Clutch System Bearing Load Reduction via Force Decoupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-plate and single-disk clutches experience excessive loading of drive shaft bearings during the release process due to the direct transmission of reaction forces, leading to potential overloading and reduced service life.
Innovation Solution
A clutch system design that incorporates a second rotary decoupling bearing to isolate the reaction force from the drive unit, using a force transmission sleeve or support sections to redirect the force through a transmission housing, thereby decoupling the force support from the drive unit and reducing bearing load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the release force is introduced through the conventional bearing support on the drive shaft, then the clutch can be actuated, but the bearings of the drive shaft are massively loaded and overloaded over service life
Solution Approach 1:
The release force transmission path is segmented into two independent bearing support locations: the first rotary decoupling bearing supported on the drive shaft, and the second rotary decoupling bearing supported on the transmission housing. This segmentation distributes the reaction force across separate structural elements, preventing overload of the drive shaft bearings while maintaining clutch actuation functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission housing serves as an intermediary structure that receives and supports the second rotary decoupling bearing. This intermediary element provides an alternative force transmission path for the release reaction force, redirecting it away from the drive shaft bearings and onto the transmission housing structure, thereby protecting the drive shaft bearings from excessive loading.
2Reliability
If a force transmission sleeve is used to redirect the release force, then the reaction force is decoupled from the drive unit, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission housing performs multiple functions: it accommodates the second rotary decoupling bearing, provides structural support for the release force transmission path, and serves as the mounting structure for the clutch assembly. By utilizing the existing transmission housing for multiple purposes, the design achieves force decoupling without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The force transmission sleeve is merged with the existing clutch actuation mechanism, and the second rotary decoupling bearing is integrated into the transmission housing structure. This combining of elements creates a compact force transmission path that achieves bearing load reduction while minimizing the addition of separate discrete 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 effectively reduces the loading on drive shaft bearings during clutch disengagement, enhancing the service life and reliability of the clutch system by decoupling the reaction force from the drive unit, allowing for precise force conversion and reduced wear on critical components.
Implementation Method 1
a first rotary decoupling bearing (58) via which the release arrangement (14) is supported with respect to the force accumulator (40)
Implementation Method 2
a second rotary decoupling bearing (60) which acts between the force transmission sleeve (80) and the transmission housing (124)
Implementation Method 3
an energy accumulator (40), which is arranged on an outer side of the housing (18) and is supported with respect to it, with the force accumulator acting on the pressure plate (22)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The multi-disk clutch (10) has a butt plate (16) fixed at the housing (18), which contains a press plate (22). The clutch disk assembly (24) is attached to a rotating shaft. A membrane spring (40) bears against the press plate through a contact zone (46). An external declutching mechanism (14) acts on the membrane spring through rotary couplings (58,60) to apply a reaction force.