Clutch Cover Frame Structure for Stiffness Without Added Mass
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing friction clutches face challenges in achieving optimal torque transmission and controllability during vehicle launches due to compromises between stiffness and mass, leading to inefficiencies in clutch design.
Innovation Solution
The friction clutch design incorporates a clutch cover with concentric annular stiffening bands and a lightweight frame structure, which increases stiffness while reducing mass, enhancing controllability and performance by optimizing the radial and circumferential extensions of the radial plates and annular stiffening bands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the clutch housing is designed with high stiffness to minimize axial length variations under load, then clutch controllability is improved, but the mass and inertia of the clutch housing increase
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch cover is segmented into a lightweight frame structure comprising multiple radial plates connected by circumferential stiffening bands, replacing traditional solid construction. This segmentation allows strategic placement of material only where structurally necessary, achieving required stiffness while minimizing overall mass.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame structure implements local quality by concentrating material at specific locations - radial plates provide axial stiffness while circumferential stiffening bands provide radial stiffness. Material is placed only where needed to address specific stress patterns, avoiding unnecessary mass in regions where stiffness is already sufficient.
2Weight of moving object
If the clutch housing mass is reduced to improve energy efficiency, then vehicle performance is enhanced, but the stiffness of the clutch housing decreases leading to altered diaphragm spring force
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch cover is segmented into a lightweight frame structure comprising multiple radial plates connected by circumferential stiffening bands, replacing traditional solid construction. This segmentation allows strategic placement of material only where structurally necessary, achieving required stiffness while minimizing overall mass.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame structure acts as a composite system where radial plates and circumferential stiffening bands work together to provide multidirectional stiffness. The combination of these elements creates a structurally efficient architecture that achieves high stiffness-to-weight ratio.
3Stability of the object's composition
If traditional solid clutch cover construction is used, then structural stiffness is maintained, but the mass and inertial moment of the clutch housing increase
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch cover is segmented into a lightweight frame structure comprising multiple radial plates connected by circumferential stiffening bands, replacing traditional solid construction. This segmentation allows strategic placement of material only where structurally necessary, achieving required stiffness while minimizing overall mass.
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
This configuration improves clutch controllability during launches and reduces mass and inertial moment, resulting in improved torque transmission efficiency and overall vehicle performance.
Implementation Method 1
A prestressed diaphragm spring acts between the clutch housing and the pressure plate for permanently elastically biasing the pressure plate towards the counter-pressure member
Implementation Method 2
the friction plates (i.e. driving friction plates and driven friction plate/s) are not fully clamped and so slip relative to one another with a certain amount of frictional resistance
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A clutch cover (10) for a friction clutch (1) and a friction clutch, wherein the clutch cover (10) forms a ring wall (11) radially extending with respect to a clutch axis (22) and the ring wall (11) forms a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially extending plates (14) having each a radially outer end (15), two or more concentric annular stiffening bands (16, 17) extending at a radial distance from one another and including an innermost annular stiffening band (16) and an outermost annular stiffening band (17), wherein the annular stiffening bands (16, 17) connect the radial plates (14) to each other and having each a radial thickness (18, 19) that is smaller than the radial distance therebetween measured in intermediate regions (20) of the ring wall (11) between respectively two successive radial plates (14), wherein a plurality of circumferentially spaced drive members (12) of the friction clutch protrude axially from or can be screw connected to said radially outer ends (15) of the radial plates (14).