Torque transmission arrangement for a motor vehicle drivetrain, method for operating a torque transmission arrangement and drivetrain for a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a torque transmission arrangement (10) for a drive train (1) of a motor vehicle, comprising a first torque transmission element (13) having a first toothing (11) with first teeth (15) and first tooth gaps and rotatably mounted about a first axis of rotation, and a second torque transmission element (14) meshing with the first torque transmission element (13), having a second toothing (12) with second teeth (16) and second tooth gaps and rotatably mounted about a second axis of rotation. It is provided that one of the torque transmission elements (13, 14) is designed and configured as a signal transmitter for a speed detection device (17), and a sensor (18) of the speed detection device (17), designed and configured for detecting the toothing (11, 12) of the torque transmission element (13, 14), is arranged adjacent to the torque transmission element (13, 14).The invention further relates to a method for operating a torque transmission arrangement (10) for a drive train (1) of a motor vehicle and to a drive train (1) for a motor vehicle.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a torque transmission arrangement for a motor vehicle drivetrain, comprising a first torque transmission element having a first toothed section with first teeth and first tooth gaps and rotatably mounted about a first axis of rotation, and a second torque transmission element meshing with the first torque transmission element, having a second toothed section with second teeth and second tooth gaps, and rotatably mounted about a second axis of rotation. The invention further relates to a method for operating a torque transmission arrangement for a motor vehicle drivetrain and to a motor vehicle drivetrain.

[0002] For example, German patent application DE 10 2015 210 983 A1 is known from the prior art. This document describes a wheel bearing unit that is attached to a wheel carrier of a vehicle and comprises a wheel bearing with at least one row of rolling elements. In this unit, one bearing ring of the wheel bearing is associated with a rotating wheel hub, and at least one further stationary bearing ring is connected to the wheel carrier. A stationary speed sensor is provided for measuring the rotational speed of the wheel bearing. This sensor interacts with an encoder, which is assigned to a rotating component of the wheel bearing. The encoder is the rotating bearing ring, designed as a tone wheel and forming a functionally combined component, which includes a corrugated profile on its end face.

[0003] Furthermore, German patent application DE 41 34 434 A1 discloses a wheel bearing unit for motor vehicles with a speed detection device consisting of a hub and an angular contact roller bearing, wherein at least one inner ring of the roller bearing is axially fixed by a bead formed on the hub end by means of plastic deformation. The bead is provided with interruptions evenly distributed around its circumference, which are positioned at a distance from a sensor.

[0004] The object of the invention is to propose a torque transmission arrangement for a drive train of a motor vehicle which has advantages over known torque transmission arrangements, in particular allowing the determination of a rotational speed of at least one of the torque transmission elements to be particularly easy.

[0005] This is achieved according to the invention with a torque transmission arrangement for a drive train of a motor vehicle with the features of claim 1. It is provided that one of the torque transmission elements is designed and configured as a signal transmitter for a speed detection device, and that a sensor of the speed detection device, designed and configured for detecting the toothing of the torque transmission element, in particular the teeth and / or the spaces between the teeth, of the torque transmission element, is arranged adjacent to the torque transmission element.

[0006] Advantageous embodiments with expedient further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims. It should be noted that the exemplary embodiments described in the description are not limiting; rather, any variations of the features disclosed in the description, the claims, and the figures are possible.

[0007] The torque transmission arrangement is preferably part of the vehicle's drivetrain, but can of course also exist separately, particularly up to the point of being mounted on and / or in the drivetrain or the vehicle. The drivetrain generally serves to propel the vehicle, i.e., to provide and transmit drive torque directed towards propelling the vehicle. For example, the drivetrain comprises a drive unit which is coupled, at least temporarily, to a wheel axle of the vehicle, in particular a wheel or wheel hub, via the torque transmission arrangement.

