Sleeve device, in particular for a decoupling means in an electric drive train, and method for the assembly and disassembly thereof
The sleeve device with an axial positive locking mechanism addresses the challenge of assembling and disassembling in confined spaces by using service bores for tool access, allowing secure connection and disconnection of shaft sections.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-08-06
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-05
AI Technical Summary
Existing sleeve devices for electric drive trains require radial access during assembly and disassembly for axial locking, which is not feasible in confined spaces.
A sleeve device with an axial positive locking mechanism that allows connection and disconnection of shaft sections without radial access, utilizing service bores for tool insertion to activate or deactivate the locking mechanism.
Enables axial locking and unlocking of sleeve carriers and shaft sections in confined spaces without requiring radial installation space, facilitating assembly and disassembly.
Smart Images

Figure DE2025100743_05032026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Sleeve device, in particular for a decoupling device in an electric drive system, and methods for its assembly and disassembly.
[0002] The invention relates to a sleeve device and a method for its assembly and disassembly, in particular for a decoupling device of an electric drive train with a sleeve carrier mounted on a housing and a shaft section fixed in a rotationally fixed and axial manner relative to the housing, wherein the shaft section extends into the sleeve carrier and an axial positive locking device is provided between the sleeve carrier and the shaft section.
[0003] In this context, sleeve devices serve to engage and disengage gear elements by axially displacing a sleeve carrier using an actuator or similar device, thereby connecting or disconnecting one gear element from another. For example, the proposed sleeve device can be used to engage and disengage an electric motor from other gear elements, such as drive wheels in an electric or hybrid powertrain. Due to manufacturing requirements, a sleeve carrier is pre-installed in a housing, such as a gearbox housing. Subsequently, a shaft section is connected to the sleeve carrier in a rotationally fixed manner.To provide axial locking of the two components – sleeve carrier and shaft section – to one another, it is known to connect the components by means of a press fit, to attach a retaining ring laterally, i.e., from the radial outside, between the components, or to secure them axially by means of an axially preloaded thread between the components. Such measures require access from a radial installation space during assembly or disassembly. The object of the invention is to further develop such a sleeve device as well as its assembly and disassembly. In particular, the object of the invention is to propose a sleeve device and a method for its assembly and disassembly that enable axial locking of the components to one another without access from a radial installation space.
[0004] The problem is solved by the subject matter of claims 1, 9, and 10. The dependent claims describe advantageous embodiments of the subject matter of claim 1.
[0005] The proposed sleeve device serves, in general terms, to connect and disconnect two rotating shaft sections. In particular, the proposed sleeve device is intended for a decoupling device of an electric drive train, in which, for example, the electric machine is decoupled from the rest of the drive train by means of the decoupling device, for example by friction or positive locking, by connecting and disconnecting two shaft sections by means of an axial displacement of the sleeve carrier, for example by an actuator.
[0006] During assembly of the drive train, the sleeve carrier is inserted into a housing and then secured, for example, by being mounted so that it can rotate relative to the housing. A shaft section is coaxially, rotationally, and axially fixed to the sleeve carrier. For example, a rotationally fixed connection between the sleeve carrier and the shaft section can be achieved by means of internal teeth on the sleeve carrier and external teeth on the shaft section. The shaft section can also have an axial projection extending into the sleeve carrier. An axial positive locking mechanism is provided between the sleeve carrier and the shaft section (e.g., the projection) to axially secure both the sleeve carrier and the shaft section. This mechanism is activated after assembly and deactivated during disassembly.
[0007] To enable axial locking of the sleeve carrier and the shaft section against each other in confined radial installation spaces without requiring access from a radial space outside the sleeve assembly, at least one axial service bore is provided in the shaft section, particularly in its axial extension, radially within the positive locking mechanism. This allows radial access to the positive locking mechanism, for example, by means of a tool inserted through the service bore, enabling activation or deactivation. Depending on the specific design of the positive locking mechanism, the tool inserted into the service bore can perform, for example, an axial thrust movement, a radial movement, a rotary movement, a circumferential movement in one direction, or counter-rotating circumferential movements, and / or similar actions.
