Clutch Actuation Compensation Assembly for Constant Pneumatic Dynamics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pneumatic clutch actuation systems for heavy utility vehicles face challenges in maintaining constant dynamics and minimizing dead volume changes due to clutch wear, leading to suboptimal actuation quality and precision.
Innovation Solution
An actuating apparatus comprising a pressure chamber with a rotary decoupling bearing and a compensation assembly, featuring a blocking toothing system and counter-blocking toothing system with a specific ratio of spacing to base tangent length, which allows for axial length adjustment to compensate for wear, minimizing dead volume changes and ensuring constant dynamics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional toothing system is used for the adjusting mechanism, then the structure is simpler, but the actuation quality deteriorates and dead volume changes significantly during clutch wear compensation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the toothing system by introducing a specific ratio relationship between the base circle radius and the module of the toothing. This parameter optimization ensures that during the compensation of clutch wear, the dead volume change is minimized while maintaining manufacturing feasibility. The specific ratio relationship creates a more favorable engagement pattern that reduces volume variation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dynamic adjusting mechanism where the toothing system allows for continuous adjustment of the adjusting piston position as the clutch wears. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the system to compensate for wear while maintaining constant dynamics, transforming a static system into one that adapts to changing conditions without sacrificing actuation quality.
2Productivity
If the dead volume in the pressure chamber is reduced, then the actuation dynamics improve, but the adjustment range for clutch wear compensation is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the adjustment mechanism into multiple components including the adjusting piston, toothing system, and cam mechanism. This segmentation allows the dead volume to be minimized in the pressure chamber while the adjustment function is distributed across multiple mechanical elements. The cam mechanism provides the adjustment range without increasing the dead volume of the pressure chamber, thus maintaining both fast actuation dynamics and sufficient adjustment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a linear adjustment approach to a rotational-dimensions approach using the cam mechanism. The cam converts rotational motion into linear displacement, allowing the adjusting piston to move along the axial dimension while the cam itself occupies a different spatial dimension. This dimensional transformation enables adjustment range without proportionally increasing the dead volume in the pressure chamber.
3Measurement precision
If a preloading apparatus is added to preload the ramp element, then the compensation precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a preloading apparatus as an intermediary element between the adjusting piston and the ramp element. This preloading mechanism ensures consistent contact and eliminates clearance or backlash in the toothing engagement, thereby improving compensation precision. The preloading apparatus acts as a mediator that maintains optimal force transmission without requiring complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The preloading apparatus applies a preliminary force to the ramp element before the main actuation occurs. This preliminary action ensures that the toothing system is already engaged and pre-positioned, eliminating any potential clearance or play. By performing this preparatory action in advance, the system achieves higher compensation precision without requiring complex real-time control mechanisms.
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 achieves high actuation quality and maintains constant dynamics by minimizing dead volume changes, allowing for precise clutch actuation throughout the service life of the friction clutch.
Implementation Method 1
The first preloading apparatus (160) is a preloading spring, a first end region of the preloading spring being supported on the second actuating element (120) and a second end region of the preloading spring being supported on the first ramp element (130)
Implementation Method 2
The second actuating element (120) can be moved in the pressure chamber (106) along a spatial axis (101) in an actuating direction (105) with respect to the first actuating element (110) by way of the introduction of a pressure medium (for example, an incompressible fluid such as, for instance, oil or a compressible fluid such as, for instance, compressed air)
Implementation Method 3
The compensation assembly (150) comprises a blocking element (170) that is non-rotating with respect to the second actuating element (120) and has a blocking toothing system (172) which is in blocking engagement with a counter-blocking toothing system (132) of the first ramp element (130)
Data Source
AI summary
An actuating apparatus has a first and a second actuating element that delimit a pressure chamber. The actuating apparatus has a rotary decoupling bearing coupled via a compensation assembly to the second actuating element for joint movement along the spatial axis. The compensation assembly comprises a first ramp element which is supported axially on the second actuating element and is preloaded relative to the second actuating element by a first preloading apparatus for rotation about the spatial axis and a second ramp element coupled to the rotary decoupling bearing. An axial overall length of the compensation group along the spatial axis changes in the case of a rotation, of the first ramp element relative to the second actuating element. The compensation assembly has a blocking element and a blocking toothing system in blocking engagement with a counter-blocking toothing system of the first ramp element