Disconnectable Coupling Lubrication Path for Wet Multi-Plate Clutches
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In all-wheel drive (AWD) vehicles, wet multi-plate clutches face challenges with lubrication distribution within a common housing that accommodates both a differential and the multi-plate clutch, as the differential's rotation is insufficient to overcome obstacles and ensure proper lubrication.
Innovation Solution
A disconnectable coupling device with a first shaft, hub, and multi-plate clutch, featuring a cup and perforations to establish fluid communication and utilize centrifugal force to effectively distribute lubricant to the clutch, ensuring sufficient lubrication and disconnection of torque transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a common housing accommodates both differential and multi-plate clutch, then space utilization is improved, but lubrication distribution to the clutch deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into a differential housing and a clutch housing that are separable from each other. The clutch assembly can be independently removed and installed, allowing dedicated lubrication pathways to be provided to the clutch without relying on differential rotation to distribute lubricant through the entire common housing.
Solution Approach 2:
A lubricant passage is introduced as an intermediary element to transport lubricant from the differential housing to the clutch housing. This dedicated passage ensures reliable lubrication delivery to the clutch plates independent of differential rotation speed, resolving the lubrication distribution problem while maintaining the space-saving common housing configuration.
2Device complexity
If differential rotation is used to supply lubricant, then system complexity is reduced, but lubrication effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A dedicated lubricant passage acts as an intermediary to deliver lubricant directly to the clutch assembly. This simple structural addition ensures effective lubrication without requiring complex pumping systems or relying solely on differential rotation, thus maintaining low system complexity while improving lubrication effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The lubrication system utilizes hydraulic principles where lubricant is delivered under pressure through dedicated passages to the clutch assembly. This ensures reliable lubrication effectiveness without requiring complex mechanical pumping systems, maintaining simplicity while achieving effective lubrication delivery.
3Reliability
If moderate lubrication is provided, then adhesion between plates is prevented, but insufficient lubrication causes sticking
Solution Approach 1:
The dedicated lubricant passage ensures that an appropriate quantity of lubricant is delivered directly to the clutch assembly. This intermediary pathway enables precise control of lubrication quantity and distribution, providing sufficient lubrication to prevent sticking between clutch plates without excessive lubrication that could cause adhesion.
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 device provides necessary and controlled lubrication to the multi-plate clutch, preventing adhesion and ensuring efficient operation by utilizing centrifugal force to direct lubricant flow, enhancing the vehicle's ability to switch between AWD and 2WD modes.
Implementation Method 1
rotation of the differential is used for supplying lubricant to all of the accommodated elements. It has been found that the rotation of the differential does spread the lubricant
Data Source
AI summary
A disconnectable coupling device rotatable about an axis is provided with a first shaft having an end and a hub formed on the end, the hub including a flange extending radially from the end and a round wall projecting axially from the flange and defining a hollow; a second shaft aligned with the first shaft and opposed to the end of the first shaft, the second shaft having a drum overhanging the hub; a multi-plate clutch held between the hub and the drum to disconnectably connect the hub with the drum; a cup so fixed with the hub as to define a gutter around the first shaft; and one or more perforations axially passing through the flange to establish fluid communication between the gutter and the hollow.