Clutch unit with manual wear adjustment

Abstract

Clutch unit for coupling a drive shaft of a motor vehicle with at least one transmission input shaft of the motor vehicle, with a friction clutch (54) having a counterplate (50) and a pressure plate (14) displaceable in the axial direction relative to the counterplate (50) for frictionally pressing a clutch disc (56) between the counterplate (50) and the pressure plate (14), at least one actuating element (12) for axially displacing the pressure plate (14), at least one ramp device (24) for adjusting an initial position (26) of the at least one actuating element (12) which can be changed as a result of a wear-related displacement of the pressure plate (14) relative to the counter-plate (50) of the friction clutch (54), wherein the at least one actuating element (12) is pivotably arranged on a first bearing device (18), wherein the at least one actuating element (12) is indirectly connected to the pressure plate (14) via an intermediate element (16) pivotably arranged on a second bearing device (22) of the at least one actuating element (12), wherein the intermediate element (16) has a first lever arm (30) extending from the second bearing device (22) for axial support on a support surface (28) of the ramp device (24) and a second lever arm (32) extending from the second bearing device (22) for indirect or direct contact with the pressure plate (14), wherein the adjustment of the axial starting position (26) of the at least one actuating element (12) is adjustable by a displacement of the ramp device (24) directed orthogonally to the axial direction, characterized in that the at least one ramp device (24) is designed as a ramp ring, wherein the ramp ring has a support surface (28) varying in axial distance for each intermediate element (16) along its circumferential direction.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a clutch assembly with a ramp device with the aid of which an initial position of an actuating element which changes as a result of a wear-related displacement of a pressure plate relative to a counter-plate of a friction clutch can be adjusted simply, safely and with few components.

[0002] DE 10 2009 035 225 A1 discloses a friction clutch with a pressure plate displaceable relative to a counterplate by a lever spring, in order to frictionally press a clutch disc between the counterplate and the pressure plate. A travel-controlled adjustment device is provided in the direction of force between the lever spring and the pressure plate. When the pressure plate travels a sufficiently large stroke due to wear, ramps can slide off one another, allowing the distance between the lever spring and the pressure plate to be adjusted, and the travel increased by the wear of the friction linings of the clutch disc to be at least partially compensated. This essentially restores the original travel when the friction linings were new.

[0003] Furthermore, a clutch unit is known from US 4,026,400 A, which can be read in the preamble of claim 1.

[0004] There is a constant need to compensate for unwanted wear-related effects in clutch assemblies using simple, functionally reliable and space-saving means.

[0005] The object of the invention is to demonstrate measures that compensate for unwanted wear-related effects in clutch assemblies using simple, functionally reliable and space-saving means.

[0006] The object is achieved by a clutch unit having the features of claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims and the following description, which may each individually or in combination represent an aspect of the invention.

[0007] One embodiment relates to a clutch assembly for coupling a drive shaft of a motor vehicle with at least one transmission input shaft of the motor vehicle, with a friction clutch having a counterplate and a pressure plate that is axially displaceable relative to the counterplate for frictionally pressing a clutch disc between the counterplate and the pressure plate, at least one actuating element for axially displacing the pressure plate, at least one ramp device for adjusting an initial position of the at least one actuating element that can change as a result of a wear-related displacement of the pressure plate relative to the counterplate of the friction clutch, wherein the at least one actuating element is pivotably arranged on a first bearing device,wherein the at least one actuating element is indirectly connected to the pressure plate via an intermediate element pivotably arranged on a second bearing device of the at least one actuating element, wherein the intermediate element has a first lever arm extending from the second bearing device for axial support on a support surface of the ramp device and a second lever arm extending from the second bearing device for indirect or direct contact with the pressure plate, wherein the adjustment of the axial starting position of the at least one actuating element is adjustable by a displacement of the ramp device directed orthogonally to the axial direction.

