Clutch device comprising monitoring ports and associated monitoring method
Patent Information
- Application Number
- EP2023801492
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-11-24
- Filing Date
- 2023-11-13
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-01
AI Technical Summary
In multi-disc wet clutch devices, particularly triple wet clutches for hybrid motor vehicles, the welding of the flange to the disc holder for mechanical strength makes it impossible to access the stack of discs for dimensional characterization and measurement of the piston stroke, which is crucial for ensuring proper engagement and disengagement positions.
Incorporating control lights oriented parallel to the axis of revolution in the flange, allowing for the measurement of the absolute or relative position of the end disc using sensors, and enabling the physical movement of the disc stack from the closing to the reference opening position, while maintaining mechanical strength through strategic placement and configuration.
Enables the determination of dimensional characteristics and travel measurement of the disc stack, ensuring accurate positioning and operation of the clutch, even after the flange is permanently fixed, thus overcoming the limitations of welded connections.
Smart Images
Figure 1.1
Abstract
Description
DESCRIPTION TITLE: CLUTCH DEVICE COMPRISING INSPECTION LIGHTS AND ASSOCIATED INSPECTION METHOD TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to a multi-disc wet clutch device, and in particular, although not exclusively, to a triple wet clutch incorporating such a wet clutch and intended for a hybrid motor vehicle engine. STATE OF THE PRIOR ART
[0002] Document WO2021099070 describes a wet triple clutch comprising a hub guided in rotation about a reference axis of the wet triple clutch, a permanent kinematic connection between the hub and an electric machine, a first selection clutch and a second selection clutch for connecting in rotation about the reference axis of the triple clutch the hub respectively to a first driven shaft and to a second driven shaft, and a cut-off clutch for connecting a heat engine to the hub. The cut-off clutch surrounds at least a portion of the first selection clutch and the first selection clutch surrounds at least a portion of the second selection clutch, creating an interlocking of the cut-off clutch, the first selection clutch and the second selection clutch promoting axial compactness.The cut-off clutch consists of a first disc carrier to which is fixed a flange for connection to a heat engine, a second disc carrier secured to the hub, and a stack of discs, housed in an annular volume delimited radially by the first disc carrier and the second disc carrier and axially by the flange, the stack of discs constituting an alternation of first discs rotationally secured to the first disc carrier, and second discs rotationally secured to the second disc carrier, the stack of discs being axially movable between a clutch closing position in which an end disc of the stack of discs, belonging to the first discs, bears against a bearing zone of the clutch flange, and a clutch end-of-travel position. in which the stack of discs is not in contact with the flange and the end disc is located axially at a distance from the support zone of the flange.
[0003] To ensure the mechanical strength of the subassembly consisting of the flange and the first disc carrier, it is advantageous to provide a non-removable connection between the two parts, in particular a welded connection. However, welding the two parts makes the stack of discs inaccessible, and it is not possible to check the dimensional characteristics of the stack of discs of the cut-off clutch after welding the flange and to measure the effective stroke of the piston between the disengaged position and the engaged position, a stroke which depends on the dimensional tolerances of the stack of discs. STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The invention aims to remedy the drawbacks of the state of the art and to propose an architecture which makes it possible, after assembly of a clutch device whose flange cannot be removed, to determine a dimensional characteristic of a stack of discs housed in an interior volume of the clutch device in a reference opening position of the clutch.
[0005] To do this, according to a first aspect of the invention, a clutch device is proposed comprising a first torque input disc carrier, a second torque output disc carrier, the first disc carrier and the second disc carrier being guided relative to each other around an axis of revolution of the clutch device, a flange fixed to the first disc carrier in a non-removable manner, a stack of discs, housed in an annular volume delimited radially by the first disc carrier and the second disc carrier and axially by the flange, the stack of discs constituting an alternation of first discs integral in rotation with the first disc carrier, and second discs integral in rotation with the second disc carrier, the stack of discs being movable in translation parallel to the axis of revolution between a clutch closing position in which an end disc of the stack of discs, belonging to the first discs, is in contact with one or more support zones of the flange, and a reference opening position of the clutch in which the stack of discs is not in contact with the flange and the end disc is located axially at a distance from the support zone of the flange, the flange comprising several through control ports oriented parallel to the axis of revolution and opening axially opposite the end disc.
