Coupling Assembly Threaded Activation for Drive Trains

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing coupling arrangements for motor vehicle drive trains require complex activation devices to engage clutches, which can lead to power losses and increased noise, especially in hybrid and electric drive systems.

Innovation Solution

A coupling arrangement that utilizes a threaded segment on a rotating shaft to convert rotary motion into axial motion, allowing for simple and economic activation of the clutch through an engagement segment and actuator, eliminating the need for a separate drive to provide axial force.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If a complex activation device with separate drive is used to provide axial force for clutch engagement, then sufficient axial force can be generated, but the device complexity and power losses increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaxial forceVSAvoidactivation device complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotating shaft itself provides the energy for axial clutch engagement through its rotational motion interacting with the threaded segment. The system uses the existing rotational energy rather than requiring a separate activation drive, making the shaft serve its own engagement function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces a complex mechanical activation drive with a threaded segment mechanism that converts rotational motion to axial motion. This substitution eliminates the need for separate motors, actuators, or complex mechanical drives while still generating sufficient axial force

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If a complex activation device is used to activate the clutch, then reliable engagement can be achieved, but power losses and noise increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclutch engagement reliabilityVSAvoidpower losses

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the rotational energy already present in the shaft to power the clutch engagement process. The threaded segment acts as a self-powered conversion mechanism that transforms the shaft's rotational energy into the axial energy needed for engagement, eliminating additional power consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The threaded segment converts continuous rotational motion into periodic axial engagement movements. This periodic conversion occurs naturally with each rotation cycle, providing reliable engagement without requiring continuous power input from separate actuators

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Force

If a complex activation device is used to activate the clutch, then sufficient axial force can be generated, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaxial forceVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The rotating shaft provides its own activation energy through its rotational motion. The threaded segment on the shaft converts this existing rotational energy into axial engagement force, eliminating the need for separate motors, actuators, or power transmission components that would increase manufacturing complexity and cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The threaded segment serves multiple functions: it acts as both a motion conversion mechanism and a force generation device. By integrating these functions into a single component on the shaft, the patent reduces the number of parts needed, simplifying manufacturing and reducing costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 efficient and reliable activation of the clutch, reducing power losses and noise, while simplifying the construction and operation of the coupling system, particularly in hybrid and electric drive modes.

Implementation Method 1

bring an engagement segment selectively into engagement with a threaded segment rotating with the shaft in order to cause a relative movement of the engagement segment and the threaded segment along the axis of the rotating shaft

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectScrew thread mechanism: Screw

Data Source

PatentUS9022192B2Coupling assembly

Publication Date: 2015.05.05 MAGNA POWERTRAIN AG & CO KG

AI summary

A coupling arrangement for a drive train of a motor vehicle includes at least one clutch arranged on a rotating shaft in order to couple the rotating shaft selectively with a drive element of the drive train, and at least one activation device to activate the clutch. The activation device is adapted to bring an engagement segment selectively into engagement with a threaded segment rotating with the shaft in order to cause a relative movement of the engagement segment and the threaded segment along the axis of the rotating shaft and thus activate the clutch in the axial direction.