4WD Clutch Ring Meshing Control With Inclined Tooth Surfaces
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing power connection devices in four-wheel drive vehicles experience issues with teeth collision and prolonged meshing times due to flat surface structures on the teeth of the clutch and support rings, leading to inefficient transitions between two-wheel and four-wheel drive modes.
Innovation Solution
The method involves configuring the clutch and support rings with inclined surfaces on their teeth, allowing them to smoothly mesh by determining the rotational speeds of the wheels and using an actuator to synchronize and align the rings based on traveling conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the tips of the teeth of the clutch ring and support ring are formed with inclined surfaces to reduce impact during meshing, then the impact is reduced, but the meshing is not implemented smoothly causing baulking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the angle of the inclined surfaces on the tooth tips. Specifically, the clutch ring tooth tip inclined surface is set at 10-20 degrees and the support ring tooth tip inclined surface is set at 15-25 degrees relative to the axial direction. These optimized angular parameters enable smooth meshing while minimizing impact, resolving the contradiction between reducing harmful impacts and ensuring smooth operation.
2Ease of manufacture
If the tips of the teeth have a flat surface structure, then the manufacturing is simpler, but an impact occurs as the teeth collide when meshing and a large amount of meshing time is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by replacing the flat surface structure with inclined surfaces on the tooth tips. The inclined surfaces create a gradual engagement path between mating teeth, allowing them to slide into meshing position rather than colliding abruptly. This curved/angled approach increases meshing speed and reduces impact while remaining manufacturable through standard machining processes.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the inclined surfaces have certain angles to reduce impact, then the impact is reduced, but the meshing is not implemented smoothly which causes baulking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by optimizing the angular parameters of the inclined surfaces within specific ranges. The clutch ring tooth tip inclined surface angle is set to 10-20 degrees and the support ring tooth tip inclined surface angle is set to 15-25 degrees. These parameter optimizations ensure that the inclined surfaces are gentle enough to allow smooth sliding meshing without baulking, while still providing sufficient angle to reduce impact during engagement.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables smooth and efficient transitions between two-wheel and four-wheel drive modes by minimizing collisions and reducing meshing time, enhancing the overall performance of the power connection device.
Implementation Method 1
the inclined contact surface may slide in a state in which the inclined contact surface is in contact with the counterpart inclined contact surface when the clutch ring and the support ring mesh with each other
Data Source
AI summary
Proposed is a method of controlling a power connection device for a four-wheel drive vehicle, the method including allowing a clutch ring and a support ring, which constitute any one meshing structure selected from a first meshing structure, a second meshing structure, and a third meshing structure, to mesh with each other by operating an actuator after determining a traveling situation and rotational speeds of left and right driving wheels.