Clutch Arrangement Fluid Flow and Torque Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clutch arrangements face challenges in achieving a balance between fluid flow and installation space requirements, particularly in spatially cramped situations, where the flow of a fluid medium is often compromised to accommodate the necessary installation space or vice versa.
Innovation Solution
A clutch arrangement that utilizes a conveying component with a conveying surface to both transmit torque and facilitate fluid flow, where the conveying component engages with a disk-shaped component part to set it in rotation, allowing for enhanced fluid flow while minimizing installation space requirements, and optionally using a one-piece construction and leaf spring elements for additional stability and compactness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a separate coolant distributing arrangement with webs or ramps is used to increase fluid flow, then fluid flow is improved, but device complexity and installation space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the torque transmission function and fluid conveying function into a single component. The conveying component has conveying surfaces that generate fluid flow while simultaneously engaging with friction surfaces to transmit torque, eliminating the need for separate coolant distributing arrangements and reducing installation space requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The conveying component serves multiple functions: it transmits torque through frictional engagement with the friction surfaces and simultaneously generates fluid flow through its rotating conveying surfaces. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by achieving both torque transmission and fluid flow enhancement without additional components
2Temperature
If oil circulation is implemented to remove heat from friction surfaces, then temperature control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is merged with the torque transmission system. The conveying component that transmits torque also serves as the fluid pump by generating circulation flow through its rotating conveying surfaces, eliminating the need for separate cooling pumps and complex cooling system architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The conveying component generates its own fluid circulation flow through its rotating conveying surfaces without requiring external pumps or complex cooling system components. The system uses itself to provide the cooling function, 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
This solution enables a greater fluid flow with reduced installation space or maintains fluid flow while reducing space requirements, improving mechanical stability and noise reduction by integrating the fluid flow mechanism with the torque transmission mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
the conveying surface causes a flow of the fluid medium during a rotation relative to the fluid medium
Implementation Method 2
energy is converted into heat in the area of the relevant friction surfaces, which can lead to an unwanted heating of the relevant friction surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
A clutch arrangement for a drivetrain of a vehicle comprises a first component, a second component, and a conveying component. The first component has an at least partially disk-shape and has a first friction surface at the disk-shaped portion. The second component has an at least partially disk-shape and has a second friction surface at the disk-shaped portion. The first friction and second friction surfaces are configured and arranged to be brought into a frictional engagement with each other and contact a fluid medium in operation. The conveying component comprises a conveying surface for the fluid medium and coupled to a drive component to be substantially fixed with respect to rotation relative to it such that the conveying surface causes a flow of the fluid medium during a rotation relative to the fluid medium.