Friction Assembly With Internally Guided Rings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing friction assemblies with externally guided friction rings face inefficiencies in friction coefficient and increased power loss, while internally guided rings suffer from excessive heating and potential mechanical stress.
Innovation Solution
The friction assembly features internally guided friction rings with a cross-sectional taper and a carrier ring with friction segments, providing improved mechanical strength and cooling through lubricant pockets, and adjustable compressibility to enhance friction behavior and reduce drag torque.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If friction rings are externally guided, then heat generation is reduced, but friction efficiency decreases and power loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional guidance approach by guiding the friction rings internally on the first component instead of externally on the second component. This inversion allows the friction rings to be better supported during engagement, improving friction efficiency and reducing power loss while maintaining adequate heat management through the alternative guidance configuration.
2Reliability
If friction rings are internally guided, then friction efficiency increases and power loss reduces, but heat generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing a cross-sectional taper in the area of the opening of the friction rings. This creates a region of different geometric properties (tapered cross-section) that facilitates lubricant flow and cooling in the critical guidance area, thereby managing heat generation locally while maintaining the overall internal guidance configuration for high friction efficiency.
3Strength
If friction rings are made with metal carriers, then mechanical strength is sufficient, but damage to counter plates occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the metal carrier with a resin-based material that is softer and less likely to damage the counter plates. While the resin material may have different durability characteristics compared to metal, it eliminates the harmful effect of metal-on-metal or metal-on-friction-lining contact that causes damage to the counter plates, thereby protecting the more expensive and critical counter plate components.
4Manufacturing precision
If distance between first component and friction ring is reduced, then guidance precision improves, but heat generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the distance parameter between the first component and the friction ring to a specific range (0.05-3 mm). This parameter change balances two competing requirements: maintaining sufficient proximity for accurate guidance and support, while preserving adequate clearance to minimize friction and heat generation during the guidance phase. The cross-sectional taper further refines this by creating optimal clearance in the critical areas.
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 configuration results in higher friction efficiency, reduced power loss, and extended service life by managing heat and mechanical stress, while simplifying production and avoiding metal carrier-related damage.
Implementation Method 1
at least one freely rotatable friction ring is arranged between the inner plates and the outer disks, which has an opening with an inner diameter, and wherein the inner plates and / or the outer plates can be adjusted relative to one another in the axial direction to form a frictional connection with the friction rings
Implementation Method 2
it can be provided that the friction rings have a cross-sectional taper in the area of the opening. This means that at least one lubricant pocket can be provided in the area of the guide of the friction rings, whereby better cooling of the friction rings in this area and thus overheating in the area of the guide can be better avoided
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
Figure 5~8
AI summary
The invention relates to a friction assembly (1) comprising a first component (5) and a second component (8), as well as several inner lamellae (2) and several outer lamellae (3), wherein the inner lamellae (2) are arranged on the first component (5) and the outer lamellae (3) on the second component (8), and the inner lamellae (2) and the outer lamellae (3) are arranged alternately in an axial direction (4), and wherein at least one freely rotatable friction ring (11) is arranged between the inner lamellae (2) and the outer lamellae (3), the friction ring having an opening (29) with an inner diameter (14), and wherein the inner lamellae (2) and/or the outer lamellae (3) are adjustable relative to each other in the axial direction (4) to form a frictional engagement with the friction rings (11). The freely rotatable friction rings (11) are guided on the first component (5) in the region of the inner diameter (14).