Clutch With Removable Gerotor Pump for Heat Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The heat generated by dynamic friction between slipping clutch plates in winch systems can cause damage to the clutch components, compromising the system's lifetime and effectiveness if not managed effectively.
Innovation Solution
A clutch design incorporating a positive displacement gerotor pump that delivers hydraulic fluid to the friction plates during a slip event to manage heat, with the pump being removably attached and easily accessible for maintenance, and a ball-ramp assembly to moderate torque and counteract friction variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the clutch plates are designed to slip at maximum torque to prevent overload damage, then the protection function is improved, but significant heat is generated that can damage the plates and reduce system lifetime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful heat generated by friction plate slipping into a beneficial cooling mechanism. A pump is integrated into the clutch assembly that uses the relative motion between slipping friction plates to drive hydraulic fluid through cooling channels formed in the friction plates themselves. This transforms the harmful thermal energy into useful fluid flow for heat dissipation, directly addressing the contradiction between overload protection and heat management
2Temperature
If a pump is integrated into the clutch assembly for heat management, then the cooling function is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the pump function directly into the clutch assembly by forming the pump body as an integral part of the clutch housing and using the clutch's own moving components (friction plates, shafts) to drive the pump. This eliminates the need for separate cooling system components and reduces overall system complexity while maintaining effective heat management
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic fluid serving system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides cooling for the friction plates, lubrication for moving parts, and the fluid flow itself drives the pump mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems and simplifies the overall clutch assembly
3Ease of repair
If the pump is made removable for maintenance purposes, then the ease of repair is improved, but the connection reliability between pump and shaft may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the pump into a removable module that can be detached from the clutch assembly for maintenance. The pump is connected to the shaft through a detachable coupling mechanism that allows easy removal and reinstallation while maintaining reliable operation during normal use, balancing ease of repair with connection reliability
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 solution effectively cools the friction plates, preventing damage and improving the clutch's lifetime and effectiveness by actively managing heat during slip events, while also simplifying maintenance and reducing complexity compared to previous designs.
Implementation Method 1
A clutch design incorporating a positive displacement gerotor pump that delivers hydraulic fluid to the friction plates during a slip event to manage heat
Implementation Method 2
When the plates slip relative to each other the dynamic friction between them will generate significant heat
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
A clutch (5; 105) comprising a pump (200) is disclosed. The pump (200) is operatively connected to the clutch (5; 105) such that a clutch slip event will cause the pump (200) to deliver fluid from a fluid source to a region surrounding the friction plates (144, 132) of the clutch (5; 105). The operation of the pump (200) manages heat that is generated by the dynamic friction of the slipping clutch plates (144, 132). The pump (200) and associated fluid delivery methods are removably securable to an upstream end of an input shaft (110) of the clutch (5; 105). This allows the pump (200) and associated fluid delivery methods to be used as modular components, that are easy to remove and replace for maintenance purposes, it also allows easier access to the internals of the clutch (5; 105) for maintenance.