[0006] The control lights make it possible, using a measuring instrument, to control the absolute or relative position of at least two points of the end disc, when the stack of discs is in the reference opening position of the clutch, and in particular to control the travel of the stack of discs between the closing position of the clutch and the reference opening position of the clutch, which constitutes, where appropriate, a measure of the travel of a clutch actuator used to drive the stack of discs into the clutch position. The control lights also make it possible, using one or more rods, to physically move the stack of discs from the closing position of the clutch to the reference opening position of the clutch.Where appropriate, some control lights allow the disc stack to be held in the reference clutch opening position using a tool, while a check of the position or movement of the disc stack is carried out by one or more other of the control lights.
[0007] The measuring instrument may include optical, electromagnetic, or mechanical proximity sensors. Where appropriate, the sensors may measure the displacement of rods as they pass through the control ports and move the disc stack from the clutch closed position to the clutch reference open position.
[0008] According to one embodiment, the support zone(s) comprise several zones in the shape of an arc of a circle, each of the control lights being arranged circumferentially between two contiguous zones among the zones in the shape of an arc of a circle. preferably, each of the control lights is located at a distance from the two contiguous zones. This distance, which is preferably greater than 2 mm in the axial direction, makes it possible to maintain sufficient mechanical strength of the flange. Preferably, the control lights are positioned in an annular zone located delimited by a smaller circle tangent to the support zones and by a larger circle tangent to the support zones. According to one embodiment, each support zone is formed at a fold of material of the flange axially projecting towards the stack of discs. The fold of material, which can be obtained by stamping, gives very good mechanical strength to this zone. The support zone is preferably flat. It can be ground.
[0009] According to one embodiment, each of the control lights has an oval or kidney-shaped cross-section.
[0010] Preferably, the flange has at least three control lights, and preferably at least six control lights. With a number of control lights greater than three, three simultaneous measurements of the positioning of the end disc can be made at three points, which allows it to be perfectly located in space. An additional light allows the introduction of an actuating rod without interfering with the measurements. With six lights, it becomes possible to insert three actuating or holding rods to press at three distributed points on the end disc, and to measure the positioning of the end disc at three other points.
[0011] Preferably the control lights are circumferentially equally distributed, this to ensure the balancing of the flange.
[0012] According to one embodiment, the flange bears against an annular shoulder of the first disc holder. This shoulder is preferably flat. According to one embodiment, an annular fixing portion of the flange is surrounded by an axial end wall of the first disc holder. Preferably, the annular fixing portion of the flange forms an outer annular rim of the flange. The permanent fixing of the flange to the first disc holder can be achieved by various mechanical methods, in particular by shrinking, crimping or riveting. Alternatively, and according to a preferred embodiment, the flange is welded to the first disc holder. Welding can be done with or without the addition of material, in particular by laser.
[0013] In practice, the first discs are clutch discs and the second discs are clutch plates. The clutch discs preferably carry clutch linings.
[0014] Preferably, the flange radially covers the second disc carrier and does not transmit torque. The flange channels the cooling fluid towards the disc stack.
[0015] According to one embodiment, the stack of discs comprises another end disc opposite the end disc and belonging to the first discs. This other end disc is intended to receive the thrust of an actuator, in practice a piston, of the clutch device. This actuator makes it possible, in operation, to drive the stack of discs to the clutch closing position, bearing against the bearing zone of the flange.
[0016] According to one embodiment, the first disc carrier is integral with a hub, the second disc carrier being located axially between the flange and the hub, in a volume delimited by the flange, the hub and the first disc carrier. Preferably, the hub forms an annular hydraulic chamber in which a piston slides in translation parallel to the reference axis between a clutch end-of-travel position bearing against an end-of-travel stop formed on the hub, and a position bearing against the stack of discs in the clutch closed position, the stack of discs in the clutch reference open position bearing against the piston in the clutch end-of-travel position.
