Anti-Flutter Clutch Assembly with Elastic Plate Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Clutch disengagement leads to 'flutter' phenomenon, causing unwanted contact between input and output plates, resulting in drag, heat generation, and premature component failure due to vibrations and spin losses.
Innovation Solution
A clutch assembly with elastic elements mounted on alternating input plates to maintain separation between interleaved input and output plates when disengaged, acting as dampers to absorb vibrations and prevent plate contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the clutch is disengaged to allow free rotation of input plates, then power transmission is interrupted, but plate vibrations cause flutter and unwanted contact
Solution Approach 1:
Elastic elements are mounted on the clutch plates before operation to provide cushioning during disengagement. These elements absorb vibrations and prevent unwanted contact between plates when the clutch is disengaged, thereby preventing premature failure while maintaining free rotation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Elastic elements act as intermediary components between the clutch plates, introducing a compliant element that absorbs vibrations and prevents direct unwanted contact during disengagement, while still allowing the plates to rotate freely at different speeds.
2Reliability
If elastic elements are mounted on all plates to prevent flutter, then vibration damping is maximized, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of mounting elastic elements on all clutch plates, the invention applies them only to select plates (either alternating plates or specific positions). This partial application provides sufficient vibration damping to prevent flutter while reducing the number of components needed, thereby lowering manufacturing complexity and cost.
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 elastic elements effectively eliminate clutch flutter, reducing drag and preventing premature failure by maintaining plate separation and absorbing vibrations, thereby enhancing power transmission efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of elastic elements mounted on at least one of the interleaved input and output plates
Implementation Method 2
the plurality of elastic elements maintain separation in the axial direction between those of the plurality of interleaved input and output plates adjacent to the at least one of the interleaved input and output plates on which the plurality of elastic elements are mounted
Data Source
AI summary
A plurality of elastic elements are mounted to at least one of a plurality of interleaved input and output plates of a clutch stack such that, when the clutch stack is moved to a disengaged position, the plurality of elastic elements maintain separation in an axial direction between the plurality of interleaved input and output plates. Clutch flutter is avoided, reducing the drag between clutch plates.