[0008] The clutch assembly can couple an engine shaft of an internal combustion engine to at least one transmission input shaft of a motor vehicle transmission via the friction clutch. The friction clutch has a pressure plate arranged to be displaceable in the axial direction against a counterplate for frictionally pressing a clutch disc arranged between the counterplate and the pressure plate. Via an actuating element, the pressure plate can be displaced directly or indirectly in the axial direction and the power transmission between the engine shaft and the transmission input shaft can be interrupted or established. Due to wear and tear of the clutch discs, the axial distance between the pressure plate and the counterplate can change over time. This causes the initial position of the actuating element to also change in the axial direction, thereby adjusting the actuation point of the clutch assembly.For this reason, the clutch unit has a ramp device for adjusting the actuating element. The ramp device supports the first lever arm of the intermediate element on a support surface in the axial direction. The second lever arm of the intermediate element is directly or indirectly connected to the pressure plate. By changing the axial position of the support surface, the intermediate element can be pivoted on the second bearing device. Due to the second lever arm, which rests directly or indirectly on the pressure plate, the intermediate element can only be pivoted to a limited extent, whereby the intermediate element is displaced in the axial direction, directly or indirectly supported by the pressure plate and the support surface of the ramp device. The axial displacement of the intermediate element is transmitted to the actuating element via the second bearing device, whereby the actuating element is pivoted about the first bearing device.The position change of the support surface and thus the adjustment of the axial starting position of at least one actuating element can be adjusted by a displacement of the ramp device orthogonal to the axial direction. The interaction of the ramp device with the intermediate element allows for a wear-related change in the starting position of the actuating element to be adjusted, thus enabling a simple, functionally reliable, and space-saving clutch assembly.

[0009] The clutch assembly has a common axis of rotation for, for example, the engine shaft, transmission input shaft, pressure plate, counterplate, clutch cover, and clutch discs. The axial direction extends parallel to the axis of rotation. The normal vector of a plane or surface extends orthogonally to the plane or surface.

[0010] In particular, the clutch assembly comprises at least three actuating elements, each with an intermediate element for axially displacing the pressure plate, wherein the adjustment of the initial position of the actuating elements occurs simultaneously and uniformly at the actuating elements by displacing the ramp device orthogonally to the axial direction. The actuating elements can, in particular, be operatively connected to one another. As a result, the displacement of the ramp device can adjust all actuating elements simultaneously and to the same extent. In particular, the ramp device is designed such that it can adjust the actuating elements simultaneously and to the same extent via the respective intermediate elements. This ensures that the actuating elements all have the same initial positions, whereby a uniform actuation point of the clutch assembly can be set.

[0011] Preferably, the ramp device is designed to be rotatable in the circumferential direction. This allows the ramp device to have a larger contact surface in the circumferential direction with a long, inclined surface. This enables a particularly space-saving ramp device for the clutch assembly. In particular, this also enables continuous adjustment.

[0012] The ramp device is particularly preferably arranged on a housing of the clutch unit and / or on a counterpart of a housing of the clutch unit. The ramp device can rest in contact with a flat surface of the housing, the normal vector of which extends parallel to the axial direction, and can be displaced along this surface orthogonal to the axial direction. The support surface has an incline, whereby it is formed at an angle to the surface of the housing. If the ramp device is displaced on the housing, the support position of the first lever arm on the support surface can also shift. Due to the existing incline of the inclined surface, the axial position of the first lever also changes. The adjustment of the actuating element can thus be carried out reliably and in a space-saving manner using an additional component.The housing can, in particular, have a counterpart formed as an inclined surface of the housing or a separate wedge-shaped counterpart. The inclined surface of the ramp device and the inclined surface of the counterpart can rest displaceably on one another, whereby upon displacement of the ramp device or the counterpart, the support surface of the ramp device can be displaced in the axial direction. In particular, the ramp device and the counterpart are designed to be displaceable relative to one another. This allows a large axial change in the position of the support surface to occur even in the smallest of spaces.

