Actuator assembly and clutch assembly

• US 10,704,613 B2
• Filed: 07/20/2016
• Issued: 07/07/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GKN Automotive Ltd (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Original Assignee: GKN Automotive Ltd (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Inventors: Rupp, Waldemar
• Primary Examiner(s): Hannon, Timothy
• Application Number:
  US16/318,515
• Publication Number:
  US 20190316638A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,448 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 11/10 with clutching members movable only axially
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2023/123 Clutch actuation by cams, ramps or ball-screw mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 23/12 Mechanical clutch-actuating mechanisms arranged outside the clutch as such specific for combined clutches F16D21/00; mechanisms specific for synchronisation F16D23/02
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 28/00 Electrically-actuated clutches arrangements for synchronisation F16D23/02; clutches actuated directly by means of an electromagnet F16D27/00; automatic clutches F16D43/00 - F16D45/00; external control F16D48/00

Abstract

An actuator assembly for being operated in the driveline of a motor vehicle comprises a drive unit for generating an operating force and a ramp unit drivable by the drive unit. The ramp unit comprises an abutment element, a first ring and a second ring. The first ring is drivable by the drive unit so as to rotate around a rotational axis (A) and a plurality of circumferentially distributed axial through-openings. In each of the axial through-openings two rollers are arranged of which respectively a first roller is axially supported against the abutment element and a second roller is axially supported against the second ring The second ring is configured to be held in a stationary component in a rotationally fixed and axially movable way and comprises a plurality of circumferentially distributed ramps which each cooperate with an associated roller. The ramps are configured such that rotatingly driving the rotatingly drivable first ring by the drive unit generates an axial movement of the second ring relative to the first ring. A clutch assembly can have such an actuator assembly.

Claims

1. An actuator assembly for operating a clutch in the driveline of a motor vehicle, comprising:

a drive unit for generating an operating force; and

a ramp unit which is drivable by the drive unit and which comprises an abutment element, a first ring, and a second ring;

wherein the first ring is drivable by the drive unit so as to be rotatable around a rotational axis and comprises a plurality of circumferentially distributed axial through-openings,

wherein in each of the axial through-openings two rollers are arranged and are axially supported against one another and are in rolling contact with one another, of which a first roller is axially supported against the abutment element and a second roller is supported against the second ring;

wherein the second ring is configured to be held rotationally fixed and axially movable in a stationary component and comprises a plurality of circumferentially distributed ramps which each cooperate with an associated second roller; and

wherein the ramps are configured such that rotatingly driving the rotatingly drivable first ring by the drive unit effects an axial movement of the second ring relative to the first ring.

2. The actuator assembly of claim 1,

wherein the ramps of the second ring are configured such that in a first end position the second ring is axially close to the first ring, and in a second end position the second ring is axially further away from the first ring.

3. The actuator assembly of claim 1,

wherein the ramps of the second ring are configured such that an intermediate position is provided along the relative rotational path between the first end position and the second end position, such that the second ring is held in the intermediate position at a defined axial distance relative to the first ring.

4. The actuator assembly of claim 1,

wherein the ramps of the second ring comprise a first portion with a first gradient and a second portion with a second gradient, wherein between the first portion and the second portion a deepened intermediate portion is provided which defines the intermediate position.

5. The actuator assembly of claim 1,

wherein the first and the second rollers are in the form of cylindrical rollers which are arranged axially adjacent to one another, wherein the first roller is rotatable around a first roller axis, and the second roller is rotatable around a second roller axis, wherein the first and the second roller axis extend parallel relative to one another and radially relative to the rotational axis of the first ring.

6. The actuator assembly of claim 1,

wherein the ramps comprise planar ramp faces against which the second rollers are respectively axially supported and in rolling contact therewith.

7. The actuator assembly of claim 1,

wherein the first and the second rollers are each arranged with play in the through-openings, or at least one of the first and the second rollers is supported in the associated through-opening by a bearing so as to be rotatable around the roller axis.

8. The actuator assembly of claim 1,

wherein the ramps of the second ring extend less than 120 degrees in the circumferential direction.

9. The actuator assembly of claim 1,

wherein the first ring, on a side facing the abutment element, comprises a planar radial face relative to which the first rollers project axially in the mounted condition, and

the first ring, on a side facing the second ring, comprises a plurality of axial projections in each of which one of the through-openings is provided.

10. The actuator assembly of claim 1,

wherein the second ring comprises anti-rotation elements for holding the second ring rotationally fixed, and axially movable, in the stationary component.

11. The actuator assembly of claim 1,

wherein the drive unit comprises a controllable drive source and a force transmitting device for transmitting a force generated by the driving source to the ramp unit, wherein the force transmitting device comprises a driving pinion rotatably drivable by the drive source and a toothing firmly connected to the first ring, which toothing engages the driving pinion.

12. The actuator assembly of claim 1,

wherein a spring element is provided which axially loads the second ring towards the first ring.

13. A clutch assembly for a driveline of a motor vehicle comprising:

a disconnect clutch for disconnecting the driveline; and

an actuator assembly for operating the disconnect clutch;

wherein the actuator assembly comprises a drive unit for generating an operating force and a ramp unit which is drivable by the drive unit and which comprises an abutment element, a first ring and a second ring;

wherein the first ring is drivable by the drive unit so as to be rotatable around a rotational axis and comprises a plurality of circumferentially distributed axial through-openings;

wherein in each of the axial through-openings two rollers are arranged which are axially supported against one another and are in rolling contact with one another, of which a first roller is axially supported against the abutment element and a second roller is supported against the second ring;

wherein the second ring is configured to be held rotationally fixed and axially movable in a stationary component and comprises a plurality of circumferentially distributed ramps which each cooperate with an associated second roller;

wherein the ramps are configured such that rotatingly driving the rotatingly drivable first ring by the drive unit effects an axial movement of the second ring relative to the first ring;

wherein the disconnect clutch comprises at least a first clutch part and a second clutch part, wherein a spring element is provided which loads the disconnect clutch in a closed position in which torque is transmittable between the first clutch part and the second clutch part;

wherein the ramp unit is arranged to load the disconnect clutch in an open position; and

wherein the second ring cooperates with one of the first and the second clutch parts for disengaging the first and second clutch parts from each other when the drive unit is operated.

14. The clutch assembly of claim 13, wherein the ramps of the second ring are configured such that in the first end position the second ring is axially approached to the first ring, wherein the disconnect clutch is in the closed position,

and in the second end position the second ring is axially further away from the first ring, wherein the disconnect clutch is in the open position.

15. The clutch assembly of claim 13,

wherein a brake device is provided for braking one of the first and the second clutch part, wherein the brake device is operable by the drive unit via the ramp assembly.

16. The clutch assembly of claim 13,

wherein the disconnect clutch is configured as a form-locking clutch, wherein the first clutch part and the second clutch part, in the closed position, form-lockingly engage one another and, in the open position, are uncoupled so that the first clutch part and the second clutch part are rotatable relative to one another;

wherein the ramp unit is effectively connected to one of the first and the second clutch part such that the first and the second clutch part are moved away from one other when the ramp unit is operated by the drive unit.