[0008] The torque transmission assembly serves to transmit torque, in particular drive torque. The torque transmission assembly comprises a first torque transmission element and a second torque transmission element, which mesh with each other, i.e., are in engagement with each other. This means that the first teeth of the first torque transmission element engage with the second teeth of the second torque transmission element. Specifically, the first teeth of the first teeth of the first torque transmission element engage between the second teeth of the second teeth of the second torque transmission element, or rather, into the second set of teeth located between the second teeth. Conversely, the second teeth of the second teeth engage between the first teeth of the first teeth, or rather, into the first set of teeth located between the first teeth.

[0009] Particularly preferred are the two torque transmission elements, i.e., the first torque transmission element and the second torque transmission element, arranged and designed such that a substantially rigid drive-related connection is established via them, apart from a technically unavoidable play between the two torque transmission elements. For example, the torque transmission elements are gears or can be described as gears due to their toothing.

[0010] At least one of the two torque transmission elements, either the first or the second, is intended to serve as a signal transmitter for the speed detection device. The torque transmission element is thus used to detect its rotational speed and interacts with the sensor of the speed detection device for this purpose. The sensor is designed to detect the gear teeth, in particular the teeth and / or inter-tooth spaces, of the torque transmission element, especially using a magnetic field.

[0011] For this purpose, the torque transmission element can be designed accordingly, for example, by having one or more permanent magnets associated with the gearing, in particular the teeth, so that the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet(s) can be detected by the sensor. Preferably, however, the torque transmission element does not have a magnetic element; that is, the torque transmission element itself is magnet-free. Preferably, however, it consists of a magnetizable material so that its influence on a magnetic field, for example, a magnetic field generated by the sensor itself or the Earth's magnetic field, can be detected by the sensor.

[0012] To detect the torque transmission element or its gearing, for example, its teeth and / or inter-tooth spaces, the sensor is positioned adjacent to the torque transmission element. For example, the sensor is located axially next to the torque transmission element with respect to an axis of rotation about which the torque transmission element is rotatably mounted. In this position, the sensor is radially aligned with the gearing, particularly the teeth and / or inter-tooth spaces, of the torque transmission element, and thus has a radial distance from the axis of rotation that lies between a root circle and a tip circle of the torque transmission element. This ensures reliable detection of the teeth.Radial overlap means, in particular, that the sensor and the gear teeth are at least partially located at the same radial position when viewed in the radial direction, but are spaced apart from each other in the axial direction.

[0013] Alternatively, the sensor is arranged axially in contact with the gearing, in particular the teeth and / or inter-tooth spaces, and is located radially adjacent to the torque transmission element. For example, it has a radial distance from the torque transmission element that corresponds to at most one tooth height of the torque transmission element, but is preferably smaller, for example, at most 80%, at most 60%, or at most 40% of the tooth height. Axial contact means, in particular, that the sensor and the gearing are at least partially located at the same axial position when viewed axially, but are spaced apart from each other radially.

[0014] The described design of the torque transmission arrangement integrates the speed sensing device, so that torque transmission and speed sensing are performed simultaneously using the speed sensing device. Therefore, a separate gear is not required for use with the sensor of the torque transmission arrangement; instead, one of the torque-transmitting elements of the torque transmission arrangement is directly used for speed sensing. This results in a compact and cost-effective design of the torque transmission arrangement.

[0015] A further development of the invention provides that the sensor is designed as a Hall sensor or incorporates a Hall sensor. The Hall sensor serves to detect a magnetic field, for example, a magnetic field generated by a magnetic element of the torque transmission element or the magnetic field modified by the second torque transmission element, which is present, for example, as a magnetic field generated by the speed detection device or as the Earth's magnetic field. In any case, the Hall sensor enables the reliable detection of the gear teeth, in particular the teeth and / or the spaces between the teeth, of the torque transmission element, so that the rotational speed of the torque transmission element can be reliably determined from a signal of the Hall sensor.

