Clutch cylinder for a clutch device and clutch assembly with the clutch cylinder
The clutch cylinder addresses the challenge of foreign particle ingress and ventilation by employing a labyrinthine ventilation channel with angled ducts and recesses, ensuring a sealed and ventilated environment for internal components with ease of manufacturing.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO KG
- Filing Date
- 2019-05-29
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-11
AI Technical Summary
Existing clutch cylinders face challenges in achieving a high degree of tightness against the ingress of foreign particles while ensuring ventilation to prevent bellows inflation during actuation.
A clutch cylinder design featuring a ventilation channel with a labyrinthine layout that minimizes the entry of foreign particles, incorporating angled duct sections and recesses in the cylinder housing to form a fluid-tight connection between the bellows and the environment, allowing air exchange without contaminant ingress.
The design effectively prevents foreign particles from entering the intermediate space while ensuring efficient ventilation, maintaining a sealed environment for internal components and facilitating easy manufacturing through integrated channel formation.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a clutch cylinder for a clutch device having the features of the preamble of claim 1. The invention further relates to a clutch arrangement with the clutch cylinder.
[0002] Clutch cylinders are known, which are used, for example, in the automotive sector to actuate clutches. Such clutch cylinders typically have a housing with a pressure chamber in which an axially displaceable piston is guided. Actuation of a clutch pedal displaces the piston located in the pressure chamber axially, thus actuating the clutch. To protect internal system components of the clutch cylinder, such as the piston, sealing ring carrier, seal, etc., it is known to use bellows that shield them from dirty water, dust, sand, etc. To ensure a high level of protection against these external influences, the bellows is sealed to protect the internal system components. Due to the tighter seal of the bellows, the displaced air in the system must be vented during actuation to prevent the bellows from inflating.
[0003] German patent application DE 10 2016 219 592 A1 discloses a slave cylinder for a hydraulic release system for actuating a friction clutch, comprising a housing and at least one pressure chamber formed therein, in which a piston is axially displaceable for actuating a release bearing. The release bearing has a radially inner bearing ring and a radially outer bearing ring and is preloaded by a preload spring arranged radially outside the pressure chamber. The slave cylinder has a support ring that is operatively connected to the release bearing and on which the preload spring is axially supported, the support ring having at least one retaining element to which a dirt guard is axially fixed to prevent dirt from entering the pressure chamber. The support ring is made of sheet metal. (From DE 10 2017 104 122 A1)
[0004] A clutch cylinder according to the preamble of claim 1 is known. Further prior art is disclosed in WO 2018 / 193 728 A1 and JP 2002-349 603 A.
[0005] The object of the present invention is to propose a clutch cylinder which is characterized by a high degree of tightness against the ingress of foreign particles and also by ventilation.
[0006] This problem is solved by a clutch cylinder having the features of claim 1 and a clutch arrangement having the features of claim 4. Preferred or advantageous embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the following description, and the accompanying figures.
[0007] The invention relates to a clutch cylinder designed and / or suitable for a clutch device. The clutch cylinder serves in particular to actuate the clutch device. The clutch cylinder can be hydraulically and / or pneumatically actuated. Preferably, the clutch cylinder is designed as a slave cylinder, particularly preferably as a concentric slave cylinder (CSC). The concentric slave cylinder is particularly preferably designed as a central release bearing. Specifically, the clutch cylinder is arranged and / or can be arranged coaxially and / or concentrically around a shaft, in particular a transmission shaft of a gearbox.
[0008] The clutch cylinder has an actuating piston which is designed and / or suitable for transmitting an actuating force to the clutch device.
[0009] Preferably, the clutch cylinder has a release bearing which is designed and / or suitable for transmitting the actuating force from the actuating piston to the clutch assembly. Preferably, the actuating piston and the release bearing are operatively connected and / or motionally coupled to each other, so that movement of the actuating piston is transmitted to the release bearing.
