Multi-Disk Clutch Lamella Assembly for Rattle and Drag Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-disc clutches in motor vehicle transmissions suffer from rattling noises during dry operation, require additional support for maintaining plate position, and experience increased engagement forces due to frictional contact, leading to inefficiencies and higher operational costs.
Innovation Solution
A lamellar arrangement with alternating inner and outer lamellae connected by leaf springs, allowing for self-supporting torque transmission without external support, and enhancing contact force through frictional pressing, thereby reducing engagement forces and assembly complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a multi-disk clutch arrangement is used to reduce actuator size, then the number of actuators required is reduced, but the risk of contamination between disks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch assembly is divided into separate sealed modules, with each disk pair contained in its own sealed volume. This segmentation prevents contamination from spreading between disks while maintaining the compact multi-disk configuration that reduces actuator count.
Solution Approach 2:
A common seal member serves as an intermediary element that simultaneously seals multiple disk pairs. This single seal structure creates multiple sealed compartments, isolating each disk interface from contamination sources while maintaining the compact multi-disk design.
2Reliability
If traditional sealing methods with multiple seal members are used for each disk pair, then each interface is sealed, but the number of parts increases and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sealing functions are merged into a single common seal member. This one seal structure performs the sealing function for all disk pairs simultaneously, reducing the total number of seal members from multiple individual seals to just one common seal, thereby simplifying assembly while maintaining reliable sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The common seal member is designed with multi-functionality, serving as a universal sealing element for all disk interfaces. This single component performs multiple sealing tasks that would traditionally require separate seal members for each disk pair, reducing part count and assembly complexity.
3Force
If spring-loaded actuators are used to maintain friction force, then friction force is maintained across temperature changes, but the spring force decreases over time due to relaxation
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from relying solely on spring force to using hydraulic pressure as the primary actuating force. This parameter change allows the friction elements to be pressed together with consistent force throughout the clutch's operational life, eliminating the degradation issue associated with spring relaxation over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical spring loading system is replaced with a hydraulic actuation system. This substitution eliminates the time-dependent force degradation inherent in spring mechanisms, providing more durable and consistent friction force maintenance throughout the clutch's service life.
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 lamellar arrangement minimizes rattling, ensures defined plate positions, reduces drag torque, and increases efficiency by optimizing contact force distribution, enabling the use of smaller actuators and lowering manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a seal member (42) positioned at a second end of the stack of friction disks (22). The seal member (42) defines a second sealed volume (32) that is isolated from contamination sources
Implementation Method 2
a multi-disk clutch arrangement comprises a stack of friction disks (22) arranged in an alternating pattern of friction disks (22) and separator disks (24)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a multi-disk arrangement (10) for a multi-disk clutch for coupling a drive shaft of a vehicle motor to at least one transmission input shaft of a motor vehicle transmission, comprising a plurality of annular inner multi-disks (12) arranged parallel to one another, an inner connecting device (14) arranged on an inner circumference (16) of the inner multi-disk (12) for connecting the multi-disks (12) to one another, a plurality of annular outer multi-disks (18) arranged parallel to the inner multi-disks (12) for the frictional compression of the inner multi-disks (12), wherein a number n of outer multi-disks (18) and a number n-1 of inner multi-disks (12) are provided, and wherein the inner multi-disks (12) and the outer multi-disks (18) are arranged alternately and axially displaceably relative to one another, and a outer connecting device (22) arranged on an outer circumference of the our multi-disk (18) for connecting the outer multi-disks (18) to one another. The invention further relates to a method for assembling the multi-disk arrangement according to the invention.