[0016] A further development of the invention provides that the first and second gear teeth form a Hirth coupling, and that the first and second torque transmission elements are arranged coaxially. A Hirth coupling is understood to be a gearing of the torque transmission elements in which the first and second gear teeth are produced on mutually facing end faces of the torque transmission elements. A positive-locking and virtually backlash-free connection is established between the first and second torque transmission elements via the Hirth coupling.

[0017] The first and second teeth engage independently of the rotational angle of the torque transmission elements, ensuring that a specific first tooth of the first teeth always engages in the same second tooth gap of the second tooth gap, and conversely, a specific second tooth of the second teeth always engages in the same first tooth gap of the first tooth gap. Due to the Hirth-type design of the first tooth of the second tooth, the two torque transmission elements are arranged coaxially, so that the first axis of rotation of the first torque transmission element and the second axis of rotation of the second torque transmission element coincide or are identical. This results in a simple design of the torque transmission arrangement while simultaneously providing reliable torque transmission and speed measurement.

[0018] A further development of the invention provides that the first torque transmission element is configured as a signal transmitter, wherein at least a portion of the first teeth of the first gearing project beyond the second teeth of the second gearing in a radial direction with respect to the first axis of rotation and / or the second axis of rotation. The configuration of the first torque transmission element as a signal transmitter is thus achieved by implementing a specific embodiment of the first torque transmission element. In this embodiment, at least a portion of the first teeth project beyond the second teeth in a radial direction with respect to the first or second axis of rotation, i.e., extends further outwards in a radial direction than the second teeth.

[0019] The first teeth comprise any number of teeth. Preferably, however, several first teeth are designed to project beyond the second teeth in the radial direction to avoid imbalance of the first torque transmission element. The correspondingly designed first teeth are also preferably arranged uniformly in the circumferential direction. It may be provided that only a portion of the first teeth project beyond the second teeth. Alternatively, this applies to all first teeth, so that all first teeth project beyond the second teeth in the radial direction. For example, the corresponding first teeth have radial dimensions that are at least 5%, at least 10%, or at least 20% larger than the dimensions of the first teeth in the same direction.Due to the protrusion of the second teeth by the first teeth, a particularly reliable detection of the occlusion or the teeth and / or the interdental spaces is implemented using the sensor.

[0020] A further development of the invention provides that the projection of the second teeth beyond the first teeth creates a tooth overhang, and the sensor is arranged in overlap with this tooth overhang when viewed in the radial and / or axial direction. The tooth overhang describes the portion of the first teeth that extends beyond the second teeth in the radial direction. To ensure reliable detection of the gear teeth and / or the spaces between them, the sensor is located in the area of ​​the tooth overhang and, for example, is in overlap with it when viewed in the radial direction. The sensor is thus arranged radially away from the second torque transmission element, but still within the area of ​​the first torque transmission element, in order to prevent false detection of the second teeth while reliably detecting the first teeth for determining the rotational speed.

[0021] The sensor is, for example, positioned on the side of the first torque transmission element facing away from the second, so that the first torque transmission element is located between the second and the sensor when viewed axially. However, it is also possible for the sensor to be axially overlapping with the second torque transmission element and / or located on the same side of the first torque transmission element as the second. Alternatively, the sensor can be axially overlapping with the tooth projection. In any case, the advantages already described are reliably achieved.

[0022] A further development of the invention provides that the tooth projection, viewed radially, is either inwards or outwards. It is fundamentally irrelevant whether the teeth of the torque transmission element, particularly the first teeth, project radially inwards or outwards beyond the second torque transmission element or the second set of teeth. In any case, the tooth projection enables the reliable detection of the first gear teeth and the first interdental spaces, and thus the reliable determination of the rotational speed.

[0023] The invention further relates to a method for operating a torque transmission arrangement for a drive train of a motor vehicle, in particular a torque transmission arrangement according to the embodiments within the scope of this description, wherein the torque transmission arrangement has a first torque transmission element having a first toothing with first teeth and first tooth gaps and rotatably mounted about a first axis of rotation, and a second torque transmission element meshing with the first torque transmission element, having a second toothing with second teeth and second tooth gaps and rotatably mounted about a second axis of rotation.