[0010] The clutch cylinder has a cylinder housing. In particular, the cylinder housing is designed as a hollow cylindrical and / or annular housing. The cylinder housing preferably has a central through-opening, in particular a bore, through which the shaft can pass when the clutch cylinder is installed. The cylinder housing is in particular designed as a plastic housing or as a sheet metal housing.
[0011] The cylinder housing has a pressure chamber designed and / or suitable for receiving the actuating piston. In particular, the pressure chamber is designed as an annular space circumferentially around a principal axis, which is bounded in one axial direction and open in the opposite axial direction. The actuating piston is particularly preferably designed as an annular piston that bounds and / or seals the pressure chamber in the opposite axial direction. The actuating piston and the housing are preferably arranged coaxially and / or concentrically with respect to a principal axis.
[0012] The actuating piston is axially displaceable within the pressure chamber, particularly when the clutch cylinder is actuated. For this purpose, the pressure chamber can be filled with a working medium, such as hydraulic oil or compressed air. Actuating the clutch cylinder changes the pressure on this working medium. The actuating force is generated by the increasing pressure within the pressure chamber and transmitted to the actuating piston, causing it to move axially within the chamber.
[0013] The clutch cylinder has a bellows, which is designed and / or suitable for protecting against the ingress of foreign particles between the cylinder housing and the piston. Preferably, the ingress of foreign particles includes not only dirt and dust particles but also liquids, such as splashing water, moisture, etc. The bellows preferably has several folds arranged one behind the other in the axial direction, which can be folded and unfolded axially with respect to the main axis. Specifically, the bellows is designed as a cylindrical or conical bellows. The bellows is preferably arranged coaxially and / or concentrically with respect to the main axis of the cylinder housing.
[0014] The bellows is arranged with one end section attached to the cylinder housing and, in the opposite direction, with another end section attached to the actuating piston, preferably to the release bearing. Preferably, the end section and / or the other end section are designed as flange-like end sections. In particular, the end section seals against the cylinder housing, preferably in a fluid-tight manner.
[0015] The clutch cylinder has an intermediate space, which is located outside the pressure chamber between the cylinder housing and the bellows. In particular, the intermediate space is fluid-tight and separated from the pressure chamber. Preferably, the intermediate space is bounded radially by the bellows and radially by the cylinder housing. In an axial direction, the intermediate space is preferably bounded by the cylinder housing and axially by the piston and / or the bearing assembly. Preferably, the intermediate space is designed as a dry chamber.
[0016] Within the scope of the invention, it is proposed that the cylinder housing has a ventilation channel which is designed and / or suitable for ventilating and / or extracting the cavity. In particular, the cavity is fluidically connected to the environment via the ventilation channel. The ventilation channel preferably extends section by section in the axial and radial directions and / or circumferential directions with respect to the central axis. In an installation configuration, the ventilation channel preferably terminates in an upper region of the cylinder housing within the cavity. Particularly preferably, in an installation configuration, the ventilation channel terminates in a lower or middle region of the cylinder housing within the surrounding geometry.
[0017] The advantage of the invention lies particularly in the fact that the arrangement of a ventilation channel in the cylinder housing enables a fluid-tight connection of the bellows and simultaneously ensures ventilation of the space between the cylinders when the clutch cylinder is actuated. Furthermore, a suitable design of the ventilation channel within the housing allows for a complex channel layout, thus preventing the introduction of foreign particles into the space via the ventilation channel.
[0018] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is proposed that the ventilation duct has at least one or exactly one inlet interface into the intermediate space and at least one or exactly one outlet interface from the cylinder housing. In particular, the ventilation duct is closed and / or continuous and / or uninterrupted and / or partially open between the inlet interface and the outlet interface. Preferably, the inlet interface is configured as a free inlet and the outlet interface as a free outlet. Specifically, it can be provided that the ventilation duct has several inlet interfaces and / or outlet interfaces. The multiple inlet and / or outlet interfaces are fluidically interconnected via several ventilation ducts and / or a common duct system.
