CLUTCH ASSEMBLY AND TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY WITH SUCH A CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a coupling arrangement comprising a feedthrough element which can be inserted into an opening of the housing to form a fluid connection between the outside and the inside of a housing, and a fluid guide element with a cup-shaped recess into which the feedthrough element can be inserted.

[0002] Such a coupling arrangement can be used in a transmission unit for an electrically powered vehicle. The transmission unit can include a parking lock wheel, a parking lock with a parking lock actuator for locking the parking lock wheel, a transmission housing in which the parking lock wheel and the parking lock are accommodated, and a pressure equalization device by which the interior of the parking lock actuator is fluidly connected to the exterior of the transmission housing.

[0003] Integrating a parking lock into a gearbox housing saves installation space, which is particularly limited when using the gearbox unit in an electric drive system of a vehicle. However, this presents particular challenges due to the presence of lubricants and higher temperatures inside the gearbox housing. It is important to prevent the gearbox oil from entering the parking lock actuator, for example, through pressure differences between the inside of the parking lock actuator and the outside of the gearbox housing.

[0004] DE 10 2018 133 266 A1 describes a gearbox device with a pressure equalization device.

[0005] High demands are placed on the tightness of a coupling assembly that is part of a pressure equalization device. The coupling assembly must be easy to install and ensure a reliable seal. The fluid guide element has a recess into which the feedthrough element can be inserted or plugged. The feedthrough element must be automatically centered when inserted into the fluid guide element to prevent tilting that could lead to leakage.

[0006] US 2010 / 052315 A1 discloses a coupling arrangement comprising a female connector and a plug element. These are detachably connected to each other by a U-shaped retaining element. Corresponding notches and ribs are provided axially behind the retaining element on the connector and plug element, respectively, to prevent relative rotation.

[0007] The invention is therefore based on the objective of providing a coupling arrangement that is easy to assemble and ensures a reliable seal.

[0008] This problem is solved by a coupling arrangement according to claim 1.

[0009] The coupling assembly thus comprises the feedthrough element, which is inserted into an opening of a housing, in particular a gearbox housing. The feedthrough element includes the first row of circumferentially distributed, radially projecting protrusions, which, in the assembled state, are located in the recess of the fluid guide element. The first row of protrusions prevents the feedthrough element from tilting. Without this first row of protrusions, the feedthrough element could otherwise tilt slightly. The first row of protrusions aligns the feedthrough element so that it is inserted precisely and centrally. At the same time, this ensures a secure and reliable seal. The first row of protrusions ensures a reliable seal, thus preventing the ingress of fluid, in particular lubricant, from the gearbox housing into the parking lock actuator.

[0010] The invention provides that the cup-shaped recess of the fluid guide element has radially inwardly projecting centering ribs distributed around its inner circumference. Preferably, three such centering ribs are present. The centering ribs are projections that support and center the outer end section of the feedthrough element within the fluid guide element. Furthermore, the fluid guide element has a sealing element designed as an O-ring, which ensures a seal between the fluid guide element and the feedthrough element. Due to the centering ribs, the feedthrough element cannot tilt, thus ensuring a permanent seal. These centering ribs therefore ensure that the feedthrough element is inserted precisely axially and cannot tilt, or can only tilt slightly without leakage.The centering ribs ensure that the feedthrough element and the fluid guide element permanently maintain their relative position to each other.

[0011] According to the invention, the coupling arrangement comprises a fastening element for connecting the feedthrough element and the fluid guide element to each other, wherein the fastening element comprises a deformable clip that penetrates an opening of the cup-shaped recess and can be inserted into a recess of the feedthrough element.

[0012] The invention provides that the first row of projections is arranged in the axial direction along which the feedthrough element can be inserted into the fluid guide element, in front of the fastening element, and that the radially inwardly pointing centering ribs, distributed around the inner circumference of the cup-shaped recess, are arranged behind the fastening element in the axial direction along which the feedthrough element can be inserted into the fluid guide element. Preferably, the centering ribs can be arranged at a distal end of the cup-shaped recess.

[0013] In the coupling arrangement according to the invention, it is preferred that the first row of projections of the feedthrough element has three projections arranged circumferentially. These three projections prevent the feedthrough element from tilting and ensure a reliable seal between the feedthrough element and the fluid guide element.