[0017] According to one embodiment, the hub comprises a permanent kinematic connection interface with an electric machine. This permanent kinematic connection interface may be a toothing making it possible to position the electric machine parallel to the reference axis, but not coaxial with it.
[0018] According to one embodiment, the first disc carrier, the second disc carrier and the stack of discs together form a cut-off clutch, for example to selectively connect a heat engine driving the second disc carrier to the hub. Preferably, a first selection clutch makes it possible to connect the hub in rotation around the reference axis to a first driven shaft, the cut-off clutch surrounding at least a part of the first selection clutch. This is then referred to as a double clutch. According to a particularly interesting embodiment, a second selection clutch makes it possible to connect the hub in rotation around the reference axis to a second driven shaft, the first selection clutch surrounding at least a part of the second selection clutch, the clutch device then constituting a triple clutch.
[0019] The device thus described is preferably a wet clutch device, in the sense that in operation, oil circulation is provided in the annular housing volume of the stack of discs.
[0020] According to another aspect of the invention, it relates to a method for controlling a clutch device as described above, according to which method, using a measuring instrument, a measurement is carried out by at least one, and preferably at least three of the control lights, of a distance between a point of the end disc and a reference point or of a position of a point of the end disc in a fixed reference frame when the stack of discs is in the reference opening position of the clutch. Before carrying out the measurement, provision may be made to insert in at least one, and preferably at least three of the control lights, displacement rods which come to bear against the end disc and force a positioning of the stack of discs in the reference opening position of the clutch. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0021] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from reading the description which follows, with reference to the appended figures. [Fig. 1] Figure 1 illustrates in axial section a clutch device according to an embodiment of the invention, in a reference opening position of the clutch. [Fig. 2] Figure 2 illustrates in axial section the clutch device of Figure 1, in the clutch closed position. [Fig. 3] Figure 3 illustrates in perspective an inner face of a flange of the clutch device of Figure 1. [Fig. 4] Figure 4 illustrates in perspective an external face of the flange of Figure 3. [Fig. 5] Figure 5 illustrates, in axial section along a section plane V of Figure 3, a detail of the clutch device of Figure 1, in the clutch closed position. [Fig. 6] Figure 6 illustrates, in axial section along a section plane VII of Figure 3, a detail of the clutch device of Figure 1, in the clutch closed position. [Fig. 7] Figure 7 illustrates, in axial section along the section plane VII of Figure 3, a detail of the clutch device of Figure 1, in the reference opening position of the clutch.
[0022] For clarity, identical or similar elements are identified by identical reference signs throughout the figures. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0023] In Figure 1 is illustrated a triple wet clutch 10 for a vehicle with a hybrid engine. This triple wet clutch 10 comprises a hub 12 guided in rotation about a reference axis 100, a permanent kinematic connection 14 between the hub 12 and an electric machine 16, a first selection clutch 18 and a second selection clutch 20 for connecting the hub 12 in rotation about the reference axis 100 respectively to a first driven shaft 22 and to a second driven shaft 24, and a cut-off clutch 26 for connecting a heat engine 28 to the hub 12.
[0024] This triple wet clutch 10 is designed to be positioned coaxially with the shaft of the thermal engine 28, while the axis of rotation 200 of the shaft of the electric machine 16 is parallel to the reference axis, but distant from the latter, so that the size of the wet triple clutch 10 in the axial direction is not significantly impacted by the electric machine 16. In practice, the hub has a connection interface 141 with the permanent kinematic connection 14 to the electric machine 16. The connection interface 141 may for example be a gear toothing meshing with an output pinion of the electric machine, or a set of one or more grooves for a transmission belt between the electric machine 16 and the hub 12.
[0025] The cut-off clutch 26 surrounds at least a portion of the first selection clutch 18 and the first selection clutch 18 surrounds at least a portion of the second selection clutch 20, providing an interlocking of the cut-off clutch 26, the first selection clutch 18 and the second selection clutch 20 also promoting axial compactness.