[0013] The housing can be designed, in particular, as part of the counterplate or as part of a clutch cover. The ramp device can be arranged, in particular, directly or indirectly on the counterplate. This allows installation space to be saved in the axial direction. The ramp device can be arranged, in particular, directly or indirectly on the clutch cover. This allows a suitable surface for the ramp device to be incorporated into the clutch cover by forming processes. In particular, the counterpart can be designed as a surface structure of the clutch cover.

[0014] In particular, the at least one ramp device is wedge-shaped, and the first lever arm of the intermediate element is axially mounted on the support surface of the ramp device, wherein the normal vector of the support surface extends parallel or non-parallel to the axial direction. The normal vector of the support surface extends parallel to the axial direction in particular when a wedge-shaped counterpart is arranged between the ramp device and the housing. The normal vector of the support surface does not extend parallel to the axial direction in particular when the ramp device rests directly on the housing without a wedge-shaped counterpart.

[0015] According to the invention, the at least one ramp device is designed as a ramp ring, wherein the ramp ring has a support surface for each intermediate element along its circumferential direction, the axial spacing of which varies. The ramp device designed as a ramp ring allows a plurality of actuating elements to be adjusted simultaneously and to the same extent. This ensures that the actuating point of the actuating elements of the clutch assembly has the same initial position.In particular, the displacement of the ramp device designed as a ramp ring in a first circumferential direction can displace the support position of at least one lever arm of at least one intermediate element in an axial direction and the displacement of the ramp device designed as a ramp ring in an opposite circumferential direction can displace the support position of at least one lever arm of at least one intermediate element in the opposite axial direction.

[0016] Particularly preferably, the support surface has a shallow incline angle, in particular less than or equal to 15 degrees. A small incline angle allows the starting position of the at least one actuating element to be precisely adjusted. The small incline angle also promotes secure support of the first lever arm of the at least one intermediate element. This, in particular, prevents high transverse forces that could cause the ramp device and the first lever arm to slip.

[0017] In particular, the ramp device can be securely locked to the housing by means of at least one fastening means. The fastening means can be designed, in particular, as a detachable fastening means, preferably as a screw. As a result, the locking mechanism can be released by the fastening means to adjust the initial position of the at least one actuating element and then retightened. The at least one fastening means enables, in particular, a stepwise or continuous adjustment of the at least one actuating element.

[0018] The ramp device preferably has at least one recess extending in the circumferential direction for accommodating at least one fastening means. The recess allows the at least one fastening means to be attached to a predefined location on the housing. The recess enables displacement of the ramp device in the circumferential direction and continuous locking of the ramp device by the at least one fastening means. This ensures reliable adjustment of the initial position of the at least one actuating element.

[0019] Particularly preferably, the at least one actuating element has a first leg and a second leg extending parallel to the first leg in the longitudinal direction of the actuating element, wherein the intermediate element is pivotally mounted at least partially between the first leg and the second leg. In particular, the second bearing device is arranged between the first leg and the second leg. The intermediate element is preferably designed as a P-lever, wherein the first lever arm and the second lever arm extend laterally from the longitudinal extent of the intermediate element.

[0020] The invention will be explained below by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings using preferred embodiments, wherein the features presented below can represent an aspect of the invention both individually and in combination. They show: Fig. 1a: the functional principle of a first embodiment of a clutch unit in a non-actuated state, Fig. 1b: the functional principle of a clutch unit according to Fig. 1a in the actuated state, Fig. 1c: the functional principle of a clutch unit according to Fig. 1a in the re-enacted state, Fig. 2a: the functional principle of a second embodiment of a clutch unit in a non-actuated state, Fig. 2b: the functional principle of a clutch unit according to Fig. 2a in the actuated state, Fig. 2c: the functional principle of a clutch unit according to Fig. 2a in the re-enacted state, Fig. 3: a perspective view of a third embodiment of a clutch unit, Fig. 4: a perspective view of a ramp device of a clutch unit according to Fig. 3, Fig. 5a: a side sectional view of a clutch assembly according to Fig. 3, Fig. 5b: a side sectional view of a clutch assembly according to Fig. 3 in a recreated state, Fig. 6a: a front view of a clutch assembly according to Fig. 3, and Fig. 6b: a front view of a clutch assembly according to Fig. 3 in a recreated state.