[0008] For example, in an advantageous embodiment of the sleeve device, the sleeve carrier and the shaft section, such as the extension in the assembly position, can have radially superimposed circumferential grooves into which the positive locking device extends under preload, and which can be radially displaced from one of the circumferential grooves by means of a tool engaging in the at least one service bore. The positive locking device can have a round or square cross-section so that, in the assembled state, its axial end faces can at least partially engage radially in both circumferential grooves over their circumference, thus forming an axial positive lock between the sleeve carrier and the shaft section.A tool inserted axially into the service bore for disassembly purposes ensures that the positive locking mechanism retracts from one of the circumferential grooves, thus releasing the axial positive locking mechanism in order to separate the components axially from each other.
[0009] For example, the positive locking mechanism can be formed from at least two partial springs extending over partial circumferences, which have radially inward-facing hooks at their circumferential ends. Radially extending through-holes are provided in the shaft section, into which the hooks preferably engage with circumferential play. In the circumferential direction between the hooks, the partial springs have a manipulation area accessible via the service bore. In the assembled state, portions of the partial springs radially overlap the circumferential grooves of the sleeve carrier. For example, an eyelet aligned with a service bore is formed in the circumferential direction between the hooks, which can be displaced radially inward by means of a tool, so that the portions of the partial springs overlapping the circumferential grooves shear out of them and the axial positive locking between the sleeve carrier and the shaft section is released.
[0010] To protect the partial springs applied to the shaft section from loss before assembly, at least two partial springs are secured in the assembly position before the shaft section is mounted. This securing mechanism can be, for example, a reversible adhesive bond between the partial springs or to the shaft section, a coating made of plastic, or similar material.
[0011] For example, the positive locking mechanism can be designed as a spring ring open at one end. In an advantageous embodiment, the spring ring can be angled radially inwards at its circumferential ends, for example, by having radially inwardly folded tabs. The tabs are arranged in the circumferential region of the service bore. The spring ring is designed such that, in the assembled state, portions of the spring ring engage in the circumferential grooves of the sleeve carrier and the shaft section. To release the axial positive locking mechanism, the tabs are subjected to circumferential force against each other using a tool that engages axially in the service bore, thus releasing the positive locking mechanism.
[0012] In a further advantageous embodiment of an open spring ring, a pressure pin can be arranged in at least one opening radially connected to the service bore. This pressure pin can be displaced radially outwards against the preload of the spring ring by means of a tool. Here, the spring ring can be received with slight preload exclusively in the circumferential groove of the shaft section. The pressure pin can be displaced radially outwards by means of a tool, so that it moves at least a circumferential portion of the spring ring into the circumferential groove of the sleeve carrier, thereby creating an axial positive fit. To permanently establish this positive fit in the assembled state, an internal thread can be formed in the service bore, into which a pressure screw is inserted, the screw bearing radially against the pressure pin by means of an end chamfer.Turning the pressure screw moves the pressure pin radially outwards, creating a positive fit. Turning the pressure screw outwards releases the axial positive fit.
[0013] The problem underlying the invention is further solved by the method for assembling the proposed sleeve device. For this purpose, at the start of the assembly process, the sleeve carrier, which contains a circumferential groove radially inside, is pre-installed in a housing such as a gearbox housing. Preferably, the positive locking device, for example an open spring ring, is inserted into the circumferential groove of the shaft section. Alternatively, the positive locking device can also be inserted into the circumferential groove of the sleeve carrier. The shaft section is inserted axially into the sleeve carrier, for example by means of an axial extension. Depending on the design of the positive locking device, it may be pre-tensioned onto a single circumferential groove by means of a tool inserted into the service bore. The shaft section is then inserted axially into the sleeve carrier, forming a rotary connection.After axial alignment of the circumferential grooves, the preload of the positive locking device is released using the tool such that it at least partially overlaps both circumferential grooves radially with a remaining preload. The proposed method for disassembling the proposed sleeve device is essentially the reverse of the assembly process, by axially inserting a tool into the service bore. Under radial pressure, this tool releases the positive locking device from one of the circumferential grooves, and subsequently, the axial extension of the shaft section is displaced axially out of the sleeve carrier in the insertion direction of the tool.