[0019] According to this embodiment, the ventilation duct has a gradient that rises at least in sections from the outlet interface to the inlet interface. Preferably, the ventilation duct rises immediately after the outlet interface in the direction of the inlet interface, thus preventing the ingress of foreign particles and / or allowing foreign particles, in particular dirt particles or liquids already present in the ventilation duct, to flow out again. Preferably, the inlet interface is arranged at least approximately in a 12 o'clock position in an installation situation. A 12 o'clock position is understood to mean an arrangement of the inlet interface with respect to an imaginary clock face extending in a radial plane of the main axis. "At least approximately 12 o'clock" can include a deviation to a 1 o'clock position or an 11 o'clock position.In particular, the outlet interface is arranged at least approximately at a 3 o'clock position, a 9 o'clock position, or a 6 o'clock position, with the ventilation duct running upwards from the outlet interface in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction towards the inlet interface. Optionally, the ventilation duct may have a downward slope after the upward slope. In particular, the ventilation duct may alternate between an upward and a downward slope.
[0020] Therefore, a ventilation duct is proposed which, due to its rising duct profile, is characterized by particularly simple and efficient separation of foreign particles in the area of the outlet interface. This protects the space between the ducts from the ingress of foreign particles.
[0021] According to the invention, it is proposed that the ventilation duct has several duct sections, wherein the duct sections connect to one another at angles, forming a labyrinth. Preferably, the duct sections connect to one another at least approximately at right angles. "Approximately at right angles" is understood to mean angular deviations of more than + / - 5 degrees and / or less than + / - 15 degrees. In particular, the ventilation duct is deflected more than once, preferably more than three times, and specifically more than five times. Thus, the ventilation duct has, in particular, at least two, preferably at least three, and specifically at least five duct sections arranged at angles to one another. Preferably, the duct sections connect to one another at angles either radially and / or axially with respect to the main axis.
[0022] Thus, a ventilation duct is proposed which, due to its angled, and in particular multi-angled, duct routing, prevents foreign particles, especially dust particles or dirt particles, from entering the space directly.
[0023] The cylinder housing is designed to have a contact section for contact with a centering surface, in particular a coupling housing, and a cylinder section adjoining the contact section to form the pressure chamber. In particular, the contact section extends flange-like in a radial plane along the main axis of the cylinder section. Preferably, the cylinder section has an outer wall and an inner wall, with the pressure chamber being formed radially between the outer and inner walls. The bellows is arranged on the contact section, preferably in a fluid-tight manner, with the space between the contact sections being bounded radially by the bellows and radially oppositely by the cylinder section. In the axial direction, the space between the contact sections is bounded by the contact section, with the ventilation channel being incorporated into and / or passing through the contact section.In particular, the cylinder section extends coaxially to the main axis, with the intermediate space preferably being designed as a further annular space arranged coaxially and / or concentrically to the pressure chamber.
[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the installation section has a contact surface in an axially opposite direction, which is designed and / or suitable for contact with the centering surface. In particular, the contact surface extends in a radial plane of the main axis. Preferably, the contact surface is designed at least approximately, and especially in a rough form, as a circular surface, particularly an annular surface. At least one or exactly one channel section of the ventilation duct is incorporated into the contact surface as a recess. In particular, the channel section designed as a recess is open at its end face, and in the installed position, the channel section is closed at its end face by the centering surface. The channel section can be channel-shaped and / or groove-shaped. Preferably, all channel sections incorporated into the contact surface are designed as recesses.In particular, the channel sections introduced as recesses are incorporated into the cylinder housing by primary forming, especially by a plastic injection molding process.
[0025] One aspect of the invention is to propose a ventilation duct characterized by its simple manufacturing process. By forming it as a recess integrated into the mounting surface, the ventilation duct can be manufactured particularly easily.
