MULTI-PLATE CLUTCH, IN PARTICULAR A DRY MULTI-PLATE CLUTCH, IN PARTICULAR FOR A HYBRID DRIVETRAIN

Abstract

A multi-plate clutch includes an outer plate suspended on a radial outside and axially displaceable, an inner plate suspended on a radial inside and axially displaceable, and a plurality of leaf springs. The plurality of leaf springs is distributed around an outer circumference of the outer plate to suspend the outer plate in a torque-transmitting manner on a rotor pot, or the plurality of leaf springs is distributed in an inner circumference of the inner plate to suspend the inner plate in a torque-transmitting manner on a driving ring. In an example embodiment, the multi-plate clutch is a dry multi-plate clutch for a hybrid drivetrain. In an example embodiment, the multi-plate clutch includes a plurality of outer plates and a plurality of inner plates.

Claims

1.-10. (canceled)

11. A multi-plate clutch, comprising: an outer plate suspended on a radial outside and axially displaceable; an inner plate suspended on a radial inside and axially displaceable; and a plurality of leaf springs, wherein: the plurality of leaf springs is distributed around an outer circumference of the outer plate to suspend the outer plate in a torque-transmitting manner on a rotor pot; or the plurality of leaf springs is distributed in an inner circumference of the inner plate to suspend the inner plate in a torque-transmitting manner on a driving ring.

12. The multi-plate clutch of claim 11, wherein the multi-plate clutch is a dry multi-plate clutch for a hybrid drivetrain.

13. The multi-plate clutch of claim 11, further comprising a plurality of outer plates and a plurality of inner plates.

14. The multi-plate clutch of claim 11, wherein the outer plate is designed as a steel plate and the inner plate is designed as a lining plate.

15. The multi-plate clutch of claim 11, wherein the outer plate is designed as a lining plate and the inner plate is designed as a steel plate.

16. The multi-plate clutch of claim 11, wherein: the outer plate or the inner plate is a lining plate comprising a lining carrier; and the plurality of leaf springs is formed in one piece with the lining carrier such that circumferentially opposite ends of each of the plurality of leaf springs merge into the lining carrier.

17. The multi-plate clutch of claim 11, wherein: the outer plate or the inner plate is a steel plate; and the plurality of leaf springs are connected to the steel plate such that circumferentially opposite ends of each of the plurality of leaf springs are connected to the steel plate.

18. The multi-plate clutch of claim 17, wherein the plurality of leaf springs are connected to the steel plate by riveting.

19. The multi-plate clutch of claim 11, wherein the plurality of leaf springs are evenly distributed in a circumferential direction.

20. The multi-plate clutch of claim 11, wherein the plurality of leaf springs includes exactly three leaf springs.

21. The multi-plate clutch of claim 11, further comprising: the rotor pot; and a rotor carrier comprising an axial groove, wherein the rotor pot comprises an arm arranged in the axial groove.

22. The multi-plate clutch of claim 21, wherein: each of the plurality of leaf springs comprises a respective recess; and the rotor pot comprises a plurality of arms, each engaged with a one of the recesses, to suspend the outer plate on the rotor pot.

23. A hybrid drivetrain comprising the multi-plate clutch of claim 11, wherein: the multi-plate clutch is designed as a K0 clutch for coupling and uncoupling an internal combustion engine; or the multi-plate clutch is integrated into a rotor of an electric machine, such as an electric motor or a generator.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Both the disclosure and the technical field are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. It should be noted that the disclosure is not intended to be limited by the exemplary embodiments shown. In particular, unless explicitly stated otherwise, it is also possible to extract partial aspects of the substantive matter outlined in the figures and to combine them with other components and knowledge from the present description and/or figures. In particular, it should be noted that the figures and in particular the proportions shown are only schematic. Identical reference signs indicate the same objects, so explanations from other figures can also be used. In the figures:

[0016] FIG. 1 shows an example of a structure of a multi-plate clutch;

[0017] FIG. 2 shows an example of a structure of a steel plate;

[0018] FIG. 3 shows an example of a structure of a lining plate;

[0019] FIG. 4 shows a further view of the example of a multi-plate clutch; and

[0020] FIG. 5 shows a first perspective view of the assembled multi-plate clutch;

[0021] FIG. 6 shows a second perspective view of the assembled multi-plate clutch;

