Magnetic Clutch Actuation System for Vehicle Drivetrain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clutch actuation systems for motor vehicles with switchable all-wheel drive systems face challenges such as high energy consumption, electromagnetic interference, weight, and space requirements, as well as power loss due to the use of electric motors or hydraulic pumps.
Innovation Solution
A clutch actuation system that utilizes a release unit operatively connected to secondary drive members, or a drive clutch to provide clutch actuation force, minimizing power loss by being independent of vehicle speed and using non-contact, on-demand switchable clutches like magnetic or eddy current clutches, which are lightweight and have low installation space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electric motors or electromechanical actuators are used for clutch actuation, then reliable clutch engagement and disengagement is achieved, but weight increases and installation space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional electric motors and electromechanical actuators with a magnetic coupling system that uses magnetic fields to transmit rotational motion and torque. This substitution eliminates heavy mechanical components while maintaining reliable clutch actuation through non-contact magnetic interaction between the driver and driven members.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary between the driver and driven members, enabling torque transmission without direct mechanical contact. This magnetic intermediary allows the system to achieve reliable actuation while eliminating the need for heavy mechanical actuators and their associated cable harnesses and control devices.
2Force
If electric motors with high current draw are used for clutch actuation, then sufficient clutch actuation force is achieved, but electromagnetic interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces high-current electric motors with a low-current magnetic coupling system that generates the necessary clutch actuation force through magnetic field interaction. This substitution dramatically reduces electromagnetic interference while maintaining sufficient actuation force for reliable clutch engagement and disengagement.
3Reliability
If hydraulic pumps are used to generate hydraulic pressure for clutch actuation, then clutch engagement and disengagement is achieved, but power loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces hydraulic pumps and hydraulic actuation systems with a direct magnetic coupling system. This substitution eliminates the need for hydraulic fluid, pumps, and associated power loss from driving the hydraulic system, while achieving reliable clutch actuation through efficient magnetic field interaction.
4Reliability
If traditional clutch actuation systems are used, then clutch engagement and disengagement is achieved, but weight and installation space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical actuation systems with a compact magnetic coupling system that integrates the driver, driven members, and clutch mechanism into a space-efficient configuration. This substitution significantly reduces installation space requirements while maintaining full clutch actuation functionality.
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 system achieves low energy consumption, reduced electromagnetic interference, and minimal power loss, enabling seamless and jerk-free engagement and disengagement with bi-stable operation, independent of vehicle speed, and adaptable to various clutch variants.
Implementation Method 1
The driver (40) and the driven (42) are magnetically coupled to one another in order to be able to transmit a clutch actuation torque from the driver (40) to the driven (42)
Implementation Method 2
non-contact, on-demand switchable clutches like magnetic or eddy current clutches
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~7
AI summary
In a drive train of a motor vehicle, which has a permanently driven primary drive train and a secondary drive train that can be connected as needed to the primary drive train or decoupled from the same, a system for actuating a clutch device of an assembly for power transmission and/or power distribution is provided for coupling or decoupling the primary and secondary drive train, wherein the disengaging unit is in operative connection with secondary drive elements during provision of the clutch actuation force necessary for actuating the clutch device, or wherein a drive clutch is provided which is able to establish an operative connection between the primary drive elements or the secondary drive elements and a manipulated variable unit of the disengaging unit to provide the clutch actuation force necessary for the actuation of the clutch device.