PLATE WITH VENTILATION CHANNEL

DE602021033362T2Active Publication Date: 2025-07-02VALEO OTOMOTIV SANAYI & TICARET AS
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Patent Information

Application Number
DE602021033362
Authority / Receiving Office
DE · DE
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2021-06-07
Publication Date
2025-07-02
Estimated Expiration
2041-06-07

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing friction clutch plates in motorized vehicles face a challenge in balancing heat dissipation and explosion resistance, as conventional ventilation channels compromise the structural integrity and cooling performance.

Method used

The plate design features ventilation channels with varying heights and concave walls that widen and narrow radially, enhancing air flow and heat convection while maintaining structural integrity.

Benefits of technology

The design achieves improved cooling performance with increased explosion resistance, allowing for a lighter construction using less material without compromising structural integrity.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.
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Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a plate for use in friction clutches which provide movement transmission between the motor and the gear box in motorized vehicles.PRIOR ART

[0002] In automobiles, in the field of manual transmission, there are friction clutches positioned between the motor outlet of the combustion engine and the transmission shaft and which provide power transmission to the gearbox by means of friction link.

[0003] In manual transmission, the friction clutch generally comprises a cover fixed to the flywheel of the combustion engine, a plate linked in rotation with the cover and able to rub against a clutch disc. The friction clutch also comprises a diaphragm spring, which is of the Belleville type, said diaphragm spring is interposed axially between the cover and the plate and is able to press the plate onto the clutch disk.

[0004] In said friction clutches, ventilation channels are used onto the plate in order to eliminate the heat which occurs as a result of friction. The heat convection performances of said ventilation channels are tried to be increased in an effective manner as much as possible. The channels, formed for increasing heat transfer performance, lead to decrease of the explosion resistance of the related plate. Thus, a balance must be formed between the resistance of the plate and the cooling performance.

[0005] In the publication with number EP3225867B1, a plate for friction clutches is disclosed.

[0006] The ventilation channels provided on said plate are provided in curved form from the inner wall of the plate towards the outer wall and in different directions in a manner interrupting each other. Thus, cooling performance of the plate is improved by increasing air circulation in the ventilation channels. Documents DE19930966A1 , KR101613021B1 and CN204755644U show other examples of plates for friction clutches.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention relates to a plate for friction clutches, for eliminating the above mentioned disadvantages and for bringing new advantages to the related technical field.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a plate with increased cooling performance for friction clutches.

[0009] In order to realize all of the abovementioned objects and the objects which are to be deducted from the detailed description below, the present invention is a plate for use in a transmission member which provides movement transfer between the motor and the gear box in motorized vehicles, the subject matter plate comprising an annular body with a rotation axis delimited by a cylindrical inner wall and a cylindrical outer wall, and a friction surface and at least one ventilation channel extending radially from said cylindrical inner wall towards the cylindrical outer wall. According to the invention, a channel height in the axial direction, defined between a first wall of said ventilation channel and a second wall of the ventilation channel arranged axially opposite to the first wall, is provided in a form which firstly widens and afterwards narrows from the cylindrical inner wall towards the cylindrical outer wall.

[0010] According to the invention, said second wall is provided in the vicinity of said friction face where friction occurs on the plate.

