Coupling device

Abstract

Coupling device comprising an outer lamella carrier (2) with a longitudinal toothing (3) formed on the inner circumference with radially inwardly open tooth gaps (20) which are spaced apart from one another by radially inwardly projecting teeth (21), a lamella pack (6) comprising outer lamellae (7) which are guided by an external toothing in the longitudinal toothing (3) of the outer lamella carrier (2), and a support ring (13) which has radially projecting locking sections (15) on its outer circumference with which it engages in receptacles (22) formed on the teeth (14) of the longitudinal toothing (3) for axially fixing the support ring (13), wherein at least one radially projecting engagement element (16) is provided on the outer circumference of the support ring (13), which, in the assembly position, engages in a tooth gap (20) by forming the locking sections (15) into the receptacles (22), characterized in thatthat the engagement element or elements (16) has a rib (18) projecting radially from a ring body (14) of the support ring (13) and an engagement section (19) adjoining the rib (18) which engages in the tooth gap (20).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a clutch device comprising an outer disk carrier with a longitudinal toothing formed on the inner circumference with radially inwardly open tooth gaps which are spaced from one another by radially inwardly projecting teeth, a disk pack comprising outer disks which are guided by an external toothing in the longitudinal toothing of the outer disk carrier, and a support ring which has radially projecting locking sections on the outer circumference with which it engages in receptacles formed on the teeth of the internal toothing for axially fixing the support ring.

[0002] Such a clutch device is used, for example, in a motor vehicle and serves to connect a transmission to a drive motor, for example, an internal combustion engine or an electric motor, in order to transmit torque generated by the drive motor to the transmission via the clutch device. The clutch device typically comprises a cylindrical outer disk carrier and a likewise cylindrical inner disk carrier, with the outer disk carrier having longitudinal teeth on its inner circumference, just as the inner disk carrier has longitudinal teeth on its outer circumference.For reversible torque transmission, a clutch plate pack is provided, comprising outer plates and inner plates. The outer plates have teeth on the outer circumference that are guided longitudinally in the longitudinal teeth of the inner teeth, just as the inner plates have corresponding teeth on the inner circumference that are guided axially movably in the longitudinal teeth of the inner plate carrier. The outer plates are, for example, steel plates, while the inner plates are friction plates. A pressure element can compress the plates axially, compacting the clutch plate pack so that it engages in frictional engagement and the torque can be transmitted. Such a clutch device is known, for example, from DE 10 2015 203 652 A1.

[0003] In order to be able to compress the plate pack axially, it is necessary to support the plate pack axially on one side, while the movable pressure element engages on the other side. The axial support in the clutch device according to DE 10 2015 203 652 A1 is provided by a separate support ring that is axially fixed to the outer ring and secured against twisting. For this purpose, the support ring has locking sections that project radially on the outer circumference and are inserted axially into the tooth gaps in the longitudinal toothing on the outer ring during assembly. In the axial assembly position, the support ring is then rotated by an angular increment so that the locking sections are screwed into corresponding receptacles formed on the teeth of the longitudinal toothing of the outer ring. This positive engagement ensures the axial fixing of the support ring.To secure the ring in the circumferential direction and prevent rotation, one or more separate locking parts are provided. These are attached separately to the support ring and engage with corresponding tab-shaped engagement sections in the tooth gaps of the longitudinal toothing of the outer ring. This multi-part design is complex, both in terms of manufacturing and handling and assembly.

[0004] Further prior art is referred to JP 3 696 664 B2, DE 10 2013 200 038 A1 and DE 10 2011 011 916 A1.

[0005] The invention is therefore based on the problem of providing a coupling device which is improved compared to the aforementioned.

[0006] To solve this problem, in a coupling device of the type mentioned at the outset, it is provided according to the invention that at least one radially projecting engagement element is provided on the outer circumference of the support ring, which, in the assembled position, engages in a tooth gap by deformation when the locking sections engage in the receptacles.

