Clutch Housing Central Projection for Compact Hybrid Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clutch arrangements with a hydrodynamic torque converter design face challenges in achieving a compact axial design while allowing direct connection to both an internal combustion engine and an electric machine, as the rotor carrier often covers the clutch housing, preventing a simple connection to the drive unit.
Innovation Solution
A clutch arrangement with a clutch housing featuring a centrally projecting component that is rotationally fixed to both the drive unit and the rotor carrier via separate connecting devices, allowing for a compact design and enabling direct connection to both machines, with releasable connecting elements for flexibility and a radially extending fastening flange for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the rotor carrier is designed to extend towards the coupling housing to achieve compact axial design, then the axial space is reduced, but the coupling housing cannot be easily connected directly to the drive unit
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling arrangement is segmented into distinct functional components: the coupling housing, the central projection extending from it, the drive unit with its own projection, and the rotor carrier. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the coupling housing maintains its structural integrity while the central projection provides the connection interface, resolving the conflict between compactness and connectability
Solution Approach 2:
The central projection acts as an intermediary element between the coupling housing and the drive unit. It extends from the coupling housing to engage with the drive unit's projection, enabling direct connection while allowing the rotor carrier to extend towards the coupling housing for compact axial design. This intermediary structure resolves the contradiction by providing a connection pathway that doesn't interfere with the compact arrangement
2Volume of moving object
If the rotor carrier almost completely covers the coupling housing on the drive-facing side, then a compact axial design is achieved, but the coupling housing is prevented from being easily connected directly to the drive
Solution Approach 1:
The central projection is designed with local quality variations - it has a specific geometry with engagement features (such as teeth or splines) at its end that locally provide connection capability. This localized structural feature allows the drive unit to connect directly to the central projection even when the rotor carrier covers most of the coupling housing, resolving the contradiction between compact volume and connection ease
Solution Approach 2:
The connection function is segmented from the main coupling housing body and assigned to the central projection. This allows the rotor carrier to cover the coupling housing for compactness while the separate central projection maintains the connection interface, enabling direct drive connection without interfering with the compact axial design
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a clutch arrangement (1) provided with a clutch housing (2) which connects a drive unit (21), which for example has an internal combustion engine, to an output (8), such as a transmission (10), which can be rotated about a central axis (2) and to which an axial central projection (25) is assigned on the side of the output facing the drive unit (21) in the radial region of extent of the centre of rotation of the output, said projection serving to accommodate a rotor carrier (40) which accommodates a rotor (41) of an electric machine (42). The central projection (25) is connected at least for conjoint rotation to the drive unit (21) via a first connecting device (26) and to the rotor carrier (40) via a second connecting device (38).