Multi-Plate Clutch Tuning Ring for Radial Play Noise Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-plate clutches experience undesirable noise due to radial play in form-fit connections, leading to banging noises and structure-borne noise components that are not effectively mitigated by existing technologies.
Innovation Solution
A ring-shaped tuning element is applied to the outer clutch part to influence its acoustic behavior by adjusting natural vibration modes and frequencies, minimizing airborne sound emissions and shifting noise into a non-disturbing frequency range through adjustments in mass, stiffness, and damping properties, independent of the clutch's material properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If radial clearance is provided in positive-locking connections to enable engagement and disengagement, then the clutch can be switched, but contact surface changes cause clunking noises and structure-borne sound
Solution Approach 1:
A damping element is introduced as an intermediary component between the plate packs and the clutch housing/hub. This damping element absorbs the transient excitations caused by radial play, converting mechanical impact energy into heat through material damping, thereby reducing structure-borne sound and clunking noises while preserving the engagement/disengagement functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The damping characteristics of the clutch system are modified by introducing a damping element with specific material properties (loss factor, density, elasticity). This changes the system's dynamic parameters to reduce the amplitude and frequency of structure-borne sound components generated during engagement and disengagement
2Measurement precision
If the outer coupling part radiates frequency components through transient excitation, then the acoustic behavior can be analyzed, but unwanted clutch noises are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The tuning element utilizes the existing transient excitations and frequency components that cause unwanted noise, transforming them into a controlled acoustic output. By carefully designing the tuning element's mass, stiffness, and damping properties, the system converts harmful clunking noises into a more acceptable operational sound profile with reduced amplitude in problematic frequency ranges
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the tuning element adjusts mass and stiffness to modify natural frequencies, then airborne sound radiation is minimized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tuning element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a mass component, a stiffness element, a damping component, and an acoustic tuner. This multi-functionality allows a single component to address multiple noise reduction requirements without proportionally increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The tuning element is implemented as a ring-shaped structure that can be applied to the outer coupling part, providing acoustic tuning functionality through its geometric and material properties without requiring substantial structural modifications to the clutch 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 tuning element reduces unwanted noise by modifying natural frequencies and damping properties, resulting in a preferred functional or operating noise profile that minimizes disturbance, achieved by influencing impulsiveness and modulation of noise frequency groups and adjusting modal parameters.
Implementation Method 1
The tuning element serves to influence the acoustic behavior of the coupling, especially the acoustic behavior of the outer coupling part... the natural mode shapes and/or natural frequencies of the outer coupling part can be adjusted to minimize airborne sound radiation
Implementation Method 2
The material and/or geometry of the tuning element influence its mechanical partial mass, stiffness and/or joint damping properties... by damping the mode shapes and/or natural frequencies
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a clutch (K), in particular a multi-plate clutch, with an outer clutch part (1), in particular a clutch pot, and an inner clutch part (2), in particular a clutch hub (2). The clutch (K) is characterized in particular by the fact that a tuning element (5) encases the outer clutch part (1).