[0014] Preferably, the feedthrough element has two further axially spaced rows of radially projecting protrusions arranged in the circumferential direction for centering the feedthrough element in the opening of the housing.

[0015] With regard to the second and third rows of projections, the coupling arrangement according to the invention may each have four projections distributed circumferentially. If four projections are present, secure centering of the feedthrough element is ensured when inserted into the fluid guide element.

[0016] It can also be provided that the projections of the first and / or second and / or third row extend in the axial direction of the feedthrough element and are essentially cuboid in shape. The cuboid projections guide and center the feedthrough element when it is inserted into the fluid guide element or the gearbox housing.

[0017] To simplify the production of the fluid connection by inserting the feedthrough element into the fluid guide element, it may also be provided that the projections of the first and / or second and / or third row have sloping side surfaces that taper radially outwards.

[0018] A particularly reliable seal of the coupling arrangement according to the invention is achieved if an O-ring is arranged axially in front of and behind each of the two rows of projections.

[0019] In the coupling arrangement according to the invention, it is preferred that the feedthrough element and the fluid guide element can be manually plugged together and separated.

[0020] A further development of the invention provides that the coupling arrangement comprises a pipe or hose connected to the fluid guide element, at the end of which a further fluid guide element is preferably arranged. The integration of several fluid guide elements reduces the number of assembly operations required.

[0021] The coupling arrangement according to the invention can have a diaphragm fluidly connected to the feedthrough element, which is preferably provided with a protective cap. The diaphragm enables the equalization of pressure differences that exist on both sides of the diaphragm.

[0022] In addition, the invention relates to a transmission device for an electrically driven vehicle, comprising a parking lock wheel, a parking lock with a parking lock actuator for blocking the parking lock wheel, a transmission housing in which the parking lock wheel and the parking lock are received, a pressure equalization device by which the interior of the parking lock actuator is fluidly connected to the exterior of the transmission housing, wherein the pressure equalization device has a coupling arrangement of the type described, the through-passage element of which penetrates the transmission housing and the fluid guide element of which is connected to the interior of the parking lock actuator.

[0023] Further advantages and details of the invention are explained below with reference to exemplary embodiments and the drawings. The drawings are schematic representations and show: Fig. 1 an embodiment of a transmission device according to the invention with the transmission housing open, Fig. 2 a perspective view of the parking lock actuator and the pressure equalization device, Fig. 3 a sectional view of the feedthrough element, Fig. 4 a perspective view of the feedthrough element, Fig. 5 an embodiment of a coupling arrangement with a feedthrough element and a fluid guide element in a sectional view, Fig. 6 a view of the coupling arrangement of Fig. 5 along line VI-VI of Fig. 5 cut, Fig. 7 a view of the coupling arrangement of Fig. 5 along line VII-VII of Fig. 5 cut, and Fig. 8 a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a vehicle according to the invention with a drive device according to the invention.

[0024] Fig. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a transmission device with the transmission housing open.

[0025] The transmission assembly 1 comprises a transmission element 2 coupled to further transmission elements 3 to transmit a torque transmitted by a shaft fixed to the transmission element 2 and concealed by a bearing 4. A parking lock wheel 5 of a parking lock 6 is also attached to the transmission element 2, by which the transmission element 2 can be locked. For this purpose, the parking lock 6 also has a parking lock pawl 7, which can be engaged with the parking lock wheel 5 by means of a parking lock actuator 8 of the parking lock 6. The parking lock wheel 5 has corresponding recesses on its outer circumference for this purpose.

[0026] The gear elements 2, 3 and the parking lock 6 are housed in a gear unit 9. For the lubrication of the gear elements 2, 3, the gear unit 1 has a lubricant bath, the normal operating fill level of which is indicated by a dashed line A in Fig. 1 As shown, parking barrier 6 is clearly located partially within the Schmiermittelbad (a local swimming pool).

[0027] For the sake of completeness, it shows Fig. 1 Furthermore, a connection device comprising a cable assembly 11 running inside the gearbox housing 9, a first connector 12, and a second connector 13. The connectors 12 and 13 are attached to opposite ends of the cable assembly 11, with the second connector 13 being connected to the parking lock actuator 8. The parking lock actuator 8 can be supplied with electrical power and controlled externally by means of the connection device.

