Disconnect coupling with a locking device

Abstract

The invention relates to a disconnect coupling (10) for a vehicle, comprising a first coupling component (12) rotatable about a pivot axis (16), a rotatable second coupling component (14), an actuating device (30) with an actuating element (32) axially displaceable for changing a coupling state, a coupling element (24) connecting the first and second coupling components (12, 14) to each other in a torque-transmitting manner in a first coupling state (82) and decoupling them from each other in a second coupling state (58), and a detent device (52) for axially securing the coupling element (24), wherein a detent element (54) of the detent device (52) is in a first detent position (56) between the first coupling component (12) and the coupling element (24) in the first coupling state (82) and in a second detent position (60) between the first coupling component (12) in the second coupling state (58). and is engaged with the coupling element (24).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a separating clutch according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] DE 10 2022 132 440 A1 describes a separating clutch with a rotatable first clutch component and a second clutch component, which are connected to each other in a torque-transmitting manner depending on a clutch state. A locking device with a movable locking element secures the clutch state.

[0003] The object of the present invention is to maintain the clutch state in a more energy-efficient and reliable manner. The actuation forces required to switch the clutch state should be reduced.

[0004] At least one of these objects is achieved by a separating clutch having the features of claim 1. This allows the clutch state to be maintained in an energy-saving and reliable manner. The clutch state can be adopted in a more energy-efficient manner. The actuating forces for switching the clutch state are reduced.

[0005] The separating clutch can be arranged in a vehicle between a drive element and an output element. The drive element can be an electric motor. The output element can be a transmission, in particular a differential gear. The separating clutch can be arranged in an electric drive axle of the vehicle.

[0006] The separating clutch can be a positive-locking clutch. The first and second clutch components can be positively connected to one another in the first clutch state. The first clutch component can have radial teeth and / or axial teeth for positive connection to the coupling element and / or the second clutch component in the first clutch state. The coupling element and / or the second clutch component can have radial teeth and / or axial teeth for positive connection to the first clutch component in the first clutch state. The first and second clutch components can be rotatable relative to one another in the second clutch state.

[0007] The first clutch state can correspond to a closed clutch. When the clutch is closed, torque can be transmitted between the drive element and the output element via the clutch. The second clutch state can correspond to an open clutch. When the clutch is open, torque transmission between the drive element and the output element via the clutch is interrupted.

[0008] The first and second coupling components can be arranged coaxially. The first and second coupling components can be arranged axially offset from one another.

[0009] The first coupling component can be a shaft or hub. The second coupling component can be a shaft or hub. The first and / or second coupling component can have a toothing, preferably an external toothing, for a positive connection with the coupling element.

[0010] The coupling element can be a sliding sleeve. The coupling element can have a toothing, preferably an internal toothing, for a positive connection with the first and / or second coupling component. The coupling element can be permanently toothed with the first coupling component. The coupling element can be received on the first coupling component in an axially displaceable manner. In the first coupling state, the coupling element can be positively connected to the first and second coupling components and thus connect the first and second coupling components to one another in a torque-transmitting manner.

[0011] The actuating element can be designed as a shift fork. The actuating element can be axially displaceable by a clutch actuator.

[0012] The locking element can secure the first coupling state in the first locking position. The locking element can secure the second coupling state in the second locking position. The locking element can be or comprise at least one ball.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is advantageous if a first switching path of the actuating element for assuming the first clutch state from the second clutch state is different from a second switching path of the actuating element for assuming the second clutch state from the first clutch state. The first switching path can be shorter or longer than the second switching path. The coupling element can move an axial path between the first and second clutch states. The axial path can be different from the first and second switching paths. The axial path can be shorter than the first and / or second switching paths.

[0014] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the locking element is engaged in a first recess in the first coupling component in the first locking position. The locking element can be accommodated in a receptacle of the coupling element in such a way that it can be axially displaced with the coupling element. The locking element can be axially secured relative to the coupling element in the receptacle.

