Friction clutch

Abstract

Friction clutch comprising a housing arrangement (12) coupled or connectable to a drive element for common rotation about an axis of rotation (A), a plurality of first friction discs (30a, 30b, 30c) coupled to the housing arrangement (12) for common rotation about the axis of rotation (A) and displaceable relative to the housing arrangement (12) in the direction of the axis of rotation (A), a plurality of second friction discs (34a, 34b) coupled to a hub (36) for common rotation about the axis of rotation (A) and displaceable relative to the hub (36) in the direction of the axis of rotation (A), wherein the hub (36) has radially external drive teeth (41, 42) which engage with the second friction discs (34a, 34b, 34c) for rotary coupling of the same with the hub (36), a force application arrangement (24) under the force of which the first friction elements (30a, 30b, 30c) and the second friction elements (34a, 34b, 34c) can be brought into mutual friction contact, wherein the drive teeth (41,42) of the hub (36) is provided on two axially adjacent areas (37, 39), wherein the drive teeth (41) of the first axial area (37) and the drive teeth (42) of the second axial area (39) are designed differently from each other, resulting in axial locking of the hub.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a friction clutch comprising a housing arrangement coupled or connectable to a drive element for common rotation about an axis of rotation, a plurality of first friction discs coupled to the housing arrangement for common rotation about the axis of rotation and displaceable relative to the housing arrangement in the direction of the axis of rotation, a plurality of second friction discs coupled to a hub for common rotation about the axis of rotation and displaceable relative to the hub in the direction of the axis of rotation, wherein the hub has a plurality of radially outwardly projecting rotary coupling arms which engage with the second friction discs for rotary coupling of the latter with the hub, and a force application arrangement under the influence of which the first friction elements and the second friction elements can be brought into mutual friction contact.

[0002] From DE 203 02 735 U1, a friction clutch is known in which two ring-shaped friction elements are rotationally fixed to a hub. For this purpose, the hub has radially outward-engaging rotary coupling arms, resulting in an essentially star-shaped configuration of the hub. The friction elements coupled to this hub have correspondingly inward-engaging rotary coupling arms to ensure a rotationally fixed coupling with the hub that allows axial movement.

[0003] The development of new drive units, used particularly in motorsport but increasingly in everyday road traffic, is driving a trend towards ever-increasing torque. This torque must be transmitted via the friction clutches, resulting in very high loads in the clutch area. This leads to stability problems, especially in areas where different components are coupled together for torque transmission.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to further develop a friction clutch mentioned above in such a way that it is suitable for transmitting larger torques, is easy and inexpensive to manufacture and wherein a hub can be guided axially within the friction clutch securely.

[0005] According to the invention, this problem is solved by a friction clutch comprising a housing arrangement coupled or connectable to a drive element for common rotation about an axis of rotation (A), a plurality of first friction discs coupled to the housing arrangement for common rotation about the axis of rotation (A) and displaceable relative to the housing arrangement in the direction of the axis of rotation (A), a plurality of second friction discs coupled to a hub for common rotation about the axis of rotation (A) and displaceable relative to the hub in the direction of the axis of rotation (A), wherein the hub has a drive toothing radially outside which engages with the second friction discs for rotary coupling of the latter with the hub, and a force application arrangement under the influence of which the first friction elements and the second friction elements can be brought into mutual friction contact, wherein the drive toothing of the hub is provided on two axially adjacent areas.wherein the drive teeth of the first axial area and the drive teeth of the second axial area are designed differently from each other, resulting in axial locking of the hub.

[0006] The drive teeth of the first axial section can be arranged to be rotated relative to the drive teeth of the second axial section about the axis of rotation (A). This is particularly advantageous because it ensures the axial locking of the hub, while the corresponding teeth on the second friction elements can be identical, which is advantageous from a production and cost perspective.

[0007] The drive teeth of the first axial section can be arranged to be rotated relative to the drive teeth of the second axial section by one tooth about the axis of rotation (A). This would ensure that, in the event of axial displacement of the hub, one tooth face of the hub would engage with a tooth face of a second friction disc, thereby preventing further axial displacement of the hub.

[0008] However, it is also possible for the drive teeth of the first axial section and the drive teeth of the second axial section to have different pitches. This can be advantageous if it is desired to assign the second friction disc to a corresponding axial section on the hub.

[0009] It can also be advantageous if the drive teeth of the first axial area and the drive teeth of the second axial area each have at least one defect.

[0010] In this case, several defects can be distributed across the circumference.

