Selective Multi-Plate Clutch Engagement for Variable Torque Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-plate clutches cannot selectively adjust the number of friction plates participating in torque transmission, leading to suboptimal performance across different driving conditions.
Innovation Solution
A clutch design featuring a friction plate unit with a first and second friction plate assembly, along with a pressing unit that allows selective engagement or disengagement of the drive disc with the driven disc using the first assembly alone or in combination with the second assembly, utilizing a spring assembly and docking structure to manage torque transmission based on the required torque level.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If all friction plates participate in torque transmission regardless of torque magnitude, then the clutch structure is simple, but the clutch cannot achieve optimal performance under different driving conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The friction plate assembly is segmented into a first friction plate assembly and a second friction plate assembly that can be selectively engaged or disengaged. This segmentation allows the clutch to adapt to different driving conditions by using only the necessary number of friction plates, thereby improving adaptability without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The clutch employs a dynamic pressing unit that can adjust the number of engaged friction plates based on torque requirements. The pressing unit moves axially to engage or disengage the second friction plate assembly, enabling the clutch to dynamically adapt its torque transmission capacity to match different driving conditions.
2Power
If multiple friction plates are always engaged, then torque transmission capability is maximized, but friction losses increase and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch uses partial action by engaging only the first friction plate assembly during low-torque conditions and engaging both first and second friction plate assemblies only when high torque transmission is required. This partial engagement strategy minimizes friction losses during normal operation while maintaining the capability for high torque transmission when needed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a dual friction plate assembly design is implemented, then adaptability to different torque levels is improved, but the clutch structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The first and second friction plate assemblies are merged into a single integrated friction plate unit that can be selectively engaged as a group. This merging approach allows the clutch to achieve torque level adaptability while minimizing structural complexity by treating the dual assembly as one unified component rather than separate independent systems.
4Force
If all friction plates are engaged for torque transmission, then torque capacity is sufficient for all conditions, but the pressing force requirement increases power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch applies partial action by engaging only the first friction plate assembly during low-torque conditions, requiring less pressing force and reducing power consumption. When high torque capacity is needed, both friction plate assemblies are engaged, increasing the pressing force requirement only when necessary, thus optimizing the balance between torque capacity and power consumption.
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
Enables optimal performance by adjusting the number of friction plates involved in torque transmission, reducing friction losses and improving torque transmission capabilities, while simplifying the clutch structure and reducing the power requirements for engagement.
Implementation Method 1
a spring assembly provided on the outer hub, wherein the outer hub is movable in a direction toward the first friction plate assembly in the axial direction of the bushing to engage the first outer friction plate with the first inner friction plate of the first friction plate assembly by pressing the spring assembly
Implementation Method 2
the first outer friction plate and the first inner friction plate of the first friction plate assembly that are capable of abutting with each other
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to the technical field of clutch, and in particular provides a clutch and an automobile having the same. The clutch of the present disclosure includes a drive disc, a driven disc, and a friction plate unit capable of engaging or disengaging the drive disc with or from the driven disc, the friction plate unit including a first friction plate assembly and a second friction plate assembly, the clutch further including a pressing unit configured to engage or disengage the drive disc with or from the driven disc selectively by the first friction plate assembly alone or by a combination of the first friction plate assembly and the second friction plate assembly. Such an arrangement enables the clutch to select an appropriate number of friction plates as required for engagement, solving the problem that in existing multi-plate clutches, it is impossible to select an appropriate number of friction plates to participate in work to make the clutches obtain optimal performance according to different working conditions of the automobile.