[0028] The transmission unit 1 comprises a - in Fig. 1 The pressure equalization device 14, largely concealed by the parking lock 6 and the connection device, connects the interior of the parking lock actuator 8 to the exterior of the gearbox housing 9 via a gas-permeable connection. The pressure equalization device 14 passes through a gearbox housing opening 15. This gearbox housing opening 15 and a further gearbox housing opening for the passage of the first connector 12 are separate components.

[0029] Fig. 2 Figure 1 is a perspective view of the parking lock actuator 8 and the pressure equalization device 14. Furthermore, the connection device and, in dashed lines, a section of the gearbox housing 9 with the gearbox housing opening 15 for the pressure equalization device 14 are shown.

[0030] The pressure equalization device 14 comprises a feedthrough element 16 that penetrates the gearbox housing opening 15, and a tubular fluid guide element 17, the first (lower) end of which is connected to the interior of the parking lock actuator 8 and the second (upper) end of which is connected to the feedthrough element 16.

[0031] At the first, lower end of the fluid guide element 17, the pressure equalization device 14 has a first coupling 18 which engages with a locking mechanism - in Fig. 2 The concealed, opposing coupling is connected to a parking lock actuator housing 19. At the second, upper end of the fluid guide element 17, the pressure equalization device 14 has a second coupling 20, which is connected to the feedthrough element 16.

[0032] The couplings 18, 20 of the pressure equalization device 14 are each designed as a cup coupling, wherein the feedthrough element 16 and the coupling on the parking lock actuator housing 19 each have a locking collar 22 (see Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 exhibit.

[0033] The fluid guide element 17 is designed as a dimensionally stable tube that winds around the connection device and is attached to the cable assembly 11 by means of a fastening element 23 arranged on the fluid guide element 17. Also visible are fastening elements 24 of the connection device attached to the cable assembly 11, by which the connection device is secured within the gearbox housing 9.

[0034] Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 each shows the implementation element 16, where Fig. 3 a sectional view and Fig. 4 a perspective view.

[0035] The feedthrough element 16 has an elongated body 25. An inner cylindrical free space 27 extends along a longitudinal axis 26 of the body 25, tapering conically towards an outer end of the body 25. The cylindrical free space 27 forms a feedthrough opening. At the in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 The conical locking collar 22 is arranged on the outside of the lower free end of the body 25. A radially outwardly projecting collar 29 of the body 25 rests on the outside of the gearbox housing 9 and forms a stop when the feedthrough element 16 is inserted into the gearbox housing opening 15.

[0036] The feedthrough element 16 has a first row of projections 33 near its (lower) end. The first row comprises three projections 33, which are arranged equidistantly around the circumference.

[0037] The feedthrough element 16 additionally comprises two axially spaced rows of circumferentially distributed projecting protrusions 28. The two rows of protrusions 28 are referred to as the second and third rows. Each protrusion 28 is approximately cuboid in shape, its longer side extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the feedthrough element 16. The protrusions 28 have sloping, outwardly tapered side surfaces. In the illustrated embodiment, the feedthrough element 16 has four protrusions 28 arranged circumferentially. In this embodiment, the protrusions 28 of the upper row are located at the same circumferential position as the protrusions 28 of the lower row. However, other embodiments are also conceivable in which the protrusions of different rows are offset from one another circumferentially.The projections 28 guide the feedthrough element 16 into the gearbox housing opening 15 during insertion and form an interference fit. This facilitates precise assembly of the feedthrough element 16.

[0038] In this embodiment, the projections 28 of the second and third rows are offset circumferentially relative to the projections 33 of the first row. However, embodiments in which all projections are arranged in the same circumferential position are also conceivable. In the assembled state, the free end of the feedthrough element 16, including the first row of projections 33, is located in the coupling 20 of the fluid guide element 17, which is designed as a cup coupling. The projections 33 center the feedthrough element 16 in the coupling 20 during insertion. The free end 21 of the feedthrough element 16 is long enough to be positively engaged in the coupling 20 of the fluid guide element 17.

