Hydraulic Clutch Assembly With Shared Actuation and Cooling Pumps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clutch mechanisms require separate motors and pumps for actuation and cooling, leading to increased costs and energy consumption, especially when dealing with unreliable or unknown hydraulic sources.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic clutch assembly that utilizes a single motor to operate a pair of hydraulic pumps, one for clutch actuation and the other for clutch cooling, allowing for adaptable implementation with both dry and wet clutches and various hydraulic sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate motors and pumps are used for clutch actuation and cooling, then reliability of hydraulic supply is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate hydraulic systems (actuation and cooling) into a single integrated system. A single motor drives a pump that supplies hydraulic fluid to both the clutch actuation mechanism and the cooling passages, reducing component count while maintaining functional separation through shared fluid supply
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic system is designed with multi-functionality where the same hydraulic pump and motor assembly serves dual purposes: providing actuation pressure for clutch engagement/disengagement and delivering cooling flow to the clutch plates. The system adapts to different operational modes without requiring separate dedicated components
2Stress or pressure
If separate motors and pumps are used for clutch actuation and cooling, then hydraulic pressure control is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the actuation and cooling hydraulic supplies into a single motor-driven pump system, eliminating the energy waste associated with running two separate motors. The unified system optimizes energy usage by coordinating both functions through one power source, reducing total energy consumption while maintaining adequate pressure control for both purposes
3Use of energy by moving object
If a single motor operates both hydraulic pumps for actuation and cooling, then energy savings and cost reduction are achieved, but adaptability to different hydraulic sources is required
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch mechanism is designed with universal adaptability to work with various hydraulic sources including external hydraulic systems, integrated motor-pump assemblies, and different fluid power configurations. The single motor system can be adapted to different applications by modifying the hydraulic circuit configuration while maintaining the core function of driving both actuation and cooling
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic system incorporates dynamic adaptability where the single motor-driven pump can adjust its operation to match different hydraulic source characteristics and operational requirements. The system can dynamically switch between different operational modes (actuation-only, cooling-only, or combined) depending on the available hydraulic source and system needs
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 achieves significant energy savings and reduced hardware costs by using a single motor for both clutch actuation and cooling, while also ensuring reliable operation across different hydraulic source conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic clutch assembly (10) employing a single motor to drive a hydraulic pump (54) to deliver hydraulic fluid under pressure to a clutch piston (16) for clutch actuation
Implementation Method 2
the clutch piston (16) and clutch housing (12) defining a cooling passage (32) through which hydraulic fluid can flow to cool the clutch
Data Source
AI summary
A clutch assembly has a housing with a cooling path and a piston actuation path, selectively connected. In a dry clutch, a single reversible power pack selectively services both paths. In a wet clutch, a single unidirectional motor drives two pumps in unison, one servicing the cooling path and the other the piston actuation path. Inputs to a filter selectively receive solid or orifice plugs, the latter controlling the flow and pressure of coolant oil to a cooling passage matrix. Various plugs with inlets to the filter control the source of cooling oil employed by the clutch. A first implementation allows for use of the hydraulic system of the host piece of equipment or known hydraulic systems, while a second implementation provides a self-contained source of hydraulic oil, which, through the hydraulic power units described, services both the actuating system and the cooling matrix of the clutch.