Multi-Plate Clutch Backlash Layout to Prevent Plate Adhesion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-plate clutches experience infrequent relative movement due to rare excessive load increases, leading to corrosion and adhesion between friction plates, which can result in constant torque increase and altered tribological properties.
Innovation Solution
A multi-plate clutch design featuring alternately arranged outer and inner plates with varying circumferential backlash, where a first group of plates has a larger backlash than the others, ensuring relative movement occurs even below the release torque, preventing strong adhesion and maintaining constant tribological properties through oil distribution and structured friction surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If all plates are mounted with no or small circumferential backlash, then torque transmission precision is improved, but adhesion between plates occurs due to corrosion leading to changed tribological properties
Solution Approach 1:
The plate pack is segmented into two groups: plates with small circumferential backlash for precise torque transmission, and plates with larger circumferential backlash to prevent adhesion. This segmentation allows each group to fulfill its specific function while working together in the same system.
Solution Approach 2:
Different circumferential backlash values are applied to different groups of plates within the same plate pack. The first group has small backlash for precision, while the second group has larger backlash for preventing adhesion, creating local quality differences that solve the overall contradiction.
2Force
If plates are preloaded against one another, then torque limitation function is improved, but relative movement between plates occurs only rarely leading to adhesion
Solution Approach 1:
The larger circumferential backlash in the second group of plates enables periodic relative movement during normal operation, not just during excessive load events. This periodic action prevents adhesion and maintains tribological properties throughout the service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The plates with larger circumferential backlash are pre-configured to enable relative movement before adhesion can occur. This preliminary action of creating movement capability prevents the harmful effect of adhesion from developing in the first place.
3Reliability
If circumferential backlash is increased to prevent adhesion, then tribological properties stability is improved, but torque transmission precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The plate pack is divided into two functional groups: one group with small backlash for precision torque transmission, and another group with larger backlash for preventing adhesion and maintaining tribological stability. Each segment optimizes for its specific purpose.
Solution Approach 2:
Different backlash characteristics are applied locally to different groups of plates within the same clutch assembly. This allows the system to simultaneously achieve both high precision (where needed) and adhesion prevention (where applicable).
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 design ensures constant tribological properties over a long service life by preventing adhesion and ensuring oil distribution across contact surfaces, allowing reliable torque transmission and reducing wear, while maintaining torque transmission capabilities up to the release torque level.
Implementation Method 1
Multi-plate clutches have several friction plates arranged axially one behind the other. They serve to limit a maximum torque between a driven input shaft and an output shaft
Implementation Method 2
The friction plates are usually preloaded against one another, for example by means of a spring element. The preloading sets the torque or frictional torque within the multi-plate clutch.
Implementation Method 3
provided the plates are lubricated with oil, oil is distributed on the contact surfaces during a relative movement
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-plate clutch is specified, with an outer plate carrier, an inner plate carrier and a plate pack which consists of alternately arranged outer plates and inner plates and is arranged radially between the outer plate carrier and the inner plate carrier, wherein a first group of the outer plates is mounted on the outer plate carrier and/or a first group of the inner plates is mounted on the inner plate carrier with a larger circumferential backlash than the other outer plates or inner plates, respectively, which are mounted on their plate carrier with no or smaller circumferential backlash, wherein the outer and/or inner plates with larger circumferential backlash in each case directly adjoin at least one plate with no or smaller circumferential backlash. Furthermore, an electrically operated drive train and a method for producing a multi-plate clutch are specified.