[0026] According to the invention, the clutch cylinder has a spring assembly designed and / or suitable for preloading the actuating piston. The spring assembly is preferably designed as a compression spring, in particular a helical compression spring. The spring assembly is arranged in the intermediate space, being supported on one side by a support ring on the cylinder housing and on the other side by a further support ring on the actuating piston, in particular the release bearing. In particular, the spring assembly is arranged coaxially and / or concentrically with respect to the main axis of the cylinder housing. The support ring is in particular designed as an annular sheet metal or plastic component, which is arranged coaxially with respect to the main axis. Preferably, the end section of the bellows is positively engaged between the housing and the support ring.The support ring is designed to absorb the spring force from the spring assembly and transfer it to the end section. This actively presses the end section against the housing via the spring assembly. The spring assembly is dimensioned such that the end section is continuously subjected to the spring force in all tolerance positions, particularly when the clutch assembly is engaged, and thus pressed against the housing. The end section is preferably made of an elastic material, and is elastically deformable between the housing and the support ring.
[0027] According to this embodiment, the support ring has at least one or exactly one opening in the area of the ventilation channel, thus forming the inlet interface. In particular, the ventilation channel is fluidically connected to the space between the openings. Preferably, the opening is located outside the contact area of the spring assembly. The opening can be designed as a bore or a cutout. Specifically, the support ring has several openings, thus forming multiple inlet interfaces.
[0028] One aspect of the invention is therefore to propose a clutch cylinder with a particularly compact design, since the arrangement of the entry interface in the support ring eliminates the need for additional installation space for the support ring outside the entry interface. Furthermore, the openings in the support ring allow for the formation of an additional labyrinth.
[0029] In a further development, it is provided that the system section has a support surface in the axial direction, which is designed and / or suitable for supporting the support ring. In particular, the support surface extends on an axial end face of the system section facing away from the contact surface in a further radial plane of the main axis. Preferably, the support surface is designed at least approximately, and especially in a rough form, as another circular annular surface. Specifically, the support ring rests against the support surface section by section in the axial opposite direction. At least or exactly one channel section of the ventilation duct is formed in the support surface as a recess introduced in the axial direction and is bounded by the support ring in the axial opposite direction.In particular, the channel section designed as a recess is open at its end face, with the support ring defining the channel section in such a way that a closed fluid channel is formed. The at least one channel section can be trough-shaped and / or groove-shaped. Preferably, all channel sections inserted into the support surface are designed as recesses. Preferably, the support ring with its opening is arranged such that the channel section inserted into the support surface as a recess is fluidically connected to the space between the channels via the opening.
[0030] One aspect of the invention is to propose a ventilation duct characterized by its simple manufacturing process. By forming it as a recess in the support surface, the ventilation duct can be manufactured particularly easily. Furthermore, an additional labyrinthine guide for the ventilation duct can be implemented.
[0031] A further aspect of the invention relates to a clutch assembly with the clutch cylinder as previously described. The clutch assembly comprises a clutch housing, wherein the cylinder housing of the clutch cylinder is mounted on the clutch housing. In particular, the cylinder housing is positively and / or frictionally attached to the clutch housing with its contact section. Preferably, the clutch housing has a centering collar, wherein the cylinder housing, in particular the contact section, is centered on the clutch housing via the centering collar, particularly in the radial and / or axial direction and / or in the circumferential direction with respect to the main axis. Preferably, the centering collar is designed as a continuous, circumferential centering collar. Specifically, the clutch housing is designed as a so-called transmission bell housing.
[0032] According to this embodiment, the ventilation channel is formed, at least in sections, between the cylinder housing and the clutch housing. In particular, the fluid channel extends radially outward toward the centering collar, with the outlet interface terminating between the cylinder housing and the centering collar. Preferably, the outlet interface terminates in a radial gap formed between the centering collar and the cylinder housing. Alternatively, the fluid channel extends radially inward toward the shaft, with the outlet interface terminating between the cylinder housing and the centering surface. Alternatively, the fluid channel extends axially toward the transmission housing, with the outlet interface terminating, for example, in the clutch housing.
[0033] In a further specification, it is provided that the coupling housing has a centering surface on an axial end face. In particular, the centering surface extends in a further radial plane of the main axis. Preferably, the centering surface is designed as a flat surface, wherein the contact surface in the installed position rests flatly, in particular planarly and / or planarly, against the centering surface. The ventilation channel, designed as a recess, is bounded by the centering surface of the coupling housing in the axial opposite direction. In particular, the channel section designed as a recess is open at its end face, with the centering surface delimiting the channel section in such a way that a closed fluid channel is formed. Preferably, the fluid channel is thus continuously closed between the inlet interface and the outlet interface.
