Multi-Disc Friction Clutch With Sequential Plate Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Friction clutches in motor vehicles experience uncontrollable closing and opening processes due to varying frictional forces, which affect torque transmission and controllability, especially when disks begin to transmit torque before complete axial displacement.
Innovation Solution
A friction clutch design with additional intermediate plates and spring elements that allow controlled sequential engagement and disengagement of friction contacts, minimizing axial displacement friction by maintaining components at specified distances and using spring forces to manage movement sequences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If clutch discs transmit torque before complete axial displacement, then torque transmission capability is improved, but frictional forces opposing axial displacement increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch pack is divided into multiple individual clutch discs that can be axially displaced independently or in sequences. This segmentation allows different portions of the clutch pack to engage at different times, enabling torque transmission to begin with the first engaged discs while reducing the number of discs simultaneously generating frictional resistance during the engagement process.
Solution Approach 2:
The design enables preliminary torque transmission through the first clutch discs that make contact, before all clutch discs have completed their axial displacement. This preliminary action allows the system to begin transmitting torque early in the engagement process, improving power transmission capability while limiting the number of discs contributing to frictional forces at any given moment.
2Ease of operation
If frictional forces are reduced during engagement, then controllability is improved, but torque transmission capability may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch system employs dynamic engagement where the actuating mechanism controls the axial displacement of different clutch discs at different rates and times. This dynamic control allows the system to optimize the balance between frictional forces and torque transmission during engagement, maintaining controllability while ensuring sufficient torque capacity is achieved as engagement progresses.
Solution Approach 2:
The design ensures continuous torque transmission capability throughout the engagement process by having multiple clutch discs progressively engage. As each subsequent disc engages, it adds to the cumulative torque capacity, ensuring that torque transmission capability is maintained continuously even as frictional forces are managed during the engagement sequence.
3Power
If multiple clutch discs are arranged alternately to maximize contact points, then torque transmission capability is improved, but frictional forces during axial displacement increase
Solution Approach 1:
The alternately arranged clutch discs are segmented into groups that can be engaged in sequences. This segmentation of the multi-disc arrangement allows the system to utilize the benefits of multiple contact points for torque transmission while controlling the number of discs that are simultaneously displaced during engagement, thereby managing frictional forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The design enables preliminary engagement of specific clutch discs in the alternating arrangement before all discs are fully engaged. This allows torque transmission to begin through the first engaged discs while limiting the number of discs contributing to frictional forces during the displacement process, even though the final engaged state utilizes all alternating contact points for maximum torque capacity.
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 enhances control over the clutch's closing and opening processes, reducing frictional forces and maintaining low axial displacement friction, even with high friction values, thereby improving torque transmission and controllability.
Implementation Method 1
the pressure plate is connected to the intermediate plate via at least one first spring element, and the intermediate plate is connected to the counter plate via at least one second spring element
Implementation Method 2
at least when the friction clutch is closed, a frictional contact between the respective clutch disc and the component arranged adjacent to this clutch disc can be established
Data Source
Figure 1a~3b
Figure 4~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
Friction clutch (1), at least having a counterplate (4), a pressure plate (3) which can be moved along a common rotational axis (2) with respect to the counterplate (4), and a plurality of clutch discs (5) which are arranged between the counterplate (4) and the pressure plate (3), wherein the friction clutch (1) is a multiple disc clutch with, in addition, at least one intermediate plate (6) which is arranged between the counterplate (4) and the pressure plate (3), or a multi-plate clutch with, in addition, at least one multiple plate (7) which is arranged between the counterplate (4) and the pressure plate (3); wherein the friction clutch (1) is configured in such a way that, at least in the case of opening of the friction clutch (1) and in the process starting from the pressure plate (3) and towards the counterplate (4), each of the clutch discs (5) can be moved in each case one after another away from the respectively adjacently arranged component (3, 4, 6, 7), or, at least in the case of closing of the friction clutch (1) and in the process starting from the counterplate (4) and towards the pressure plate (3), each of the clutch discs (5) can be moved in each case one after another towards the respectively adjacently arranged component (3, 4, 6, 7).