[0014] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 11. These show:
[0015] Figure 1 shows a longitudinal section through a sleeve device along its longitudinal axis,
[0016] Figure 2 shows a cross-section of the sleeve device of Figure 1 ,
[0017] Figure 3 is a cutaway 3D view of the sleeve support of Figures 1 and 2, Figure 4 is a 3D view of the shaft section of Figures 1 and 2,
[0018] Figure 5 shows a 3D view of one of the partial springs of the positive locking mechanism of Figures 1 and 2.
[0019] Figure 6 shows the part of the sleeve device of Figures 1 and 2 arranged above the longitudinal axis in section during assembly.
[0020] Figure 7 shows a socket device similar to the socket device of Figure 1 with a modified positive locking mechanism in longitudinal section.
[0021] Figure 8 shows the positive locking mechanism of the socket device of Figure 7 in view, Figure 9 shows a socket device similar to the socket devices of Figures 1 and 7 with a modified positive locking mechanism in longitudinal section, Figure 10 shows the positive locking mechanism of Figure 7 in view and
[0022] Figure 11 shows a sectional detail of the sleeve device of Figure 9.
[0023] Figure 1 shows the sleeve device 100 arranged about the longitudinal axis L in a longitudinal section, while Figure 2 shows it in cross-section in conjunction with Figure 1. The sleeve carrier 101 is rotatably mounted in the housing 103 about the longitudinal axis L and is supported on it by means of the bearing 104. The shaft section 102 is radially enlarged by the circumferential perforation 105 and forms the axial projection 106, which extends axially into the sleeve carrier 101.
[0024] The sleeve carrier 101 and the shaft section 102 are connected to each other in a rotationally fixed manner. For this purpose, the sleeve carrier 101 has internal teeth 107 and the extension 106 of the shaft section 102 has external teeth 108, which together form a toothed connection. The external teeth 119 serve to connect the sleeve carrier to functional elements of a decoupling device.
[0025] The sleeve carrier 101 and the shaft section 102 are axially secured to one another by means of the positive locking device 109. For this purpose, the sleeve carrier 101 and the axial projection 106 of the shaft section 102 have axially superimposed circumferential grooves 110, 111, into which the positive locking device 109 engages radially overlapping in the illustrated assembled state, thus forming an axial positive lock between the sleeve carrier 101 and the shaft section 102.
[0026] In the illustrated embodiment, the positive locking device 109 is formed from two partial springs 112 arranged around the circumference, which are clamped to the shaft section by means of end hooks 113. For this purpose, the shaft section 102 has openings 114 into which the hooks 113 engage. The partial springs 112 also have radially inwardly widened eyelets 115 between the hooks 113, which engage in further radial openings 116 of the axial projection 106.
[0027] In the assembled state, the partial springs 112 overlap both circumferential grooves 110, 111. To allow the shaft section 102 to be inserted into the sleeve carrier 101 during assembly and disassembly of the sleeve device 100, and to separate it during disassembly, service bores 117, 118 are provided in the axial projection 106. These bores extend radially within the positive locking device 109 in an axial direction from the end face 120 of the axial projection 106 to the through-holes 116. These service bores 117, 118 allow access to the positive locking device 109 without requiring radial installation space, thus minimizing the radial installation space of the sleeve device itself and the radial access space required during assembly and disassembly.
