Dual-Mass Flywheel Torque Limiter for Easier Reassembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing torsional vibration dampers with torque limiters are difficult to disassemble and reassemble after the torque limiter is triggered, requiring significant assembly effort and often special tools due to misalignment of components.

Innovation Solution

The output hub is supported by a friction ring and positively connected to a toothed sheet metal disc, allowing axial displacement to loosen the toothing and align with the primary part's bores for easy screw access, enabling simplified disassembly and reassembly without special tools.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the torque limiter is integrated into the torsional vibration damper with the support flange coupled to the output hub via friction lining, then the torque transmission and damping function is improved, but the disassembly and reassembly becomes difficult when the torque limiter is triggered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorque transmission reliabilityVSAvoiddisassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The secondary part is divided into multiple components: support flange, output hub, friction lining, and guide disc. This segmentation allows the friction lining to be independently replaceable while maintaining the integrated torque limiter function, resolving the contradiction between reliable torque transmission and ease of disassembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The friction lining acts as an intermediary element between the support flange and the output hub. It enables torque transmission through friction while allowing for easy replacement of the entire friction lining assembly when the torque limiter is triggered, without requiring disassembly of the entire damper unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the support flange is indirectly coupled to the output hub via friction lining and guide disc, then the torque limiter function is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorque limiter functionVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The torque limiter assembly is segmented into discrete components (support flange, friction lining, guide disc, rivets) that can be manufactured separately using standard processes and then assembled. This reduces manufacturing complexity compared to creating a monolithic integrated component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rivet connection system is designed to be self-aligning and self-securing during assembly. The rivets automatically position the friction lining and guide disc correctly between the support flange and output hub, reducing the need for complex alignment procedures and specialized assembly equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Stability of the object's composition

If the friction lining is fixed between the support flange and guide disc with rivets, then the structural stability is improved, but the disassembly requires extensive assembly work

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoiddisassembly effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The friction lining is designed as a separate, removable component rather than being permanently integrated into the support flange or guide disc. This segmentation allows the friction lining to be easily removed and replaced without requiring disassembly of the entire torsional vibration damper, while maintaining structural stability during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The friction lining is designed as a consumable component that can be easily replaced when worn or when the torque limiter is triggered. The rivet connection allows for quick removal and replacement of the friction lining without requiring specialized tools or extensive disassembly work, treating it as a replaceable service part.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 simplifies the disassembly and reassembly process, reduces assembly effort, and provides a cost advantage by allowing alignment of the output hub and fastening screws without requiring special tools, while also protecting the torque limiter components with a U-shaped receptacle and lubrication system.

Implementation Method 1

the support flange of which is indirectly coupled to an output hub via at least one friction lining and a guide disc

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4088042B1Torsional vibration damper with torque limiter, containing wet friction linings and step rivets, and the corresponding installation procedure
Publication Date: 2025.01.08 SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO KG
  • EP4088042B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4088042B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4088042B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a torsional vibration damper (1) of a motor vehicle driven by an internal combustion engine, said torsional vibration damper being designed as a dual-mass flywheel and comprising a primary part (2) secured to a crankshaft and a secondary part (3) paired with an output side, wherein the primary part and the secondary part are arranged so as to be rotatable together about a rotational axis (4) and rotatable relative to each other, and a spring damper device (5) is arranged between the primary part and the secondary part in the torque flow. The secondary part (3) which is made of multiple pieces contains a torque limiter (13), the support flange (10) of which is coupled indirectly to an output hub (12) via at least one friction lining (24, 25) and a guide disc (15), and the output hub (12) is directly or indirectly supported axially against a friction ring (30, 42), which is connected to the primary part (2) via a support ring (31, 41), and is connected to a toothed sheet metal disc (17), which is mounted upstream of the guide disc (15), in a formfitting manner via a meshing engagement (23). An axial movement of the output hub (12) against a spring force of at least one disc spring (22) releases the meshing engagement (23) and interrupts a torque transmission of the torsional vibration damper (10), and the output hub (12) can then be rotated until the position of openings (28) of the output hub (12) matches the position of bores (11) of the primary part (2).