Clutch Intermediate Ring with Air Passageways for Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing clutch devices for racing cars engage quickly, causing shock due to the lack of cushion plates, and the introduction of a cushion ring with a tapered pressure plate and diaphragm spring leads to thermal deterioration, narrowing the half-clutch range over time.
Innovation Solution
A clutch device with an intermediate ring and plate springs between the pressure plate and diaphragm spring, featuring air passageways for cooling and a biasing mechanism to maintain a wider half-clutch range, preventing thermal deterioration and shock.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a cushion ring is provided between the pressure plate and the diaphragm spring to widen the half-clutch range, then the half-clutch range is widened, but the cushion ring is thermally deteriorated by friction heat and the spring characteristics are decreased, making the half-clutch range narrow in a short time
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure plate assembly is segmented into multiple components: the pressure plate, intermediate ring, and cushion ring are separated. The intermediate ring acts as a thermal barrier between the heat-generating friction interface and the cushion ring, protecting the cushion ring from thermal deterioration while maintaining its cushioning function.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate ring serves as a mediator component positioned between the pressure plate and the cushion ring. It transmits the pressing force from the diaphragm spring to the pressure plate while protecting the cushion ring from direct exposure to friction heat, thereby preserving the cushion ring's spring characteristics over time.
2Weight of moving object
If no cushion plates are provided to minimize inertial weights and lighten load on transmission, then the inertial weights are minimized, but the depression range of clutch pedal is narrow, causing the clutch to engage more quickly than expected and bringing about shock
Solution Approach 1:
The cushion ring acts as an intermediary element between the pressure plate and the clutch plates. It provides elastic deformation capability that creates a wider half-clutch range, allowing smoother engagement control without adding significant weight to the rotating assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The cushion ring's elastic properties are utilized to change the engagement characteristics. By allowing elastic deformation of the cushion ring, the system achieves a wider half-clutch range that enables controlled engagement, preventing shock while maintaining minimal inertial weight.
3Device complexity
If the cushion ring and pressure plate are formed in annular shapes, then the structure is simple, but air flow is interrupted between inner and outer peripheries, causing thermal deterioration of the cushion ring
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate ring is segmented with air passageways that divide it into multiple sections. This segmentation allows air to flow through the intermediate ring from the inner periphery to the outer periphery, creating cooling channels that carry heat away from the cushion ring without significantly increasing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Air passageways are incorporated into the intermediate ring structure to utilize air flow for cooling purposes. The air flow through the passageways removes friction heat from the cushion ring area, preventing thermal deterioration while maintaining the simple annular overall structure.
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 maintains a wider half-clutch range, improves clutch engagement operability, and prevents thermal deterioration and shock, ensuring reliable and efficient clutch operation.
Implementation Method 1
air passageways are disposed at regular circumferential intervals between the intermediate ring and the pressure plate so as to let the inner and outer peripheries communicate with each other
Implementation Method 2
air passageways are disposed at regular circumferential intervals between the intermediate ring and the pressure plate so as to let the inner and outer peripheries communicate with each other; the plate springs are disposed in the air passageways
Implementation Method 3
a plate spring is disposed in the air passageways to bias constantly the intermediate ring and the pressure plate in a direction of separating from each other
Implementation Method 4
an intermediate ring is disposed on the pressure plate between the pressure plate and the diaphragm spring so as to be slightly movable in a direction of pressing by the diaphragm spring
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is to provide a clutch device that keeps a half-clutch range wide for a long time. A clutch device 1 is arranged in such a manner that an intermediate ring 24 is disposed on the pressure plate 23 so as to be slightly movable in a direction of pressing by a diaphragm spring 21; air passageways 31 are radially disposed at regular circumferential intervals between the intermediate ring 24 and the pressure plate 23 so as to let the inner and outer peripheries communicate with each other; plate springs 25 are disposed in the air passageways 31 to bias constantly the intermediate ring 24 and the pressure plate 23 in a direction of separating from each other; and a force of the pressing operation by the diaphragm spring 21 is transferred to the pressure plate 23 via the intermediate ring 24 and the plate springs 25.