Clutch Spring Device Space Utilization

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Clutch units with friction clutches face challenges in optimizing installation space for spring devices, leading to inefficiencies in using available space without compromising tangential spring force introduction.

Innovation Solution

The clutch unit incorporates a spring device with at least two connected spring bodies, arranged in the ramp valleys or mountains of the ramp devices, and connected by a wire, allowing for optimal utilization of installation space through unequal spring coils and strategic placement to distribute force evenly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single spring device is used in the clutch unit, then the structure is simple, but the installation space is not efficiently utilized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespring device structureVSAvoidinstallation space utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The spring device is segmented into multiple spring bodies (at least two) that are distributed around the circumference of the ramp devices. This segmentation allows each spring body to occupy a smaller, more efficient portion of the available installation space, thereby improving overall space utilization while maintaining the functional simplicity of the spring device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Volume of moving object

If spring bodies are arranged in ramp valleys or mountains, then installation space is optimized, but the spring force introduction must be precisely maintained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation space utilizationVSAvoidspring force introduction precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Each spring body is positioned at a specific location (in the area of a ramp valley of the first ramp device and in the area of a ramp mountain of the second ramp device) with locally optimized properties. The connecting wire connects these spring bodies in series, ensuring that the spring force is introduced tangentially with precise control at each local position, thereby maintaining manufacturing precision while optimizing installation space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Volume of moving object

If multiple spring devices are distributed over the circumference, then space utilization improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation space utilizationVSAvoidspring device distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple spring bodies are merged into a single spring device through the connecting wire that connects them in series. This merging approach allows the spring device to be distributed over the circumference for optimized space utilization while maintaining the functional simplicity of a unified spring device structure, thereby reducing the apparent complexity despite the distributed arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 design enhances the use of available space within the clutch unit while maintaining effective spring force distribution, simplifying production and assembly, and improving the overall performance of the clutch unit.

Implementation Method 1

the spring device with at least two connected spring bodies, in particular tension spring bodies

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2028385B9Coupling device
Publication Date: 2012.07.18 SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO KG
  • EP2028385B9 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2028385B9 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2028385B9 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The clutch assembly has a friction clutch. The friction clutch has a wear-adjusting device with a ramp device. The ramp device works together with another ramp device. Another ramp device is tensed up with the former ramp device by a spring unit, particularly a tension spring unit. The spring unit (65) has two spring bodies, particularly tension spring bodies (75,76), which are connected in series.