[0024] It is provided that one of the torque transmission elements is designed and configured as a signal transmitter for a speed detection device and that the gearing of the torque transmission element, in particular the teeth and / or the interspaces of the torque transmission element, is detected by means of a sensor of the speed detection device arranged adjacent to the torque transmission element in order to detect its speed.

[0025] The advantages of such a procedure or such a design of the torque transmission arrangement have already been mentioned. Both the torque transmission arrangement and the method for operating it can be further developed as described in this document, and reference is made to these details.

[0026] Furthermore, the invention relates to a drive train for a motor vehicle, with a torque transmission arrangement, in particular a torque transmission arrangement according to the explanations in this description, wherein the torque transmission arrangement has a first torque transmission element having a first toothing with first teeth and first tooth gaps and rotatably mounted about a first axis of rotation, and a second torque transmission element meshing with the first torque transmission element, having a second toothing with second teeth and second tooth gaps and rotatably mounted about a second axis of rotation.

[0027] It is again provided that one of the torque transmission elements is designed and configured as a signal transmitter for a speed detection device, and that a sensor of the speed detection device, designed and configured to detect the gearing of the torque transmission element, in particular the teeth and / or the spaces between the teeth of the torque transmission element, is arranged adjacent to the torque transmission element. Reference is again made to the explanations in this description regarding the advantages and possible advantageous further developments.

[0028] A further development of the invention provides that the torque transmission arrangement is part of a shaft-hub connection and that the first torque transmission element is connected to a shaft and the second torque transmission element is connected to a hub of the shaft-hub connection in a rotationally fixed manner. The shaft-hub connection comprises the shaft and the hub. The shaft is connected to the first torque transmission element and the hub to the second torque transmission element in a rotationally fixed manner, in particular rigidly and permanently.

[0029] Through the interaction of the gear teeth of the two torque transmission elements, the shaft and the hub are connected to each other in a rotationally fixed manner, preferably also rigidly and permanently. Due to the described design of the torque transmission element, for example the first torque transmission element or the second torque transmission element, the speed detection device can be easily integrated into the shaft-hub connection, resulting in a compact and cost-effective design.

[0030] A further development of the invention provides that the hub is a wheel hub, rotatably mounted on a wheel carrier about a wheel hub axis of rotation by means of a wheel bearing, and the shaft is connected to a drive unit in the direction of drive. The wheel hub serves to rotatably mount a wheel of the motor vehicle. For this purpose, the wheel, in particular a rim of the wheel, is attached to the wheel hub or at least attachable to it. The wheel hub is rotatably mounted about the wheel hub axis of rotation by means of the wheel bearing, namely on the wheel carrier. The wheel carrier is connected to a body of the motor vehicle, preferably via at least one linkage or linkage. The linkage comprises, for example, at least one transverse link and / or one longitudinal link, which pivotably engages the wheel carrier on one side and the body on the other.

[0031] The wheel is a driven wheel. Accordingly, the wheel hub, and therefore the wheel itself, is connected to the drive unit of the drivetrain, meaning it is at least temporarily in drive-related communication with it. This connection is achieved via the torque transmission arrangement, with one torque transmission element assigned to the wheel hub and another to the shaft, or rather, rotationally fixed to the wheel hub or the shaft.

[0032] For example, the torque transmission arrangement is located directly adjacent to the wheel carrier; in particular, the second torque transmission element is integrally designed with the wheel hub. Preferably, the torque transmission arrangement is protected from environmental influences by a bellows and is located within the bellows for this purpose. For example, the sensor is located outside the bellows but adjacent to the torque transmission element, so that the detection of the teeth and / or inter-teeth of the torque transmission element is achieved through the bellows. Overall, the described configuration achieves the advantages already explained.

