CLUTCH DEVICE

• US 20130112522A1
• Filed: 11/06/2012
• Published: 05/09/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Original Assignee: Martin Saitner
• Inventors: Granzow, Claus, Saitner, Martin
• Granted Patent: US 8,919,515 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 192/69.9
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 11/04 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: F16H 2063/305 using electromagnetic solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2063/3056 using cam or crank gearing
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2063/3093 Final output elements, i.e. the final elements to establish gear ratio, e.g. dog clutches or other means establishing coupling to shaft fluid actuated clutches F16H63/3026; electromagnetic clutches F16H2063/3046
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 63/18 the final actuating mechanism comprising cams
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 63/304 the final output mechanisms comprising elements moved by electrical or magnetic force band brake actuating mechanisms F16H63/3003

Abstract

The clutch device comprises a first clutch element and a second clutch element, which are each supported in a rotational manner on a common axis of rotation. In an engaged state, the clutch elements are coupled to one another in a form-locking manner by a sliding sleeve. The sliding sleeve is attached to the first clutch element in a rotationally fixed and axially displaceable manner. A peripheral surface of the sliding sleeve is provided with at least one step, having a first step flank and extending with a first step course on the peripheral surface of the sliding sleeve, wherein the first step course also has, at least in sections, at least one axial directional component in the direction of the axis of rotation. A placement agent can be displaced radially back and forth between an engaging placement agent position and a disengaging placement agent position, and is otherwise stationary.

Claims

1. A clutch device of a motor vehicle drive train transmission, comprising:

a first clutch element; and

a second clutch element;

wherein the first clutch element and the second clutch element are rotationally supported on a common rotational axis, and

wherein the first clutch element and the second clutch element are coupled to one another in an engaged state in a form-locking manner by a sliding sleeve,

wherein the sliding sleeve is attached in a rotationally fixed, and axially displaceable manner to the first clutch element;

wherein the sliding sleeve comprises a peripheral surface having a first step, the first step having a first step flank extending with a first step course on the peripheral surface of the sliding sleeve,

wherein the first step course exhibits in part at least one axial directional component in the direction of the axis of rotation,

wherein a placement agent is provided that can be slid radially back and forth between a first engaging placement agent position and a first disengaging placement agent position, and is otherwise stationary,

wherein the placement agent rests against the first step flank during a procedure for disengaging the first and second clutch elements in the first disengaging placement agent position such that the sliding sleeve moves axially away from the second clutch element to a disengaged sleeve position with a rotation of the first clutch element until the first and second clutch elements are mechanically disengaged from one another in a disengaged state,

wherein the sliding sleeve is supported by an axially acting spring such that a spring force of the spring retains the sliding sleeve in an engaged sleeve position coupling the first and second clutch elements mechanically to one another, or acts to slide the sleeve into the engaged sleeve position, when the placement agent is in its engaging placement agent position.

2. The clutch device of claim 1 wherein the first step is a part of a first groove and the first step flank is a first groove sidewall of the first groove.

3. The clutch device of claim 1,

wherein the peripheral surface of the sliding sleeve has a second step, the second step having a second step flank and a second step course,

wherein the second step course substantially contains only a tangential directional component,

wherein the first step opens into the second step, and the placement agent rests against the second step flank when the first clutch element and the second clutch element are in the disengaged state.

4. The clutch device of claim 3 wherein the first step opens into the second step at both of ends of the first step.

5. The clutch device of claim 3 wherein the second step is part of a second groove and the second step flank is a second groove sidewall of the second groove.

6. The clutch device of claim 2 wherein the second groove has a greater groove depth than the first groove, and the placement agent has a second disengaging placement agent position,

wherein, in the disengaged state, the placement agent rests in its second disengaging placement agent position on the second groove sidewall forming the second step flank in the deeper second groove.

7. The clutch device of claim 1 wherein the peripheral surface of the sliding sleeve has a uniform peripheral contour between the first step flank and the second step flank.

8. The clutch device of claim 3 wherein the second step is the transition from the peripheral surface to an axial end surface of the sliding sleeve and the second step flank is the axial end surface.

9. The clutch device of claim 7 wherein the placement agent has a second disengaging placement agent position and, in the disengaged state, rests at its second disengaging placement agent position against an axial end surface of the sliding sleeve.

10. The clutch device of claim 1 wherein the spring is supported on the first clutch element.