[0028] In the illustrated embodiment, the partial springs 112 are displaced from the circumferential groove 110 of the sleeve carrier against their preload by displacing the eyelets 115 radially inwards using a tool inserted into the service bores 117, 118. This limits the radial installation space of the partial springs 112 to the circumferential groove 111 of the shaft section 102, and the sleeve carrier 101 and the shaft section 102 are axially displaceable relative to each other. Figure 3 shows the sleeve carrier 101 of the sleeve device 100 of Figure 1 in a sectional 3D view. The internal toothing 107 engages with the shaft section 102, and the circumferential groove 110 receives the positive locking device 109 when the sleeve device 100 is assembled. The external toothing 119 serves for the rotationally fixed connection to a switching element of a decoupling device, for example a shaft section that can be connected and disconnected with the shaft section 102.
[0029] Figure 4 shows a 3D view of the shaft section 102 of the sleeve device 1 of Figure 1. The axial projection 106 has the external toothing 108 for meshing with the sleeve carrier 101 and the circumferential groove 111 for receiving the partial springs 112. The partial springs 112 are inserted into the circumferential groove 111 before assembly and are secured therein, for example, by a transport lock. The diametrically opposed through-holes 116 serve to radially receive the eyelets 115 of the partial springs 112. Axially in the flange area between the central opening 121 and the outer circumference of the projection 106, the service bores 117, 118 are indicated by dashed lines between the end face 120 and the through-holes 116. The holes 114 for receiving the hooks 113 of the partial springs 112 are arranged in a manner that is not visible and offset by 90° from the holes 116.
[0030] Figure 5 shows a view of one of the partial springs 112 of the sleeve device 100 of Figure 1. The partial spring 112 extends essentially over a circumference of 180° and, together with a second, identical partial spring 112 to complete the circumference, forms the positive locking device 109. The partial spring 112 has inwardly directed hooks 113 at its ends, which are engaged in the through-holes 114 of the axial projection 106 of the shaft section 102. A radially inwardly oriented eyelet 115 is arranged centrally, offset by 90° to the hooks 113. A tool inserted through the service bore 117 or 118 engages in this eyelet. The axial positive locking of the partial spring 112 to the circumferential groove 110 of the sleeve carrier is released by means of an eyelet 115 that is displaced radially inward.
[0031] Figure 6 shows a sectional view of the upper part of the sleeve device 100, arranged around the longitudinal axis L, during assembly and disassembly. The tool 122 has an inwardly extending chamfer 123 and is inserted axially in the direction of arrow 124 into the service bore 117 and, correspondingly, into the diametrically opposite service bore 118 (not shown). By applying pressure to the eyelets 115 with the chamfer 123 of the tool 122, the eyelets 115 are displaced radially inwards and retract into the circumferential groove 111 of the shaft section 102. The axial projection 106 of the shaft section 102 can be inserted into the sleeve carrier 101 for mounting the sleeve device 100, and the positive locking device 109 can be axially secured after axial alignment of the circumferential grooves 110, 111 by pulling the tool 122 out of the service bores 117, 118 in the opposite direction of the arrow.The areas of the partial springs 112 around the eyelets 115 shift into the circumferential groove 110 and form an axial positive fit between sleeve carrier 101 and shaft section 102.
[0032] The disassembly of the sleeve assembly is essentially carried out in reverse order, by inserting the tool 122 in the direction of arrow 124 into the service bores 117, 118, using the chamfers 123 to retract the eyelets 115 radially inwards, thereby retracting the areas of the partial springs 112 that radially overlap the circumferential groove 110 and thus releasing the axial positive locking. Afterwards, the sleeve carrier 101 and the shaft section 102 can be separated.
[0033] Figure 7 shows a section of the socket device 200, which is similar to the socket device 100 of Figure 1 with respect to the positive locking device 109. The positive locking device 209 is formed from a single, open spring ring 212, which, in the assembled state, radially overlaps both circumferential grooves 210, 211 of the socket carrier 201 and the shaft section. In the area of the single service bore 217, the spring ring 212 has radially inwardly folded tabs 213 at its end ends. In order to displace the spring ring 212 from the circumferential groove 210 of the sleeve carrier 201 during assembly or disassembly and thus release the axial positive locking between the sleeve carrier 201 and the shaft section 202, the two brackets 213 are pressed together circumferentially against the preload of the spring ring 212 by means of a tool inserted into the service bore 217, for example needle-nose pliers.Figure 8 shows the spring ring 212 of the sleeve device 200 of Figure 7 in view with the two brackets 213 folded radially inwards.
