Pivoting Push Ring Clutch Actuator to Reduce Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuator devices for dry clutches in transmissions require complex and costly high-pressure oil systems, increasing complexity and reducing efficiency due to the need for multiple components like pumps, accumulators, and valves.
Innovation Solution
An actuator device that uses a push lever arm and push ring mechanism, where the push ring can pivot about its axis, allowing the rotation axis to remain aligned even when the push lever arm is tilted, eliminating the need for high-pressure oil and reducing wear and increasing efficiency by using a motor-driven linear actuator mechanism with a threaded rod and nut, and allowing the push lever arm to be pivotally connected to both the drive unit and a fix point for enhanced stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a high pressure oil system is used for actuating the clutch, then the actuation force can be effectively applied, but the device complexity and cost increase due to requiring pump, accumulator, valves, and oil filter components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the high pressure oil system components (pump, accumulator, valves, oil filter) from the clutch actuation system, replacing them with a direct mechanical actuation mechanism that achieves the same force application without the complex hydraulic infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the hydraulic actuation system with a direct mechanical actuation system using a push lever arm and push ring mechanism, substituting the oil-based hydraulic transmission of force with a solid mechanical linkage that directly transmits actuation force to the clutch
2Device complexity
If the push lever arm is rigidly fixed, then the structure is simple, but wear increases and efficiency decreases when the push lever arm becomes tilted during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic adaptability to the push lever arm by allowing it to pivot about a push ring pivot axis, enabling the mechanism to automatically adjust and maintain proper alignment between the rotation axis and push lever arm movement direction even when tilted, thereby reducing wear and maintaining operational efficiency without requiring complex active control systems
3Adaptability or versatility
If the rotation axis distance from drive unit varies due to push lever arm tilting, then the mechanism can accommodate movement, but wear increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs the push ring pivot axis mechanism that dynamically maintains a constant distance between the rotation axis and drive unit even when the push lever arm is tilted or moves, allowing the system to accommodate movement while preventing wear and maintaining efficiency through geometric constraint
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 solution reduces wear and increases efficiency by maintaining the rotation axis alignment and distance, allowing for a compact and robust design without the need for high-pressure oil, thus simplifying the transmission system and reducing component costs.
Implementation Method 1
a linear actuator mechanism comprising a threaded rod with a nut, such as a ball screw for instance, where the linear actuator mechanism is driven by the motor
Implementation Method 2
By the possibility to pivot the push ring about the push ring pivot axis, the direction of the rotation axis of the push ring can be maintained even if the push lever arm would be somewhat tilted
Implementation Method 3
an actuator device for a friction clutch, particularly for a transmission clutch of a vehicle, which actuator device comprises a push lever arm for applying a force on the friction clutch
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B~2C
AI summary
The invention relates to an actuator device (3) for a friction clutch. The device comprises a push lever arm (4) for applying a force on the friction clutch and a push ring (5) arranged on the push lever arm for contacting the friction clutch, and a drive unit (6) connected to the push lever arm for movement of the push lever arm in a push lever arm movement direction (7). The device further comprises a bearing (8) arranged on the push lever arm (4), where the push ring (5) is journaled by the bearing such that the push ring is rotatable relative to the push lever arm about a rotation axis (9). The push ring (5) and the bearing (8) are pivotally connected to the push lever arm (4) such that the push ring and the bearing are pivotable relative to the push lever arm about a push ring pivot axis (30).