[0015] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the locking element, in the second locking position, is engaged in a second recess in the first coupling component that is axially offset from the first recess. The groove depth of the first and second recesses can be the same or different. The first recess can have a greater groove depth than the second recess.

[0016] A preferred embodiment of the invention is advantageous in which the actuating element is displaceable relative to the coupling element. The actuating element can have a further locking device that axially secures the actuating element in the first and second coupling states.

[0017] In a specific embodiment of the invention, it is advantageous if the actuating device has an axially displaceable locking element that secures the locking element at least in the first locking position. The locking element can be received on the coupling element in an axially displaceable manner. The locking element can be arranged radially outside of the coupling element. The locking element can secure the locking element in the second locking position.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the locking element is spring-loaded and preloaded toward the first locking position. The locking element can be preloaded by a spring element, for example, a coil spring. The spring element can exert a spring force on the locking element in the second locking position. In the first locking position, the spring element can exert a lower spring force than in the second locking position, or no spring force at all.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is advantageous if the actuating element engages an actuating portion of the coupling element to assume the first coupling state. The actuating element can have a U-shaped portion in which the actuating portion is axially received. The actuating element can engage a first axial side of the actuating portion to assume the first coupling state.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is advantageous if the actuating element, for assuming the second coupling state, engages a contact portion of the locking element and the actuating portion of the coupling element. To assume the second coupling state, the actuating element can engage a second axial side of the actuating portion, which is axially opposite the first axial side. To assume the second coupling state, the actuating element can first engage the contact portion of the locking element and then the actuating portion of the coupling element.

[0021] In a specific embodiment of the invention, it is advantageous if the actuating element engages a first axial side of the actuating section to assume the first coupling state and an axially opposite second axial side of the actuating section to assume the second coupling state. The actuating section can be designed as a radial projection integrally formed from the coupling element. The actuating section can be circumferentially delimited.

[0022] Further advantages and advantageous embodiments of the invention emerge from the description of the figures and the illustrations. Character description

[0023] The invention is described in detail below with reference to the figures. They show in detail: Fig. 1: A half-section of a separating clutch in a special embodiment of the invention. Fig. 2: A switching process to the first clutch state of the separating clutch from Fig. 1. Fig. 3: A switching process to the second clutch state of the separating clutch from Fig. 1. Fig. 4: Switching paths of the separating clutch Fig. 1.

[0024] Fig. Figure 1 shows a half-section of a separating clutch in a specific embodiment of the invention. The separating clutch 10 is arranged in a vehicle between a drive element, for example, an electric motor, and an output element, for example, a differential gear. A first clutch component 12 is connected to the drive element in a torque-transmitting manner, and a second clutch component 14 is connected to the output element in a torque-transmitting manner.

[0025] The first coupling component 12 is rotatable about a rotational axis 16 and is designed as a shaft 18. The second coupling component 14 is arranged coaxially to the first coupling component 12 and is rotatable about the rotational axis 16 and is designed as a shaft 20. The first coupling component 12 has an external toothing 22. A coupling element 24 is axially displaceably received on the first coupling component 12. The coupling element 24 is designed as a sliding sleeve 26 and has an internal toothing 28 for a positive connection with the external toothing 22 of the first coupling component 12.

[0026] The coupling element 24 is assigned to an actuating device 30, which further comprises an actuating element 32 that is axially displaceable for changing a clutch state. The actuating element 32 is designed as a shift fork 34 having a U-shaped section 36 that accommodates an actuating section 38 of the coupling element 24. The actuating section 38 is designed as a radial projection 40 and is arranged axially between two legs of the actuating element 32.

