Clutch assembly, and drive assembly having such a clutch assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to a clutch assembly (10), in particular for a drive assembly, comprising a hollow shaft (12) with a central longitudinal axis (14); a first gear wheel (16), which has a first outer toothing (18) and is mounted on the hollow shaft (12) for conjoint rotation; and a second gear wheel (20) which has an inner toothing (22) corresponding to the first outer toothing (18) and is rotatably mounted on the hollow shaft (12). The first gear wheel (16) is designed to be hydraulically movable along the central longitudinal axis (14) between a coupled position (24) and a decoupled position (26). In the coupled position (24), the first outer toothing (18) and the inner toothing (22) mesh together, and in the decoupled position, the first outer toothing (18) and the inner toothing (22) do not mesh with each other. The invention also relates to a drive assembly having at least one such clutch assembly (10).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] title

[0003] Coupling arrangement and a drive arrangement with such a coupling arrangement

[0004] State of the art

[0005] The invention relates to a coupling arrangement, in particular for a drive arrangement, with features of claim 1 and a drive arrangement, in particular for a vehicle, with features of the dependent claim.

[0006] In coupling arrangements, a coupling element is typically used to couple two gears together, thus enabling torque transmission. Moving the coupling element allows the two gears to be coupled and uncoupled. This movement of the coupling element is usually achieved using an electric actuator.

[0007] The disadvantage is that the actuator must be electrically driven. This requires an electric motor, which entails additional installation space, additional costs, and additional weight.

[0008] Disclosure of the invention

[0009] According to the invention, a coupling arrangement comprising a hollow shaft, a first gear, and a second gear is proposed. The coupling arrangement can be configured as a coupling arrangement for a drive arrangement or form part of a drive arrangement. The hollow shaft has a central longitudinal axis. The first gear has external teeth. The first gear is fixedly mounted on the hollow shaft. The second gear has internal teeth corresponding to the first external teeth. The second gear is rotatably mounted on the hollow shaft. The first gear is hydraulically movable along its central longitudinal axis between a coupled position and a disengaged position. In the coupled position, the first external teeth and the internal teeth are engaged with each other. This allows torque to be transmitted from the first gear to the second gear (or vice versa).In the decoupling position, the first external tooth and the internal tooth are not engaged with each other. In the decoupling position, the first external tooth and the internal tooth are specifically spaced apart from each other.

[0010] This allows torque transmission from the first gear to the second gear (or vice versa) to occur or be interrupted (disconnect function). The hollow shaft can serve as an input for a transmitted torque. The second gear can serve as an output for a torque, particularly one transmitted from the hollow shaft via the first gear. It is conceivable that the input and output for the torque could be reversed. In other words, the torque transmission can occur from the hollow shaft via the first gear to the second gear (or vice versa).

[0011] This allows for a hydraulic drive to move the first gear, thus enabling hydraulic coupling (transmitting torque) and decoupling (interrupting torque transmission) between the first and second gears (or vice versa). This saves space, weight, and / or costs associated with a separate, e.g., electric, drive.

[0012] According to a further development of the coupling arrangement, the hollow shaft can have a piston. The piston can be hydraulically movable within the hollow shaft along its central longitudinal axis between a first position and a second position. The piston can be coupled to the first gear such that when the piston is in the first position, the first gear is in the engaged position. The piston can be coupled to the first gear such that when the piston is in the second position, the first gear is in the disengaged position. The piston can act as a drive for the first gear. The first gear can be moved by means of the piston.

[0013] This allows the hydraulic movement of the first gear to be implemented using simple means.

[0014] According to a further development of the coupling arrangement, a first chamber can be arranged inside the hollow shaft. The hollow shaft can be configured such that by filling the first chamber with a fluid and / or by increasing the pressure within the first chamber, the piston can be moved (or transferred) into the first position.

[0015] This allows the hydraulic movement of the piston to the first position or of the first gear to the coupling position to be implemented using simple means.