[0021] The Fig. The functional principle of the clutch assembly 10, shown in simplified form in Figure 1a, comprises an actuating element 12 for axially displacing a pressure plate 14. The actuating element 12 is operatively connected to the pressure plate 14 via an intermediate element 16 and pivotably mounted on a first bearing device 18 on the housing 20 of the clutch assembly 10. An additional second bearing device 22 for pivotably arranging the intermediate element 16 is provided on the actuating element 12. As a result, the intermediate element 16 can be directly or indirectly urged against the pressure plate 14 via the second bearing device as a result of pivoting of the actuating element 12 in the axial direction. The clutch assembly 10 further comprises a ramp device 24 for readjusting an initial position 26 of the at least one actuating element 12, which can change as a result of a wear-related displacement of the pressure plate 14.The ramp device 24 has a support surface 28 for axially supporting a first lever arm 30 of the intermediate element 16, which extends from the second bearing device 22. The normal vector of the support surface 28 runs parallel to the axial direction. A second lever arm 32 of the intermediate element 16, which extends from the second bearing device 22, is connected directly or indirectly to the pressure plate 14. According to the embodiment, the ramp device 24 is wedge-shaped and is mounted on a housing 34 of the clutch unit 10 on a wedge-shaped counterpart 36. As a result, the axial position of the support surface 28 can be specifically adjusted by the relative displacement of the ramp device 24 to the counterpart 36. In this way, the axial position of the first lever arm 30 and, at the same time, the axial position of the actuating element 12 can be changed or adjusted via the second bearing device 22. Fig. 1a shows a state of the clutch unit in which the actuating element 12 has not been actuated.

[0022] Fig. 1b shows a simplified representation of the functional principle of the clutch unit 10 according to Fig. 1a in the actuated state. The actuating element 12 is pivoted by an actuating travel 38 at the opposite end of the first bearing device. The actuating travel 38 runs essentially in the axial direction. The lever effect on the second bearing device 22 displaces the second lever arm 32 of the intermediate element 16 by a pressure plate travel 40 in the axial direction. The pressure plate travel 40 represents the distance required by the pressure plate 14 for coupling or uncoupling.

[0023] Fig. 1c shows a simplified representation of the functional principle of the clutch unit according to Fig. 1a in the adjusted state. As a result of wear, a wear path 42 develops on the pressure plate 14. This can cause an adjustment of the starting position of the actuating element 12 via the intermediate element 16. This can change the actuating path or the actuating point of the actuating element 12. To compensate for the wear path 42, the starting position 26 of the actuating element 12 can be adjusted via the ramp device 24. The adjustment path 44 of the ramp device 24 essentially results from the displacement of the ramp device 24 directed orthogonally to the axial direction and causes the ramp device 24 to slide in the axial direction on the wedge-shaped counterpart 36 of the housing 34. In this way, the axial position of the support surface 28 for the first lever arm 30 of the intermediate element 16 can be adjusted and the predetermined initial position 26 of the actuating element 12 can be restored.

[0024] The Fig. 2a simplified functional principle of a further embodiment of the clutch unit 10 has essentially all elements of the first embodiment of the clutch unit 10 in a non-actuated state according to Fig. 1a. A significant difference here is the design and mounting of the ramp device 24. In this embodiment, the counterpart 36 of the housing 34 has been omitted. The wedge-shaped ramp device 24 now rests directly against the housing 34 and has an inclined support surface 28 for the axial support of the first lever arm 30 of the intermediate element 16. With an inclined support surface 28, the normal vector of the support surface 28 does not run parallel to the axial direction.

