Planetary Drive Assembly With Control Clutch Torque Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Work vehicles experience torque spikes and inefficiencies due to gear ratio changes, which existing drive systems fail to adequately dampen, leading to rough operation and potential mechanical stress.
Innovation Solution
A multi-speed drive assembly with a planetary gear set, input clutch arrangements, and a control clutch arrangement that selectively interacts with the planetary gear set to dampen torque spikes, using actuators to manage clutch positions and achieve smooth power transmission across varying gear ratios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If gear ratio changes are implemented in the drive system, then multiple speed ranges and efficient power transmission are achieved, but torque spikes and mechanical stress increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control clutch arrangement is configured to dampen torque spikes that occur during gear ratio changes. By selectively coupling and decoupling the reaction member from the reaction component, the clutch provides beforehand cushioning against torque increases, protecting the mechanical system from excessive stress while maintaining efficient power transmission across multiple speed ranges.
2Adaptability or versatility
If gear ratio changes are implemented, then multiple speed ranges are achieved, but operational smoothness deteriorates due to torque spikes
Solution Approach 1:
The control clutch arrangement dampens torque spikes during gear ratio transitions, providing beforehand cushioning that maintains operational smoothness. This allows the drive assembly to achieve multiple speed ranges through gear ratio changes while preventing the rough operation that would otherwise occur during these transitions.
3Device complexity
If existing drive systems are used without control clutch, then device complexity is reduced, but torque spike damping capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The control clutch arrangement acts as an intermediary component between the reaction member and the reaction component of the planetary gear set. This mediator selectively couples and decouples these elements to dampen torque spikes, providing the necessary torque control capability while maintaining a relatively simple overall drive system structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A drive assembly for a work vehicle has a drive housing, including a first housing element forming a reaction member, a drive shaft, a planetary gear set coupled to the drive shaft and configured to selectively rotate an output element. The planetary gear set has an input component, an output component and a reaction component. One or more input clutch arrangements at an input side of the drive assembly are configured to selectively interface with the planetary gear set to effect a rotation speed of the output element. A control clutch arrangement interfaces with the reaction member and the reaction component. The control clutch arrangement is configured to selectively couple and decouple the reaction member from the reaction component to damp a torque increase transmitted to the output element.