[0022] FIG. 7 shows a third perspective view of the assembled multi-plate clutch; and

[0023] FIG. 8 shows a hybrid drivetrain of a motor vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] FIG. 1 shows, by way of example and schematically, the structure of a multi-plate clutch 1, which is designed, for example, as a dry multi-plate clutch 1. This includes, inter alfa, a plurality of outer plates 2, which are designed here as steel plates 3, and a corresponding plurality of inner plates 4, which are designed here as lining plates 5. The multi-plate clutch 1 has a first axial direction 6 and a second radial direction 7. The outer plates 2 are suspended on the outside in the radial direction 7 and are displaceable in the axial direction 6. The inner plates 4 are suspended on the inside in the radial direction 7 and are displaceable in the axial direction 6. By shifting the inner plates 4 and the outer plates 2 relative to each other in the axial direction 6, inner plates 4 and outer plates 2 adjacent in the axial direction 6 can be brought into frictional engagement with one another, so that torque can be transmitted from the inner plates 4 to the outer plates 2 and vice versa.

[0025] FIG. 2 shows an example of a steel plate 3 having a torsional vibration damper. This has three leaf springs 8 which are evenly distributed in the circumferential direction, i.e., are designed in such a way that adjacent leaf springs 8 enclose the same angle with one another. The leaf springs 8 are formed from a spring steel and are connected to the steel plate 3 via hollow rivets 9. Both ends of each leaf spring 8, which are spaced apart from one another in a circumferential direction 13, are connected to the steel plate 3 by the hollow rivets 9. Each leaf spring 8 has a recess 10, the function of which is explained below.

[0026] FIG. 3 shows an example of a lining plate 5 which can be used as an inner plate 4. This has two friction plates 11 which are formed on opposite sides of a lining carrier 12. The lining plate 5 may have three leaf springs 8, for example. The leaf springs 8 are formed in one piece with the lining carrier 12, in that both ends of each leaf spring 8, which are spaced apart in the circumferential direction 13, merge into the lining carrier 12. Each leaf spring 8 has a recess 10, the function of which is explained below.

[0027] In the following, reference is again made to FIG. 1. The multi-plate clutch 1 also has a driving ring 14 on which the inner plates 4 are suspended in a torque-transmitting manner. The outer plates 5 are suspended from a rotor pot 15. In operation, in the engaged state of the multi-plate clutch 1, torque can be transmitted between the driving ring 14 via the inner plates 4 and the outer plates 5 to the rotor pot 15 and vice versa, depending on whether the operation is pulling or pushing. The rotor pot 15 has a plurality of arms 16 which extend from the rotor pot in the axial direction 6. These arms 16, of which, for example, three are formed per rotor pot 15, have a plurality of functions. By interacting with corresponding axial grooves 17 of a rotor carrier 18, into which the arms 16 are inserted, torque can be transmitted between the rotor pot 15 and the rotor carrier 18. Furthermore, the arms 16 serve to support the outer plates 5, in that they interact with the recesses 10 of the leaf springs 8 of the outer plates 5 (see FIG. 2).

[0028] In the engaged state, the torque is introduced or discharged via the recesses 10. In order to enable torque transmission both in pushing and pulling operation, the recesses 10 are U-shaped, so that a corresponding contact surface results in both circumferential directions 13. Alternatively, the recesses 10 can also have an O-shape.

[0029] When the multi-plate clutch is engaged, there is a relative movement between the inner plates 4 and the driving ring 14 or between the outer plates 2 and the rotor carrier 18, Which takes place, for example, via a pressure pot 19. The leaf springs 8 produce a relatively large axial movement of the corresponding inner plate 4 and outer plate 2 with minimal friction during the relative movement; a sliding movement, for example, between the lining carrier 12 and the corresponding leaf spring guides 20 is avoided. Similarly, the presence of a small amount of friction during the relative movement between the arms 16 and the recesses 10 results in a significantly greater movement of the outer plate 2 in the axial direction 6. Here, too, a sliding movement between the arms 16 and recesses 10 is avoided.

[0030] Furthermore, the multi-plate clutch 1 has a pressure plate 21 which supports the pressure force. The pressure plate 21 is screwed to the rotor carrier 18. Furthermore, the multi-plate clutch 1 includes a mounting ring 22 for fixing the pressure plate 21 on the rotor carrier 18.