[0007] The clutch device according to the invention utilizes a one-piece support ring on which both the locking sections for axial fixation and at least one engagement element for securing against rotation in the circumferential direction are formed. In the assembly geometry, in which the support ring is first axially inserted onto the disk carrier and its locking sections are threaded into the tooth gaps of the internal toothing, the engagement element is still in an assembly geometry in which it cannot engage a tooth gap. In this position, the engagement element, arranged between two adjacent locking projections, is still radially adjacent to a tooth of the outer disk longitudinal toothing, viewed in the circumferential direction.If, after threading the locking sections into the tooth gaps, the support ring is then rotated by an angular increment of a few degrees so that the locking sections are screwed into the receptacles of the teeth to axially secure the support ring, the engagement element is inevitably also rotated slightly in the circumferential direction so that it is now located radially adjacent to a tooth gap. In this position, the engagement element is then formed into the tooth gap by reshaping, so that this engagement secures the support ring in the circumferential direction. This means that with this one-piece support ring, which only needs to be reshaped once during assembly to insert the engagement element into the tooth gap, both axial and circumferential fixation is provided.Consequently, the clutch device according to the invention uses only a single component, namely the one-piece support ring, whose geometry can be easily manufactured in the desired shape using a stamping and bending process. Neither is a multi-part assembly required, nor is assembly complex, since only a single forming operation is required.

[0008] Preferably, several engagement elements are provided on the outer circumference, preferably equidistantly distributed around the outer circumference, which are formed into individual tooth gaps by forming. In this way, the circumferentially securing engagement can be achieved at several circumferential positions, with all engagement elements being formed and formed into the tooth gaps in a synchronous forming step.

[0009] According to the invention, the or each engagement element has a web projecting radially from an annular body of the support ring and an engagement portion adjoining the web, which engages in the tooth gap. The web is relatively narrow, so that it can be bent easily, both during manufacture of the support ring, during which it is bent axially, and during assembly, where it is bent radially again. The engagement portion, which can also be referred to as the engagement head, is wider, in contrast, so that it preferably engages in the tooth gap in a form-fitting manner, as can further be provided according to the invention. The support ring has only negligible mobility in the circumferential direction.

[0010] In addition to the clutch device itself, the invention relates to a support ring for such a clutch device, comprising an annular body with a plurality of locking sections projecting radially on its outer circumference and at least one engagement element provided on the outer circumference, which extends radially from the outer circumference and has an engagement region that is axially bent in an assembled position and can be or is brought into an assembled position in which it extends radially to the outer circumference by deformation. The one-piece support ring therefore has the plurality of radially projecting locking sections and the at least one engagement element. In the assembled position in which the support ring is to be mounted on the outer disk carrier, this is initially axially bent, i.e. has an axially bent engagement region.This is then bent during assembly to fix it in the circumferential direction so that it protrudes radially from the outer circumference and engages in a tooth gap in the circumferential direction, which means that it can be brought into this final position by forming or is brought into this final position after assembly.

[0011] On the outer circumference, several engagement elements are expediently provided, distributed around the outer circumference, preferably with equidistant pitch.

[0012] The or each engagement element can have a web projecting radially from an annular body of the support ring and an engagement section adjoining the web, which engages the tooth gap. The web, together with the engagement section, is bent over and has the engagement area. Preferably, the engagement section is wider than the web, meaning that the engagement element engages the tooth gap with its engagement section, which can also be referred to as the engagement head.

[0013] Finally, the invention also relates to a method for mounting a support ring of the type described above on an outer disk carrier of a clutch device of the type also described above, wherein the method is characterized in that the support ring, the engagement element or engagement elements of which are in the mounting position, is inserted with the locking sections axially into the tooth gaps of the internal toothing of the outer disk carrier, after which the support ring is rotated until the locking elements engage in the receptacles of the internal toothing, after which the engagement region or regions are bent over and engage in the tooth gaps.

[0014] The invention is explained below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. The drawings are schematic representations and show: Fig. 1 a schematic diagram of a coupling device according to the invention, Fig. 2 a perspective partial view of a support ring according to the invention in the assembly position, Fig. 3 the support ring Fig. 2 in the final assembly position, Fig. 4 a partial view of an outer disk carrier including support ring during assembly before twisting, Fig. 5 the arrangement Fig. 4 in a perspective view, Fig. 6 the arrangement from Fig. 4 after twisting and bending the engagement element into the final assembly position, and Fig. 7 the arrangement Fig. 6 in a perspective view.

