Clutch Plate Separator System for Simultaneous Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional friction clutches experience uncontrolled axial movement of the intermediate plate during engagement and disengagement, leading to uneven wear of friction disks and reduced clutch life due to sequential engagement, necessitating a mechanism for simultaneous and adjustable control of intermediate plate travel relative to the pressure plate.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of biasing members and drive straps with adjustable spring rates to ensure virtually simultaneous engagement of friction disks, where the intermediate plate moves approximately half the distance of the pressure plate during clutch engagement and disengagement, and the ability to modify axial movement by altering the spring rates of the biasing members and drive straps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional friction clutch design is used without additional control mechanisms, then the device complexity is low, but the axial movement of the intermediate plate is uncontrolled leading to sequential engagement and uneven wear of friction disks
Solution Approach 1:
A separator element is introduced as an intermediary component between the intermediate plate and the drive straps. This separator element mediates the axial movement by engaging with the drive straps at a specific point, thereby controlling the intermediate plate's travel distance to be approximately half that of the pressure plate, ensuring simultaneous engagement of both friction disks
Solution Approach 2:
The separator element is designed as a simple, inexpensive component that can be easily manufactured and replaced. It serves as a sacrificial or consumable element that facilitates the controlled movement mechanism without requiring complex adjustable components, making the overall system more cost-effective while achieving the reliability goal
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed control mechanism is used for intermediate plate travel, then simultaneous engagement is achieved, but the system lacks adaptability for different clutch configurations and wear patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The separator element is pre-configured with a specific engagement point on the drive straps that automatically establishes the correct travel ratio between the intermediate plate and pressure plate. This preliminary configuration eliminates the need for complex adjustable mechanisms while providing adaptability through the ability to replace the separator element with different engagement geometries for different clutch configurations
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 ensures uniform wear of friction disks and smooth clutch engagement by achieving simultaneous engagement of the friction disks, extending the clutch's useful life and allowing for easy adjustment of the axial movement relationship between the intermediate and pressure plates.
Implementation Method 1
biasing members and drive straps with adjustable spring rates
Implementation Method 2
resilient elements that are layered to form a leaf spring
Data Source
AI summary
A torque transmitting apparatus may include a cover portion generally defined by a first axis, and a flywheel coupled to the cover portion for rotation therewith. A pressure plate may be coupled to the cover portion for rotation therewith and be axially moveable relative to the cover portion. An intermediate plate may be coupled to the cover portion for rotation therewith. The intermediate plate is axially moveable relative to the cover portion and the pressure plate. A first clutch disk may be at least partially interposed between the pressure plate and the intermediate plate, and a second clutch disk may be at least partially interposed between the flywheel and the intermediate plate. The apparatus may include an axially acting biasing element for exerting an axial force between the pressure plate and the intermediate plate, and a support member extending through the biasing element.