Separating Clutch Return Spring Layout for Compact High-Speed Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing separating clutches face challenges in maintaining functionality at high peripheral speeds and rotational speeds while minimizing installation space and ensuring service life, particularly when coupled with electric motors, due to the need for a small but effective return spring that can overcome force hysteresis and dynamic requirements.
Innovation Solution
The return spring is screwed into the pressure pot with return pressure feet, allowing it to push back the pressure element, and is supported by the hub, eliminating the need for the pressure pot to protrude beyond the return spring, thus optimizing installation space and ensuring efficient force transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the return spring is designed with a large force margin to overcome force hysteresis and dynamic requirements, then the reliability and service life are improved, but the installation space required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The return spring is positioned to engage through and behind the pressure element, with the pressure element nested within the space defined by the return spring's outer diameter. This allows the return spring to maintain its full axial length and force characteristics without requiring additional radial space, effectively nesting the pressure element within the return spring's envelope.
Solution Approach 2:
The return spring engages in the axial direction by passing through the pressure element, utilizing the axial dimension rather than requiring additional radial or circumferential space. This dimensional repositioning allows the spring to develop its full force margin along its axis while maintaining a compact overall package diameter.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the pressure pot is designed to enclose the return spring with its feet, then the structural stability is improved, but the installation space increases and the pressure pot protrudes beyond the return spring
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure element is extracted from the conventional enclosed configuration where it would surround the return spring. Instead, the pressure element is repositioned to be engaged by the return spring from behind, allowing the return spring to extend axially beyond the pressure element's outer diameter without requiring the pressure element to enclose it radially.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than having the pressure element enclose the return spring radially, the configuration is inverted so that the return spring passes through and engages the pressure element from the opposite side, with the spring's active portion extending axially beyond the pressure element. This inversion eliminates the need for protruding pressure pot feet while maintaining structural stability.
3Volume of moving object
If the return spring is positioned to engage through and behind the pressure element, then the installation space is optimized, but the connection between the return spring and pressure element must be positively secured
Solution Approach 1:
The return spring is pre-positioned to engage through the pressure element during assembly, with the engagement geometry designed to automatically provide positive locking. The spring's outer diameter is dimensioned to be slightly larger than the pressure element's inner diameter, creating interference fit conditions that establish positive connection without requiring additional fastening features.
Solution Approach 2:
The return spring features an asymmetric profile with different diameters along its length, including a larger outer diameter portion that engages the pressure element and a smaller inner diameter portion that provides the active spring force. This asymmetric geometry creates inherent positive locking through the interference fit between the spring's outer surface and the pressure element's inner surface.
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 configuration allows for efficient use of installation space, maintains the required force level, and extends the service life of the clutch by ensuring the return spring can effectively engage and disengage without compromising on size or performance.
Implementation Method 1
a return spring (15) which is provided for canceling the frictional connection
Implementation Method 2
friction discs (4), the outer plates, for example designed as steel plates, which are prepared for transmitting torque in the case of complete or partial frictional connection with counter friction discs (6)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a separating clutch (1) for a drive train of a motor vehicle, with an outer multiple disc carrier (3), in which friction discs (4) can be inserted which are fixed in terms of rotation but can be moved axially and which are prepared for forwarding torque in the case of a non-positive connection to mating friction discs (6), wherein the outer multiple disc carrier (3) is fastened fixedly to a torque forwarding component (8) axially and for conjoint rotation, wherein there is a pressing element (12) for the axial displacement of at least one of the friction discs (4) for the non-positive connection case, wherein the pressing element (12) is in contact with a restoring spring (15) which is provided for cancelling the non-positive connection, wherein the restoring spring (15) engages through and behind the pressing element (12) in the direction of the friction discs (4) from a side which faces away from the friction discs, in order to enter into a positively locking connection with the pressing element (12). The invention also relates to a drive train of a motor vehicle having a separating clutch (1) of this type between two electric motors. The invention also relates to a method for the assembly of a separating clutch (1), wherein a restoring spring (15) for a pressing element (12) which moves the friction discs is inserted into a pre-assembled separating clutch (1) in a manner which engages through the pressing element (12), is then prestressed, and is screwed in so as to come into contact with the pressing element.