Clutch Actuation Bell With Directional Elastic Force Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clutch actuation devices require a high degree of flexibility during engagement but disadvantageously increase travel path and load on components during disengagement due to flexibility and high axial forces.
Innovation Solution
A clutch actuation device with an actuating bell having a main body and a spring element that transmits axial force elastically in one direction via a spring element and non-elastically in the opposite direction via the main body, utilizing axial stops to deactivate flexibility when higher forces are applied, ensuring defined flexibility only during engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a flexible actuating bell is used to provide good acoustics and low component loading during engagement, then acoustics and component loading are improved, but travel path and load on spring element increase during disengagement
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating bell is designed with dynamic flexibility characteristics that change based on operational phase. The spring element provides elasticity only during engagement (first axial direction) while being deactivated during disengagement (second axial direction) through the axial stop mechanism, allowing the system to adapt its mechanical properties to operational requirements
Solution Approach 2:
An axial stop acts as an intermediary element between the actuating bell and the force transmission path. This stop mediates the force transmission by blocking the spring element during disengagement, causing forces to be transmitted directly through the actuating bell's main body rather than through the elastic spring element
2Strength
If a flexible actuating bell is used to reduce component loading during engagement, then component loading is reduced, but high axial forces are required during disengagement
Solution Approach 1:
The axial stop serves as a force transmission mediator that redirects high axial forces during disengagement away from the spring element. By blocking the elastic path, the stop creates a direct force transmission path through the actuating bell's rigid structure, allowing high forces to be transmitted without overloading the spring element
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between elastic and rigid force transmission modes based on operational phase. During disengagement, the axial stop activates a rigid force transmission path that can handle high axial forces without requiring the spring element to be oversized for peak force conditions
3Object-affected harmful factors
If axial flexibility is provided via spring element, then good acoustics are achieved, but functionality is compromised during disengagement
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating bell's mechanical properties are made dynamic rather than static. The spring element provides flexibility only when needed (during engagement) while the axial stop deactivates this flexibility when it would compromise functionality (during disengagement), ensuring reliable operation in both phases
Solution Approach 2:
The axial stop acts as a functional mediator that ensures reliable disengagement by blocking the elastic spring element path. This intermediary element guarantees that the disengagement function operates through the rigid main body structure, preventing any ambiguity or reliability issues that might arise from elastic deformation during this critical phase
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 provides improved acoustics and reduced component loading without compromising functionality, achieving efficient force transmission with reduced spring element stress during disengagement.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element which projects from the main body and is of axially elastic configuration. The actuating bell is configured and adapted to the sliding sleeve in such a way that a transmission of an axial force to the sliding sleeve takes place in a first axial direction, i.e. in the direction of tension or in the direction of compression, (axially elastically) via the spring element
Implementation Method 2
The actuating bell can have an axial stop formed on the main body, through which stop the axial force in the direction of tension or direction of compression can be transmitted directly, i.e. not via the spring element, to the sliding sleeve. By providing an additional stop, the flexibility of the spring element can be bypassed in a simple manner
Data Source
AI summary
A clutch actuation device includes a sliding sleeve and an actuation bell for axially displacing the sliding sleeve. The sliding sleeve is axially displaceable for engaging and disengaging a clutch. The actuating bell has a main body and an elastic spring element. The main body is arranged for transmitting a first axial force to the sliding sleeve in a first axial direction. The elastic spring element is arranged for transmitting a second axial force to the sliding sleeve in a second axial direction, opposite the first axial direction. The actuating bell may have an axial stop formed on the main body for transmitting the first axial force directly to the sliding sleeve.