[0011] A further improvement can be achieved if the multiple defects are evenly distributed around the circumference. This can prevent imbalance at the hub and thus unwanted imbalance during operation.

[0012] Another advantageous embodiment can provide that a drive tooth of the second axial region is provided axially adjacent to the at least one defect of the first axial region. This simplifies the manufacturing of the different tooth configurations on the first and second axial regions.

[0013] Furthermore, it can be advantageous if the axial extent of the first axial region is greater than, less than, or equal to the axial extent of the second axial region.

[0014] The hub can also provide radial internal teeth for a rotationally fixed connection with an output element, in particular a transmission input shaft.

[0015] The invention is described below by way of example.

[0016] The following show Fig. 1 a friction clutch according to the invention; Fig. 2 a hub from the Fig. 1; Fig. 3 the hub in a side view; Fig. 4 the hub in another view; Fig. 5 a connection hub with second friction discs in a side view

[0017] The Fig. 1 shows with the Fig. 2 a friction clutch according to the invention. The friction clutch 10 comprises a housing arrangement 12 which has a [missing information] at an axial end region. The housing assembly essentially has a ring-shaped base 14, from which several web sections 16 extend axially, relative to a rotational axis A, distributed circumferentially. Axial openings 17 are located in the web sections 16, into which screw bolts (not shown) are inserted to attach the housing assembly to a flywheel (also not shown) that can be rigidly coupled to a drive shaft.

[0018] A power storage device 24, for example designed as a diaphragm spring, is supported on the base 14 of the housing 12 by wire rings 22. The power storage device 24 acts on a pressure plate 26. This pressure plate has drive projections (not shown) on its outer circumference, corresponding to several of the web sections 16. In this way, the pressure plate 26 is coupled to the housing 12 for rotation about the axis of rotation A, but is displaceable relative to the housing 12 in the direction of the axis of rotation A under the force exerted by the power storage device 24. Here, the pressure plate 26 also serves as the first friction disc 30a. Alternatively, the pressure plate 26 and the first friction disc 30a can be designed as two separate parts.The housing 12 is further coupled to two additional first friction discs 30b, 30c in a rotationally fixed manner, but displaceable in the direction of the axis of rotation A, which, like the pressure plate, also provide radially external drive projections for rotational engagement.

[0019] The arrangement of the first friction discs 30a, 30b, 30c is such that the friction disc 30a, positioned closest to the base area 14, is acted upon by the pressure plate 26, while the friction disc 30c, located furthest from the base area 14, can be axially supported by the flywheel, which is rigidly coupled to the housing 12. A second friction disc 34a, 34b, and 34c are located between the first friction disc 30a and the first friction disc 30b, between the first friction disc 30b and 30c, and between the first friction disc 30c and the flywheel (not shown here). The second friction discs 34a, 34b and 34c are fundamentally rotatable with respect to the housing 12 and the first friction discs 30a, 30b, 30c and the flywheel and are coupled to a hub 36 in a rotationally fixed manner, but are axially displaceable with respect to the hub in the direction of the axis of rotation A.The hub 36 has a toothed section 43 for rotationally fixed, but axially displaceable, coupling to a transmission input shaft or the like. In the engaged state, the pressure plate 26, under the force exerted by the energy storage device 24, applies an axial force to the first friction discs 30a, 30b and 30c, as well as to the second friction discs 34a, 34b and 34c, which is supported by the flywheel.

[0020] In this way, a torque can be transmitted between the housing 12 and the hub 36.

[0021] On the radially outer region of the hub 36, there are two drive teeth 41 and 42, which are arranged in a staggered axial direction. One drive tooth 41 is located on a first axial region 37 with an axial extent L1 and is distributed around the circumference. The other drive tooth 42 is located on a second axial region 39 with an axial extent L2 and is also distributed around the circumference. Both drive teeth 41 and 42 are interrupted by gaps 45 and 46, which are evenly distributed around the circumference. Furthermore, the two drive teeth 41 and 42 have the same pitch but are rotated relative to each other by one tooth on the hub 36.By using the same pitch for the drive teeth 41 and 42 on the hub 36, a corresponding toothing 35 on the second friction discs 34a, 34b, and 34c can be identically designed. Considering the second friction discs 34a, 34b, and 34c in their installed state, the second friction disc 34c is rotationally fixed to the drive toothing 41 of the hub via the toothing 35, while the second friction discs 34a and 34b are also rotationally fixed to the drive toothing 42 of the hub 36 via the toothing 35. If an axial force acts on the hub 36 during operation, for example caused by an engagement process or by vibrations, the hub 36 can only move axially until, for example, a side surface 50 of the drive toothing 41 rests against a side surface 53 of the toothing 35 of the second friction disc 34b.This tooth-to-tooth alignment is achieved by the twisted arrangement of the two drive teeth 41 and 42 relative to each other. This axially secures the hub 36.