[0033] The features and combinations of features described in the description, in particular those described in the following figure description and / or shown in the figures, can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, embodiments that are not explicitly shown or explained in the description and / or the figures, but which emerge from or can be derived from the explained embodiments, are also to be considered as encompassed by the invention.

[0034] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawing, without limiting the invention. The only embodiment shown is... Fig. 1 A schematic representation of a powertrain for a motor vehicle.

[0035] The Fig.Figure 1 shows a schematic longitudinal section of a section of a drive train 1 for a motor vehicle, more precisely a wheel carrier assembly. The wheel carrier assembly has a wheel carrier 2, which is preferably connected to a body of the motor vehicle (not shown) by means of at least one link. A wheel hub 4 is rotatably mounted relative to the wheel carrier 2 by means of a wheel bearing 3, namely about a wheel hub axis of rotation 5. The wheel bearing 3 has an inner ring 6 and an outer ring 7, between which rolling elements 8 are arranged. It can be provided that the inner ring 6 is formed integrally and of the same material as the wheel hub 4. In the present embodiment, it is formed separately, and a shaft 9 is arranged axially next to the wheel hub 4.

[0036] The wheel hub 4 and the shaft 9 are coupled to each other via a torque transmission arrangement 10. A first toothed section 11 is produced on the shaft 9 and a second toothed section 12 on the wheel hub 4, with the first toothed section 11 and the second toothed section 12 meshing with each other. A region of the shaft 9 facing the wheel hub 4 forms a first torque transmission element 13 having the first toothing 11, and a region of the wheel hub 4 facing the shaft 9 forms a second torque transmission element 14 having the second toothing 12. However, the first toothing 11 can alternatively be located on the wheel hub 4 and the second toothing 12 on the shaft 9, so that the first torque transmission element 13 is formed by the region of the wheel hub 4 facing the shaft 9 and the second torque transmission element 14 by the region of the shaft 9 facing the wheel hub 4.The teeth 11 and 12 are in any case spur teeth and interlock in the manner of a Hirth toothing to connect the wheel hub 4 and the shaft 9 in a drive-related manner.

[0037] It is evident that teeth 15 of the first gear 11 project further outwards in the radial direction with respect to the wheel hub axis of rotation 5 than teeth 16 of the second gear 12. In this respect, there is a radial tooth projection, which describes the portion of teeth 15 that extends radially beyond teeth 16. To detect the rotational speed of the wheel carrier 2, the first torque transmission element 13 serves as a signal transmitter for a speed detection device 17, which also includes a sensor 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the sensor 18 is arranged radially away from the teeth 15, but is axially aligned with them.

[0038] The distance between the teeth 15 and the sensor 18 is selected such that the sensor 18 can detect a magnetic field generated by the gearing 11, in particular by the teeth 15 and / or by the spaces between the teeth 15, or a change in a magnetic field, for example the Earth's magnetic field, caused by the gearing 11, in particular by the teeth 15 and / or by the spaces between the teeth 15. The sensor 18 is attached, for example, to the outer ring 7 of the wheel bearing 3, in particular via a bracket 19. The bracket 19 is arranged adjacent to a pre-sealing element 20, which is attached to the inner ring 6 and extends radially outwards from it. A seal 21 rests against the pre-sealing element 20 and is arranged between the inner ring 6 and the outer ring 7. The seal 21 is attached to the outer ring 7.

[0039] The described design of the drive train 1 enables a particularly simple and space-saving integration of the speed detection device 17, especially without a separate signal transmitter. Instead, the torque transmission arrangement 10, more precisely the first gear tooth 11 of the torque transmission arrangement 10, is used as the signal transmitter for the speed detection direction 17. REFERENCE MARK LIST: 1 Powertrain 2 bike carriers 3 wheel bearings 4 wheel hub 5 Wheel hub pivot axis 6 inner ring 7 Outer ring 8 rolling elements 9th wave 10 Torque transmission arrangement 11 1. Gearing 12 2. Gearing 13 1. Torque transmission element 14 2. Torque transmission element 15 teeth 16 teeth 17 Speed ​​detection device 18 Sensor 19 outriggers 20 Pre-sealing element 21 Seal QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] DE 10 2015 210 983 A1