[0027] The actuating element 32 is axially displaceable to change a coupling state. To assume a first coupling state, in which the first and second coupling components 12, 14 are connected to one another via the coupling element 24 in a torque-transmitting manner, the actuating element 32 engages with a first leg 42 on a first axial side 46 of the actuating section 38 of the coupling element 24 and displaces the coupling element 24 axially in the direction of the second coupling component 14 until the coupling element 24 is positively connected to the second coupling component 14, thus connecting the first and second coupling components 12, 14 to one another in a positively locking and torque-transmitting manner.A switchover of the coupling state to the second coupling state, in which the coupling element 24 is decoupled from the second coupling component 14 and thus the first and second coupling components 12, 14 are decoupled from one another, is achieved by the actuating element 32 engaging with a second leg 48 on a second axial side 50, which is axially opposite the first axial side 46, and displacing the coupling element 24 in an axial direction facing away from the second coupling component 14.

[0028] The first and second coupling states are axially secured with a locking device 52. The locking device 52 comprises a locking element 54, which is locked in a first locking position 56 between the first coupling component 12 and the coupling element 24 in the first coupling state, and in a second locking position 60 between the first coupling component 12 and the coupling element 24 in the second coupling state 58 shown here. As a result, the coupling element 24 is axially secured in the first and second coupling states. The locking element 54 comprises at least one ball 62, which is received in a receptacle 64 in the coupling element 24 and is axially displaceable therewith.

[0029] The locking element 54 is engaged in a first recess 66 in the first coupling component 12 in the first locking position 56, and in a second recess 68 in the first coupling component 12, axially offset from the first recess 66, in the second locking position 60 shown here. As a result, the coupling element 24 is axially secured relative to the first coupling component 12.

[0030] The actuating device 30 comprises an axially displaceable locking element 70, which secures the locking element 54 at least in the first locking position 56. The locking element 70 is spring-loaded toward the first locking position 56 by a spring element 72, here a helical spring. The spring element 72 is axially supported on a securing element 74.

[0031] The locking element 70 has a ramp-shaped contact section 76 which, due to the spring force of the spring element 72, exerts an axial and radial force on the locking element 54 and presses the locking element 54 radially into the second recess 68 in the second coupling state 58 and thus axially secures the coupling element 24 relative to the first coupling component 12.

[0032] The actuating element 32 is displaceable relative to the coupling element 24, and in the second coupling state 58 shown here, the actuating element 32 is contact-free with the locking element 70 and the actuating section 38. The second coupling state 58 can thus be maintained force-free with respect to the actuating element 32.

[0033] Fig. 2 shows a switching process to the first clutch state of the separating clutch from Fig. 1. Starting from the second coupling state 58 in Fig. 2 a) the actuating element 32 is displaced in a first axial direction 78, as in Fig. 2 b) and thereby engages the first axial side 46 of the actuating section 38 and displaces the coupling element 24 in the first axial direction 78 until the coupling element 24 is positively connected to the second coupling component 14, as shown in Fig. 2 c). The second locking position 60 is released, and the locking element 54 is moved out of the second recess 68 and assumes the first locking position 56, in which the locking element 54 is arranged in the first recess 66. In the first locking position 56, the locking element 70, supported by the spring force of the spring element 72 with a securing portion 80, can move radially over the locking element 54 and prevents the release of the first locking position 56, which secures the first coupling state.

[0034] Once the first coupling state, in which the first and second coupling components 12, 14 are positively connected to one another via the coupling element 24 and transmit torque, is assumed, the actuating element 32 moves slightly in the second axial direction 84 and is contact-free with the locking element 70 and the actuating section 38. As a result, the first coupling state 82 secured by the first detent position 56 can be maintained force-free with respect to the actuating element 32.

[0035] Fig. 3 shows a switching process to the second clutch state of the separating clutch from Fig. 1. To take the second coupling state starting from the Fig. 3 a), the actuating element 32 is first moved in the second axial direction 84 and thereby moves the locking element 70 with the first leg 42 in the second axial direction 84, whereby the first locking position 56 can be released, as shown in Fig. 3 b). The groove depth of the first recess 66 is designed such that the locking element 54 is not inhibited and is moved out of the first recess 66 by the coupling element 24 and / or by centrifugal force.

