Clutch Housing Cooling Jacket for Lubricant Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for temperature control of lubricating fluids in clutch/gear assemblies of drive trains require separate cooling systems and additional components, which are inefficient and occupy unnecessary space, especially in dual-clutch transmissions where heat management is critical.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for tempering the lubricating fluid using a temperature control channel and a detection system that introduces tempering fluid into the channel, allowing for targeted heat dissipation or absorption, eliminating the need for separate cooling systems and additional components by utilizing existing channels and fluids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If separate oil coolers are installed in drive trains with powerful drive motors, then temperature control of lubricating fluid is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cooling function with the existing lubricating fluid circulation system by integrating a cooling jacket directly into the clutch housing. The lubricating fluid serves dual purposes: both lubrication and cooling, eliminating the need for separate cooling systems while maintaining effective temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The lubricating fluid is given multiple functions: it provides both lubrication for the clutch components and cooling through the integrated cooling jacket. This multi-functionality reduces system complexity by eliminating dedicated cooling systems while achieving both lubrication and temperature control objectives.
2Temperature
If separate lubricating fluid lines and pumps are used for oil coolers, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and installation space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling jacket is integrated directly into the clutch housing structure, eliminating the need for separate cooling lines and external coolers. The lubricating fluid circulates through the existing clutch fluid lines, serving both lubrication and cooling functions within the same spatial envelope.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling jacket is nested within the clutch housing structure, with the cooling channels formed as integral parts of the housing. This nesting approach allows the cooling system to occupy the same space as the clutch assembly, eliminating additional installation space requirements.
3Measurement precision
If targeted heat management is implemented in dual clutch transmissions, then temperature control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling jacket is positioned to provide targeted cooling at the heat generation source within the clutch assembly. The cooling channels are strategically located to address specific thermal zones, enabling precise local temperature control without requiring complex active cooling systems.
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 efficient temperature control of lubricating fluids without additional components, reducing space requirements and improving heat management in dual-clutch transmissions by using existing fluid circulation systems, ensuring effective cooling or heating as needed.
Implementation Method 1
The cooling fluid absorbs frictional heat generated by slippage between adjacent clutch discs, with the absorbed heat being dissipated by the cooling fluid through a heat exchanger to a cooling unit surrounding the clutch unit
Implementation Method 2
The cooling fluid absorbs frictional heat generated by slippage between adjacent clutch discs, with the absorbed heat being dissipated by the cooling fluid through a heat exchanger
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 6~8
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for controlling the temperature of a lubricating fluid (66) of a clutch/gear box arrangement (16, 18) of a drive train (12), said clutch/gear box arrangement (16, 18) comprising a housing arrangement (36) in which at least one lubricating fluid (66) is received, a rotational element (100) that can be set to rotate and can be supplied with lubricating fluid (66) from radially inside being arranged in the housing arrangement (36), a temperature control channel (72) through which a temperature control fluid (27) can flow and which extends around a circumferential section (118) of said rotational element (100) being arranged in said housing arrangement (36), with a detector device (134, 136) being comprised that can detect a need for temperature control for the lubricating fluid (66), with the steps of: - detecting a need for temperature control for the lubricating fluid (66); - introducing temperature control fluid (27) into the temperature control channel (72) if not done already; - setting the rotational element (100) to rotate if not done already, and - supplying the rotational element (100) with lubricating fluid (66) such that, by means of the rotation of the rotational element (100), said lubricating fluid (66) is conveyed radially outwards against an inner side of the temperature control channel (72).