Multi-Disc Clutch Guide Adjustment for Post-Assembly Torque Tuning

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current multi-disc friction clutches face challenges in ensuring accurate alignment and adjustment of friction plates due to manufacturing tolerances, leading to complex and expensive assembly processes, especially when trying to maintain desired force and torque characteristics without oil lubrication.

Innovation Solution

A multi-disc friction clutch system with adjustable axial guide devices and a step-up device, allowing for post-assembly adjustment using washers, rivets, and other elements to ensure precise alignment and force transmission, accommodating manufacturing tolerances and achieving desired torque characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If guide devices are adapted to match specific clutch geometry and characteristics, then transmission precision and torque characteristics are improved, but device complexity and assembly cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveguide device alignment precisionVSAvoidassembly process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by making the guide device adjustable through variable transmission ratios. The transmission device can be adjusted to different positions and ratios to compensate for manufacturing tolerances and match specific clutch characteristics, allowing the same guide device structure to adapt to different clutch geometries without requiring custom-designed complex guide devices for each clutch.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The guide device incorporates dynamic adjustability through the transmission device, which can be positioned at different locations and configured with variable transmission ratios. This dynamic capability allows the guide device to adapt during assembly to achieve precise alignment and torque characteristics without increasing the fundamental structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If intermediate plates are supported by leaf springs to synchronize movement, then release characteristics are improved, but adjustment complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrag-free opening reliabilityVSAvoidguide mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the guide mechanism by introducing a transmission device with variable transmission ratios between the pressure plate and intermediate plates. This allows adjustment of the movement synchronization ratio to optimize release characteristics while maintaining a relatively simple leaf spring-based support structure, avoiding the need for complex multi-component guide mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The guide mechanism is segmented into independent adjustable components: the leaf spring support structure and the transmission device. This segmentation allows the transmission device to be adjusted independently to achieve proper movement synchronization without redesigning the entire guide mechanism, reducing overall complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Manufacturing precision

If adjustments are made late in the assembly process, then coupling characteristics can be compensated, but assembly time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoupling characteristic matchingVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates preliminary adjustability into the guide device design, allowing transmission ratio and position adjustments to be made during assembly. The transmission device is designed with built-in adjustment mechanisms that can be configured at assembly time to compensate for coupling characteristics, enabling precision matching without requiring extensive post-assembly adjustments or specialized equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 system simplifies the assembly process by allowing late-stage adjustments, ensuring reliable torque transmission and force characteristics, reducing complexity and cost while maintaining performance across varying tolerances.

Implementation Method 1

at least one friction package comprising at least three friction plates and at least two friction discs arranged between two friction plates, through which a torque can be transmitted in the pressed-on state

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3677807B1Transmission system for a multi-write friction clutch
Publication Date: 2022.03.30 SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO KG
  • EP3677807B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3677807B1 patent drawingFigure 4~9
  • EP3677807B1 patent drawingFigure 10~16

AI summary

Translation system (1) for a multi-disc friction clutch (2), comprising at least the following components: - a plurality of axial guide devices (3, 4) each for arrangement between two axially relative to each other movable friction plates (5, 6, 7), wherein at least a first axial guide device (3) is arranged for arrangement between an axially fixed counter plate (5) and a first axially movable pressure plate (6), and wherein at least a further axial guide device (4) is arranged for arrangement between an axially movable pressure plate or the axially fixed counter plate and a further axially movable pressure plate;- at least one transmission device (8) with at least one transmission receiver (9) for attachment to a pressure plate, wherein one transmission device is associated with an axial guide device, the associated axial guide device being arranged in a multi-disc friction clutch between other friction plates. The transmission system is characterized in particular by the fact that it further comprises at least one adjustment device (10) by means of which the relative position (11) between the at least one transmission device and/or a friction plate and/or the associated axial guide device can be adjusted. With the adjustment device proposed here, it is possible to adjust the transmission ratio after the assembly of the friction elements of a multi-disc friction clutch.