[0034] In another preferred embodiment, an airflow path extends from the intermediate space, through the inlet interface and the ventilation duct, through the cylinder housing, and via the outlet interface between the cylinder housing and the clutch housing into the surrounding environment. Specifically, air can flow from the intermediate space into the surrounding environment to vent the intermediate space, and air from the surrounding environment can flow into the intermediate space along the airflow path. Thus, when the clutch cylinder disengages, it draws air from the surrounding environment into the intermediate space via the airflow path. When the clutch cylinder engages, the air from the intermediate space is expelled into the surrounding environment via the airflow path.
[0035] Further features, advantages, and effects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention. These include: Fig. 1 a schematic sectional view of a clutch cylinder as an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 an axial view of the underside of the clutch cylinder of the Fig. 1; Fig. 3a a schematic sectional view of a coupling arrangement with the coupling cylinder made of Fig. 1; Fig. 3b in the same representation as Fig. 2 a detailed view of the cylinder housing; Fig. 4 another schematic sectional view of the coupling arrangement of the Fig. 3a.
[0036] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic sectional view of a clutch cylinder 1 for a clutch device (not shown) as an embodiment of the invention. The clutch cylinder 1 is designed as a concentric slave cylinder (CSC) and serves to actuate the clutch device. For example, the clutch cylinder 1 is installed in the drive train of a motor vehicle.
[0037] The clutch cylinder 1 has a cylinder housing 2. The cylinder housing 2 is designed as a cylindrical ring housing and can, for example, be made of plastic. The cylinder housing has a contact section 2a and a cylinder section 2b, with cylinder section 2b directly adjoining contact section 2a. Contact section 2a extends radially outwards and can be flange-shaped. Cylinder section 2b is hollow and cylindrical and has a central through-opening 3, through which, for example, in an installation of the clutch cylinder 1, a transmission shaft of a drive train gearbox is guided. The clutch cylinder 1 is, for example, arranged concentrically to the transmission shaft.
[0038] The cylinder section 2b forms a pressure chamber 4, in which an actuating piston 5 is movably mounted in the pressure chamber 4 in the axial direction with respect to a principal axis H. For example, the clutch cylinder 1 is hydraulically actuated, with the pressure chamber 4 being filled with a hydraulic operating medium, e.g., hydraulic oil. The pressure chamber 4 is designed as an annular chamber, which is bounded in an axial direction AR by the housing 2 and open in an axial opposite direction GR. The actuating piston 5 is designed as an annular piston and bears against the pressure chamber 4 in a sealing manner with respect to the principal axis H, so that the pressure chamber 4 is bounded or sealed in the axial opposite direction GR by the actuating piston 5.
[0039] The clutch cylinder 1 has a release bearing 6, which is operatively connected to the actuating piston 5. The release bearing 6 has an inner ring 6a and an outer ring 6b. A plurality of rolling elements 6c are arranged in a rolling manner between the inner and outer rings 6a, b. The actuating piston 5 is positively connected to the inner ring 6a, at least in the axial direction with respect to the main axis H, to transmit an actuating force F1. For example, the pressure chamber 4 is connected via a hydraulic system to a master cylinder of the clutch device (not shown), wherein when the master cylinder is actuated, e.g., by pressing a clutch pedal, a hydraulic column is moved towards the slave cylinder and the actuating force F1 is generated. In this process, the actuating piston 5, and thus the bearing assembly 6, is moved in the axial opposite direction GR, and the actuating force F1 is transmitted via the bearing assembly, e.g.,transferred to a diaphragm spring of the clutch device.