[0026] The first selection clutch 18 comprises an input disc carrier 30 secured to the hub 12, an output disc carrier 32 secured in rotation to the first driven shaft 22, which is a hollow shaft intended to be secured in rotation to a first input shaft of a gearbox, and a stack of discs 34, housed in an annular volume 36 delimited radially by the input disc carrier 30 and the output disc carrier 32 and axially by an annular stop 38 secured to the input disc carrier 30 and by a piston 40, which slides axially in an annular chamber 42 formed in the hub 12, the annular chamber 42 being intended to be supplied with pressurized fluid by a fluid circuit passing through the hub 12, as described for example in document WO2021099070A1.The stack of discs 34 constitutes an alternation of clutch plates integral in rotation with the input disc carrier 30 and the hub 12, and of clutch discs carrying clutch linings, integral in rotation with the output disc carrier 32.
[0027] Similarly, the second selection clutch 20 comprises an input disc carrier secured to the hub 12 and which is here merged with the input disc carrier 30 of the first selection clutch, an output disc carrier 44 secured in rotation to the second driven shaft 24 which is hollow and intended to be secured to an input shaft of the gearbox, and a stack of discs 48, housed in an annular volume 50 delimited radially by the input disc carrier 30 and the output disc carrier 44 and axially by an annular stop 52 secured to the input disc carrier 30 and by a piston 54, which slides axially in an annular chamber 56 formed in the hub 12, the annular chamber 56 being intended to be supplied with pressurized fluid by the fluid circuit passing through the hub. The annular stop 52 of the second selection clutch 20 is here distinct from the annular stop 38 of the first selection clutch 18. The stack of discs 48 constitutes an alternation of clutch plates secured in rotation to the input disc carrier 30 and the hub 12, and clutch discs carrying clutch linings, secured in rotation to the output disc carrier 44.
[0028] The cut-off clutch 26 comprises a first disc carrier 58 secured to the hub 12 and to which a flange 60 is fixed, a second disc carrier 62 fixed to a splined shaft section 63 for connection to the heat engine 28, and a stack of discs 64, housed in an annular volume 66 delimited radially by the first disc carrier 58 and the second disc carrier 62 and axially by the flange 60 and by an axially movable piston 68. The piston 68 slides in an annular chamber 70 formed in the hub 12, the annular chamber being intended to be supplied with pressurized fluid by the fluid circuit passing through the hub 12. A spring 69 returns the piston 68 axially in a direction tending to minimize the volume of the annular chamber 70 and to maximize the annular volume 66. The stroke of the piston 68 and the relaxation of the return spring 69 are limited by a stop 690.The stack of discs 64 constitutes an alternation of first discs 641 connected in rotation to the first disc carrier 58 by a set of splines, and second discs 642 connected in rotation to the second disc carrier 62 by a set of splines. The first discs 641 are in this case clutch plates while the second discs 642 are clutch discs carrying clutch linings, but other configurations of the stack of discs are conceivable, for example an inverted configuration in which the first discs 641 would be clutch discs and the second discs 642 clutch plates. This stack of discs 64 ends at each axial end with an end disc 6411, 6412 belonging to the first discs 641, therefore integral in rotation with the first disc carrier 58, the flange 60 and the hub 12.
[0029] The flange 60, illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, is here constituted by a stamped annular sheet, which has folds of material 71 projecting towards the annular volume 66 and towards the stack of discs 64, to form as many bearing zones 72 for the end disc 6411. Each bearing zone 72 is preferably machined, this machining possibly including a grinding, on the projecting end, initially convex, of the fold of material 71. The bearing zones 72 are coplanar. The folds of material 71 constitute a succession of arcs of circles in the extension of each other, interrupted by undeformed zones 74, in which control lights 76 are formed. The undeformed zones 74 and the control lights 76 are equally distributed and number six in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, it being understood that this number may vary.The control lights 76 pass through the flange 60 parallel to the reference axis 100, and open into the annular volume 66, axially opposite the end disc 6411 facing the flange 60. The control lights 76 are positioned in an annular zone located delimited by a smaller circle tangent to the support zones 72 and by a larger circle tangent to the support zones 72. The distance X between the support zones 72 and the control lights 76, measured in the axial direction, is preferably greater than 2 mm.