[0034] Figure 9 shows a cross-sectional view of the sleeve device 300, which is slightly modified compared to the sleeve devices 100 and 200 of Figures 1 and 7. Compared to the sleeve devices 100 and 200, the sleeve device 300 has a modified positive locking device 309, which, when the sleeve device 300 is assembled, engages in the radially superimposed circumferential grooves 310 and 311 of the sleeve carrier 301 and the shaft section 302. The positive locking device 309 includes the open spring ring 312, which, when not assembled, is pre-tensioned in the circumferential groove 311 of the shaft section 302 such that it is completely enclosed within it. In the illustrated embodiment, the axial projection 306 has two diametrically arranged radially between the service bores 317, 318 and the circumferential groove 311 through-holes 325, in each of which a pressure pin 326 is housed.The service bores 317 and 318 have an internal thread into which a pressure screw 327 is screwed. The pressure screws 327 have a conical chamfer 328 at their ends, which, depending on its axial position, displaces the pressure pin 326 radially outwards. The pressure pin 326, in turn, displaces the circumferential area of the spring ring it contacts radially outwards, so that it engages in the circumferential groove 310 of the sleeve carrier 301 and forms an axial positive fit with the sleeve carrier 301.
[0035] Figure 10 shows a view of the opened spring ring 312 of the sleeve device 300. The opening 329 of the spring ring 312 is rotated relative to the circumferential position of the pressure pins 326, for example by 10° to 90°.
[0036] Figure 11 shows the sleeve device 300 in a sectional detail in the area of the axial positive locking device 309. In the illustrated representation, the spring ring 312 forms an axial positive locking device between the sleeve carrier 301 and the shaft section 302 in the assembled state of the sleeve device 300, by partially engaging radially in both the circumferential groove 310 of the sleeve carrier 301 and the circumferential groove 311 of the shaft section 302. For this purpose, the pressure screws 327 - only one of the two pressure screws 327 is visible - are screwed into the service bores 317, 318 and act by means of their conical chamfer 328 on the pressure pins 326, which in turn displace the circumferential areas of the spring ring 312 in contact with them against its preload in the circumferential groove 311 into the circumferential groove 310, so that an axial positive locking is formed between the sleeve carrier 301 and the shaft section 302.
[0037] If this positive locking mechanism is to be released, the pressure screws are partially unscrewed so that the pressure pins 326, and thus the circumferential areas of the spring ring 312 acted upon by them, move out of the circumferential groove 310 again with the assistance of its preload. (List of reference symbols)
[0038] Sleeve device
[0039] sleeve carrier
[0040] Wave section
[0041] Housing
[0042] Storage
[0043] Axial approach drilling
[0044] internal teeth
[0045] External toothing axial positive locking mechanism
[0046] Circumferential groove
[0047] Circumferential groove
[0048] Part spring
[0049] Hook
[0050] puncture
[0051] eyelet
[0052] puncture
[0053] Service borehole
[0054] Service borehole
[0055] External gearing
[0056] Front side central opening
[0057] Tool
[0058] Slant
[0059] Arrow
[0060] Sleeve device
[0061] sleeve carrier
[0062] Shaft section axial positive locking
[0063] Circumferential groove
[0064] Circumferential groove 12 Spring washer 13 Bracket 17 Service bore 00 Sleeve device 01 Sleeve carrier 02 Shaft section 06 Axial projection 09 Axial positive locking device 10 Circumferential groove 11 Circumferential groove 12 Spring washer 17 Service bore
[0065] 318 Service bore
[0066] 325 breakthrough
[0067] 326 Push pin
[0068] 327 Pressure screw
[0069] 328 conical slope
[0070] 329 Opening
[0071] L Longitudinal axis
Claims
Patent claims 1. Sleeve device (100, 200, 300) in particular for a decoupling device of an electric drive train with a sleeve carrier (101, 201, 301) received on a housing (103) and a shaft section (102, 202, 302) fixed to the housing in a rotationally fixed and axially fixed manner, wherein the shaft section (102, 202, 302) extends axially into the sleeve carrier (101, 201, 301) and an axial positive locking device (109, 209, 309) is provided between the sleeve carrier (101, 201, 301) and the shaft section (102, 202, 302), characterized in that in the shaft section (102, 202, 302) radially within the axial positive locking device (109, 209, 309) at least one axial service bore (117, 118, 217, 317, 318) is provided for actuating the positive locking device (109, 209, 309).