[0040] To protect the pressure chamber 4 from external influences, such as dirty water, dust, sand, etc., the clutch cylinder 1 has a bellows 7. The bellows 7 is designed as a cylindrical bellows and has several axially arranged folds, which allow for axial length changes of the bellows 7 when the clutch cylinder 1 is actuated. The bellows 7 is attached to the housing 2 in the axial direction AR and to the inner ring 6a in the opposite axial direction GR. With respect to the main axis H, the bellows 7 is arranged concentrically to the housing 2.
[0041] A gap 8 is formed between the cylinder housing 2 and the bellows 7, with the gap 8 forming a dry space. In the axial direction AR, the gap 8 is bounded by the contact section 2a and in the opposite axial direction GR by the release bearing 6. In a radial direction RR, the gap 8 is bounded by the bellows 7 and in a radial opposite direction RG by the cylinder section 2b.
[0042] The clutch cylinder 1 has a spring assembly 9 which is designed and / or suitable for preloading the bearing assembly 6. The spring assembly 9 is designed as a helical compression spring and exerts a spring force F2 on the bearing assembly 6 in the axial opposite direction GR. For this purpose, the spring assembly 9 is arranged between the contact section 2a and the bearing assembly 6, with the spring assembly 9 being supported in the axial direction AR on the contact section 2a and in the axial opposite direction GR on the bearing assembly 6. The spring assembly 9 is arranged within the space 8 and concentrically with respect to the main axis H of the cylinder section 2b.
[0043] The clutch cylinder 1 has a support ring 10 for supporting the spring assembly 9 on the contact section 2a and a further support ring 11 for supporting the spring assembly 9 on the bearing assembly 6. For this purpose, both support rings 10, 11 are each designed as a stepped cylindrical sleeve, with the spring assembly 9 being supported by one end coil on a step of the support ring 10, 11. The bellows 7 has an end section 7a and a further end section 7b, with the end section 7a being fluid-tightly fixed to the support ring 10 and the further end section 7b being fluid-tightly fixed to the further support ring 11. The support ring 10 is permanently and forcefully connected to the contact section 2a in the axial direction AR via the spring assembly 9, with the end section 7a being arranged without play between the support ring 10 and the contact section 2a.The further support ring 11 is connected to the inner ring 6a in the axial opposite direction GR via the spring device 9 at least force-fit, wherein the further end section 7b is fluid-tightly connected to the further support ring 11 on a radial outside of the further support ring 11 in a force-fit and / or form-fit manner, e.g. via an interference fit.
[0044] Thus, the space 8 is sealed against the ingress of foreign particles, such as dirty water, dust, sand, etc., so that the space 8, and therefore the pressure chamber 4, is protected from these external influences. When the clutch cylinder 1 is actuated, the volume of the space 8 changes. With a nearly completely sealed space 8, this volume difference in air must be controlled by a venting system. For this purpose, the cylinder housing 2 has a vent 12, which fluidically connects the space 8 to the surrounding environment. To prevent the ingress of foreign particles from outside into the space 8, the vent 12 itself is designed to minimize this effect as much as possible. For this purpose, the vent 12 is implemented as a labyrinthine channel, with multiple angled channels preventing the intake of foreign particles.
[0045] The canal routing is illustrated in the following figures using different representations and sections, as in Fig. 2 indicated, explained. In doing so, it shows Fig. 2 in an axial view with respect to the main axis H a bottom of the clutch cylinder 1, wherein a first and a second channel section 12a, b of the ventilation channel 12 are incorporated into the underside of the system section 2a as a recess.
[0046] The first channel section 12a terminates with an outlet interface AS in the vicinity of the cylinder housing 2, with the outlet interface AS directed radially outwards. The second channel section 12b connects to the first channel section 12a at approximately right angles to form a labyrinth and extends from the outlet interface AS circumferentially around the main axis H to a third channel section 12c, which penetrates the mounting section 2a axially. In an installation position of the clutch cylinder 1, the second channel section 12b has an upward slope from the outlet interface AS towards the third channel section 12c.In the illustration shown, the outlet interface AS is positioned approximately at the 3 o'clock position, and the third channel section 12b is positioned approximately at the 1 o'clock position. The second channel section 12b runs counterclockwise from the outlet interface AS in a circular arc towards the second channel section 12b. This upward channel design prevents dirt or wastewater from flowing directly into the third channel section 12c and thus into the space 8, and / or allows dirt or wastewater already present in the first and / or second channel sections 12a, b to flow away.
