Direct Point Wet Clutch Fluid Wall System for Oil Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-disc wet clutch systems face issues with inadequate lubricant placement and volume, leading to overheating, friction material failure, and parasitic friction loss due to limited oil distribution, especially at elevated RPMs.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a control diaphragm with an array of direct ported oiling holes through the inner clutch hub, ensuring nearly 100% of the lubricant is directed to friction plates and steel plates, maintaining efficient cooling and lubrication, and utilizing centrifugal force to maintain oil flow between clutch plates at all RPM ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If oil is ported through the inner hub to cool and lubricate the clutch hub, then cooling of the inner hub surface is improved, but oil distribution to friction plates becomes inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The single oil port is segmented into multiple oil holes distributed across the inner hub surface. This segmentation allows oil to be delivered to multiple locations simultaneously, ensuring both the inner hub surface and friction plates receive adequate lubrication and cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the inner hub receive oil through specifically positioned holes: some holes are located to cool the inner hub surface profile while others are positioned to lubricate the friction plates directly, creating localized quality improvements in different areas.
2Reliability
If clutch assembly sits in an oil bath or is sprayed from outer surface ports, then lubrication coverage is improved, but parasitic friction loss and foaming increase at elevated RPM
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful oil bath and external spray systems are extracted and replaced with an internal oil delivery system. Oil is delivered directly to where it is needed through holes in the inner hub, eliminating the parasitic friction and foaming associated with external oil baths while maintaining effective lubrication coverage.
3Productivity
If limited lubricant volume is used in multi-disc wet clutch, then system efficiency is improved, but inadequate lubrication and overheating occur
Solution Approach 1:
The oil delivery system ensures continuous lubrication and cooling action throughout the clutch operation. Multiple oil holes provide continuous oil flow to all friction plates and the inner hub surface, maintaining effective lubrication with limited oil volume and preventing overheating through continuous cooling action.
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 results in a significant reduction in clutch plate temperature, enhancing the life and reliability of the clutch, while minimizing system drag and parasitic friction loss, and eliminating the need for external oil baths or spray systems.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing centrifugal force to maintain oil flow between clutch plates at all RPM ranges
Data Source
AI summary
An improved multi-disc wet clutch assembly. The improvements include an inner clutch hub having eighteen holes extending through a wall of the inner clutch hub, arranged in six series of three holes with each series being disposed approximately sixty degrees apart from each other and starting at a different position along the length of the inner clutch hub wall. The improvements further include a diaphragm plate disposed within a bore at the distal end of the inner clutch hub. Methods of retrofitting preexisting clutch assemblies are also described.