Annular Piston Clutch Release System Angular Offset
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clutch release systems with central releasers are labor-intensive and costly due to the need for multiple components to compensate for angular offsets between the crankshaft and transmission input shaft, leading to issues like geometric judder and excessive wear.
Innovation Solution
A clutch release system with a hollow cylindrical pressure chamber and a sleeve-shaped annular piston that can pivot to compensate for angular offsets, featuring a seal-side end with a reduced inner diameter and a ballus for optimized contact, allowing for even actuation and reduced production complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple components are used to compensate for angular offset, then angular misalignment compensation is achieved, but device complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple previously separate components (piston, guide surfaces, seals) into a single integrated annular piston structure with varying wall thickness. This merging maintains the angular offset compensation function while reducing the number of discrete parts, simplifying the overall device structure and reducing production complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The annular piston features local variation in wall thickness, with a thicker clutch-side end and a thinner seal-side end. This local quality differentiation allows the piston to pivot relative to the guide surface, enabling angular offset compensation without requiring multiple separate components. The varying thickness creates the necessary pivot point while maintaining structural integrity
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple components are used to compensate for angular offset, then angular misalignment compensation is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple components into a single annular piston with varying wall thickness, the patent reduces assembly operations, quality control steps, and inventory management requirements. This integration directly lowers manufacturing cost while maintaining the angular offset compensation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The local variation in wall thickness can be achieved through cost-effective manufacturing processes such as differential casting, selective material deposition, or precision machining of a single component. This approach is more economical than producing and assembling multiple separate components with different geometries
3Ease of manufacture
If the annular piston has uniform inner diameter, then manufacturing is simpler, but angular offset compensation is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the wall thickness of the annular piston along its circumference or axially, creating a pivot point that enables angular offset compensation. This localized geometric variation maintains relative manufacturing simplicity while achieving the required adaptability for compensating angular misalignment between the crankshaft and transmission input shaft
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 design simplifies the construction and reduces production costs while effectively compensating for angular offsets, minimizing wear and improving clutch engagement comfort by allowing for cardanic displacement and even actuation of the clutch.
Implementation Method 1
the annular piston can pivot relative to the guide surface at its clutch-side end to a limited extent relative to a narrow guide in the area of the ring seal and thus compensate for any angular offset that may exist between the crankshaft and the transmission input shaft
Implementation Method 2
an annular piston which can be axially displaceable in the housing depending on the pressure of a pressure medium
Implementation Method 3
at the opposite, seal-side end rests against an annular seal sealing the pressure chamber
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The system has a central releasing lever (104) arranged around a gearbox input shaft. The lever has a housing (124) formed with a hollow-cylindrical pressure chamber (121), and a tubular plunger (125) axially moving in the housing based on pressure applied by a pressurizing medium. The plunger lies at a clutch-side end at an operating bearing (112) that operates a clutch, and lies at a seal side end at a seal that seals the pressure chamber. Inner diameter of the seal side end is smaller than that of the clutch-side end.