary. The assembly of the screws represents a further time-consuming working step. Furthermore, the additional components also form an additional weight. From E 10 2014 215 301 A1 a connection of a slave cylinder to a housing according to the preamble of claim 1 is known. Further prior art is described in EP 3 078 873 A1.It is an object to find a cost-effective, weight-saving and simple solution for the fastening of a CSC to the clutch bell.The object is achieved by a connection arrangement according to the first claim.For the connection of a piston-cylinder module, in particular a CSC, to a connection element, a connection arrangement is proposed, wherein the piston-cylinder module has a cylinder housing, wherein a piston is arranged axially displaceably in a cavity of the cylinder housing. The cylinder housing can be detachably fastened to the connecting element. According to the invention, at least two fastening elements are arranged on the cylinder housing distributed over the circumference, by means of which fastening elements the cylinder housing can be fastened to the connection element by means of a latching connection.In particular, the connection element is a clutch bell. Alternatively, the connection element can be an intermediate wall of a hybrid module.In particular, at least three fastening elements are arranged on the cylinder housing distributed over the circumference.According to the invention, the fastening elements distributed over the circumference have an elastically designed wing running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder housing, on the free end of which a snap hook directed radially outwards or radially inwards is arranged.The wings of the fastening elements are preferably compressible radially inward during assembly and spring back into their initial position after assembly. In this case, they engage in a corresponding undercut in the connection element, whereby the cylinder housing is axially fixed to the connection element. It would also be conceivable to support the cylinder housing on the line adapter.Alternatively, corresponding snap elements can be arranged on the connection element, while the fastening elements on the cylinder housing are recesses in which the snap elements can engage.Advantageously, the elastically designed wings with snap hooks allow the cylinder housing to be removed manually. For this purpose, the cylinder housing, around the circumference of which a spiral spring preferably wraps, is pressed along the longitudinal axis of the cylinder housing in the direction of the connection element until the snap-in hooks on the undercut release themselves.Alternatively, the wings of the fastening elements can be pressed manually in the direction of the cylinder housing, whereby the snap-in hooks on the undercut are released.Alternatively, disassembly may be accomplished using a conventional tool, such as a screwdriver, or (though less desirable) by destroying the snap hooks.In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the vanes of the fastening elements are arranged on the cylinder housing via in each case at least one web running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder housing. In this case, the vanes are each connected via a first connecting region to the respective web and the web is connected via a second connecting region to the cylinder housing.Alternatively, a plurality of webs can also be arranged, each running parallel to one another and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder housing.According to the invention, the vanes of the fastening elements have at least one latching region and at least one actuating region and are fastened to a circumferential contour of the cylinder housing via a solid joint. In this case, by pressing the actuating region along a direction running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder housing, the latching region of the wing is pressed in the direction of the cylinder housing, as a result of which the engagement of the snap elements in the undercut is released. By releasing the actuating region again, the latching region of the wing springs back into its initial position and the snap-in element engages the undercut again.Preferably, the fastening elements have a lateral support surface which abuts a corresponding projection of the clutch bell and forms a drag torque support for the cylinder housing. A support on the line adapter would also be conceivable.Alternatively or additionally thereto, the cylinder housing has at least one, preferably at least two radially outwardly pointing ribs, which abut a corresponding projection of the clutch bell and form a drag torque support for the cylinder housing.Advantageously, the cylinder housing can be produced by an injection molding process.The basis of the invention is the fact that the axial force of the connection between CSC and clutch bell is only required for transport. Once the clutch is installed, the CSC is forced against the bell base by the force of the Belleville springs. Therefore, a screw connection can be dispensed with if the drag torque is supported and the forces for transport are ensured by a connection with lower strength.Advantageously, cost savings can be achieved by the invention, since both additional material, such as screws and sleeves, and the assembly effort are omitted. In addition, a weight reduction takes