[0011] According to the invention, at least one of the first wall and the second wall is provided in arc shape.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one of the first wall and the second wall is provided in concave form.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, both of the first wall and the second wall are provided in concave form.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the diameter of the concave form of the second wall which is adjacent to the friction surface is smaller than the diameter of the concave form of the first wall.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a first channel height, defined at the side of the ventilation channel which is close to the inner wall, is greater than a second channel height defined at the side of the ventilation channel which is close to the outer wall.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the proportion of the first channel height to a maximum channel height, which defines the maximum height of the ventilation channel, is between 0.7 and 0.85.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the proportion of the first channel height to a maximum channel height, which defines the maximum height of the ventilation channel, is 0.78.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the proportion of the second channel height to a maximum channel height, which defines the maximum height of the ventilation channel, is between 0.50 and 0.65.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the proportion of the second channel height to the maximum channel height is 0.58.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, in a plane perpendicular to the axis crossing the ventilation channel, the ventilation channel is provided in a curved manner from the cylindrical inner wall towards the cylindrical outer wall.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, in a plane perpendicular to the axis crossing the ventilation channel, the ventilation channel is provided in a straight manner from the cylindrical inner wall towards the cylindrical outer wall.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis crossing the ventilation channel, the ventilation channel is embodied in a manner having a channel width which increases from the cylindrical inner wall towards the cylindrical outer wall.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the plate is using cast iron material, for example Solid Solution Strengthened Ferritic Ductile Iron according to the European Standard EN 1563.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a plate incorporating all or part of the characteristics mentioned above is an inertia plate, said inertia plate comprising a bearing face arranged to press on a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine and a series of holes distributed angularly to the axis of rotation, the holes being arranged to allow fixing screws to pass.

[0025] A second object of the invention is a friction clutch comprising a cover, a diaphragm spring mounted inside of the cover and a plate incorporating all or part of the preceding characteristics, said plate comprising a circular support for providing linear contact with the diaphragm spring. The circular support can be continuous or discontinuous.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, an added ring is provided between the cover and the diaphragm spring.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0027] In Figure 1, a representative cross sectional view of the subject matter plate according to the invention is given. In Figure 2a, another representative cross sectional view of the subject matter plate is given. In Figure 2b, the detailed view of the representative cross section, given in Figure 2a, of the subject matter plate is given. In Figure 3, the representative rotational speed-convention coefficient graphic of the prior art and the subject matter plate is given. In Figure 4, the representative rotational speed-stress graphic of the prior art and the subject matter plate is given. In Figures 5a and 5b, the representative isometric and cross sectional views in case the subject matter plate is a flywheel are given. In Figures 6a and 6b, the cross sectional and the representative isometric views in case the subject matter plate is a tractor cover are given. In Figures 7a and 7b, the cross sectional and the representative isometric views in case the subject matter plate is a clutch are given. In Figure 8, a cross sectional view of a friction clutch according to the second object of the invention comprising the subject matter plate is given. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] In this detailed description, the subject matter plate 10 is explained with references to examples without forming any restrictive effect only in order to make the subject more understandable.

[0029] In motorized vehicles, transmission members are used for providing movement transfer between the motor and the gearbox Said transmission member can be a friction clutch, a flywheel or a tractor cover.

[0030] On said transmission members, the subject matter plate 10 is used. Said plate 10 essentially has a circular body 101. Said circular body 101 rotates in a rotation axis X A face of the circular body 101 is defined as a friction face 13. Moreover, the circular body 101 has a cylindrical inner wall 11 and a cylindrical outer wall 12. There is at least one ventilation channel 20 for providing decreasing of the heat formed due to the friction which occurs on the friction face 13. Said ventilation channel 20 extends from the cylindrical inner wall 11 towards the cylindrical outer wall 12. In the subject matter plate 10; a channel height H which defines the height of the ventilation channel 20 in the rotation axis is provided in a form which firstly widens and which afterwards narrows towards the cylindrical outer wall 12. In other words, the ventilation channel 20 has a first wall 21 and a second wall 22 provided opposite to the first wall 21 in the direction of the rotation axis X Said second wall 22 is provided in the vicinity of the friction face 13. According to the present invention, at least one of the first wall 21 and the second wall 22 is provided in an arc form. In other words, at least one first wall 21 and the second wall 22 is provided in concave form. Thus, the channel height H of the ventilation channel 20 firstly widens and afterwards narrows from the cylindrical inner wall 11 towards the cylindrical outer wall 11. In other words, the ventilation channel 20 has a cross section which is similar to an airplane-wing. In a possible embodiment of the present invention, both of the first wall 21 and the second wall 22 are provided in concave form.

[0031] Thanks to said cross section of the ventilation channel 20, the speed of air which passes through the ventilation channel 20 is increased regionally. In other words, the concave form of the first wall 21 and / or of the second wall 22 provides more rapid movement of air in this region. Thus, in these parts, heat convection performance is increased.