[0039] In addition, the feedthrough element 16 includes a diaphragm 30 at its opposite end, which is located outside the gearbox housing 9 when assembled. A gas-permeable protective cap 31 is located at the free end of the feedthrough element 16, or at the free end of the body 25.

[0040] Two O-rings 32 coaxially surrounding the body 25 are arranged between the second and third row of projections 28 and seal the feedthrough element 16 against the gearbox housing opening 15.

[0041] In another embodiment, the feedthrough element 16 can be screwed into the housing opening 15. In yet another embodiment, the feedthrough element 16 and the first connector 12 are guided through the same through-opening of the gearbox. For this purpose, a flange section of the first connector can be enlarged accordingly and penetrated by the feedthrough element 16.

[0042] The Fig. 5 bis 7 The figures are cutaway views and show an embodiment of a coupling arrangement with a feedthrough element 42 and a fluid guide element 40. Fig. 5 shows a section along the longitudinal direction, Fig. 6 shows a section along line VI-VI of Fig. 5 and Fig. 7 shows a section along line VII-VII of Fig. 5 .

[0043] The fluid guide element 40 and the feedthrough element 42 are in Fig. 5 schematically and slightly simplified, in particular the three rows of radially projecting projections of the feedthrough element 42 are shown in Fig. 5 not shown.

[0044] The fluid guide element 40 has a cup-shaped recess 41 into which the feedthrough element 42 is inserted. Fig. 5 It can be seen that an O-ring 43 is located at the bottom of the recess 41, its outer surface resting against the fluid guide element 40 and its inner surface against the outer, free end 44 of the feedthrough element 42, thus sealing the gap. An axial through-opening 45 in the feedthrough element 42, together with an axial through-opening 46 in the fluid guide element 40, forms a fluid connection between the outside and the inside of a housing, allowing pressure equalization.

[0045] The coupling assembly comprises a fastening element for connecting the feedthrough element 42 and the fluid guide element 40. The fastening element includes a deformable clip 10 that extends through a lateral opening of the cup-shaped recess 41 of the fluid guide element 40 and is inserted into a lateral recess of the feedthrough element 42. The clip 10 prevents the feedthrough element 42 from being pulled out of the fluid guide element 40. The fastening element is deformable for clipping in and out and therefore cannot, on its own, provide sufficient centering of the feedthrough element 42.

[0046] The first row of projections 33 is arranged in the axial direction along which the feedthrough element 42 can be inserted into the fluid guide element 40, in front of the fastening element, i.e., above it. The radially inwardly pointing centering ribs 47, distributed around the inner circumference of the cup-shaped recess 41, are arranged in the axial direction along which the feedthrough element 42 can be inserted into the fluid guide element 40, behind the fastening element at a distal end 48 of the cup-shaped recess 41.

[0047] The cutting plane of the in Fig. 6 The view shown is located in the area of ​​the projections 33. The feedthrough element 42 has three radially outwardly projecting projections 33 there, which bear against the inside of the fluid guide element 40. These projections 33 guide and center the feedthrough element 42 when it is inserted into the fluid guide element 40.

[0048] The cutting plane of the in Fig. 7 The view shown is located in the region of the lower, free end 44 of the feedthrough element 42 and near the distal end 48 of the cup-shaped recess 41 of the fluid guide element 40. It can be seen that the fluid guide element 40 has three radially inwardly directed centering ribs 47, distributed along its inner circumference, which bear against the outer surface of the free end 44 of the feedthrough element 42. These centering ribs 47 limit the clearance between the feedthrough element 42 and the fluid guide element 40. Since the feedthrough element 42 is supported at its lower, free end 44 by the centering ribs 47, tilting is prevented.

[0049] Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle 34 with a drive unit 35.

[0050] The drive unit 35, designed to propel the vehicle 34, comprises an electric machine 36, the transmission unit 1, and a shaft designed to transmit torque from the electric machine 36 to the transmission unit 1. The transmission housing 9 is part of a housing 37 that accommodates the electric machine 36, the shaft, and the transmission unit 1.