[0025] Fig. 2b shows a simplified representation of the functional principle of a clutch unit according to Fig. 2a in the actuated state. The functional principle is the same as in the embodiment according to Fig. 1b are essentially identical, with only the ramp device 24 according to Fig. 2a is trained.

[0026] Fig. 1c shows a simplified representation of the functional principle of a clutch unit according to Fig. 2a in the adjusted state. As a result of wear, a wear path 42 also occurs on the pressure plate 14 in this embodiment. This can cause an adjustment of the starting position 26 of the actuating element 12 via the intermediate element 16. As a result, the actuating path or the actuating point of the actuating element 12 can change. In order to compensate for the wear path 42, the starting position of the actuating element 12 can be adjusted via the ramp device 24. The adjustment path 44 of the ramp device 24 essentially results from the displacement of the ramp device 24 directed orthogonally to the axial direction and leads to the support point of the first lever arm 30 on the inclined support surface 28 of the ramp device 24 being shifted to a support point with a different axial position.In this way, the axial position of the first lever arm 30 of the intermediate element 16 can be adjusted and the predetermined initial position 26 of the actuating element 12 can be restored.

[0027] Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of a clutch assembly 10. The clutch assembly 10 is designed as a double clutch and has three actuating elements 12, each with an intermediate element 16. The actuating elements 12 are each pivotably mounted on the housing 20 on a first bearing device, wherein the housing 20 is designed as a clutch cover. The actuating elements 12 each have two parallel legs 46. The intermediate elements are pivotally mounted between the two legs 46 on a second bearing device 22 on the respective actuating elements 12. The first lever arms 30 of the intermediate elements 16, which extend from the second bearing device 22, are supported in the axial direction on a ramp device 24.The ramp device 24 is designed as a ramp ring and is fastened to the housing 34 in a rotationally secure manner by means of fastening means 48, wherein the housing 34 is designed as a counterplate 50. The ramp device 24 has support surfaces 28 running in the circumferential direction with increasing and / or decreasing axial position changes for supporting a respective first lever arm 30 of the intermediate element 16. As a result, the rotation of the ramp device 24 allows for uniform adjustment of the actuating elements 12. For this purpose, the ramp device 24 has recesses 52 running in the circumferential direction for receiving fastening means 48 and for continuously adjusting the ramp device 24. The second lever arms 32 of the intermediate elements 16 extending from the second bearing device 22 are operatively connected to the pressure plate 14.

[0028] Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a ramp device of a clutch unit 10 according to Fig. 3. The ramp device 24 is designed as a ramp ring with three support surfaces 28 extending in the circumferential direction, each for a first lever arm 30 of an intermediate element 16. The pitch angle of the support surfaces 28 is very flat, whereby the lever arms 30 can be securely supported. The ramp device 24 has three recesses 52 extending in the circumferential direction for receiving fastening means 48. This allows the ramp device 24 to be continuously rotated and locked against rotation to a housing 34. In addition, this also allows for continuous adjustment of the initial position of the actuating element 12 by the ramp device 24.

[0029] The Fig. 5a and Fig. 5b each show a side sectional view of a clutch unit according to Fig. 3, where the Fig. 5b shows a clutch assembly 10 in a re-adjusted state. The clutch assembly 10 has a counterplate 50 and a friction clutch 54 having a pressure plate 14 that is axially displaceable relative to the counterplate 50 for frictionally pressing a clutch disc 56 between the counterplate 50 and the pressure plate 14. The pressure plate 14 is operatively connected to the actuating element 12 via the second lever arm 32 of the intermediate element 16 and the second bearing device 22. The first lever arm 30 of the intermediate element 16 is axially supported on the ramp device 24. By rotating the ramp device 24 in Fig. 5b, the axial position of the first lever arm 30 on the support surface 28 can be changed, and the wear path 42 can be compensated via the intermediate element 16. This allows the initial position 26 of the actuating element 24 to be easily and reliably adjusted.