place.The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments and associated drawings, without being restricted to these.The following are shown: FIG. 1 shows the fastening of a CSC to the clutch bell according to the prior art; FIG. 2 : a longitudinal section through a fastening element according to the invention; FIG. 3 is a longitudinal section through a fastening element with an additional web, which is not part of the invention; FIG. 4 : shows a schematic illustration of a fastening element according to the invention, which is supported on a projection on the clutch bell; FIG. 5 is a plan view of the region of support between fastening element and projection of the clutch bell; FIG. 6 : a plan view of a CSC according to the invention with three fastening elements; FIG. 7 : a longitudinal section through a fastening element according to the invention with a wing pivotable about a solid joint; FIG. 8 : shows a schematic view of a CSC according to the invention in the region of the fastening elements, each with a wing which can be pivoted about a flexure joint; FIG. 9 : a plan view of a CSC according to the invention with three fastening elements.FIG. 1 shows a CSC which is fastened to the clutch bell 2' in the variant customary according to the prior art. The CSC has a cylinder housing 1' on which two radially outwardly pointing tabs 1.1' are arranged. The cylinder housing 1' is screwed to the clutch bell 2' on these brackets 1.1'.FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal section through a fastening element 3 according to the invention. The fastening element 3 is arranged on the cylinder housing 1 facing radially outwards. The fastening element 3 has an elastically designed wing 3.1 running parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the cylinder housing 1, on the free end of which a radially outwardly directed snap hook 3.2 is arranged. The vane 3.1 is connected to the cylinder housing 1 via a first connecting region 3.5. During assembly, the vane 3.1 can be compressed radially inward and, after assembly, springs back into its initial position, where it engages in a corresponding undercut 2.1 in the clutch bell 2 and thereby axially fixes the cylinder housing 1 to the clutch bell 2.FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal section through a fastening element 3 according to the invention with an additional web 3.3. The fastening element 3 is arranged on the cylinder housing 1 facing radially outwards. The fastening element 3 has an elastically designed wing 3.1 running parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the cylinder housing 1, on the free end of which a radially outwardly directed snap hook 3.2 is arranged. The vane 3.1 is connected via a first connecting region 3.5 to a web 3.3 which likewise runs parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the cylinder housing 1. The web 3.3 is connected to the cylinder housing 1 via a second connecting region 3.6. During assembly, the vane 3.1 can be compressed radially inward and, after assembly, springs back into its initial position, where it engages in a corresponding undercut 2.1 in the clutch bell 2 and thereby axially fixes the cylinder housing 1 to the clutch bell 2. The additional web 3.3 makes the fastening element 3 more elastic.FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of a fastening element 3 according to the invention, which is supported on a projection 2.2 on the clutch bell 2. In this embodiment too, the vane 3.1 of the connecting element 3 is connected via a first connecting region 3.5 to a web 3.3 which likewise runs parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder housing 1. The fastening element 3 has a lateral support surface 3.7, which abuts a corresponding projection 2.2 of the clutch bell 2 and forms a drag torque support for the cylinder housing 1.FIG. 5 shows a plan view of the region of support between a fastening element 3 and a projection 2.2 of the clutch bell 2. The fastening element 3 has a lateral support surface 3.7, which abuts a corresponding projection 2.2 of the clutch bell 2 and forms a drag torque support for the cylinder housing 1.FIG. 6 shows a top view of a CSC according to the invention with three fastening elements 3. Three fastening elements 3 are arranged on the cylinder housing 1 distributed over the circumference, via which fastening to the clutch bell 2 is realized. Also visible are the projections 2.2 of the clutch bell 2, on which the fastening elements 3 are supported via a lateral supporting surface 3.7. The dismantling of the CSC can be effected manually by pressing the CSC in the direction of its longitudinal axis (here: into the plane of the drawing), as a result of which the latching connection is released. Alternatively, the locking connection can be effected manually by pressing the fastening elements 3 in the direction of the cylinder housing 1 (illustrated by arrows in FIG. 6 ), whereby the locking of the snap hooks, which are not visible here, on the undercut is likewise released.FIGS. 7 and 8 show a fastening element 3 according to the invention with a wing 3.1 pivotable about a solid joint 3.13, wherein FIG. 7 shows a longitudinal section through the region of the CSC with the fastening element 3 and FIG. 8 shows a schematic view. The wing 3.1 has a latching region 3.11 and an actuation region 3.12. The vane 3.1 is fastened via a solid joint 3.13 to a