[0016] According to a further development of the coupling arrangement, a second chamber can be arranged inside the hollow shaft. The hollow shaft can be designed such that by filling the second chamber with a fluid and / or by increasing the pressure inside the second chamber, the piston can be moved (or transferred) into the second position.

[0017] This allows the hydraulic movement of the piston to the second position or of the first gear to the decoupling position to be implemented using simple means.

[0018] According to a further development of the coupling arrangement, the first gear can be coupled or connected to the piston by means of a bolt. The gear can be fixed to the piston by means of a bolt. It is also conceivable that the first gear can be connected or fixed to the piston by means of another connection (e.g., screw, weld, and / or rivet connection) or by means of another connecting element (e.g., screw and / or rivet). This allows the movement of the piston and the movement of the first gear to be coupled together using simple means.

[0019] According to a further development of the coupling arrangement, the hollow shaft can have an elongated hole. The bolt can protrude through the elongated hole. The movement of the piston along the central longitudinal axis can be limited, in particular, by the elongated hole (or its longitudinal extent along the central longitudinal axis).

[0020] This allows the piston located inside the hollow shaft and the first gear (or their movements) located on the hollow shaft to be coupled and / or limited using simple means.

[0021] According to a further development of the coupling arrangement, the second gear can be rotatably mounted on the hollow shaft by means of a rolling bearing. The second gear can be designed as a loose gear.

[0022] This allows the rotation of the second gear on the hollow shaft to be implemented using simple means.

[0023] According to a further development of the coupling arrangement, the second gear can have external teeth.

[0024] This allows the torque to be transferred from the second gear to another gear and / or to another element (or vice versa) using simple means.

[0025] According to the invention, a drive arrangement, in particular for a vehicle, with at least one coupling arrangement as described above is proposed.

[0026] Regarding the advantages that can be achieved, reference is made to the relevant explanations concerning the coupling arrangement. The measures described in connection with the coupling arrangement and / or those explained below can be used for further development of the drive arrangement. The drive arrangement can, for example, be designed as an e-axle or form part of an e-axle.

[0027] According to a further development of the drive arrangement, the drive arrangement can include a cooling and / or lubrication circuit with a cooling and / or lubricating fluid. The drive arrangement can be configured such that the cooling and / or lubricating fluid can be used for the hydraulic movement of the first gear (or the piston). For this purpose, the cooling and / or lubrication circuit can be fluidically connected or coupled to the coupling arrangement.

[0028] In this context, a fluidic connection or coupling means that a fluid (coolant and / or lubricant fluid) can flow between two fluidically coupled elements or between two elements that are in fluidic connection.

[0029] This allows the same fluid to be used for cooling and / or lubricating the drive assembly, as well as for the hydraulic movement of the first gear (or piston). Additional reservoirs for storing a separate fluid for the hydraulic movement of the first gear (or piston) are therefore unnecessary.

[0030] One embodiment of the invention is explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings. These show:

[0031] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a coupling arrangement in a coupling position;

[0032] Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of the coupling arrangement according to Figure 1 in a decoupling position and

[0033] Figure 3 shows a schematic cross-section through part of the coupling arrangement according to Figure 1. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a coupling arrangement 10 in a coupling position 24 and Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of the coupling arrangement 10 according to Figure 1 in a decoupling position 26.

[0034] The coupling assembly 10 comprises a hollow shaft 12 with a central longitudinal axis 14. The coupling assembly 10 includes a first gear 16. The first gear 16 has a first external toothing 18. The first gear 16 is arranged on the hollow shaft 12 in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0035] The coupling assembly 10 comprises a second gear 20. The second gear 20 has an internal toothing 22 that corresponds to the first external toothing 18 of the first gear 16. The second gear 20 is rotatably mounted on the hollow shaft 12.

[0036] In this case, the second gear 20 is rotatably mounted on the hollow shaft 12 by means of a rolling bearing 38. The second gear 20 can be designed as a loose gear.

[0037] Figures 1 and 2 each show a top view of the coupling arrangement 10, with the second gear 20 and the rolling bearing 38 shown in a sectional view for better clarity.

