Clutch Wear Compensation via Segmented Spring Elements
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clutch assemblies for motor vehicle friction clutches face challenges in wear compensation, leading to reduced lift and potential malfunction due to complex and costly spring production, as well as insufficient spring deflection, which can result in assembly errors and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
The use of individual resilient spring elements arranged on retaining tabs of a retaining ring, with axial elevations and support areas, allows for easy assembly and sufficient spring deflection to compensate for wear, ensuring no air gap forms between the diaphragm spring and surrounding components, and adjustable spring force based on the number and design of spring elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If annular spring elements with axially offset sections are used for wear compensation, then wear compensation is achieved, but production complexity and assembly costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the wear compensation function into multiple individual spring elements (at least two) that are distributed around the circumference of the retaining ring, replacing a single complex annular spring. Each spring element is simpler to manufacture and assemble, while collectively they provide the necessary wear compensation across the entire clutch assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of manufacturing one complex annular spring with precise circumferential positioning requirements, the invention uses multiple identical or similar spring elements that can be produced more simply and assembled in a distributed pattern, reducing both production and assembly complexity.
2Reliability
If annular spring elements are used for wear compensation, then wear can be compensated, but assembly costs and handling precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining ring is divided into multiple retaining tabs (at least three) with spring elements distributed between them, allowing simpler assembly procedures compared to installing a single large annular spring. The segmented approach reduces handling precision requirements during assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring elements are made identical or similar in design, allowing standardized production and assembly procedures. This homogeneity simplifies the assembly process compared to installing a single complex annular spring with varying sections.
3Reliability
If ring springs are used for wear compensation, then some wear compensation is provided, but the spring deflection is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
By using multiple individual spring elements instead of a single annular spring, each element can be designed with optimized dimensions and material properties to achieve greater deflection capability. The distributed arrangement allows each spring to deflect independently, providing sufficient total compensation for wear.
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 enables a cost-effective and easy-to-assemble clutch assembly with sufficient spring deflection, preventing clutch malfunction and ensuring reliable operation by maintaining the necessary spring preload and compensating for wear without complex assembly requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element (12) is arranged between two adjacent components of the clutch assembly (1), which are arranged between the retaining ring (5) and the axial stop (8) of the retaining tabs (6), which exert an axial spring force on the adjacent components (12)
Implementation Method 2
During assembly, the axial elevation is compressed so that a spring preload occurs in the axial direction between the clutch housing and the axial stop of the retaining tabs
Implementation Method 3
If wear occurs, the disc spring relaxes by a corresponding amount and thus compensates for the wear
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The assembly (1) has a clutch housing (2) in which a membrane spring (4) is arranged, where the spring acts on a pressure plate, and is fixed at the housing by a holding ring. A spring element (12) is arranged at a holding axle (6) between two adjacent components of the assembly, and exerts axial spring force on the components. The spring element has two edge-side supporting regions partially lying at one of the components and extending in a direction of the axle. An axial projection is arranged between the support regions, and partially lies at the other component.