[0030] The flange 60 has an outer circumference 78, illustrated in Figures 5 to 7, with a flat face bearing against an annular shoulder 80 of the first disc carrier and an outer annular rim surrounded by an axial end wall 82 of the first disc carrier 58. The flange 60 is preferably welded to the first disc carrier 58 at the interface 84 between the outer circumference 78 and the axial end wall 82. Alternatively, fastening by shrink-fitting, crimping or riveting is also possible. In this embodiment, the flange 60 is not intended to transmit torque, the latter passing entirely through the first disc carrier 58, the stack of discs 64 and the second disc carrier 62.
[0031] The stack of discs 64 is axially movable between a clutch closing position, illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5 to 6, in which the end disc 6411 facing the flange 60 bears against the coplanar bearing zones 72 of the flange 60, and a reference clutch opening position, illustrated in Figures 1 and 7, in which the stack of discs 64 is pressed against the piston 68 which comes to bear against the stop 690, so that the end disc 6411 facing the flange 60 is located axially at the greatest possible distance from the bearing zone 72 of the flange 60. The closed position of the clutch is a functional position which is reached at each clutch operation, when the piston 68, pushed back by the hydraulic pressure in the chamber 70, presses on the end disc 6412 which faces it.The reference opening position of the clutch is a position which is not functional for the stack of discs 64, because in practice the release of the pressure in the chamber 70 has the effect of returning the piston 68 to a clutch end-of-stroke position under the pressure of the return spring 69, and thus allowing the discs of the stack of discs 64 to move apart from each other and to occupy the entire volume available between the flange 60 and the piston 68 in the clutch end-of-stroke position.
[0032] The control lights 76 make it possible, during the assembly of the clutch device 10, after positioning the flange 60, and the case after definitive fixing of the flange 60, to measure the reference opening position of the clutch and / or the stroke covered by the stack of discs 64 between the closing position of the clutch and the reference opening position of the clutch. The measurement of the axial displacement Y of the end flange 6411 is interesting, because it is equal to the total stroke of the piston 68 between its end-of-clutch position and the position taken by the piston 68 when the stack of discs 64 is in the clutch position. In other words, this measurement makes it possible to access the complete useful stroke of the piston 68, taking into account the dimensional dispersions due to the manufacturing and assembly tolerances of the parts of the clutch device.It also allows for a conformity check at the end of assembly of the clutch device 10.
[0033] To carry out these measurements, we can proceed in practice as follows: The piston 68 is actuated by filling the chamber with compressed air, to bring the clutch device 10 into the clutch closing position. By at least one of the control lights, and preferably by at least three control lights 76, for example positioned at 120° from each other, a distance measurement is taken between the end disc 6411 and a fixed reference frame, or a position measurement of the end disc 6411 in a fixed reference frame, for example using an optical sensor. These measurements make it possible, if necessary, to determine the positioning of a plane tangent to the end disc 6411 in space relative to the fixed reference frame. The pressure in the annular chamber is released and three actuating rods 90 (figure 1) are introduced through three other control ports 76, preferably arranged at 120° from each other, which come into contact with the end disc 6411, and the end disc 6411 and the stack of discs 64 are pushed back into the reference opening position of the clutch using the three rods 90. In this position, and in the same manner as previously, one to three measurements of the distance between the end disc 6411 and the fixed reference frame or of the position of the end disc 6411 in the fixed reference frame are taken, to determine the Y stroke of the end disc 6411.
[0034] Following an alternative measurement method, we simply measure the displacement: The piston 68 is actuated by filling the chamber 70 with compressed air, to bring the clutch device 10 into the clutch closing position. Three rods 90 are placed in contact with the end disc 6411 and the position of the three rods 90 is memorized in the clutch closing position. The pressure in the annular chamber 70 is released and the stack of discs 64 is pushed back into the reference opening position of the clutch using the three rods 90. The displacement of the three rods 90 between the clutch closing position and the reference clutch opening position, which corresponds to the stroke Y of the end disc 6411, is measured.