[0036] Only when the first locking position 56 is released does the actuating element 32 engage with the second leg 48 on the second axial side 50 of the actuating section 38 and thereby displaces the coupling element 24 in the second axial direction 84, whereby the locking element 54 is moved out of the first recess 66, as shown in Fig. 3 c). The coupling element 24 is displaced by the actuating element 32 in the second axial direction 84 until the locking element 54 engages the ramp-shaped contact section 76 in the second recess 68, as shown in Fig. 3 d), whereby the second coupling state 58 is assumed and secured. The actuating element 32 then moves in the first axial direction 78 to such an extent that it is contact-free with the locking element 70 and the actuating section 38. This allows the second coupling state 58 to be maintained without force.

[0037] Fig. 4 shows switching paths of the separating clutch Fig. 1. A first switching path 86 of the actuating element 32 for assuming the first clutch state starting from the second clutch state is smaller than a second switching path 88 of the actuating element 32 for assuming the second clutch state starting from the first clutch state.

[0038] The coupling element 24 moves between the first and second coupling states by an axial travel 90 which is smaller than the first and second switching travels 86, 88. List of reference symbols 10 Separating coupling 12 first clutch component 14 second coupling component 16 axis of rotation 18 Wave 20 Wave 22 external gearing 24 coupling element 26 Sliding sleeve 28 internal gearing 30 Actuating device 32 Actuating element 34 shift fork Section 36 38 operating section 40 radial projection 42 first leg 46 first axial side 48 second leg 50 second axial side 52 locking device 54 locking element 56 first locking position 58 second clutch state 60 second locking position 62 ball 64 recording 66 first deepening 68 second recess 70 locking element 72 spring element 74 Securing element 76 Annex Section 78 first axial direction 80 security section 82 first clutch state 84 second axial direction 86 first switching path 88 second switching path 90 axial travel QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2022 132 440 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Separating coupling (10) for a vehicle, comprising a first coupling component (12) rotatable about a rotation axis (16), a rotatable second coupling component (14), an actuating device (30) with an actuating element (32) which is axially displaceable for changing a coupling state, a coupling element (24) which connects the first and second coupling components (12, 14) to one another in a first coupling state (82) in a torque-transmitting manner and decouples them from one another in a second coupling state (58), and with a locking device (52) for axially securing the coupling element (24), characterized by , that a locking element (54) of the locking device (52) is locked in a first locking position (56) between the first coupling component (12) and the coupling element (24) in the first coupling state (82) and in a second locking position (60) between the first coupling component (12) and the coupling element (24) in the second coupling state (58). [2] Separating clutch (10) according to claim 1, characterized by that a first switching path (86) of the actuating element (32) for assuming the first clutch state (82) starting from the second clutch state (58) is different from a second switching path (88) of the actuating element (32) for assuming the second clutch state (58) starting from the first clutch state (82). [3] Separating clutch (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the locking element (54) is locked in a first recess (66) in the first coupling component (12) at the first locking position (56). [4] Separating clutch (10) according to claim 3, characterized by that the locking element (54) is locked in the second locking position (60) in a second recess (68) in the first coupling component (12) which is axially offset from the first recess (66). [5] Separating clutch (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the actuating element (32) is displaceable relative to the coupling element (24). [6] Separating clutch (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the actuating device (30) has an axially displaceable locking element (70) which secures the locking element (54) at least in the first locking position (56). [7] Separating clutch (10) according to claim 6, characterized by that the locking element (70) is spring-loaded in the direction of the first locking position (56). [8] Separating clutch (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the actuating element (32) engages an actuating section (38) of the coupling element (24) to assume the first coupling state (82). [9] Separating clutch (10) according to claim 6 or 7 and claim 8, characterized by that the actuating element (32) engages a contact section (76) of the locking element (70) and the actuating section (38) of the coupling element (24) to assume the second coupling state (58). [10] Separating clutch (10) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by that the actuating element (32) engages a first axial side (46) of the actuating section (38) to assume the first coupling state (82) and an axially opposite second axial side (50) of the actuating section (38) to assume the second coupling state (58).

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