Double Clutch System for Selective Ancillary Unit Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing motor vehicle designs with internal combustion engines and electric machines for driving ancillary units are costly due to the need for separate clutches for each ancillary unit, leading to increased construction costs and complexity, and often overload the electric machine during starting phases.

Innovation Solution

A motor vehicle design featuring a double clutch system that allows selective coupling of two ancillary units to a single electric machine, reducing the need for multiple clutches and enabling independent operation of ancillary units, thereby saving space, components, and manufacturing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If separate clutches are used for each ancillary unit, then each ancillary unit can be independently controlled, but the construction cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent control of ancillary unitsVSAvoidnumber of clutches

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple clutch functions into a single multi-functional clutch device. This single clutch can selectively couple the electric machine to different ancillary units (first ancillary unit via first output, second ancillary unit via second output), replacing what would traditionally require separate clutches for each ancillary unit. The merging reduces the number of clutch components while maintaining independent control capability through a unified control device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single clutch device is designed with multi-functionality to perform the roles of multiple separate clutches. It can selectively engage with the electric machine's output to drive different ancillary units based on operational requirements. The clutch device includes multiple outputs that can independently connect to different ancillary units, making it a universal coupling mechanism that replaces specialized clutches for each ancillary unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple clutches are used for each ancillary unit, then selective coupling is enabled, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveselective coupling capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple clutch components into a single integrated clutch device with multiple outputs. This consolidation reduces the total number of parts that need to be manufactured, assembled, and maintained. The single clutch device can be produced as one unit rather than multiple separate clutches, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while preserving the selective coupling capability through its multi-output design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The clutch device is designed as a universal component that can serve multiple ancillary units through its multiple outputs. This multi-functional design allows a single manufactured component to replace what would otherwise require several specialized clutches, reducing overall manufacturing costs while maintaining the versatility to selectively couple different ancillary units to the electric machine.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If the electric machine drives multiple ancillary units simultaneously, then all units can operate, but the electric machine becomes overloaded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation of multiple ancillary unitsVSAvoidpower capacity of electric machine

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic control of the clutch device to manage power distribution to ancillary units. The control device can selectively engage different outputs of the clutch device based on real-time power availability and operational priorities. This dynamic engagement strategy ensures that the electric machine does not exceed its power capacity by driving multiple high-power ancillary units simultaneously, while still enabling productive operation of multiple units at different times or in sequence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control system manages ancillary unit operation through periodic or sequential activation rather than continuous simultaneous operation. The clutch device enables selective engagement of different ancillary units in a controlled sequence, allowing the electric machine to recover between high-power demands. This periodic action pattern prevents overload while maintaining overall productivity across multiple ancillary units throughout the operational cycle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP2684728B1Motor vehicle with auxiliary units driven by an electric motor

Publication Date: 2017.01.18 ZF CV SYST HANNOVER GMBH

AI summary

The motor vehicle has two auxiliary units (23,26) and an electric machine (9), which is connected with a power source (27) to be selectively coupled with auxiliary units by a coupling device. A controller (28) is provided for controlling the coupling device for coupling the auxiliary units with the electric machine according to predetermined priorities. The coupling device is designed as a double coupling (15) for coupling the two auxiliary units with the electric machine, where one or both or none of the auxiliary unit is coupled with the electric machine.