Multi-Ring Cone Clutch Layout for High Torque With Low Drag
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clutches for vehicles face challenges in achieving a large torque transfer capacity while maintaining a compact size, as increasing torque transfer capacity often results in increased volume and heat dissipation issues, affecting durability and fuel efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The cone clutch design incorporates a hub, sleeve, clutch ring, and multiple friction rings with strategically placed friction members on contact surfaces, allowing for efficient torque transfer and heat dissipation, minimizing frictional drag in the release state and enhancing cooling through oil flow passages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the friction area is increased using a plurality of components to increase torque transfer capacity, then the torque transfer capacity is improved, but the heat generated in the components needs to be effectively dispersed and discharged to secure stable durability
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch is divided into multiple friction rings (first friction ring, second friction ring, third friction ring) with corresponding friction members distributed across multiple contact surfaces. This segmentation increases the total friction area for torque transfer while distributing heat generation across multiple discrete locations, improving heat dissipation efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The friction rings are arranged in a nested configuration along the axial direction, with each friction ring positioned between specific cones (clutch cone, internal middle cone, external middle cone). This nested arrangement maximizes the use of available space while maintaining separate thermal zones for each friction interface, facilitating effective heat management
2Power
If the volume of the clutch is increased to secure a large torque transfer capacity, then the torque transfer capacity is improved, but the clutch occupies a larger volume
Solution Approach 1:
The friction rings and cones are arranged in an axial direction rather than radially, utilizing the axial dimension to increase friction area. Multiple friction interfaces are stacked along the axis, allowing high torque capacity within a compact radial footprint, thus maintaining small overall clutch volume
3Power
If friction members are provided on all contact surfaces to maximize torque transfer capacity, then the torque transfer capacity is improved, but drag is increased in the release state
Solution Approach 1:
Friction members are selectively applied only on specific contact surfaces where torque transfer is required, rather than uniformly on all surfaces. This localized application ensures high friction where needed for power transmission while minimizing unnecessary friction in other areas during release state, reducing parasitic drag
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 enables a compact cone clutch with a large torque transfer capacity, reduced drag in non-power transfer states, improved durability, and enhanced fuel efficiency by effectively managing heat and frictional forces.
Implementation Method 1
a frictional force to be applied between the first friction ring and the clutch cone
Implementation Method 2
allowing components contributing to formation of the frictional force to be effectively cooled
Data Source
AI summary
A cone clutch for a vehicle may include a hub, a sleeve, a clutch ring including a clutch cone, a first friction ring, an internal middle cone, a second friction ring, an external middle cone, and a third friction ring, wherein friction members are provided on only any one of two contact surfaces between the clutch cone and the first friction ring, between the first friction ring and the internal middle cone, between the internal middle cone and the second friction ring, between the second friction ring and the external middle cone, and between the external middle cone and the third friction ring.