circumferential contour 1.1 of the cylinder housing 1.If the CSC is pressed into a connection element, not shown, for example into a coupling bell, the wings 3.1 are pressed radially inward (in the direction of the longitudinal axis L) by the bevel on the snap hook 3.2 until they engage into an undercut arranged on the connection element, not shown.By pressing the actuating region 3.12 along a direction A running parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the cylinder housing, the wing 3.1 rotates about a solid joint 3.13 arranged on the circumferential contour 1.1 of the cylinder housing 1, and the latching region 3.11 of the wing 3.1 is pressed in the direction B towards the cylinder housing 1, whereby the engagement of the snap elements 3.2 in the undercut is released. By releasing the actuating region 3.12 again, the latching region 3.11 of the wing 3.1 springs back into its initial position and the snap-in element 3.2 engages the undercut again.FIG. 9 shows a plan view of a CSC according to the invention with three fastening elements 3. The fastening elements 3 arranged on the cylinder housing 1 are designed here in the form of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. If the CSC is pressed into a connection element, not shown, for example into a coupling bell, the wings of the fastening elements 3, not shown here, are pressed radially inward by the bevel on the snap hook until they engage into an undercut arranged on the connection element, not shown.The dismantling of the CSC is effected manually by pressing the fastening elements 3 in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the CSC (here: into the plane of the drawing), as a result of which the snap-action hooks engage the undercut of the coupling bell are released.List of reference characters1' Cylinder housing according to the prior art 1.1' Lug according to the prior art 2' Coupling bell according to the prior art 1 Cylinder housing 1.1 Contour 2 Connecting element / coupling bell 2.1 Undercut 2.2 Projection 3 Fastening element 3.1 Wing 3.11 Latching region 3.12 Actuating region 3.13 Solid-state joint 3.2 Snap-on hook 3.3 Web 3.4 Supporting surface 3.5 First connecting region 3.6 Second connecting region 3.7 Supporting surface L Longitudinal axis

Claims

Connection arrangement for connecting a piston-cylinder module to a connection element (2), wherein the piston-cylinder module has a cylinder housing (1), wherein a piston is arranged in an axially displaceable manner in a cavity of the cylinder housing, and wherein the cylinder housing (1) can be detachably fastened to the connection element (2), wherein at least two fastening elements (3) are arranged on the cylinder housing (1), distributed over the circumference, by means of which fastening elements the cylinder housing (1) can be fastened to the connection element (2) by means of a latching connection, characterized in that the fastening elements (3) distributed over the circumference have an elastically designed wing (3.1) running parallel to the longitudinal axis (L) of the cylinder housing (1), at the free end of which a snap hook (3.2) directed radially outwards or radially inwards is arranged, and in that the vanes (3.1) of the fastening elements (3) have at least one latching region (3.11) and at least one actuating region (3.12) and are fastened via a solid joint (3.13) to a circumferential contour (1.1) of the cylinder housing (1) in such a way that, by pressing the actuating region (3.12) along a direction (A) running parallel to the longitudinal axis (L) of the cylinder housing (1), the vane (3.1) can be twisted about a solid joint (3.13) arranged on the circumferential contour (1.1) of the cylinder housing (1), and the latching region (3.11) of the vane (3.1) can be pressed in a direction (B) towards the cylinder housing (1), whereby the engagement of the snap elements (3.2) in the undercut (2.1) is releasable.Connecting arrangement according to Claim 1, characterized in that at least three fastening elements (3) are arranged on the cylinder housing (1) distributed over the circumference.Connection arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the wings (3.1) of the fastening elements (3) can be compressed radially inwards during assembly and after assembly spring back into their initial position and engage into a corresponding undercut (2.1) in the connection element (2) and the cylinder housing (1) is thereby axially fixed to the connection element (2).Connecting arrangement according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the fastening elements (3) have a lateral supporting surface (3.4) which bear against a corresponding projection (2.2) of the connection element (2) and form a drag torque support for the cylinder housing (1).Connecting arrangement according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the cylinder housing (1) has at least one rib which points radially outwards and bears against a corresponding projection (2.2) of the connection element (2) and forms a drag torque support for the cylinder housing (1).Connection arrangement according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the connection element (2) is a clutch bell (2).Connection arrangement according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the connection element (2) is an intermediate wall of a hybrid module.

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