Clutch Assembly Dynamic Oil Flow Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Friction plate clutches in drivelines face inefficiencies due to high oil volume flow leading to drag moments and performance losses, while requiring adequate lubrication and heat dissipation, which existing technologies fail to manage effectively.
Innovation Solution
A clutch assembly with a friction plate clutch featuring an inner and outer plate carrier, a flow controller with a setting member that adjusts oil flow based on operational conditions, allowing for minimized oil supply when not needed and increased flow during torque transmission to reduce drag losses and enhance lubrication and cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high oil volume flow is supplied to the friction plate clutch, then adequate lubrication and heat dissipation are achieved, but drag moments and performance losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a dynamic flow control mechanism where the flow controller's opening degree is adjusted based on the operational state of the friction plate clutch. During engagement or slip conditions, the opening degree increases to provide adequate lubrication and cooling. During disengagement, the opening degree decreases to minimize drag moments. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by adapting oil flow to actual operational needs rather than maintaining constant high flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of oil volume flow dynamically based on clutch operational state. The flow controller modifies the flow rate parameter according to whether the clutch is engaged, disengaged, or in slip condition. This parameter change allows the system to achieve adequate lubrication during high-demand states while minimizing energy losses during low-demand states, resolving the technical contradiction.
2Loss of energy
If low oil volume flow is supplied to the friction plate clutch, then drag moments and performance losses are reduced, but adequate lubrication and heat dissipation are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic flow control mechanism ensures that oil flow is increased when the clutch is in engagement or slip conditions where lubrication and heat dissipation are critical. The flow controller's opening degree is adjusted upward during these states, ensuring adequate lubrication and cooling while minimizing drag during disengagement. This resolves the contradiction by providing low flow only when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the oil volume flow parameter based on clutch operational state. During engagement or slip conditions, the flow parameter is increased to ensure adequate lubrication and heat dissipation. During disengagement, the flow parameter is reduced to minimize drag moments. This parameter adaptation resolves the technical contradiction by matching flow levels to actual operational requirements.
3Reliability
If constant high oil flow is supplied to the friction plate clutch, then lubrication is always adequate, but energy efficiency decreases during disengagement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic flow control system that adjusts the oil flow rate according to the clutch's operational state. The flow controller modifies its opening degree in real-time: maintaining adequate flow during engagement and slip conditions for proper lubrication, while reducing flow during disengagement to improve energy efficiency. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between constant lubrication adequacy and energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the oil volume flow parameter based on clutch operational state rather than maintaining constant flow. During engagement or slip conditions, the flow parameter is maintained at adequate levels for lubrication. During disengagement, the flow parameter is reduced to improve energy efficiency. This parameter adaptation resolves the technical contradiction.
4Productivity
If constant low oil flow is supplied to the friction plate clutch, then energy efficiency is improved during disengagement, but lubrication is insufficient during engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic flow control mechanism adjusts the oil flow rate according to the clutch's operational state. During engagement or slip conditions, the flow controller increases its opening degree to provide adequate lubrication. During disengagement, it reduces the opening degree to improve energy efficiency. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between energy efficiency and adequate lubrication by providing low flow only when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the oil volume flow parameter based on clutch operational state. During engagement or slip conditions, the flow parameter is increased to ensure adequate lubrication. During disengagement, the flow parameter is reduced to improve energy efficiency. This parameter adaptation resolves the technical contradiction by matching flow levels to actual operational requirements.
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 efficiency with low performance losses by dynamically controlling oil supply to the friction plate clutch, minimizing drag moments and ensuring effective lubrication and heat dissipation, thereby optimizing clutch performance across various operational states.
Implementation Method 1
a flow controller for controlling a volume flow rate of oil flowing through the at least one bore of the inner plate carrier, wherein the flow controller comprises a setting member which is operable by the operating device for the friction plate clutch
Implementation Method 2
Friction plate clutches are used in drivelines to allow a friction-based transmission of torque between two drive components
Implementation Method 3
They permit drivelines to be switched at any speed differentials under torque load. Wet-type friction plate clutches comprise a plurality of friction plates which are cooled and lubricated by a surrounding oil
Data Source
AI summary
A clutch assembly for a driveline of a motor vehicle comprises a friction plate clutch having an inner plate carrier, to which inner plates are connected in a rotationally fixed and axially movable way, and having an outer plate carrier to which outer plates are connected in a rotationally fixed and axially movable way, and wherein the inner plates and the outer plates jointly form a plate package, wherein the inner plate carrier comprises at least one bore in an axial overlapping region with the plate package through which bore oil can flow to the plate package, a supporting plate against which the plate package is axially supported, an axially movable pressure plate for axially loading the plate package, an operating device for operating the friction plate clutch by axially moving the pressure plate, a flow controller for controlling an oil volume flow rate through the at least one bore of the inner plate carrier, wherein the flow controller comprises a setting member which is operable by the operating device for the friction plate clutch, wherein the setting member comprises a cover portion for covering a mouth region of the at least one bore.