Friction Clutch Driver Ring Bearing Surface Heat Dissipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing friction clutches in motor vehicle drive trains are complex, costly, and inefficient in heat dissipation from the friction pack area.
Innovation Solution
A friction clutch design featuring a driver ring with a bearing surface that supports actuating forces and allows for fluid exchange through gaps, reducing the counterplate's radial extension and enabling better heat dissipation, while being produced through forming processes for cost-effectiveness and reduced weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the counterplate is designed to extend radially to its own bearing surface on the output side, then the counterplate can support actuating forces directly, but the counterplate becomes heavier and more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing surface function is extracted from the counterplate and transferred to the driver ring. The driver ring now extends radially to the output side and provides the bearing surface for supporting actuating forces, while the counterplate is reduced to extend only over the friction lining area, significantly reducing its weight and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The functions of supporting actuating forces and transmitting torque are segmented between two separate components: the driver ring (for bearing support) and the counterplate (for friction lining support). This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function.
2Strength
If the driver ring is fastened continuously to the counterplate, then the connection is strong and stable, but heat dissipation from the friction pack area is impeded
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous fastening connection is segmented into discrete fastening points arranged circumferentially. This segmentation creates gaps between fastening points that allow fluid exchange and heat dissipation radially between the connection surface and driver ring, while maintaining sufficient connection strength through the distributed fastening points.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection between driver ring and counterplate has different properties at different locations: at fastening points the connection is strong and rigid for structural support, while at gaps between fastening points the connection is open for heat dissipation and fluid exchange. This local differentiation of connection quality resolves the contradiction.
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 results in a simpler, more compact, and cost-effective friction clutch with enhanced heat dissipation and reduced weight, improving the efficiency of torque transmission and thermal management.
Implementation Method 1
a driver ring for the positive transmission of the torque from the drive side to the first friction assembly is attached to a connecting surface of the counter-plate; wherein the driver ring can be mounted via a bearing surface on the output side in such a way that actuating forces of the actuating device acting on the driver ring are supported at least in a first axial direction
Implementation Method 2
the driver ring is fastened to the connection surface via a plurality of fastening points, the fastening points being arranged spaced apart from one another in a circumferential direction, with gaps being present between the fastening points in each case, through which a fluid exchange along the radial direction between the connection surface and the driver ring is possible
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~8
AI summary
Friction clutch for a drive train of a motor vehicle, for the transmission of torques between a drive side and an output side, having at least one first friction assembly (4), at least comprising a counterplate (5), a pressure plate (9) which can be moved to a limited extent with respect to the counterplate in an axial direction by way of an actuating device of the friction clutch, and at least one clutch disc (10) with at least one friction lining which is arranged along the axial direction between the pressure plate and the counterplate; wherein a driver ring (12) is fastened to an attaching surface of the counterplate for the positively locking transmission of the torques from the drive side to the first friction assembly; wherein the driver ring can be mounted on the output side via a bearing surface in such a way that actuating forces of the actuating device which act at least in a first axial direction on the driver ring are supported; wherein the driver ring is fastened to the attaching surface via a plurality of fastening points (18), wherein the fastening points are arranged spaced apart from one another in a circumferential direction, wherein there are in each case gaps (20) between the fastening points, by way of which gaps (20) a fluid exchange (21) is possible along the radial direction between the attaching surface and the driver ring.