Clutch Release Unit Supporting Ring for Reduced Guide Face Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing central release units for hydraulic clutch actuation in motor vehicles experience excessive wear due to rigid connections and lack of play, leading to tumbling motions that cause axial runout and wear on guide faces.
Innovation Solution
A central release unit with a supporting ring having spring tabs that engage with a ramp region on the annular piston, allowing defined radial play and tumbling motion while preventing axial force transmission, thereby reducing wear by separating locations of axial force transmission and sliding relative movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the release bearing is rigidly coupled to the annular piston, then the connection is stable and strong, but the guide face experiences excessive wear due to transmitted tilt moments
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting ring is designed with elastic spring tabs that allow dynamic movement and tumbling motion relative to the annular piston. This dynamic connection absorbs tilt moments through the tumbling motion while maintaining stable axial connection, preventing the transmission of circulating tilt moments to the guide face and reducing wear.
2Power
If the release bearing is rigidly connected to the annular piston, then axial force transmission is efficient, but tumbling motion causes axial runout and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the release bearing and annular piston is segmented into two independent functions: the spring tabs handle axial force transmission efficiently, while the radial play allows tumbling motion to occur without transmitting tilt moments. This segmentation separates the axial force transmission path from the tilt moment path, eliminating axial runout and wear.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the supporting ring is tightly fitted to the annular piston, then the connection is stable, but tumbling motion is restricted causing wear
Solution Approach 1:
The radial clearance parameter between the supporting ring and annular piston is optimized to provide defined radial play. This parameter change allows the supporting ring to tumble freely during operation while maintaining stable axial connection through the spring tabs, preventing wear on the annular piston.
4Adaptability or versatility
If spring tabs are used to connect the supporting ring to the annular piston, then tumbling motion is allowed, but axial force transmission may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The spring tabs act as an intermediary element between the supporting ring and annular piston. They provide elastic connection that allows tumbling motion while maintaining stable axial force transmission. The spring tabs mediate between the two requirements, enabling both tumbling capability and efficient power transmission simultaneously.
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 effectively minimizes wear between the annular piston and guide face by allowing tumbling motions without transmitting circulating tilt moments, ensuring the release bearing can move freely relative to the annular piston, thus reducing wear and maintaining operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a free end of each of said spring tabs is configured to engage in sprung fashion in an assigned depression in the end portion of the annular piston
Implementation Method 2
during said tumbling motion, the spring tabs may slide on the ramp region along the central axis without self-inhibition and hence apply a return force on the supporting ring
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~8
Figure 9~15
AI summary
A central release unit (10) has a cylinder housing (12) which delimits an annular pressure chamber (14) about its central axis (M), wherein an annular piston (18) is guided displaceably in said pressure chamber. A release bearing (16) is held on the annular piston by means of a supporting ring (20), wherein a sleeve portion (24) of said supporting ring surrounds an end portion (22) of the annular piston. The sleeve portion has a plurality of spring tabs (26) which engage in sprung fashion in an assigned depression (30) of the annular piston and draw a contact face (32) of the supporting ring against an end face (34) of the annular piston. A defined radial play (s) exists between the supporting ring and the annular piston, allowing a tumbling motion of the contact face of the supporting ring on the end face of the annular piston. For the engagement of the spring tabs, the depression of the annular piston has a ramp region (36) with a gradient (ramp angle α) such that, during said tumbling motion, the spring tabs can slide on the ramp region along the central axis without self-inhibition and hence apply a return force to the supporting ring, countering the tumbling motion.