Centered Feedthrough Coupling Assembly for Leak-Resistant Gearboxes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clutch arrangements in gearbox devices of electric vehicles face challenges in ensuring reliable sealing and easy assembly, particularly due to the presence of lubricants and higher temperatures, which can lead to fluid penetration and leaks.
Innovation Solution
A clutch arrangement featuring a radially arranged first row of projections on the implementation element, which centers it within the fluid guide element, combined with centering ribs and a deformable clip for secure fastening, ensuring precise alignment and reliable sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the feedthrough element is simply inserted into the fluid guide element without centering features, then the assembly process is simpler, but the feedthrough element may tilt or misalign leading to leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The centering ribs are pre-formed on the feedthrough element before assembly, automatically centering it as it is inserted into the fluid guide element. This preliminary centering action prevents tilting and misalignment during the assembly process, ensuring reliable sealing without complicating the assembly procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The centering ribs act as an intermediary feature between the feedthrough element and the fluid guide element. These ribs provide a mechanical interface that automatically aligns and centers the feedthrough element during insertion, preventing tilting and ensuring proper sealing contact.
2Reliability
If the feedthrough element is designed with complex centering and sealing features, then sealing reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The centering function and sealing function are merged into a single integrated design. The centering ribs serve both to align the feedthrough element centrally and to provide a sealing surface, eliminating the need for separate centering mechanisms and simplifying the overall coupling assembly structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The centering ribs perform multiple functions simultaneously: they center the feedthrough element, prevent tilting, provide alignment guidance during insertion, and create the sealing contact surface. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies the overall design.
3Reliability
If the feedthrough element is made tight-fitting to prevent fluid penetration, then sealing reliability is improved, but the ease of assembly and disassembly deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling assembly is segmented into distinct functional zones: the centering ribs provide a interference fit for sealing, while the outer diameter of the feedthrough element provides clearance for easy insertion and removal. This segmentation allows tight sealing at the critical interface while maintaining ease of assembly through the clearance fit.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the feedthrough element have different fit characteristics: the region contacting the centering ribs has a tight interference fit for sealing, while the outer region has a clearance fit for easy assembly. This local differentiation of fit quality achieves both sealing reliability and ease of operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A coupling arrangement comprising a feedthrough element (16, 42) that can be inserted into an opening of a housing to form a fluid connection between the exterior and interior of the housing, and a fluid guide element (17, 40) with a cup-shaped recess (41) into which the feedthrough element (16, 42) can be inserted, wherein the feedthrough element (16, 42) has, near its end pointing towards the fluid guide element (17, 40), a first row of circumferentially distributed, radially projecting projections (33) for centering the feedthrough element (16, 42) in the fluid guide element (17, 40). The invention also relates to a transmission device (1) with such a coupling arrangement.