[0022] The Fig. Figure 3 shows the hub 36 from the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 in a side view. The toothing 43 for connection with a gearbox input shaft (not shown) is clearly visible here, as are the two drive teeth 41 and 42, which are arranged rotated relative to each other by one tooth.

[0023] The Fig. Figure 4 shows the hub 36 in another view. The drive teeth 41 and 42, which are rotated relative to each other by one tooth, are clearly visible here, as are the respective defects 45 and 46 in the teeth 41 and 42. The side surfaces 50 and 51 of the drive teeth 41 and 42 are also clearly visible here.

[0024] The Fig.Figure 5 shows a side view of the connection between the hub 36 and the second friction disc 34c. The rotationally fixed connection between the hub 36 and the second friction disc 34c, achieved by means of the drive teeth 41 and the corresponding teeth 35, is clearly visible. Also clearly visible is the drive teeth 42, which are rotated by one tooth relative to the drive teeth 41, as well as the tooth-to-tooth alignment of the drive teeth 35 of the second friction disc 34c with the drive teeth 42 and the side surface 51, ensuring axial retention of the hub 36. Reference sign 10 friction clutch 12 Housing arrangement 14 Case base 16 bridge sections 17 axial openings 22 wire ring 24 Energy storage devices (membrane springs) 26 pressure plate 30a, 30b, 30c First friction discs 34a, 34b, 34c Second friction discs 35 teeth 36 hub 37 first axial area 39 second axial area 41 Drive gear 42 Drive gear 43 gear teeth 45 missing part 46 missing 50 side area 51 side surface 52 side surface 53 side surface L1 axial extension L2 axial extension A axis of rotation 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 203 02 735 U1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Friction clutch, comprising: a housing arrangement (12) coupled or connectable to a drive element for common rotation about a rotational axis (A), a plurality of first friction discs (30a, 30b, 30c) coupled to the housing arrangement (12) for common rotation about the axis of rotation (A) and displaceable with respect to the housing arrangement (12) in the direction of the axis of rotation (A), a plurality of second friction discs (34a, 34b) coupled to a hub (36) for common rotation about the axis of rotation (A) and displaceable relative to the hub (36) in the direction of the axis of rotation (A), wherein the hub (36) has a radially outer drive toothing (41, 42) which engages with the second friction discs (34a, 34b, 34c) for rotary coupling of the same with the hub (36), a force application arrangement (24) under whose force the first friction elements (30a, 30b, 30c) and the second friction elements (34a, 34b, 34c) can be brought into mutual friction, characterized by , that the drive teeth (41, 42) of the hub (36) are provided on two axially adjacent areas (37, 39), wherein the drive teeth (41) of the first axial area (37) and the drive teeth (42) of the second axial area (39) are designed differently from each other, resulting in an axial locking of the hub. [2] Friction clutch according to claim 1, characterized by , that the drive teeth (41) of the first axial region (37) are provided rotated relative to the drive teeth (42) of the second axial region (39) about the axis of rotation (A). [3] Friction clutch according to claim 2, characterized by, that the drive teeth (41) of the first axial region (37) are provided to be rotated relative to the drive teeth (42) of the second axial region (39) about the axis of rotation (A) by one tooth. [4] Friction clutch according to claim 1, characterized by , that the drive teeth (41) of the first axial area (37) and the drive teeth (42) of the second axial area (39) have a different pitch. [5] Friction clutch according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that the drive teeth (41) of the first axial area (37) and the drive teeth (42) of the second axial area (39) each have at least one defect (45, 46). [6] Friction clutch according to claim 5, characterized by , that several defects (45, 46) are provided distributed across the circumference. [7] Friction clutch according to claim 6, characterized by, that the multiple defects (45, 46) are provided to be evenly distributed over the circumference. [8] Friction clutch according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized by , that a drive toothing (42) of the second axial area (39) is provided axially adjacent to the at least one defect (45) of the first axial area. [9] Friction clutch according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by , that an axial extent (L1) of the first axial region (37) is greater or less than or equal to an axial extent (L2) of the second axial region (39). [10] Friction clutch according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by , that the hub (36) provides radially internal teeth (43) for a rotationally fixed connection with an output element, in particular a transmission input shaft.

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