[0038] The first gear 16 is hydraulically movable along the central longitudinal axis 14 between the coupled position 24 (shown in Figure 1) and a disengaged position 26 (shown in Figure 2). In the coupled position 24, the first external tooth 18 and the internal tooth 22 are engaged (see Figure 1). In the disengaged position 26, the first external tooth 18 and the internal tooth 22 are not engaged. In the disengaged position 26, the first external tooth 18 and the internal tooth 22 are spaced apart from each other (see Figure 2). The movement of the first gear 16 is indicated in Figures 1 and 2 by a double arrow.

[0039] The internal teeth 22 of the second gear 20 do not extend over the entire second gear 20 or its entire thickness. In other words, the extent (thickness) of the second gear 20 along the central longitudinal axis 14 is greater than the extent of the internal teeth 22 along the central longitudinal axis 14. The second gear 20 has external teeth 40. The external teeth 40 extend over the entire thickness of the second gear 20.

[0040] In the coupled position 24 (see Figure 1), torque can be transmitted from the hollow shaft 12 via the first gear 16 to the second gear 20 (or vice versa). In the disengaged position 26 (see Figure 2), torque transmission between the first gear 16 and the second gear 20 can be interrupted. The hollow shaft 12 can serve as an input for a transmitted torque. The second gear 20 can serve as an output for a torque, in particular one transmitted from the hollow shaft 12 via the first gear 16. It is conceivable that the input and output for the torque can be reversed. In other words, the torque transmission can take place from the hollow shaft 12 via the first gear 16 to the second gear 20 (or vice versa).

[0041] Figure 3 shows a schematic cross-section through part of the coupling arrangement 10 according to Figure 1. In particular, a cross-section through the first gear 16 and part of the hollow shaft 12 is shown.

[0042] The hollow shaft 12 has a piston 28. The piston 28 is arranged inside the hollow shaft 12. The piston 28 is hydraulically movable along its central longitudinal axis 14 between a first position and a second position. The piston 28 is coupled to the first gear 16 such that the first gear 16 is in the engaged position 24 when the piston 28 is in the first position. The piston 28 is coupled to the first gear 16 such that the first gear 16 is in the disengaged position 26 when the piston 28 is in the second position. In other words, by moving the piston 28 between the first and second positions, the first gear 16 can be moved between the engaged position 24 and the disengaged position 26.

[0043] The movement of the piston 28 is indicated in Figure 3 by a double arrow. The first gear 16 is coupled or connected to the piston 28 by means of a bolt 34. This allows the movement of the piston 28 to be converted into a movement of the first gear 16. In other words, the piston 28 can serve as a drive for the first gear 16, which is connected to the piston 28 by means of the bolt 34. The movements of the piston 28, the bolt 34, and the first gear 16 are specifically coupled to each other. Since the bolt 34 is coupled or connected to both the piston 28 and the first gear 16, the bolt 34 moves along the central longitudinal axis 14 with the piston 28 and the first gear 16. In other words, the bolt 34 is moved along the central longitudinal axis 14.

[0044] The hollow shaft 12 has an elongated hole 36. The bolt 34 projects through the elongated hole 36. This allows the piston 28, located inside the hollow shaft 12, to be coupled or connected to the first gear 16, which is located on the hollow shaft 12, by means of the bolt 34. Furthermore, the elongated hole 36 can act as a stop for the bolt 34 along the central longitudinal axis 14 (left and right in Figure 3). In other words, the elongated hole 36 (or its longitudinal extension along the central longitudinal axis 14) can restrict the movement of the bolt 34, the piston 28, and / or the first gear 16 along the central longitudinal axis 14 (see Figures 1 and 2).

[0045] A first chamber 30 is arranged within the hollow shaft 12. The hollow shaft 12 is configured such that by filling the first chamber 30 with a fluid and / or by increasing the pressure within the first chamber 30, the piston 28 can be moved into the first position (to the right in Figure 3). The movement of the piston 28 into the first position, via the bolt 34, moves the first gear 16 into the coupling position 24 (see Figure 1).