[0047] Fig. Section 3a shows in longitudinal section AA, as in Fig. Figure 2 shows a coupling arrangement 13 along the main axis H. The coupling arrangement 13 has a coupling housing 14, shown only schematically, which is designed, for example, as a so-called bell housing. The coupling housing 14 has a centering collar 14a and a centering surface 14b, wherein the contact section 2a bears against the centering surface 14b with a contact surface 15 in the axial direction AR and is centered on the centering collar 14a in the radial direction RR. The contact section 2a lies outside the first and second channel sections 12a, b with its contact surface 15 in a plane against the centering surface 14b, so that the centering surface 14b seals the two channel sections 12a, b in the opposite axial direction GR.
[0048] The circumferential centering collar 14a limits the outlet interface AS in the axial direction AR, so that a radial gap 16, as a further channel section, is formed to create another labyrinth between the centering collar 14a and a radial outer surface of the system section 2a. The first channel section 12a is fluidically connected to the environment via the gap 16, with an airflow path LS running through the radial gap 16 in the axial direction AR to the outlet interface AS and then in the radial opposite direction RG through the outlet interface AS and the first channel section 12a to the second channel section 12b.
[0049] As in Fig. As shown in 3b, the airflow path LS runs along the second duct section 12b with an ascending profile to the third duct section 12c, wherein in the installation situation the first and the second duct sections 12a, b are limited by the centering surface 14b, so that the airflow path LS is defined.
[0050] Fig. Section 4 shows in a longitudinal section BB, as in Fig. Figure 2 shows the coupling arrangement 13 along the main axis H. The assembly section 2a has a support surface 17, wherein the support ring 10 is supported circumferentially in the axial direction AR on the support surface 17. The support surface 17 extends in a radial plane of the main axis H and is, for example, designed as an annular surface.
[0051] A fourth channel section 12d is formed as a recess in the support surface 17. This fourth channel section 12d adjoins the third channel section 12c at right angles and extends, for example, in the radial opposite direction RG and / or circumferentially around the main axis H towards an entry interface ES, thus forming a further labyrinth. The fourth channel section 12d is bounded in the axial opposite direction GR by the support ring 10, so that it is formed as a closed channel.
[0052] To form the inlet interface ES, the support ring 10 has at least one opening 18, so that the space 8 is fluidically connected to the ventilation duct 12. The fourth duct section 12d is thus additionally covered by the support ring 10, creating an additional angled guide and therefore a further labyrinth to prevent the ingress of foreign particles.
[0053] The airflow path LS thus runs from the third channel section 12c to the fourth channel section 12d and via the inlet interface ES into the cavity 8. Therefore, air from the outside can flow into the cavity 8 via the airflow path LS when the air volume of the cavity 8 is increased by actuating the clutch cylinder 1. Conversely, air can flow out of the cavity 8 into the environment via the airflow path LS when the air volume of the cavity 8 is reduced by actuating the clutch cylinder 1.
