Friction Clutch Cover Retaining Hook Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a constant need to reduce space requirements in friction clutches.
Innovation Solution
A cover arrangement for a friction clutch with a retaining hook that is designed to be compact, eliminating the need for a spacer bolt and allowing for a smaller installation space, featuring a fastening piece, connecting piece, and holding piece that are securely connected to the clutch cover, enabling a more efficient use of space for stiffening beads and a larger pivoting angle for the actuating element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional retaining bolt with thickening is used to fix the actuating element, then the actuating element can be securely mounted, but the radial and axial installation space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single retaining hook component: the fastening piece secures the hook to the clutch cover, the connecting piece provides structural connection, and the retaining piece mounts the actuating element. This integration eliminates the need for separate spacer bolts and thickened bolt sections, reducing radial and axial installation space while maintaining secure mounting
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining hook utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement with pieces extending in different directions (radially inward, axially, and circumferentially) to achieve secure mounting without requiring additional radial or axial space. The Z-shaped or stepped configuration optimizes space utilization in multiple dimensions simultaneously
2Reliability
If a spacer bolt is used to secure the retaining hook, then the retaining hook can be firmly fixed to the clutch cover, but the installation space in radial and axial directions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening piece of the retaining hook integrates the securing function that would otherwise require a separate spacer bolt. The fastening piece is directly formed as part of the retaining hook and secures it to the clutch cover through frictional prevention of rotation, eliminating the need for additional spacer bolts and reducing installation space
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the spacer bolt component from the traditional design, replacing it with the integrated fastening piece of the retaining hook. This removal of unnecessary components directly reduces radial and axial installation space while maintaining firm fixation through the fastening piece's frictional engagement
3Productivity
If the actuating element is designed with larger pivoting angle, then the pressure plate displacement efficiency improves, but the installation space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining hook's three-dimensional configuration with pieces extending in multiple directions enables the actuating element to achieve a larger pivoting angle without increasing radial or axial installation space. The spatial arrangement of the fastening, connecting, and retaining pieces creates optimal clearance and leverage for enhanced pivoting motion
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 design reduces the radial and axial space requirements, allowing for a stiffer actuating element, improved vibration damping, and increased wear reserve for the pressure plate, while simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing component complexity.
Implementation Method 1
This spring element is supported on the support disc and on a radially outer region of the lever spring, so that the spring force of the spring element can dissipate bending loads on the lever spring in the radially outer region
Implementation Method 2
An actuating element in the form of a lever spring designed as a disc spring with spring tongues is mounted between these rings, fixed in the axial direction but pivotable
Implementation Method 3
allowing a pressure plate to be moved between the pressure plate and a counter plate for frictionally pressing a clutch disc
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
AI summary
Disclosed is a cover arrangement for a friction clutch, more particularly for coupling a drive shaft of a motor vehicle engine to at least one gearbox input shaft of a motor vehicle gearbox, provided with a clutch cover for at least partially covering a pressure plate for pressing against a clutch disc; also with an actuating element, more particularly in the form of a disc spring, which is pivotable about a pivot point so as to move the pressure plate; and with at least one retainer hook secured to the clutch cover, the retainer hook having a securing portion that lies flat against the clutch cover, a connecting portion joined to the securing portion and extending at least in part axially away from the clutch cover, and a retainer portion joined to the connecting portion for pivotably mounting the actuating element. Because of the geometrically simple design of the retainer hook, which avoids unnecessary radially protruding parts, a spacer pin for securing the retainer hook can be eliminated, so that the installation space needed for the retainer hook in the radial and/or axial direction can be reduced and small installation space requirements are possible in the friction clutch.