Fluid Friction Coupling with Integrated Feed Pump
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid friction clutches have a significant increase in overall length due to a separate partition wall, making them unsuitable for cramped installation conditions and requiring a large amount of clutch fluid, which affects efficiency and response time.
Innovation Solution
Integrating the feed pump element into the clutch disk to generate a volume flow based on speed difference between the pump element and the housing, eliminating the need for a separate partition wall and reducing the overall length, while incorporating a return pump and control valve arrangement within the clutch disk for enhanced performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If a separate partition wall is used to separate working chamber and storage chamber, then the separation function is achieved, but the overall length of the clutch is increased considerably
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the partition wall function with the clutch disk by integrating a sealing profile directly into the clutch disk structure. The clutch disk serves dual purposes: transmitting torque and separating the working chamber from the storage chamber, thereby eliminating the need for a separate partition wall and reducing overall clutch length.
Solution Approach 2:
The clutch disk is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a torque transmission element, a separator between chambers, and incorporates a feed pump element for fluid circulation. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed in the clutch assembly.
2Reliability
If a separate partition wall with valves and damming elements is used, then fluid flow control is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the feed pump element, control valve arrangement, and sealing functions directly into the clutch disk structure. The feed pump element with its control valve arrangement is formed as an integral part of the clutch disk, reducing the number of separate components while maintaining fluid flow control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The feed pump element utilizes the differential speed between the clutch disk and housing to automatically generate the driving force for fluid circulation. The speed difference between the rotating clutch disk and the stationary housing creates the necessary pressure differential to pump clutch fluid from the storage chamber to the working chamber without requiring an external power source.
3Quantity of substance
If centrifugal forces are used to fill the working chamber, then a large amount of clutch fluid is required, but the response time is slower
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional centrifugal filling mechanism with an active feed pump system. The feed pump element, driven by the differential speed between the clutch disk and housing, actively pumps clutch fluid into the working chamber, enabling faster fluid delivery and reduced response time while requiring less total clutch fluid volume.
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 results in a compact, cost-effective fluid friction clutch with reduced fluid usage, faster response, and improved clutch performance by utilizing the clutch disk for separation and integrating essential components, achieving excellent torque transmission with minimal leakage.
Implementation Method 1
a feed pump element (14), which is integrated in the clutch disk (4) and enables a liquid flow from the storage chamber (10) into the working chamber (9) to be generated by a speed difference
Implementation Method 2
which, due to a shearing effect on the clutch fluid supplied to the working chamber 9, make it possible to transmit torque
Implementation Method 3
which, due to a shearing effect on the clutch fluid supplied to the working chamber 9, make it possible to transmit torque
Implementation Method 4
a return pump system or a return pump 16 is also provided, which is used to return the clutch fluid from the working chamber 9 to the storage chamber 10
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
The fluid friction coupling (1) has a housing and a coupling disk (4), which is rotatable with respect to the housing and is arranged on an end (5) of a shaft (6) that is centrally mounted within the housing. The shaft carries a drivable active element (7) on its other end (8). A working chamber (9) is arranged between the housing and the coupling disk. A storage chamber (10) is provided for a coupling fluid. A flow pump element (14) is rotatable with respect to the housing and is integrated in the coupling disk.