[0054] Thus, a channel design is proposed which, depending on requirements, either exhausts air from the interior of the system or introduces it into the interior, thereby significantly reducing the ingress of foreign particles into the space 8. Furthermore, the channel design within the housing base prevents dirt or dirty water from being drawn into the space 8 within the coupling housing 14. In addition, the multi-angled channel design of channel sections 12a to d creates a labyrinthine flow within the cylinder housing 2, which significantly reduces or prevents the ingress of contaminants such as dust or sand. Reference symbol list 1 clutch cylinder 2 cylinder housings 2a Plant section 2b Cylinder section 3 Passage opening 4 pressure chamber 5 actuating pistons 6 Storage facility 6a Inner ring 6b Outer ring 6c Rolling elements 7 bellows 7a, b End sections 8 spaces 9 Spring mechanism 10 support ring 11 additional support rings 12 ventilation duct 12a - d Canal sections 13 Coupling arrangement 14 clutch housings 14a Centering ring 14b Centering surface 15 Plant area 16 columns 17 Support surface 18 Breakthrough H Main axis F1 Actuating force F2 Spring force AS exit interface ES entry interface LS airflow path AR axial direction GR axial opposite direction RR radial direction RG radial opposite direction
Claims
Clutch cylinder (1) for a clutch device, comprising an actuating piston (5) for transmitting an actuating force (F1) to the clutch device, comprising a cylinder housing (2), wherein the cylinder housing (2) has a pressure chamber (4) for receiving the actuating piston (5), wherein the actuating piston (5) is arranged to be axially displaceable in the pressure chamber (4), comprising a bellows (7), wherein the bellows (7) is arranged with an end section (7a) on the cylinder housing (2) and with a further end section (7b) on the actuating piston (5), comprising an intermediate space (8), wherein the intermediate space (8) is formed outside the pressure chamber (4) between the cylinder housing (2) and the bellows (7), wherein the cylinder housing (2) has a ventilation channel (12) for ventilating and / or extracting the intermediate space (8), wherein the ventilation channel (12) has several channel sections (12a, b, c, d), wherein the Connect channel sections (12a, b, c, d) at an angle to each other,such that a labyrinth is formed, wherein the cylinder housing (2) has a contact section (2a) for contact with a centering surface (14a) and a cylinder section (2b) adjoining the contact section (2a) for forming the pressure chamber (4), wherein the bellows (7) is arranged with its end section (7a) on the contact section (2a), such that the space (8) is bounded in a radial direction (RR) by the bellows (7) and in a radial opposite direction (RG) by the cylinder section (2b), and the space (8) is bounded in an axial direction (AR) by the contact section (2a), wherein the ventilation channel (12) is incorporated into and / or passes through the contact section (2a), characterized by a spring device (9) for pre-tensioning the actuating piston (5).wherein the spring assembly (9) is arranged in the space (8) and is supported on one side by a support ring (10) on the cylinder housing (2) and on the other side by a further support ring (11) on the actuating piston (5), wherein the support ring (10) has at least one opening (18) in the area of the ventilation channel (12) so that an inlet interface (ES) is formed, and wherein the mounting section (2a) has a support surface (17) for supporting the spring assembly (9), wherein at least one channel section (12d) of the ventilation channel (12) is provided in the axial direction (AR) in the support surface (17) as a recess, wherein the at least one channel section (12d) is limited by the support ring (10) in the axial opposite direction (GR). Clutch cylinder (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the ventilation channel (12) has an inlet interface (ES) into the space (8) and an outlet interface (AS) from the cylinder housing (2), wherein the ventilation channel (12) has an ascending profile at least section by section from the outlet interface (AS) to the inlet interface (ES). Clutch cylinder (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the mounting section (2a) has a mounting surface (15) for contact with the centering surface (14b), wherein at least one channel section (12a, b) of the ventilation channel (12) is provided in the axial opposite direction (GR) in the mounting surface (15) as a recess, so that the at least one channel section (12a, b) can be limited by the centering surface (14b) in the axial direction (AR). Clutch arrangement (13) with the clutch cylinder (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a clutch housing (14), wherein the cylinder housing (2) of the clutch cylinder (1) is mounted on the clutch housing (14), wherein the ventilation channel (12) is formed at least sectionally between the cylinder housing (2) and the clutch housing (14). Coupling arrangement (13) according to claim 4, characterized in that the coupling housing (14) has the centering surface (14b) on an axial end face, wherein the cylinder housing (2) with the contact surface (15) lies flat against the centering surface (14b) outside the channel sections (12a, b) introduced into the contact surface (15), so that the channel sections (12a, b) are limited in the axial opposite direction (GR) by the centering surface (14b). Coupling arrangement (13) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that an airflow path (LS) runs from the intermediate space (8) via the inlet interface (ES) and via the ventilation duct (12) through the cylinder housing (2) and via the outlet interface (AS) between the coupling housing (14) and the cylinder housing (2) into an environment.