[0015] Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a clutch device 1 according to the invention, comprising an outer disk carrier 2 with longitudinal toothing 3 formed on its inner circumference, and an inner disk carrier 4 with longitudinal toothing 5 formed on its outer circumference. The disk carriers are usually made of sheet metal. Also provided is a disk pack 6 comprising outer disks 7, for example steel disks, and inner disks 8, for example friction disks. The outer disks 7 have external toothing 9, with which they are guided for axial movement in the longitudinal toothing 3, while the inner disks have internal toothing 10, with which they are guided for axial movement in the longitudinal toothing 5.A pressure element 11 is used to compress the disk pack to achieve torque transmission, which can be pressed against a spring device 12, wherein the pressure element 11 is also returned again via the spring device 12 to open the clutch.

[0016] In order to bring the disk pack 6 into frictional engagement, a support ring 13 is provided which is fixed both axially and circumferentially to the outer ring 2, so that it forms a positionally fixed abutment for the disk pack 6 pressed against it.

[0017] In the support ring 13 according to the invention, which in its basic assembly form is Fig. 2, it is a one-piece sheet metal component that can be manufactured using a stamping and bending process. The support ring has an annular body 14, from which, viewed radially, several locking sections 15 project around its circumference. Between at least two of these locking sections 15, an engagement element 16 is provided, whereby several such engagement elements can also be provided in an equidistant distribution around the circumference of the support ring 13. The engagement element 16 is in Fig. 2 in the assembly position, in which it is essentially formed radially on the outer circumference of the support ring 13 or the support body 14, but is axially bent with an engagement region 17. For this purpose, the engagement element has a web 18 projecting from the annular body 14 of the support ring 13, to which an engagement section 19 is connected, which is wider than the web 18. As Fig. 2 shows, the web 13 is bent axially so that, as shown below, Fig. 3 shows, protrudes radially less than the adjacent locking sections 15.

[0018] While Fig. 2 shows the mounting position of the support ring 13, in which it is first mounted on the outer disk carrier 2 until it is axially fixed, Fig. 3 the final assembly position, in which the support ring 13 is then also fixed in the circumferential direction to the outer ring 2. For this purpose, the engagement element 16 is bent radially, as Fig. 3 clearly shows. The web 18 extends radially in the final assembly position, the engagement section 19, i.e. the engagement head, protrudes further radially than the locking sections 15. In this position, the engagement section 19 engages between two teeth and thus into a tooth gap provided between them in the longitudinal toothing 3 of the outer disk carrier 2 in order to fix the support ring 13 also in the circumferential direction.

[0019] The Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 show, in a top view and a perspective view, the first step of the assembly process of the support ring 13 according to the invention on the outer disk carrier 2. The outer disk carrier 2 is shown with its longitudinal toothing 3, which is produced by forming a corresponding cylindrical section of the outer disk carrier 2. The longitudinal toothing has a plurality of tooth gaps 20, between each of which a tooth 21 is arranged. During assembly, the support ring is now positioned such that the locking sections 15 are positioned in axial extension of the tooth gaps 20, so that they can be inserted axially into the tooth gaps 20 and the support ring 13 can be pushed axially into the outer disk carrier 2. The engagement element 16 is clearly in the axially bent position, the engagement section 19 can therefore be pushed axially past the adjacent tooth 21. This situation is also clearly shown in the perspective view according to Fig. 5 shown.

[0020] In this position, the support ring 13 is axially displaced until the locking sections 15, viewed in the circumferential direction, are positioned adjacent to receptacles 22 formed on the teeth 21 of the internal gearing 3. In this axial position, the support ring 13 is then rotated by a specific angular increment in the circumferential direction, so that the locking sections 15 are inserted into the receptacles 22 by this twisting movement. The receptacles 22 are designed as grooves or groove-shaped openings, i.e., they are slot-like, and through the positive engagement of the locking sections 15, they ensure axial fixation of the support ring in both axial directions.