[0002] DE 41 34 434 A1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Torque transmission arrangement (10) for a drive train (1) of a motor vehicle, comprising a first torque transmission element (13) having a first toothing (11) with first teeth (15) and first tooth gaps and being rotatably mounted about a first axis of rotation, and comprising a second torque transmission element (14) meshing with the first torque transmission element (13), having a second toothing (12) with second teeth (16) and second tooth gaps and being rotatably mounted about a second axis of rotation, characterized by , that one of the torque transmission elements (13, 14) is provided and designed as a signal transmitter for a speed detection device (17) and a sensor (18) of the speed detection device (17) designed and designed to detect the toothing (11, 12) of the torque transmission element (13, 14) is arranged adjacent to the torque transmission element (13, 14). [2] Torque transmission arrangement according to claim 1, characterized by that the sensor (18) is designed as a Hall sensor or has a Hall sensor. [3] Torque transmission arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the first toothing (11) and the second toothing (12) form a Hirth toothing and the first torque transmission element (13) and the second torque transmission element (14) are arranged coaxially to each other. [4] Torque transmission arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the first torque transmission element (13) is designed as a signal transmitter, wherein at least a part of the first teeth (15) of the first toothing (11) extends beyond the second teeth (16) of the second toothing (12) in a radial direction with respect to the first axis of rotation and / or the second axis of rotation. [5] Torque transmission arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that by the projection of the second teeth (16) by the first teeth (15) a tooth projection is formed and the sensor (18) is arranged in overlap with the tooth projection when viewed in the radial direction and / or in the axial direction. [6] Torque transmission arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the tooth protrusion, viewed in a radial direction, is either inwards or outwards. [7] Method for operating a torque transmission arrangement (10) for a drive train (1) of a motor vehicle, in particular a torque transmission arrangement (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the torque transmission arrangement (10) comprises a first torque transmission element (13) having a first toothing (11) with first teeth (15) and first tooth gaps and rotatably mounted about a first axis of rotation, and a second torque transmission element (14) meshing with the first torque transmission element (13), having a second toothing (12) with second teeth (16) and second tooth gaps and rotatably mounted about a second axis of rotation, characterized by, that one of the torque transmission elements (13, 14) is provided and designed as a signal transmitter for a speed detection device (17) and that the gear teeth (11, 12) of the torque transmission element (13, 14) are detected by means of a sensor (18) of the speed detection device (17) arranged adjacent to the torque transmission element (13, 14) to detect its speed. [8] Powertrain (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising a torque transmission arrangement (10), in particular a torque transmission arrangement (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 6, wherein the torque transmission arrangement (10) comprises a first torque transmission element (13) having a first toothing (11) with first teeth (15) and first tooth gaps and rotatably mounted about a first axis of rotation, and a second torque transmission element (14) meshing with the first torque transmission element (13), having a second toothing (12) with second teeth (16) and second tooth gaps and rotatably mounted about a second axis of rotation, characterized by, that one of the torque transmission elements (13, 14) is provided and designed as a signal transmitter for a speed detection device (17) and a sensor (18) of the speed detection device (17) designed and designed to detect the toothing (11, 12) of the torque transmission element (13, 14) is arranged adjacent to the torque transmission element (13, 14). [9] Powertrain according to claim 8, characterized by , that the torque transmission arrangement (10) is part of a shaft-hub connection and the first torque transmission element (13) is connected to a shaft (9) and the second torque transmission element (14) is connected to a hub of the shaft-hub connection in a rotationally fixed manner. [10] Powertrain according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by, that the hub is a wheel hub (4) which is rotatably mounted on a wheel carrier (2) by means of a wheel bearing (3) about a wheel hub axis of rotation (5), and the shaft (9) is connected to a drive unit of the drive train in terms of drive technology.

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