[0046] A second chamber 32 is arranged within the hollow shaft 12. The hollow shaft 12 is configured such that by filling the second chamber 32 with a fluid and / or by increasing the pressure within the second chamber 32, the piston 28 can be moved into the second position (to the left in Figure 3). The movement of the piston 28 into the second position, via the bolt 34, moves the first gear 16 into the disengaged position 26 (see Figure 2).

[0047] The piston 28 is arranged between the first chamber 30 and the second chamber 32.

[0048] The coupling assembly 10 can be configured for a drive assembly and / or be a component of a drive assembly. The drive assembly can include a cooling and / or lubrication circuit with a cooling and / or lubricating fluid. The cooling and / or lubricating fluid from the cooling and / or lubrication circuit of the drive assembly can be used to hydraulically move the first gear 16 or the piston 28.

[0049] In particular, the cooling and / or lubricating fluid from the cooling and / or lubricating circuit of the drive assembly can be used for filling or inflating the pressure of the first chamber 30.

[0050] In particular, the cooling and / or lubricating fluid from the cooling and / or lubricating circuit of the drive assembly can be used to fill or inflate and / or increase the pressure of the second chamber 32.

Claims

Claims 1. Coupling arrangement (10), in particular for a drive arrangement, comprising: a hollow shaft (12) with a central longitudinal axis (14), a first gear (16) wherein the first gear (16) has a first external toothing (18), wherein the first gear (16) is arranged on the hollow shaft (12) so as to be non-rotatably fixed, a second gear (20) wherein the second gear (20) has an internal toothing (22) corresponding to the first external toothing (18), wherein the second gear (20) is rotatably arranged on the hollow shaft (12), wherein the first gear (16) is hydraulically movable along the central longitudinal axis (14) between a coupling position (24) and a decoupling position (26), wherein in the coupling position (24) the first external toothing (18) and the internal toothing (22) are in engagement with each other, wherein in the decoupling position (26) the first external toothing (18) and the internal toothing (22) are not engaged with each other.

2. Coupling arrangement (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the hollow shaft (12) has a piston (28) which is hydraulically movable within the hollow shaft (12) along the central longitudinal axis (14) between a first position and a second position, wherein the piston (28) is coupled to the first gear (16) such that, when the piston (28) is arranged in the first position, the first gear (16) is arranged in the coupling position (24), and that, when the piston (28) is arranged in the second position, the first gear (16) is arranged in the decoupling position (26).

3. Coupling arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that a first chamber (30) is arranged inside the hollow shaft (12), wherein the hollow shaft (12) is arranged such that by filling the first The chamber (30) can be moved into the first position by means of a fluid and / or by increasing the pressure within the first chamber (30) of the piston (28).

4. Coupling arrangement (10) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that a second chamber (32) is arranged inside the hollow shaft (12), wherein the hollow shaft (12) is configured such that the piston (28) can be moved into the second position by filling the second chamber (32) with a fluid and / or by increasing a pressure inside the second chamber (32).

5. Coupling arrangement (10) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the first gear (16) is coupled or connected to the piston (28) by means of a bolt (34).

6. Coupling arrangement (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that the hollow shaft (12) has an elongated hole (36) wherein the bolt (34) projects through the elongated hole (36).

7. Coupling arrangement (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second gear (20) is rotatably arranged on the hollow shaft (12) by means of a rolling bearing (38).

8. Coupling arrangement (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second gear (20) has an external toothing (40).

9. Drive arrangement, in particular for a vehicle, comprising at least one coupling arrangement (10) according to one of the preceding claims.

10. Drive arrangement according to claim 9, characterized in that the drive arrangement comprises a cooling and / or lubrication circuit with a cooling and / or lubricating fluid, wherein the drive arrangement is configured such that the cooling and / or lubricating fluid is used for hydraulically moving the first gear (16).

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