Multi-Plate Friction Clutch With Torque-Triggered Positive Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing friction clutches in hybrid modules for vehicle drive trains face challenges in achieving a compact design while transmitting high torques efficiently, particularly in scenarios where torque differences between drive units require adaptive engagement and disengagement.
Innovation Solution
A compact friction clutch design featuring a multi-plate clutch with a positive-locking unit that forms a positive connection between inner and outer cages based on torque differences, allowing for efficient torque transmission through both frictional and positive-locking mechanisms, enabling higher torque transmission with reduced space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a friction clutch is designed to transmit high torques, then the torque transmission capability is improved, but the space required for the friction clutch increases
Solution Approach 1:
The friction clutch is designed as a multi-plate clutch with multiple friction plates and counterplates stacked together. This segmentation allows the torque transmission capability to be increased by adding more plates rather than increasing the size of individual plates, thus maintaining a compact overall structure while achieving high torque transmission
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple friction plates and counterplates are nested within each other in a compact stack arrangement. The plates are arranged concentrically around the central actuating mechanism, allowing maximum torque transmission capacity within a minimal radial and axial space envelope
2Power
If a multi-plate clutch is used to transmit high torques in a compact space, then the torque density is improved, but the friction losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch incorporates a positive-locking unit that can dynamically switch between friction-based torque transmission and positive mechanical locking. When high torque transmission is required, the positive-locking unit engages to eliminate friction losses entirely, transitioning the system from a passive friction clutch to an active mechanically locked connection
Solution Approach 2:
The positive-locking unit is extracted as a separate functional component from the traditional friction clutch mechanism. This allows the system to selectively engage the positive-locking mechanism only when necessary for high torque transmission, while maintaining the simplicity of friction-based operation for lower torque conditions
3Power
If a positive-locking unit is added to enable high torque transmission, then the torque transmission range is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The positive-locking unit is merged with the existing multi-plate clutch structure, sharing common components such as the actuating mechanism and plate assembly. This integration allows the positive-locking function to be added without proportionally increasing overall device complexity, as many structural elements serve dual purposes in both friction and positive-locking modes
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 enables efficient torque transmission across a wide range of torque values, from low to high, with reduced friction losses and installation space, while maintaining reliability and adaptability to varying torque conditions.
Implementation Method 1
at least between the inner disc and the outer disc a frictional connection relative to the circumferential direction can be produced in a switchable manner
Implementation Method 2
a positive-locking unit is provided, which is (directly) permanently positively connected to one of the inner basket and outer basket in relation to the circumferential direction and, depending on a torque difference between the input side and output side, forms at least one positive-locking connection in relation to the circumferential direction with the other of the outer basket and inner basket
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~8
AI summary
The invention relates to a friction clutch (1) for transmitting torques between an input side (2) and an output side (3), at least comprising a rotational axis (4), at least one inner plate (7) interlockingly connected to an inner cage (5) against a circumferential direction (6), at least one outer plate (9) interlockingly connected to an outer cage (8) against the circumferential direction (6), wherein the inner plate (7) and the outer plate (9) are arranged in succession along the rotational axis (4), it being possible to produce by selection a friction connection (10) at least between the plates (7, 9) against the circumferential direction (6), wherein an interlocking unit (11) is additionally provided which is permanently interlockingly connected to one of the inner cage (5) or outer cage (8) against the circumferential direction (6) and forms, as a function of a torque difference between the input side (2) and the output side (3) at least one interlocking connection (12) against the circumferential direction (6) with the other of the outer cage (8) or the inner cage (5).