Spring Element for Friction Device Centrifugal Force Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clutch disks with metal and/or metal-ceramic friction linings face challenges in withstanding centrifugal forces and maintaining consistent friction behavior across varying speeds, leading to potential premature damage and reduced control over clutch engagement.
Innovation Solution
A clutch disk design featuring a spring element with annular-shaped spring element body parts, each with receiving tabs that support friction linings, providing enhanced stiffness and damping to withstand centrifugal forces while allowing for adjustable axial stiffness and torsional strength, ensuring consistent friction behavior across different speeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If metal and/or metal-ceramic friction linings are used to transmit higher torques, then torque transmission capability is improved, but the friction linings are more susceptible to impact damage and premature failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by introducing a resilient lining support between the rigid metal friction lining and the clutch disk. This resilient support acts as a pre-positioned cushion that absorbs impacts and shocks before they reach the brittle metal friction lining, preventing premature damage while allowing the lining to transmit high torque during normal operation.
2Reliability
If resilient lining supports are used to protect friction linings from impacts, then reliability is improved, but the stiffness and control over clutch engagement are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by designing the resilient lining support with spatially varying properties: the support has different stiffness characteristics in different regions, with stiffer areas providing structural support and control, and more compliant areas providing impact protection. This allows simultaneous achievement of reliability through cushioning and strength through localized stiffness.
3Manufacturing precision
If friction linings are secured with multiple rivets distributed symmetrically, then manufacturing precision and symmetry are improved, but the complexity of the mounting structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by integrating the friction lining, mounting structure, and resilient support into a more unified assembly. The resilient lining support serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural mounting, enables symmetrical rivet distribution for precision manufacturing, and delivers impact protection. This consolidation reduces overall device complexity while maintaining manufacturing precision.
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 design effectively supports breakdown torque with minimal deflection, maintains consistent clutch modulation, and allows for individual adjustment of friction lining stiffness, reducing the risk of premature damage and improving control over clutch engagement.
Implementation Method 1
the friction linings are disposed on either side of the spring element body and secured thereto... resilient lining supports... ensure that the metal and/or metal-ceramic friction linings are not subjected to impacts or shocks on meshing
Implementation Method 2
spring element with annular-shaped spring element body parts, each with receiving tabs that support friction linings, providing enhanced stiffness and damping
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a spring element (4) for a friction device comprising a spring element body (10) having a first spring element body part (11) and a second spring element body part (12) arranged behind it in the axial direction, which rest on each other in some areas, and each spring element body part (11, 12) has receiving areas (15) arranged beside one another in a circumferential direction (13) for friction linings (2, 3) that can be fixed to both sides, and the first spring element body part (11) and the second spring element body part (12) are formed in a ring shape and a first and second receiving tab (19, 20) are formed for each receiving area (15) for the friction linings (2, 3), and the first receiving tab (19) is arranged underneath the second receiving tab (20) in the radial direction, and the first receiving tab (19) and the second receiving tab (20) of each receiving area (15) for the friction linings (2, 3) of the first spring element body part (11) are formed by the latter and the first receiving tab (19) and the second receiving tab (20) of each receiving area (15) for the friction linings (2, 3) of the second spring element body part (12) are formed by the latter.