[0032] As can be seen in Figure 3, the heat convection performance which occurs depending on the rotation speed of the subject matter plate 10 becomes better when compared with plates without channels and when compared with the prior art. In other words, since the channel height is fixed in the prior art, regional speed change effect does not occur in the channel. In the subject matter plate, the change in the channel height leads to regional speed change and increase in the heat convection performance.

[0033] As can be seen in Figure 4, the stress value which occurs depending on the rotation speed is observed as minimum at the plates without channel. In other words, the explosion resistance under centrifugation of the plates without channel is higher. The explosion resistance of the subject matter plate (10) becomes better when compared with the prior art and approaches the explosion resistance of plates without channel.

[0034] Thus, by means of the subject matter plate 10, the explosion resistance can be kept at a sufficiently high level and at the same time, the cooling performance can be increased. Since the explosion resistance is higher when compared with the prior art, this shows that a lighter plate 10 which can be produced with less material can show the same explosion resistance and can have better cooling performance.

[0035] In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the curve diameter of the second wall 22 which is adjacent to the friction face 13 is provided to be smaller than the diameter of the first wall 21. Thus, the path, along which the air must move, at the second wall 22 side is greater and the air moves in a more rapid manner. Thus, at the friction face 13 side, in other words, at the part where heat occurs, a more effective cooling can be provided.

[0036] In another possible embodiment of the present invention, the height of the side of the ventilation channel 20 which is close to the cylindrical inner wall 11 is defined as a first channel height H1 and the height of the side which is close to the cylindrical outer wall 12 is defined as a second channel height H2. In said embodiment, the first channel height H1 is greater than the second channel height H2. Thus, air hits to the first wall 21 and to the second wall 22 and changes direction and the heat convection performance is increased.

[0037] In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the proportion of the first channel height H1 to a maximum channel height Hmax defined at the widest place of the ventilation channel 20 is between 0.7 and 0.85. In a possible embodiment of the present invention, it is 0.78.

[0038] In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the proportion of the second channel height H2 to the maximum channel height Hmax is between 0.5 and 0.65. In a possible embodiment of the present invention, it is 0.58.

[0039] In a possible embodiment of the present invention, at an orthogonal plane in the rotation axis X which passes through the ventilation channel 20, the ventilation channel 20 is provided in a curved form from the cylindrical inner wall 11 towards the cylindrical outer wall 12. Thus, heat convection performance is increased by providing guidance of air in the ventilation channel 20.

[0040] In another possible embodiment of the present invention, at an orthogonal plane in the rotation axis X which passes through the ventilation channel 20, the ventilation channel 20 is embodied to have a channel width L which increases from the cylindrical inner wall 11 towards the cylindrical outer wall 12.

[0041] As can be seen in Figure 5a and 5b, the subject matter plate is provided as the component of a flywheel. The plate of said flywheel is provided in a circular form. There are ventilation channels between the cylindrical innerwall and the cylindrical outer wall of the circular plate.

[0042] As can be seen in Figure 6a and 6b, the subject matter plate is provided as a component of a tractor cover. The plate of said tractor cover has a circular body whereon fingers are positioned. There are ventilation channels between the cylindrical inner wall and the cylindrical outer wall of the circular plate.

[0043] As can be seen in Figure 7a and 7b, the subject matter plate is provided as a component of a friction clutch. Figure 8 shows a friction clutch 30 comprising a cover 31 and a diaphragm spring 33 centered on the cover. The diaphragm spring bears onto a ring added onto a connecting zone of the cover. The cover can be attached by suitable fixing means to a flywheel or momentum wheel (not depicted), itself mounted on the output shaft of an engine, for example of the internal combustion engine type (not depicted).

[0044] The friction clutch 30 also comprises a plate 10, also called pressure plate, designed to come to bear against a clutch disc (not depicted). The plate 10 comprises a circular support 34 for providing linear contact with the diaphragm spring 33. This circular support 34 can be continuous or discontinuous.