[0021] Through this twisting movement, the engagement element 16 is also rotated so that it is positioned radially adjacent to the tooth gap 20 in the final position. In this position, the engagement area 17 is now bent radially using a suitable tool so that the web 18 extends completely radially and the engagement section 19 engages positively in the tooth gap 20, as shown in the Fig. 6 and Fig. 7. As can be seen, the tooth gap 20 has a trapezoidal geometry, as does the engagement section 19. This positive engagement of the engagement section 19 in the tooth gap 20 provides a fixing in the circumferential direction. As described, in the final assembly position, the engagement section 19 protrudes radially further than the locking sections 15, which are accommodated in the receptacles 22, so that the head-like engagement section 19 is supported with its two sides on the flanks 23 of the tooth gap 20.

[0022] In the finally in Fig. In the final assembly position shown in perspective in Fig. 7, the support ring 13 is therefore axially supported and secured by the engagement of the locking sections 15 in the receptacles 22, as it is also secured and supported in the circumferential direction by the engagement of the engagement element 16 or the engagement section 19 in the tooth gap 20.

[0023] As described, several such engagement elements 16 can be distributed around the circumference of the support ring 13 or the support body 14. During the assembly process, these are bent synchronously with the appropriate tool from the axial position to the radial engagement position, so that in the final assembly position, several engagements are present that secure the support ring 13 in the circumferential direction. List of reference symbols 1 coupling device 2 outer disc carriers 3 Longitudinal toothing 4 inner disc carriers 5 Longitudinal toothing 6 slat pack 7 outer slats 8 inner slats 9 External gearing 10 Internal gearing 11 Pressure element 12 Spring device 13 Support ring 14 ring bodies 15 locking sections 16 engagement element 17 Intervention area 18 jetty 19 Intervention section 20 tooth gap 21 tooth 22 recordings 23 flanks

Claims

[1] Clutch device, comprising an outer disk carrier (2) with a longitudinal toothing (3) formed on the inner circumference with radially inwardly open tooth gaps (20) which are spaced from one another by radially inwardly projecting teeth (21), a disk pack (6) comprising outer disks (7) which are guided by an external toothing in the longitudinal toothing (3) of the outer disk carrier (2), and a support ring (13) which has radially projecting locking sections (15) on the outer circumference, with which it engages in receptacles (22) formed on the teeth (14) of the longitudinal toothing (3) for axially fixing the support ring (13), wherein at least one radially projecting engagement element (16) is provided on the outer circumference of the support ring (13), which, in the assembled position, engages into a tooth gap (20) by deformation when the locking sections (15) engage in the receptacles (22), characterized bythat the or each engagement element (16) has a web (18) projecting radially from an annular body (14) of the support ring (13) and an engagement section (19) adjoining the web (18) which engages in the tooth gap (20). [2] Coupling device according to claim 1, characterized by that on the outer circumference there are provided a plurality of engagement elements (16) distributed around the outer circumference, preferably equidistantly, which are formed into individual tooth gaps (20) by forming. [3] Coupling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the engagement element (16), in particular the engagement section (19), engages positively in the tooth gap (20). [4] Support ring for a coupling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, with an annular body (14), with a plurality of locking sections (15) projecting radially on its outer circumference and at least one engagement element (16) provided on the outer circumference, which extends radially from the outer circumference and has an engagement region (17) which is axially bent in an assembly position and which can be or is brought into an assembly end position in which it extends radially to the outer circumference by deformation. [5] Support ring according to claim 4, characterized by that several engagement elements (16) are provided on the outer circumference, preferably equidistantly distributed around the outer circumference. [6] Support ring according to claim 4 or 5, characterized bythat the or each engagement element (16) has a web (18) projecting radially from an annular body (14) of the support ring (13) and an engagement section (19) adjoining the web (18) which engages in the tooth gap (20), wherein the web (18) together with the engagement section (19) is bent over and forms the engagement region (17). [7] Support ring according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized by that the engagement section (19) is widened compared to the web (18). [8] Method for mounting a support ring (13) according to one of claims 4 to 7 on an outer disk carrier (2) of a clutch device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized bythat the support ring (13), the engagement element (16) or engagement elements (16) of which are in the assembly position, is inserted with the locking sections (15) axially into the tooth gaps (20) of the longitudinal toothing (3) of the outer disk carrier (2), after which the support ring (13) is rotated until the locking sections (15) engage in the receptacles (22) of the longitudinal toothing (3), after which the engagement region or regions (17) are bent over and engage in the tooth gaps (20).

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