Engine-Compressor Clutch Pack Pneumatic Disengagement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing engine-compressor units in vehicles consume excessive power as the engine and air compressor remain constantly connected, leading to unnecessary power consumption even when sufficient compressed air is available.

Innovation Solution

The engine-compressor unit design allows for a simple clutch pack opening mechanism using a pushing movement of the piston, enabling separation of the engine from the air compressor when sufficient air is produced, utilizing a spring arrangement with disc springs and a thrust ball bearing to disconnect the units, thus reducing power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the engine and air compressor are constantly connected, then the compressor is always driven to produce compressed air, but power consumption increases significantly even when enough compressed air is available

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompressed air supply reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The clutch pack is designed to dynamically engage and disengage based on compressed air storage levels. When the air tank reaches sufficient pressure, the piston moves to disengage the clutch, disconnecting the engine from the compressor and eliminating unnecessary power consumption while maintaining reliable air supply when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system monitors compressed air pressure as a key parameter and uses this parameter to control clutch engagement. When pressure exceeds a threshold, the clutch disengages; when pressure drops below the threshold, the clutch re-engages, optimizing power consumption based on actual air supply needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If a clutch pack opening mechanism using drawing movement is used, then the clutch can be opened, but the design becomes more complex and requires higher forces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclutch opening capabilityVSAvoidclutch mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a drawing movement to open the clutch as in conventional designs, this invention uses a pushing movement. The piston pushes the clutch pack fingers to disengage the clutch, simplifying the mechanism and reducing the required force while maintaining full clutch opening capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The clutch opening mechanism is actuated by compressed air pressure acting on the piston. This pneumatic actuation provides sufficient force to disengage the clutch pack without requiring complex mechanical linkages or high-force actuation systems, reducing overall mechanism complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Reliability

If high force is applied to open the clutch pack, then the clutch can be opened reliably, but bearing load and piston pressure requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclutch engagement reliabilityVSAvoidpiston pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The clutch pack is designed to be opened by pushing rather than pulling. This inversion of the opening mechanism reduces the mechanical advantage required and lowers the force needed on the piston while maintaining reliable clutch disengagement, thereby reducing bearing loads and piston pressure requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 significantly reduces power consumption by allowing the engine and air compressor to be separated when enough compressed air is available, requiring only a small force to open the clutch pack, resulting in a more efficient and compact unit with lower bearing load and piston pressure.

Implementation Method 1

a spring arrangement (6) including at least one disc spring (9, 10)... The spring arrangement (6) is disposed between a stop (14) and one ring (13) of the bearing (8)... the spring arrangement (6) being biased towards the clutch pack (5)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a thrust ball bearing (8) or another suitable type of bearing can be disposed between the piston (7) and the spring arrangement (6)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBall Bearing: Ball Bearing

Implementation Method 3

the piston (7) being movable towards the spring arrangement (6) by the application of pressurized gas to one piston side (25)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure Increase: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP1995482B1Engine-compressor unit

Publication Date: 2012.07.18 HOERBIGER DRIVETRAIN MECHATRONICS B A

Figure 1
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AI summary

The present invention relates to an engine-compressor unit 1 comprising an engine 2, an air compressor 3, and a clutch 4 being disposed between said engine 2 and said air compressor 3, said clutch 4 including a clutch pack 5, a spring arrangement 6 biasing said clutch pack 5 into a closed state drivingly connecting said engine 2 and said air compressor 3, and a piston 7 which, upon activation, in particular by compressed air, opens said clutch pack 5 by separating said spring arrangement 6 from said clutch pack 5 thus disconnecting engine 2 and air compressor 3.