Hydrodynamic Clutch Flow Guide Element Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing hydrodynamic clutch devices are costly due to the complex and expensive housing hub that needs to be dimensioned both axially and radially to position the turbine wheel and piston, requiring precise alignment of flow channels and passages, which complicates manufacturing and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves eliminating the need for a housing hub by using a flow guide element made of sintered material, which is supported radially by the drive-side housing wall and provides axial support to the carrier hub, allowing for a simpler design and reducing manufacturing complexity, with the flow guide element featuring grooves for fluid passages and lubricating recesses to minimize friction and wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a housing hub is used to position the carrier hub and piston axially and radially, then proper positioning is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The housing hub is divided into two separate functional elements: a carrier hub for axial positioning and a flow guide element for radial positioning. This segmentation allows each element to be optimized for its specific function, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining precise positioning. The carrier hub focuses solely on axial location, while the flow guide element handles radial alignment and fluid distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The radial positioning function is extracted from the housing hub and transferred to the flow guide element. This extraction eliminates the need for the housing hub to perform multiple functions, reducing its complexity. The flow guide element independently provides radial positioning through its geometric shape and interaction with the drive-side housing wall.
2Manufacturing precision
If the housing hub is dimensioned to provide both axial and radial positioning, then proper alignment is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning functions are segmented between two simple components rather than one complex housing hub. The carrier hub provides axial positioning with a simple geometric form, while the flow guide element provides radial positioning through its shaped geometry. This segmentation makes both components easier to manufacture than a single multi-functional housing hub.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow guide element serves multiple purposes: it guides fluid flow through its internal passages, provides radial positioning through its external geometry, and supports the carrier hub axially. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate positioning mechanisms, reducing overall manufacturing complexity and cost.
3Manufacturing precision
If flow channels in the housing hub are precisely aligned with flow passages in the hub, then proper fluid flow is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow channels and flow passages are merged into a single integrated flow guide element. This eliminates the need for precise alignment between separate components, as the fluid flow path is continuous within one piece. The flow guide element's internal geometry ensures proper fluid distribution to both the pressure space and supply space without requiring complex inter-component alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow guide element acts as an intermediary between the hydraulic system and the clutch components. It receives fluid from the hydraulic circuit and distributes it through its internal passages to the pressure space and supply space, simplifying the overall fluid flow path and eliminating complex alignment requirements between multiple components.
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 manufacturing costs and complexity by eliminating the need for a housing hub, ensuring proper axial and radial positioning of the turbine wheel and piston, while maintaining low friction and preventing wear, thus enhancing the overall efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the hydrodynamic clutch device.
Implementation Method 1
a hydrodynamic circuit including a pump wheel and a turbine wheel in the clutch housing, and a bridging clutch having a piston capable of shifting axially relative to the drive-side housing wall, the piston separating a pressure space adjacent to the drive-side housing wall from a supply space
Implementation Method 2
the flow guide element featuring grooves for fluid passages and lubricating recesses to minimize friction and wear
Data Source
AI summary
A hydrodynamic clutch includes a hydrodynamic circuit formed by at least a pump wheel and a turbine wheel in a clutch housing with a drive-side housing wall extending to the axis of rotation, and a bridging clutch with a piston capable of shifting axially relative to the drive-side housing wall. The turbine wheel is connected to a hub, which is connected for rotation in common to a takeoff, and is axially supported between the hydrodynamic circuit and a flow guide element, which is supported between the hub and the drive-side housing wall, and has first and second flow passages which are axially offset from each other. The flow guide element has a drive-side end with an axial bearing area which can be moved into axial contact with an axial bearing, which is either an axial contact surface on the drive-side housing wall or is assigned to the drive-side housing wall.