Clutch Actuator Wear Compensation via Force Redirection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clutch actuators require complex adjustments and additional components for wear compensation, which can be mechanically unstable and prone to errors, especially under high clutch reaction forces, and often necessitate separate blocking areas and threads for precise positioning.
Innovation Solution
A clutch actuator design that deflects the release force into a normal or radial force to fix the positioning of the piston rod and connection area, eliminating the need for intermediate pieces and threads, and utilizing a self-reinforcing frictional connection for stable length compensation, which can be achieved through a combination of smooth surfaces or intermeshing threads, and a prestressing force to maintain contact pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional intermediate pieces with threads and locking sections are used for length compensation, then wear compensation is achieved, but device complexity increases and manufacturing becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the intermediate piece from the clutch actuator system. Instead of using a complex intermediate piece with threads and locking sections, the patent directly connects the piston rod to the pressure equalizing chamber, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining the wear compensation function through the redirecting of forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure equalizing chamber serves multiple functions: it equalizes pressure during clutch operation and simultaneously provides the length compensation mechanism. By making this component multi-functional, the invention eliminates the need for separate intermediate pieces and locking mechanisms, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Manufacturing precision
If separate blocking areas and threads are used for positioning, then precise positioning is achieved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the positioning function with the existing connection structure between the piston rod and pressure equalizing chamber. Instead of adding separate blocking areas and threads, the patent uses the integrated force redirecting mechanism to automatically maintain precise positioning, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while preserving positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses itself to maintain positioning precision. The force redirecting mechanism automatically adjusts and maintains the correct positioning through the interaction of forces within the system, eliminating the need for precisely manufactured separate blocking features and reducing dependency on high manufacturing precision for positioning components.
3Stability of the object's composition
If mechanical locking mechanisms are used under high clutch reaction forces, then stable positioning is achieved, but the system becomes prone to mechanical errors and instability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces traditional mechanical locking mechanisms with a force-based positioning system. Instead of using interlocking threads and locking sections that are prone to mechanical errors, the patent uses the redirecting of clutch reaction forces through the pressure equalizing chamber to maintain stable positioning, reducing mechanical complexity and improving reliability under high forces.
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 manufacturing, reduces wear, and provides immediate and stable fixation of the piston rod and connection area, preventing unintended movement and ensuring precise actuation even under high forces, thus enhancing the clutch actuator's reliability and ease of assembly.
Implementation Method 1
The actuating element is designed to at least partially redirect the disengagement force FA into a normal force FN and/or radial force FR acting between the connection area and the piston rod. This normal force FN and/or radial force FR fixes the positioning of the connection area and the piston rod relative to each other.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a clutch actuator (100) for transmitting a disengaging force FA to a disengaging device (22) of a clutch (101), comprising an actuating element (13, 14, 24) to which the disengaging force FA can be applied and comprising a piston rod (15, 25) for transmitting the disengaging force FA from the actuating element (13, 14, 24) to the disengaging device (22). The piston rod (15, 25) is mounted against a connection region (14, 24) of the actuating element (13, 14, 24) such that the piston rod (15, 25) can be moved towards the connection region (14, 24) by the clutch reaction force FK of the clutch (101), and the positioning of the connection region (14, 24) and the piston rod (15, 25) relative to each other as a result of said movement can be fixed by applying the disengaging force FA to the actuating element (13, 14, 24). The actuating element (13, 14, 24) is designed to at least partly deflect the disengaging force FA so as to produce a normal force FN and/or a radial force FR which acts between the connection region (14, 24) and the piston rod (15, 25), and the normal force FN and/or the radial force FR fixes the position of the connection region (14, 24) and the piston rod (15, 25) relative to each other.