[0031] FIG. 4 shows a further view of the multi-plate clutch 1 with the mounting ring 22, pressure plate 21, rotor carrier 18 and rotor pot 15.

[0032] FIGS. 5 to 7 show different perspective views of the assembled multi-plate clutch 1. Reference is made to the embodiments above.

[0033] FIG. 8 schematically shows a hybrid drivetrain 23 in particular of a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine 24, which is connected to the multi-plate clutch 1 via a crankshaft 25, which is designed here as a K0 or disconnect clutch for separating and connecting the internal combustion engine 24 from the hybrid drivetrain 23. The multi-plate clutch 1 is designed concentrically with an electric machine 26. Torque can be transmitted to the wheels of the motor vehicle (not shown) via an output shaft 27. The output shaft 27 can be connected to the multi-plate clutch 1 and the electric machine 26. The multi-plate clutch 1 is integrated, for example, into a rotor of the electric machine 26. The electric machine 26 is may be an electric motor and/or an electric generator.

[0034] The arrangement of steel plates 3 and lining plates 5 can in principle take place in both directions (inside and outside). In the present description, however, only the case is dealt with in which the lining plates (see FIG. 3) are located on the inside (inner plates 4) and thus absorb the motor torque from the driving ring (14) and transmit it to the outer steel plates 3 (outer plates 2) (FIG. 2). This is achieved via a carrier plate (lining carrier 12), which is glued between two linings (friction plates 11) to form what is termed a lining plate 5 (see FIG. 3). In the carrier plate (lining carrier 12) there are at least three spring elements (leaf springs 8) with internal cut-outs (recesses 10) in the circumferential direction 13. In these cut-outs (recesses 10) the torque is applied to the carrier plate (lining carrier 12) and thus to the friction plates 11. The torque can be transmitted in both directions, as there is a U-shaped contact (an O-shaped contact would also be possible depending on the space available). The spring elements (leaf springs 8) should have low axial rigidity in order to enable an axial movement of the plate with minimal sliding friction. As a result, a sliding movement between the carrier plate (lining carrier 12) and leaf spring guide 20 is avoided.

[0035] The steel plate 3 is supported towards the outside in a similar manner. The spring elements (leaf springs 8) are designed as individual leaf springs 8 and riveted to the respective steel plate 3 (see the hollow rivets 9 in FIG. 3). Gluing on the carrier plate (lining carrier 12), however, would be possible.

[0036] Depending on the requirements and the necessary torque capacity, the clutch (multi-plate clutch 1) can includes a plurality of plate packs connected in series.

[0037] The clutch (multi-plate clutch 1) may be operated without a translation, i.e., directly via a pressure pot 19 from the release bearing. However, it is also possible to generate a translation using a plate spring or lever spring.

[0038] The pressing force is supported at the opposite axial end by a pressing plate 21 screwed to the rotor carrier 18. This saves a weld seam between the rotor pot 15 and the rotor carrier 18 and at the same time enables simple assembly/disassembly of the plates.

[0039] Axial grooves 17 are introduced on the inner diameter of the rotor carrier 18 for the transmission of torque between the rotor pot 15 and the rotor carrier 18. Corresponding arms 16 of the rotor pot 15 run through these, which at the same time also serve to support the steel plate leaf springs (leaf springs 8 of the steel plate 3).

REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0040] 1 Multi-plate clutch

[0041] 2 Outer plate

[0042] 3 Steel plate

[0043] 4 Inner plate

[0044] 5 Lining plate

[0045] 6 Axial direction

[0046] 7 Radial direction

[0047] 8 Leaf spring

[0048] 9 Hollow rivet

[0049] 10 Recess

[0050] 11 Friction plate

[0051] 12 Lining carrier

[0052] 13 Circumferential direction

[0053] 14 Driving ring

[0054] 15 Rotor pot

[0055] 16 Arm

[0056] 17 Groove

[0057] 18 Rotor carrier

[0058] 19 Pressure pot

[0059] 20 Leaf spring guide

[0060] 21 Pressure plate

[0061] 22 Mounting ring

[0062] 23 Hybrid drivetrain

[0063] 24 Internal combustion engine

[0064] 25 Crankshaft

[0065] 26 Electric machine

[0066] 27 Output shaft