[0045] During the disengaging and engaging of said friction disc 30, heat is created since friction occurs between the friction surface 13 of the plate 10 and the clutch disc. Since the heat, occurring as a result of the relative movement between the disc friction lining surface and the plate 10 according to the invention which is in contact therewith, will lead to temperature increase in the pressure plate. In order to evacuate the heat from the plate 10, the second wall 22 of the ventilation channel 20 is provided in the vicinity of the friction face 13. The distance separating the second wall 22 to the friction surface 13 is comprised between 3 to 12 mm.

[0046] The protection scope of the present invention is set forth in the annexed claims and cannot be restricted to the illustrative disclosures given above, under the detailed description. It is because a person skilled in the relevant art can obviously produce similar embodiments under the light of the foregoing disclosures, without departing from the annexed claims.REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0047] 10 Plate 101 Annular body 11 Cylindrical inner wall 12 Cylindrical outer wall 13 Friction face 20 Ventilation channel 21 First wall 22 Second wall 30 Friction clutch 31 Cover 32 Added ring 33 Diaphragm spring 34 Circular support H Channel height H1 First channel height H2 Second channel height Hmax Maximum channel height L Channel width X Rotation axis

Claims

1. A plate (10) for use in a transmission member which provides movement transfer between the motor and the gear box in motorized vehicles, the subject matter plate (10) comprising an annular body (101) with a rotation axis (X) delimited by a cylindrical inner wall (11) and an cylindrical outer wall (12), and a friction surface (13) and at least one ventilation channel (20) extending radially from said cylindrical inner wall (11) towards the cylindrical outer wall (12), wherein a channel height (H) in the axial direction, defined between a first wall (21) of said ventilation channel (20) and a second wall (22) of the ventilation channel (20) arranged axially opposite to the first wall (21), is provided in a form which firstly widens and afterwards narrows from the cylindrical inner wall (11) towards the cylindrical outer wall (12), wherein said second wall (22) is provided in the vicinity of said friction face (13) where friction occurs on the plate (10, characterized in that at least one of the first wall (21) and the second wall (22) is provided in arc shape.

2. The plate (10) according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first wall (21) and the second wall (22) is provided in concave form.

3. The plate (10) according to claim 1, wherein both of the first wall (21) and the second wall (22) are provided in concave form.

4. The plate (10) according to claim 3, wherein the diameter of the concave form of the second wall (22) which is adjacent to the friction surface (13) is smaller than the diameter of the concave form of the first wall (21).

5. The plate (10) according to claim 1, wherein a first channel height (H1), defined at the side of the ventilation channel (20) which is close to the inner wall (11), is greater than a second channel height (H2) defined at the side of the ventilation channel (20) which is close to the outer wall (12).

6. The plate (10) according to claim 5, wherein the proportion of the first channel height (H1) to a maximum channel height (Hmax), which defines the maximum height of the ventilation channel (20), is between 0.7 and 0.85.

7. The plate (10) according to claim 5, wherein the proportion of the second channel height (H2) to a maximum channel height (Hmax), which defines the maximum height of the ventilation channel (20), is between 0.50 and 0.65.

8. The plate (10) according to claim 1, wherein in a plane perpendicular to the axis (X) crossing the ventilation channel (20), the ventilation channel (20) is provided in a curved manner from the cylindrical inner wall (11) towards the cylindrical outer wall (12).

9. The plate (10) according to claim 8, wherein in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis (X) crossing the ventilation channel (20), the ventilation channel (20) is embodied in a manner having a channel width (L) which increases from the cylindrical inner wall (11) towards the cylindrical outer wall (12).

10. A plate according to any one of the claims 1 to 9, is an inertia plate, said inertia plate comprising a bearing face arranged to press on a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine and a series of holes distributed angularly to the axis of rotation (X), the holes being arranged to allow fixing screws to pass.

11. Friction clutch (30) comprising a cover (31), a diaphragm spring (33) mounted inside of the cover (31) and a plate (10) according to any one of the claims 1 to 9, said plate (10) comprising a circular support (34) for providing linear contact with the diaphragm spring (33) and an added ring (32) is provided between the cover (31) and said diaphragm spring (33).