Clutch Disc Axial Spacing via Bent Annular Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clutch discs with annular support structures are not compatible with certain geometric constraints in motor vehicle applications, limiting their adaptability and requiring complex geometries that increase manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A clutch disc design featuring a hub with a projecting element, an annular web, friction linings attached to an annular support, and a fixing flange that can be formed from a single piece or separate parts with complementary shapes, allowing axial spacing with spacer elements to accommodate specific geometric requirements and reduce material waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the inner portion of the annular support extends substantially in the same plane as the outer portion, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the clutch disc is not compatible with certain geometric constraints in motor vehicle applications
Solution Approach 1:
The annular support is designed with a bent configuration where the inner portion is offset axially from the outer portion, creating a three-dimensional structure. This axial offset allows the clutch disc to adapt to specific geometric constraints in motor vehicle applications while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through a continuous bent profile rather than multiple assembled parts.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the annular support and fixing flange are formed from separate pieces, then adaptability to geometric constraints is improved, but manufacturing complexity and material waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing flange is designed with an internal contour that is complementary to the external contour of the annular support, allowing the two components to nest within each other when disassembled. This segmentation enables geometric adaptability while maintaining manufacturing efficiency through nested contours that can be produced from a single sheet of material with minimal waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing flange and annular support are designed with nested contours where the internal contour of the fixing flange complements the external contour of the annular support. This nesting arrangement allows the components to be positioned radially inside each other in the disassembled state, enabling geometric adaptability while maintaining manufacturing simplicity and reducing material waste.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional spacer elements are added to maintain axial spacing, then geometric constraints are satisfied, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The axial spacing function is integrated into the bent profile of the annular support itself, where the offset between the inner and outer portions inherently maintains the required axial distance. This merging of the spacing function into the primary structural component eliminates the need for separate spacer elements, reducing device complexity and manufacturing costs while satisfying geometric constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The annular support's bent configuration with axial offset between its inner and outer portions inherently maintains the required axial spacing without requiring additional components. The structure serves its own spacing function through its geometric design, eliminating the need for separate spacer elements and reducing overall device complexity.
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 design allows for adaptability to specific applications, reduces manufacturing complexity and costs by enabling the use of existing sheet metal with minimal additional components, and maintains axial spacing without additional spacer elements, while maintaining effective clamping force and misalignment compensation.
Implementation Method 1
the annular support and the fixing flange being at least partly formed from a single one-piece piece or formed from two separate pieces having respectively an internal contour and an external contour which have shapes such that, in a disassembled state of the disc of clutch, the annular support and the fixing plate are able to be positioned in a relative position in which the outer contour of the fixing plate is situated radially inside the internal contour of the annular support
Implementation Method 2
one or more spacer elements arranged axially between the annular support and the fixing flange so as to space them axially
Implementation Method 3
the fixing flange and the annular veil being arranged on either side of the projecting element and secured to one another so as to pinch the projecting element between the respective internal portions of the fixing flange and of the annular web and thus retain the annular web axially to the hub
Implementation Method 4
the frustoconical surface of the annular support is able to deform elastically, which allows tilting of the annular web relative to the hub and thus makes it possible to compensate for misalignments between the drive shaft and the driven shaft
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a clutch disc (1) comprising: - a hub (11) having a central axis X, adapted to be rotationally fixed to a driven shaft, the hub (11) having an outer periphery having a projecting element (13) directed radially outwards; - an annular disc (15) which is rotationally fixed to the hub (11) and which has an inner portion bearing against the projecting element (13); - friction linings (2, 3) fixed to an outer portion (5) of an annular support (4); said annular support (4) being fixed to the annular disc (15); - a mounting flange (22), the mounting flange and the annular disc (15) being disposed on either side of the projecting element (13) and fixed to each other so as to clamp the projecting element; and - the external portion (5) of the annular support (4) being axially spaced from the internal portion of the fixing flange (22).