[0051] Furthermore, the drive unit 35 includes an inverter 38, which is configured to convert a DC voltage into an AC voltage that supplies the electric machine 36. The inverter 38 is connected by means of a cable 39 to the first connector 12 of the connection device (see Fig. 1 ) connected to supply and control the parking lock actuator 8 electrically. List of reference symbols

[0052] 1 Gearbox assembly 2 Gear element 3 Gear element 4 Bearing 5 Parking lock wheel 6 Parking lock 7 Parking lock pawl 8 Parking lock actuator 9 Gearbox housing 10 Clip 11 Cable assembly 12 Connector 13 Connector 14 Pressure equalization device 15 Gearbox housing opening 16 Feedthrough element 17 Fluid guide element 18 Coupling 19 Parking lock actuator housing 20 Coupling 21 End 22 Detent collar 23 Fastener 24 Fastener 25 Body 26 Longitudinal axis 27 Clearance 28 Projection 29 Collar 30 Membrane 31 Protective cap 32 O-ring 33 Projection 34 Vehicle 35 Drive unit 36 ​​Electric machine 37 Housing 38 Inverter 39 Cable 40 Fluid guide element 41 Recess 42 Feedthrough element 43 O-ring 44 Free end 45 Through opening 46 Through opening 47 Centering ribs 48 Distal end

Claims

1. Coupling assembly, comprising: - a leadthrough element (16, 42) which, in order to form a fluid connection between the exterior and the interior of a housing, is insertable into an opening in the housing, - a fluid-guiding element (17, 40) with a cup-shaped recess (41) into which the leadthrough element (16, 42) can be plugged, wherein the leadthrough element (16, 42) has, in the vicinity of its end facing the fluid-guiding element (17, 40), a first row of radially protruding projections (33) distributed in the circumferential direction, for centring the leadthrough element (16, 42) in the fluid-guiding element (17, 40), wherein the cup-shaped recess (41) of the fluid element (17, 40) has radially inwardly facing centring ribs distributed on its inner circumference, - a fastening element for connecting the leadthrough element (16, 42) and the fluid-guiding element (17, 40) to each other, wherein the fastening element comprises a deformable clip (10), which penetrates an opening in the cup-shaped recess (41) and is insertable into a recess of the leadthrough element (16, 42), wherein the first row of projections (33) is arranged in front of the fastening element in the axial direction, along which the leadthrough element (16, 42) is insertable into the fluid-guiding element (17, 40), and the centring ribs (47) are arranged behind the fastening element in the axial direction, along which the leadthrough element (16, 42) is insertable into the fluid-guiding element (17, 40).

2. Coupling assembly according to Claim 1, wherein the centring ribs (47) are arranged at a distal end (48) of the cup-shaped recess (41).

3. Coupling assembly according to either of the preceding claims, wherein the first row of projections (33) of the leadthrough element (16, 42) has three projections (33) distributed in the circumferential direction.

4. Coupling assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the leadthrough element (16, 42) has two further axially spaced rows of radially protruding projections (28) distributed in the circumferential direction for centring the leadthrough element (16, 42) in the opening in the housing.

5. Coupling assembly according to Claim 4, wherein the second and the third row of projections (28) each have four projections (28) distributed in the circumferential direction.

6. Coupling assembly according to Claim 4 or 5, wherein an O-ring (32) is in each case arranged axially in front of and behind the two rows of projections (28).

7. Coupling assembly according to any one of Claims 4 to 6, wherein the projections (28, 33) of the first and / or second and / or third row extend in the axial direction of the leadthrough element (16, 42) and are substantially rectangular.

8. Coupling assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the projections (28, 33) of the first and / or the second and / or the third row have inclined side surfaces tapering radially outwards.

9. Transmission device (1) for an electrically drivable vehicle, comprising: - a parking lock wheel (5), - a parking lock (6) with a parking lock actuator (8) for blocking the parking lock wheel (5), - a transmission housing (9) in which the parking lock wheel (5) and the parking lock (6) are accommodated, - a pressure compensation device (14) by which the interior of the parking lock actuator (8) is fluidically connected to the exterior of the transmission housing (9), wherein the pressure compensation device (14) has a coupling assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, the leadthrough element (16, 42) of which penetrates the transmission housing (9) and the fluid-guiding element (17, 40) of which is connected to the interior of the parking lock actuator (8).