Spring Package Centering via Deformable Projections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current clutch arrangements for motor vehicle drive trains face issues with spring assemblies detaching during assembly and deformation of ring or carrier elements, leading to functional issues and non-robust manufacturing processes.
Innovation Solution
A clutch arrangement featuring a spring assembly with deformable projections that center and secure the spring pack on a carrier element, allowing for a low axial assembly force and preventing detachment, while minimizing deformation and ensuring a play-free centering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the spring assembly is mounted to the support element using a play-fit, then the assembly process is simple, but the spring assembly will detach from the support element during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The ring element is segmented into a body portion and multiple deformable projections that extend radially outward. This segmentation allows the projections to independently engage with the support element's annular surface, providing secure retention while maintaining simple assembly. The projections act as separate retaining features that prevent detachment without requiring complex assembly mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The deformable projections are designed to elastically deform during assembly when subjected to axial force, then maintain a press-fit condition with the support element. This dynamic behavior allows the projections to transition from a flexible state during assembly to a rigid retained state during operation, ensuring both easy assembly and reliable retention.
2Reliability
If the spring assembly is mounted to the support element with an interference fit, then the spring assembly is securely retained, but this leads to deformation of the ring element and/or the support element
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the ring element into a body and separate deformable projections, the deformation is localized to only the projections during assembly. The main ring element body and support element remain undeformed, maintaining manufacturing precision. The projections absorb the deformation stress through their elastic properties while providing secure retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The deformable projections are designed with specific material properties and geometric characteristics that allow them to locally deform during assembly. This local quality enables the projections to undergo controlled elastic deformation at their根部 (root) area, while the rest of the ring element and support element maintain their original dimensions and geometry without deformation.
3Reliability
If deformable projections are used to secure the spring assembly, then the assembly process becomes robust and prevents detachment, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deformable projections serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide centering of the spring assembly on the support element during assembly, they secure the spring assembly against detachment through elastic deformation and press-fit engagement, and they distribute assembly forces uniformly. This multi-functionality achieves robust assembly without requiring additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
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 solution simplifies the manufacturing process, reduces the risk of spring assembly detachment, and achieves a robust and cost-effective assembly method by using deformable projections to center and secure the spring pack on the carrier element.
Implementation Method 1
the deformable projections (70) of a ring element (60) have deformed on the annular surface (78) and center the spring assembly (54) with respect to the support element (50) and/or hold it securely in place
Implementation Method 2
If the spring assembly is mounted to the support element with an interference fit, this can lead to deformation of a ring element and/or the support element
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Spring assembly (52; 54) for a coupling arrangement (12) of a motor vehicle drive train (10), comprising a first ring element (60), a second ring element (62) and a plurality of individual springs (64) coupled to the first and second ring elements (60, 62) in such a way that the first and second ring elements (60, 62) are spring-coupled to each other in an axial direction, wherein the first and second ring elements (60, 62) each have an inner circumferential section (68) and an outer circumferential section (66). The first and/or the second ring element (60, 62) has a plurality of radially deformable elements (70; 70a) in the area of its inner circumferential section (68) and/or in the area of its outer circumferential section, which are designed to center the spring assembly (52; 54) with respect to a ring surface (78) and/or to mount the spring assembly (52; 54) securely on the ring surface (78).