Agricultural Coupling Layout With Dry Disks and Through-Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coupling devices for agricultural machines, such as multi-plate clutches, face challenges with limited space requirements and insufficient heat capacity, preventing uninterrupted drive through of additional outputs.
Innovation Solution
A coupling device with axially spaced, dry-running disk elements and a pad design, allowing for compact design and higher heat capacity, enabling uninterrupted drive through of additional outputs by transmitting torque from a drive shaft to both primary and secondary outputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If multi-plate clutches are used for compact design, then space requirements are reduced, but heat capacity becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch device is divided into multiple axially spaced disk elements (first and second disk elements) that can be arranged in series along the axial direction. This segmentation allows the clutch to maintain a compact radial profile while increasing the total friction surface area axially, thereby improving heat capacity without significantly increasing the overall volume occupied by the clutch assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-plane friction surface to a multi-plane friction arrangement by stacking disk elements axially. This dimensional arrangement along the axial direction allows the clutch to achieve higher heat capacity and torque transmission capability without increasing the radial footprint, thus maintaining compact design while solving the heat capacity limitation.
2Volume of moving object
If multi-plate clutches are used for compact design, then space requirements are reduced, but drive through capability for additional outputs is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch device is designed with a through-drive configuration that allows the drive shaft to pass through the entire clutch assembly. The first and second disk elements are arranged such that they can engage with the drive shaft independently, enabling the clutch to perform multiple functions: torque transmission when engaged and drive-through when disengaged. This universal design allows a single clutch device to serve both as a torque transmitter and as a drive-through mechanism for additional outputs.
Solution Approach 2:
The through-drive shaft acts as an intermediary element that passes through the clutch assembly. It mediates between the input drive and additional outputs, allowing power to be transmitted to both the clutch mechanism and additional outputs simultaneously. This intermediary structure enables the clutch to maintain compact design while providing drive-through capability for additional outputs.
3Power
If conventional clutch design is used, then torque transmission is achieved, but counterforces cause deformation of disk elements
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch is divided into multiple axially spaced disk elements rather than using a single large friction surface. This segmentation distributes the contact pressure and counterforces across multiple smaller friction surfaces, reducing the stress concentration on any single disk element. The distributed load arrangement prevents deformation while maintaining effective torque transmission capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Each disk element is designed with specific local properties optimized for its position in the stack. The axially spaced arrangement allows different disk elements to experience different local stress conditions, and each can be dimensioned and material-selected to handle its specific load characteristics. This localized optimization prevents deformation while maintaining overall torque transmission efficiency.
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
The solution provides a compact design with enhanced heat capacity, reducing counterforces and allowing continuous operation of additional outputs independent of the clutch's switching state, addressing the limitations of existing multi-plate clutches.
Implementation Method 1
The at least two disk elements are provided with friction linings in a pad design. This configuration enables dry operation of the clutch device, so that the disk elements do not run in an oil bath. By designing the lamella elements in a dry pad construction, a higher heat or frictional energy absorption can be achieved
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a coupling device (1) for an agricultural machine, wherein the coupling device (1) comprises a first coupling part having an output (5) and a second, axially displaceable coupling part, by which the coupling device (1) can be switched between an open and a closed switching state, wherein the first coupling part and the second coupling part are arranged on a drive shaft (3), wherein the coupling device (1) transmits a torque from the drive shaft (3) to the output (5) in the closed switching state, wherein the coupling device (1), which is in particular hydraulically actuated, has at least two axially spaced, dry-running lamellar elements (12, 14) which are arranged coaxially to a through-drive (2) and are displaceable in the axial direction relative to it.wherein the first clutch part and the second clutch part are stationary in the open switching position relative to the through-drive (2), wherein the through-drive (2) drives an additional output (7) independently of a switching state of the clutch device (1).