2. Sleeve device (100, 200, 300) according to claim 1, characterized in that the sleeve carrier (101, 201, 301) and the shaft section (102, 202, 302) in the assembled state have radially superimposed circumferential grooves (110, 111, 210, 211, 310, 311) into which the axial positive locking device (109, 209, 309) extends under preload, wherein it can be radially displaced from one of the circumferential grooves (110, 210, 310) by means of a tool (122) engaging in the at least one service bore (117, 118, 217, 317, 318).
3. Sleeve device (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that the positive locking device (109) is formed from at least two partial springs (112) with end hooks (113) engaging in radial holes (114) of the shaft section (102) and an eyelet (115) aligned with a service bore (117, 118) in the circumferential direction between the hooks (113).
4. Sleeve carrier (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that the at least two partial springs (112) are secured for transport before the shaft section (102) is mounted on the shaft section (102).
5. Sleeve device (200, 300) according to claim 2, characterized in that the axial positive locking device (209, 309) is designed as a spring ring (212, 312) open on one side.
6. Sleeve device (200) according to claim 5, characterized in that spring ends of the spring ring (212) are arranged at the service bore (217) and have brackets (213) angled radially inwards.
7. Sleeve device (300) according to claim 5, characterized in that a pressure pin (326) is arranged in at least one radially connected through-hole (325) with the service bore (317, 318), which can be displaced radially outwards against the preload of the spring ring (312) by means of a tool.
8. Sleeve device (300) according to claim 7, characterized in that at least one service bore (317, 318) has an internal thread into which a pressure screw (327) is screwed, the pressure screw acting radially on the pressure pin (326) by means of an end chamfer (328).
9. Method for assembling a sleeve device (100, 200, 300) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the sleeve carrier (101, 201, 301) with a circumferential groove (110, 210, 310) is pre-installed in a housing (103), the axial positive locking device (109, 209, 309) is inserted into one of the circumferential grooves (110, 111, 210, 211, 310, 311), preferably into the circumferential groove (111, 211, 311) of the shaft section (102, 202, 302), and the shaft section (102, 202, 302) is secured by means of a service bore (117, 118, 217, 317, 318) introduced tool (122) onto the circumferential groove (110, 111 , 210, 211 , 310, 311 ) pre-tensioned axial positive locking device (109, 209, 309) forming a rotary connection with the sleeve carrier (101 , 201 , 301 ) axially until the circumferential grooves (110, 111 , 210, 211 , 310, 311 ) are axially aligned and then the pre-tension of the axial positive locking device (109, 209, 309) is released by means of the tool (122) in such a way thatuntil at least partially both circumferential grooves (110, 111, 210, 211, 310, 311) are radially intersected by means of a remaining preload.
10. Method for disassembling a sleeve device (100, 200, 300) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that axially into the service- In the bore (117, 118, 217, 317, 318) a tool (122) is inserted which, under radial pressure, releases the axial positive locking device (109, 209, 309) from one of the circumferential grooves (110, 210, 310), whereby the shaft section (102, 202, 302) is then displaced axially out of the sleeve carrier (101 , 201 , 301 ) in the insertion direction of the tool (122).
Citation Information
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