Friction Plate Asymmetric Toothing for Correct Fitting
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing friction plates in frictional devices, such as clutches, are difficult to fit correctly onto the plate carrier, especially when the grooves on the friction face are inclined in only one circumferential direction, leading to the risk of incorrect fitting.
Innovation Solution
The frictional device is designed with modified toothing systems where the contours of the plate-side and carrier-side toothing systems correspond to each other, allowing the friction plate to be fitted only in one axial direction, using varying tooth or tooth space sizes, shapes, and orientations to ensure correct alignment and prevent incorrect fitting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the friction plate has grooves inclined in only one circumferential direction to direct coolant flow, then the cooling efficiency is improved, but the risk of incorrect fitting increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by providing a first tooth on the friction plate that is laterally offset from the first tooth space, creating an asymmetric toothing system. This asymmetric configuration ensures that the friction plate can be fitted to the plate carrier only in the correct axial direction, preventing incorrect installation while maintaining the unidirectional groove design for effective coolant flow direction
2Ease of manufacture
If the toothing systems have uniform design, then the manufacturing is simplified, but the ease of correct fitting is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces asymmetry into the otherwise uniform toothing system by laterally offsetting the first tooth from the first tooth space. This modification maintains the overall uniform design for easy manufacturing while providing a clear asymmetric feature that guides correct fitting orientation, thereby improving ease of operation without significantly complicating manufacturing
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a frictional device (6) comprising at least one friction plate (2), which has a plate-side toothing system (14), and a plate carrier (4), which has a carrier-side toothing system (70) and a predefined fitting end (66) for fitting the friction plate (2), the contours (62, 72) of the toothing systems (14, 70) corresponding to one another in such a way that the friction plate (2) can be brought into engagement with the plate carrier (4), forming a rotational drive connection. The friction plate (2) here has a first axial direction (16) and an opposing second axial direction (18). According to the invention the contours (62, 72) of the toothing systems (14, 70) are formed in such a way that only in the first axial direction (16) can the friction plate (2) be brought into engagement with the plate carrier (4) via the predefined fitting end (66) of the plate carrier (4).