Clutch Actuation System Guide Sleeve Retaining Nut

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing actuation systems for coupling a motor vehicle engine drive shaft to a transmission input shaft are difficult to assemble and costly due to the need for support on the transmission housing, which complicates the assembly process.

Innovation Solution

An actuation system featuring a slave cylinder supported by a guide sleeve and a cover bearing on a clutch part, with a retaining nut providing axial support and force dissipation, allowing the actuation system to be mounted independently of the transmission housing, using a self-reinforcing screw connection and adhesive lock for stability and ease of assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the actuation system is screwed to the transmission housing for support, then the actuating forces can be supported stably, but the assembly of the clutch unit becomes more difficult and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of actuating force supportVSAvoidassembly speed of clutch unit
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The actuation system is separated from the transmission housing support structure. The clutch unit with its actuation system becomes an independent module that is simply inserted into the transmission housing without requiring screw connections to the housing, thus improving assembly speed while maintaining stability through the internal retaining nut and cover bearing structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support function for the actuation system is extracted from the transmission housing and relocated to the clutch unit itself through the retaining nut and cover bearing arrangement. This allows the actuation system to be self-supported within the clutch assembly, eliminating the need for complex mounting to the transmission housing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If the actuation system is supported on the transmission housing, then stable force transfer is achieved, but the assembly process becomes more complex and costly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforce transfer stabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity and cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The support function for the actuation system is merged into the clutch unit assembly itself. The retaining nut and cover bearing are integrated components that work together to provide stable force transfer from the slave cylinder to the clutch components, eliminating the need for separate mounting structures on the transmission housing and reducing overall assembly complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The clutch unit becomes self-supporting for the actuation system. The retaining nut screwed into the guide sleeve and the cover bearing mounted on the clutch cover create a self-contained support structure that does not require external support from the transmission housing, simplifying both manufacturing and assembly processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 simplifies the assembly process, reduces costs, and ensures durable, reliable operation by transferring actuation forces directly to the clutch part without requiring connection to the transmission housing, minimizing axial play and preventing rattling noises.

Implementation Method 1

the retaining nut being used not only for the axial positioning of the cover bearing, but also for dissipating the forces that occur when the clutch unit is actuated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

the securing element being designed in particular as an adhesive layer bonded to the retaining nut and the guide sleeve

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP2933516B1Actuating system
Publication Date: 2019.09.04 SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO KG
  • EP2933516B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

An actuation system (12) for actuating a clutch assembly (10) for coupling a drive shaft of a motor vehicle engine with at least one transmission input shaft of a motor vehicle transmission is provided, comprising a slave cylinder (16) for initiating an actuating force, a guide sleeve (26) for supporting the slave cylinder (16), and a cover bearing (36) supported on a clutch part, in particular a clutch cover (28), for mounting the clutch part (28) on the guide sleeve (26), wherein the cover bearing (36) is mounted on the guide sleeve (26), wherein the guide sleeve (26) has an external thread (32) at an end region (30) pointing away from the slave cylinder (16), and a retaining nut (34) is screwed onto the external thread (32), and wherein the cover bearing (36) is held securely in the axial direction, in particular without play, between the retaining nut (34) and the clutch part (28). is.By means of the retaining nut (34) screwed to the guide sleeve (26), the actuating forces occurring when the clutch assembly (10) is actuated can be transferred via the cover bearing (36) to the clutch part (28) without having to connect the slave cylinder (16) to a gearbox housing of a motor vehicle gearbox, thus enabling a durable, easily assembled and cost-effective clutch assembly (10).