Clamped Toothed Clutch Coupling for Compact Damper Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coupling devices for drive trains, which connect torsional vibration dampers and separating clutches, are complex to assemble and require significant installation space, limiting optimal nesting and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A coupling device with a fastening unit that releasably connects the separating clutch to the torsional vibration damper using toothed areas with a prestressing clamping element, allowing for a compact, simplified assembly and reduced axial installation space, and incorporating a dual-mass flywheel design for enhanced vibration damping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional bolting connection is used to connect torsional vibration damper to disconnect coupling, then reliable connection is achieved, but assembly becomes cumbersome and installation space increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into modular components: a fastening unit with clamping element, a mounting unit with toothed sections, and the torsional vibration damper. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and assembled through simple engagement of the toothed sections, eliminating complex bolting operations while maintaining connection reliability through the preloaded clamping mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening unit acts as an intermediary component between the torsional vibration damper and the disconnect coupling. It includes a clamping element that preloads the toothed sections, creating a secure mechanical connection without requiring traditional bolts. The mounting unit with interlocking toothed sections serves as the mediating structure that simplifies assembly while ensuring reliable torque transmission.
2Reliability
If traditional bolting connection is used, then secure connection is achieved, but axial installation space increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting unit is designed with nested components where the clamping element is positioned within the axial space of the toothed sections. The first and second toothed sections are nested together with the clamping element preloading them in the circumferential direction, while the same clamping element simultaneously applies axial preload. This nesting arrangement achieves secure connection with minimized axial installation space.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If dual-mass flywheel design is implemented, then torsional vibration damping is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the torsional vibration damper with the disconnect coupling by integrating the mounting unit directly onto the output side of the damper. The dual-mass flywheel design combines the inertia mass with the damping mechanism in a unified structure, where the toothed sections and clamping element are part of the same integrated assembly. This merging reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate vibration damping and coupling systems.
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 enables a compact, easy-to-assemble coupling device with reduced installation space requirements and improved torsional vibration damping, facilitating tool-free assembly and robust support for the separating clutch, while allowing for flexible design based on torque transmission needs.
Implementation Method 1
a clamping element that preloads the toothed sections relative to each other in a circumferential direction with a preload force
Implementation Method 2
the clamping element is designed such that it preloads the output side of the torsional vibration damper with an axial clamping force relative to the coupling component
Implementation Method 3
If the torsional vibration damper is designed as a dual-mass flywheel, with the output side directly implemented by a drive disc that can rotate relative to a primary wheel of the torsional vibration damper in a torsional vibration-damped manner
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a clutch device (1) for a drive train of a motor vehicle, comprising a torsional vibration damper (2), a disconnect clutch (3) and a fastening unit (4) releasably connecting the disconnect clutch (3) to the torsional vibration damper (2). The fastening unit (4) comprises: a first toothing region (6) fixed to a clutch component (5a) of the disconnect clutch (3); a second toothing region (8) fixed to the output side (7) of the torsional vibration damper (2) and positively rotationally connected to the first toothing region (6); and a clamping element (9) which preloads the toothing regions (6, 8) relative to one another with a preloading force in a circumferential direction, the clamping element (9) being designed in such a way that it preloads the output side (7) of the torsional vibration damper (2) relative to the clutch component (5a) with an axial contact pressure.