Multi-Plate Clutch Latching Means Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clutch devices for motor vehicle drive trains with multi-plate clutch arrangements are difficult to assemble due to complex structural designs and require additional effort to ensure proper cohesion during assembly.
Innovation Solution
A clutch device with a power transmission element that is supported in a captive manner on a disk carrier, allowing for simplified assembly by using latching means and a restoring element to facilitate direct actuation and secure support, reducing the need for complex processing and additional support elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a multi-plate clutch arrangement is actuated via a power transmission element with axial fingers extending through recesses in a disk carrier, then torque transmission is enabled, but assembly complexity increases due to the need for locking rings and additional support elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the power transmission element with the disk carrier by integrating latching means directly into the disk carrier structure. The latching means comprises latching elements that are formed as an integral part of the disk carrier, eliminating the need for separate locking rings and support elements. This merging of components simplifies assembly while maintaining structural integrity and torque transmission capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the locking function from separate locking rings and integrates it directly into the disk carrier through latching elements. By taking out the need for additional support elements and incorporating the locking mechanism directly into the disk carrier structure, the design reduces the number of parts and simplifies the assembly process while maintaining the necessary structural complexity for reliable operation.
2Reliability
If locking rings are used to achieve captive support of the power transmission element on the disk carrier, then secure assembly is achieved, but assembly time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The latching means are formed as an integral part of the disk carrier structure, merging the support and locking functions directly into the disk carrier. This integration eliminates the need for separate locking rings and reduces the number of assembly steps required to achieve captive support, thereby reducing assembly time while maintaining reliable support of the power transmission element.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching elements are designed to automatically engage with the power transmission element during assembly, providing self-latching functionality. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for additional manual operations to secure the power transmission element, reducing assembly time while ensuring reliable captive support through the integrated latching structure.
3Reliability
If additional support elements are used to ensure proper cohesion during assembly, then assembly reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the support and cohesion functions into the disk carrier by forming latching means as an integral part of its structure. This integration eliminates the need for additional separate support elements, reducing the number of components and manufacturing complexity while maintaining assembly reliability through the built-in latching mechanism that ensures proper cohesion during assembly.
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 simplifies the assembly process by creating a coherent structural unit between the power transmission element and the disk clutch arrangement, reducing assembly complexity and ensuring secure, reliable torque transmission while minimizing noise and wear.
Implementation Method 1
the power transmission element can be supported on the disk carrier of the multi-disk clutch arrangement in a captively supportable manner, in particular in the two axial directions, by means of latching means... a restoring element is provided for restoring the power transmission element
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a coupling device (2) for arrangement in a drive train of a motor vehicle between a drive unit (4) and a transmission (6), which has at least one multi-plate clutch arrangement (22) associated with a transmission input shaft for selective torque transmission between the drive unit (4) and the transmission input shaft, wherein the multi-plate clutch arrangement (22) can be actuated via a force transmission element (74) which can be supported or is supported in a loss-proof manner on a plate carrier (34) of the multi-plate clutch arrangement (22).