[0030] The Fig. 6a and Fig. 6b each show a front view of a clutch unit 10 according to Fig. 3, where the Fig. 6b shows a clutch assembly 10 in a re-adjusted state. The ramp device 24 can be Fig. 6a and Fig. 6b can be rotated circumferentially to adjust the initial position 26 of the actuating element 12 and secured against rotation by means of fastening means 48 on the housing 34. This allows the initial positions 26 of the actuating elements 12 to be adjusted simultaneously and to the same extent. List of reference symbols 10 Clutch unit 12 Actuating element 14 Pressure plate 16 Intermediate element 18 First storage device 20 housings 22 Second storage device 24 Ramp device 26 Starting position 28 support surface 30 First lever arm 32 Second lever arm 34 housings 36 counterpart 38 Actuation travel 40 pressure plate travel 42 Wear path 44 Adjustment travel 46 legs 48 fasteners 50 counter plate 52 recess 54 Friction clutch 56 clutch disc 58 Rotation axis

Claims

[1] Clutch unit for coupling a drive shaft of a motor vehicle with at least one transmission input shaft of the motor vehicle, with a friction clutch (54) having a counterplate (50) and a pressure plate (14) which is displaceable in the axial direction relative to the counterplate (50) for frictionally pressing a clutch disc (56) between the counterplate (50) and the pressure plate (14), at least one actuating element (12) for axially displacing the pressure plate (14), at least one ramp device (24) for adjusting an initial position (26) of the at least one actuating element (12) which can be changed as a result of a wear-related displacement of the pressure plate (14) relative to the counter-plate (50) of the friction clutch (54), wherein the at least one actuating element (12) is pivotably arranged on a first bearing device (18), wherein the at least one actuating element (12) is indirectly connected to the pressure plate (14) via an intermediate element (16) pivotably arranged on a second bearing device (22) of the at least one actuating element (12), wherein the intermediate element (16) has a first lever arm (30) extending from the second bearing device (22) for axial support on a support surface (28) of the ramp device (24) and a second lever arm (32) extending from the second bearing device (22) for indirect or direct contact with the pressure plate (14), wherein the adjustment of the axial starting position (26) of the at least one actuating element (12) is adjustable by a displacement of the ramp device (24) directed orthogonally to the axial direction, characterized bythat the at least one ramp device (24) is designed as a ramp ring, wherein the ramp ring has a support surface (28) varying in axial distance for each intermediate element (16) along its circumferential direction. [2] Clutch assembly according to claim 1, comprising: at least three actuating elements (12), each with an intermediate element (16) for axially displacing the pressure plate (14), wherein the adjustment of the initial position (26) of the actuating elements (12) is carried out simultaneously and uniformly on the actuating elements (12) by the displacement of the ramp device (24) directed orthogonally to the axial direction. [3] Clutch assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ramp device (24) is designed to be rotatable in the circumferential direction. [4] Clutch unit according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the ramp device (24) is arranged on a housing (34) of the clutch unit (10) and / or on a counterpart (36) of the housing (34), wherein in particular the housing (34) is designed as a part of the counter-plate (50) or as part of a clutch cover. [5] Clutch unit according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the at least one ramp device (24) is wedge-shaped and the first lever arm (30) of the intermediate element (16) is axially mounted on the support surface (28) of the ramp device (24), wherein the normal vector of the support surface (28) extends parallel or not parallel to the axial direction. [6] Clutch assembly according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the support surface (28) has a flat pitch angle, in particular less than or equal to 15 degrees. [7] Clutch assembly according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the ramp device (24) can be securely locked against rotation on the housing (34) by means of at least one fastening means (48). [8] Clutch assembly according to claim 7, wherein the ramp device (24) has at least one circumferentially extending recess (52) for receiving the fastening means (48). [9] Clutch unit according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the at least one actuating element (12) has a first leg (46) and a second leg extending parallel to the first leg (46) in the longitudinal direction of the actuating element (12), wherein the intermediate element (16) is pivotally mounted at least partially between the first leg (46) and the second leg.

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