[0035] Naturally, the example shown in the figures and discussed above is given for illustrative purposes only. The invention is also applicable to double wet clutches, or even to devices comprising only one clutch.
Claims
CLAIMS Clutch device (10) comprising a first torque input disc carrier (58), a second torque output disc carrier (62), the first disc carrier (58) and the second disc carrier (62) being guided relative to each other around an axis of revolution (100) of the clutch device (10), a flange (60) fixed to the first disc carrier (58) in a non-removable manner, a stack of discs (64), housed in an annular volume (66) delimited radially by the first disc carrier (58) and the second disc carrier (62) and axially by the flange (60), the stack of discs (64) constituting an alternation of first discs (641) integral in rotation with the first disc carrier (58), and second discs (642) integral in rotation with the second disc carrier (62),the stack of discs (64) being movable in translation parallel to the axis of revolution (100) between a clutch closing position in which an end disc (6411) of the stack of discs (64), belonging to the first discs (641), is in abutment against one or more bearing zones (72) of the flange (60), and a reference opening position of the clutch in which the stack of discs (64) is not in contact with the flange (60) and the end disc (6411) is located axially at a distance from the bearing zone (72) of the flange (60), characterized in that the flange (60) comprises several through control lights (76) oriented parallel to the axis of revolution (100) and opening axially opposite the end disc (6411). Clutch device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the support zone(s) (72) comprise several zones in an arc of a circle, each of the, control lights (76) being arranged circumferentially between two contiguous zones among the arcuate zones.
3. Clutch device (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that each of the control lights (76) is located at a distance from the two contiguous zones.
4. Clutch device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control lights (76) are positioned in an annular zone located delimited by a smaller circle tangent to the support zones (72) and by a larger circle tangent to the support zones (72).
5. Clutch device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each support zone (72) is formed at the level of a fold of material (71) of the flange (60) axially projecting towards the stack of discs (64).
6. Clutch device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control lights (76) are circumferentially equally distributed.
7. Clutch device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flange (60) bears against an annular shoulder (80) of the first disc carrier (58).
8. Clutch device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flange (60) is welded to the first disc carrier.
9. Clutch device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first disc carrier (58) is integral with a hub (12), the second disc carrier (62) being located axially between the flange (60) and the hub (12), in a volume delimited by the flange (60), the hub (12) and the first disc carrier (58).
10. Clutch device (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that the hub (12) forms an annular hydraulic chamber (70) in which a piston (68) slides in translation parallel to the reference axis (100) between a clutch end-of-travel position bearing against an end-of-travel stop (690) formed on the hub (12), and a position bearing against the stack of discs (64) in the clutch closing position, the stack of discs (64) in the clutch reference opening position bearing against the piston (68) in the clutch end-of-travel position.
11. Clutch device (10) according to any one of claims 9 to 10, characterized in that the hub (12) comprises a permanent kinematic connection interface (141) with an electric machine (16).
12. Clutch device (10) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the first disc carrier (58), the second disc carrier (62) and the stack of discs (64) together form a cut-off clutch (26), the clutch device (10) comprising a first selection clutch (18) for connecting in rotation about the reference axis (100) the hub (12) to a first driven shaft (22), the cut-off clutch (26) surrounding at least a part of the first selection clutch (18).
13. Clutch device (10) according to claim 12, characterized in that it comprises a second selection clutch (20) for connecting in rotation about the reference axis (100) the hub (12) to a second driven shaft (24), the first selection clutch (18) surrounding at least a part of the second selection clutch (20).
14. Method for controlling a clutch device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that using a measuring instrument, a measurement is carried out by at least one, and preferably at least three of the control lights, of a distance between a point of the end disc (6411) and a reference point or of a position of a point of the end disc (6411) in a fixed reference frame when the stack of discs (64) is in the reference opening position of the clutch.
15. Control method according to claim 14, characterized in that before carrying out the measurement, at least one, and preferably at least three of the control lights (76) of the displacement rods (90) which come to bear against the end disc (6411) and force a positioning of the disc stack (64) in the reference opening position of the clutch.