Clutch Disk Progressivity Blades With Retained Free-End Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional progressivity devices for friction clutch disks in motor vehicles suffer from uncontrolled deformation of segment-shaped friction pads during clutch engagement, leading to torque discontinuities, judder, and reduced comfort due to high stiffness and limited number of bends, as well as geometrical defects during release phases.
Innovation Solution
A progressivity device with progressive action blades that have ends fixed to a support flange, featuring orthoradial bends and a retaining mechanism to control deformation, increasing the number of bends and reducing geometrical defects, thereby improving comfort and mechanical strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If segment-shaped friction pads are used in conventional progressivity devices, then the device can provide progressive torque transmission, but the friction pads are heavily loaded and deform in an uncontrolled manner causing torque discontinuities and judder
Solution Approach 1:
The friction pads are divided into multiple segment-shaped elements that can deform independently. Each segment is equipped with retaining means that allow controlled deformation while maintaining overall structural integrity, preventing uncontrolled distortion and torque discontinuities during clutch engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces retaining means that change the mechanical parameters of the friction pad segments by providing controlled deformation zones. This allows the segments to flex and adapt during engagement while maintaining geometric control, eliminating the uncontrolled deformation that causes judder.
2Device complexity
If the number of bends in progressive action blades is limited, then the device structure remains simple, but the overall stiffness is high degrading vehicle comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces bends in the progressive action blades that extend in an orthoradial direction relative to the rotation axis. These curved features increase the number of deformation zones, reducing overall stiffness and improving vehicle comfort during clutch engagement while maintaining structural integrity.
3Device complexity
If progressive action blades are not retained during clutch release phases, then the device structure is simpler, but the free end deforms in an uncontrolled manner generating geometric defects
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining means are pre-installed on the progressive action blades before clutch engagement. During the release phase, these retaining means actively constrain the free ends of the blades, preventing uncontrolled deformation and geometric defects before they can occur, ensuring consistent friction pad geometry.
4Ease of manufacture
If the free end of progressive action blade is not retained, then assembly is simpler, but centrifugal strength is reduced and geometrical defects occur
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining means are designed to be integrated with the progressive action blade structure itself, where the blade's own geometry provides the retention function. This self-service approach maintains centrifugal strength and prevents geometric defects without requiring separate complex retaining mechanisms, balancing assembly simplicity with structural integrity.
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 enhances the comfort and mechanical strength of the vehicle during clutch engagement by reducing uncontrolled deformation and geometrical defects, ensuring controlled stress distribution and improved torque transmission.
Implementation Method 1
the progressive action blade has an end fixed to the external part, another end that is a free end and bends extending in an orthoradial direction relative to the rotation axis X, the free end of the progressive action blade including a retaining means passing through the support flange
Implementation Method 2
Compression coil springs are disposed circumferentially between the guide washers and the torque transmission flange. Transmission of torque and filtering of engine acyclism are effected by successive compression and relaxation of the springs.
Implementation Method 3
segment-shaped friction pads fixed to a support, itself mounted on a torque transmission flange. The friction pads are generally of the Cerametallic type.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention concerns a progressivity device (10) for a friction clutch disk, including: a support flange (11) with central rotation axis (X) of which an annular central part (12) is adapted to cooperate with a torsional vibration damper (2) and an external part (13) carries progressive action blades (20, 20a) and friction pads (30) fitted to the progressive action blades, in which the progressive action blades extend circumferentially over at least one of the faces of the support flange and the progressive action blades, characterized in that the progressive action blade has an end (26) fixed to the external part and a free end (21) including a retaining means (40, 40a) passing through the support flange.