Friction Clutch Sleeve for Curved Spring Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional clutch plates with straight coil springs face limitations in angular displacement and dampening efficiency due to alignment issues and wear caused by curved springs rubbing against other components, leading to noise, vibration, and premature failure.
Innovation Solution
A clutch plate design featuring a moveable sleeve that allows curved drive springs to operate without rubbing against the plate assembly, providing two-stage movement to maximize angular displacement and reduce friction, wear, and noise, while using suitable materials for low friction and heat management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If curved drive springs are used to increase spring length and dampening, then angular displacement and dampening efficiency are improved, but the springs rub against other parts of the clutch plate causing wear, heat, and premature failure
Solution Approach 1:
A guide is introduced as an intermediary component between the curved drive spring and the clutch plate housing. The guide allows the spring to move radially outward during operation while preventing direct contact with the housing, thereby eliminating wear and heat generation while maintaining the benefits of curved spring geometry for increased angular displacement
2Ease of manufacture
If straight coil compression springs are used, then manufacturing is easy and cost is low, but angular displacement is limited and dampening efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The drive spring is designed with a curved geometry instead of a straight configuration. This curvature allows the spring to achieve greater angular displacement and dampening efficiency while the guide ensures the curved spring operates without rubbing against surrounding components, resolving the trade-off between manufacturability and performance
3Duration of action of moving object
If spring length is increased to improve dampening, then angular displacement increases, but spring load moves out of alignment reducing compressive strength
Solution Approach 1:
The guide serves as a mediator that constrains the curved spring's movement path, ensuring the spring load remains properly aligned with the spring axis even as the spring extends to provide increased angular displacement. This prevents the spring from being forced into a trapezoidal shape and maintains its compressive strength
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 sleeve design enhances angular displacement, reduces wear and noise, eliminates the need for stop pins, and maintains low friction and heat generation, thereby improving the durability and performance of the clutch plate.
Implementation Method 1
The drive springs are typically coil springs... The hub flange is driven to rotate when the main plate is shifted into engagement with the flywheel of an engine through a friction material fixed to the circumferential edge of the main plate, The main and side plate assembly (hereinafter the 'plate assembly') and the hub flange are connected by drive springs to provide limited angular displacement between them. The angular displacement is provided to dampen torsional vibration in the drive mode of the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
The frictional engagement of the coupling faces of the clutch plate with the adjacent rotating coupling faces of the flywheel and the pressure plate allow the clutch plate to transfer power generated by the engine to the remainder of the drive train
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1a
Figure 2~4
AI summary
A clutch plate (10) including first and second plates (11) and (12) with the first plate (11) having a friction material (14, 15) applied about its peripheral edge. A hub (20) for connection to an output shaft and having a hub flange (24). The first and second plates (11, 12) being angularly displaceable relative to each other and being coupled by at least two drive springs (30, 31). A sleeve (40) extends about a portion of each of the drive springs (30, 31) so that a portion (38) of each of the drive springs (30, 31) extends out of the sleeve (40). The sleeve (40) being interposed between a radially outer surface of the springs (30, 31) and a facing bearing surface (57) formed by the plates (11, 12). The arrangement is such that during compression of the springs (30, 31), the springs (30, 31) are moveable within the sleeves (40) relative to the sleeves (40) and the sleeves (40) are moveable relative to the bearing surface (57) of the plates (11) and (12).