Powertrain Drive Plate Axial Run-Out Tolerance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Powertrain mechanisms in vehicles with internal combustion engines face issues due to non-coaxial engine and gearbox shafts, leading to undesired contact of the drive plate with other components, which causes vibrations and reduces performance.

Innovation Solution

A powertrain mechanism that tolerates axial run-outs between the engine and gearbox shafts using a snap ring, protrusions, recesses, and a friction element with a chamfer, allowing for movement freedom and preventing unwanted contact, while dampening forces and vibrations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the engine shaft and gearbox shaft are made coaxial, then the powertrain mechanism functions firmly, but manufacturing precision requirements become excessively high and are not achievable in practice

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefirm operation of powertrain mechanismVSAvoidcoaxial alignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The drive plate acts as an intermediary element between the engine shaft and gearbox shaft. It includes a connection hub with a friction element that can axially move relative to the drive plate, serving as a mediator that absorbs misalignment between the two shafts while transmitting power

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection hub is designed with the ability to change its axial position parameter relative to the drive plate. This parameter change allows the mechanism to adapt to shaft misalignment while maintaining firm operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Power

If the drive plate is rigidly connected to both holder plate and fixation plate, then power transmission is efficient, but axial run-out causes undesired contact with other features

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transmission efficiencyVSAvoidprevention of undesired contact
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connection between the drive plate and connection hub is made dynamic rather than rigid. The friction element can axially move within the drive plate, allowing the system to adapt to axial run-out conditions while maintaining power transmission capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The friction element serves as a cushioning mechanism that absorbs the effects of axial run-out before they can cause undesired contact. It provides prior protection against the harmful effects of misalignment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Strength

If the connection hub is rigidly fixed to the drive plate, then structural strength is high, but axial forces cause run-out and contact issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strength of connectionVSAvoidaxial run-out and undesired contact
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system is segmented into distinct functional elements: the drive plate, the connection hub, and the friction element. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific function - the friction element handles axial movement while the drive plate maintains structural strength

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 mechanism effectively prevents undesired contact and vibrations, enhancing the comfort and longevity of the powertrain by accommodating axial run-outs and allowing limited angular run-out, thus improving the overall performance and durability.

Implementation Method 1

the snap ring is stopped onto inner wall of the channel from one side, and it is stopped onto the drive plate from the other side. Thus, the forces applied in the connection hub axis are dampened by the snap ring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

even if there is run-out between the connection hub axis and the center axis of the holder friction element, the friction element and the connection hub are contacted in the desired manner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3088755B1A powertrain mechanism with drive plate
Publication Date: 2019.10.09 VALEO OTOMOTIV SANAYI & TICARET AS
  • EP3088755B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3088755B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3088755B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a powertrain mechanism (10) in order to transfer the power, received from the engine, to the gearbox in vehicles having internal combustion engine and comprising at least one drive plate (70) and at least one connection hub (30) having an assembly section (40) placed into at least one assembly opening (71) provided in the vicinity of the center of said drive plate (70). As an improvement, the subject matter powertrain mechanism (10) comprises at least one movement gap (90) provided between at least one protrusion upper section (51) defined at the uppermost section of at least one protrusion (50) provided mutually on inner wall (72) of said assembly opening (71) and on outer wall (41) of the assembly section (40), and at least one recess base (61) defined at the lowermost section of at least one recess (60) wherein said protrusion (50) is at least partially placed. Fig. 2