Elastic Intermediate Element for Axial Displacement Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive trains for vehicles face challenges in easily assembling and disassembling while compensating for axial displacements that occur during operation, primarily due to thermal expansion and torque converter shifts.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an elastic intermediate element with a central part made of spring steel and radially protruding spring arms, connected to the torque converter flange via obliquely angled screws, allowing for axial elasticity and simplified assembly/disassembly through an angled screw configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid connection is used between the crankshaft and torque converter, then structural simplicity is achieved, but axial displacements during operation cannot be compensated
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate element changes its physical state from rigid to elastic, allowing it to deform axially under load. This parameter change enables the element to absorb thermal expansion and torque converter shifts while maintaining a simple plate spring structure without complex mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
An elastic intermediate element is introduced between the crankshaft and torque converter to mediate the connection. This intermediary component absorbs axial displacements through its elasticity while transmitting torque, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and displacement compensation
2Ease of manufacture
If connecting screws are arranged perpendicular to the crankshaft axis, then assembly is simplified, but access to all screws is difficult due to spatial constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting screws are arranged at an angle to the crankshaft axis, introducing a dimensional change from perpendicular (90 degrees) to oblique angles. This angular reorientation allows screws to be accessed from the transmission housing side, improving accessibility while maintaining assembly simplicity through the angled configuration
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 solution effectively compensates for axial displacements during operation, enhancing the ease of assembly and disassembly while maintaining structural simplicity and efficient torque transmission.
Implementation Method 1
an intermediate element that is elastic in an axial direction and is like a plate spring
Implementation Method 2
axial displacements result from thermal expansion of the crankshaft
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Drive train for vehicles, having an internal combustion engine, to which a flange of a transmission housing (1) is flange-connected, wherein a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine is connected via an intermediate element (2) to a drive flange (5) of a torque converter (4) of the transmission, which torque converter (4) is arranged in the region of the flange. The drive flange of the torque converter is screwed to the intermediate element via a plurality of connecting screws (6) which are distributed over a circumference of the intermediate element. As viewed from the transmission in the direction of the internal combustion engine, the connecting screws are screwed obliquely inwardly into the intermediate element at an angle a. The intermediate element has a central part (23) which is manufactured from a spring steel, is elastic in the manner of a disc spring and a plurality of radially protruding spring arms (24, 29).