ABSORBER AND TRANSMISSION HAVING AN ABSORBER FOR DAMPING TORSIONAL VIBRATIONS

Abstract

An absorber for damping torsional vibrations in a drive train of a vehicle. The absorber includes one or more absorber masses and an absorber carrier, able to be coupled to the drive train, for receiving the one or more absorber masses . The one or more absorber masses are guided in a movable manner by the absorber carrier to at least partially damp the torsional vibrations. In addition, the absorber includes a balancing plate for balancing the absorber, said balancing plate being coupled to the absorber carrier for conjoint rotation, and a displacer element . The displacer element surrounds the one or more absorber masses at least partially, in order at least to reduce any penetration of a fluid at least partially surrounding the absorber as far as the one or more absorber masses. The displacer element is fastened to the balancing plate.

Claims

1-11. (canceled)

12. An absorber, configured to damp torsional vibrations in a drive train of a vehicle, comprising: one or more absorber masses; an absorber carrier configured to couple to the drive train and receive the one or more absorber masses, which are guided in a movable manner by the absorber carrier to at least partially damp the torsional vibrations; a balancing plate provided for balancing the absorber, the balancing plate coupled to the absorber carrier for conjoint rotation; and a displacer element fastened to the balancing plate, which surrounds the one or more absorber masses at least partially, configured to at least reduce any penetration of a fluid at least partially surrounding the absorber as far as the one or more absorber masses.

13. The absorber as claimed in claim 12, further comprising: a hub coupled to the drive train, wherein the balancing plate and the absorber carrier are connected fixedly in terms of rotation to the hub.

14. The absorber as claimed in claim 12, wherein the displacer element surrounds the one or more absorber masses at least partially radially and axially.

15. The absorber as claimed in claim 12, wherein the displacer element has a U-shaped profile at least partially radially and axially surrounding the one or more absorber masses.

16. The absorber as claimed in claim 12, wherein the one or more absorber masses are movable in a radial direction within a deflection region; and wherein the displacer element is arranged such that the one or more absorber masses are spaced apart in the radial direction from the displacer element when deflected within the deflection region.

17. The absorber as claimed in claim 12, wherein the displacer element is fastened to the balancing plate by at least one riveted connection.

18. The absorber as claimed in claim 12, wherein the displacer element is fastened to the balancing plate by at least one material connection.

19. The absorber as claimed in claim 12, wherein the balancing plate is configured to receive one or more balancing masses.

20. The absorber as claimed in claim 12, wherein the displacer element comprises an opening for removing fluid which has penetrated to the one or more absorber masses.

21. The absorber as claimed in claim 12, wherein the displacer element is configured as a one piece bent workpiece.

22. A transmission for a drive train of a vehicle, the transmission comprising: a housing with a pan configured to store a fluid provided for cooling and/or lubrication; and an absorber configured to couple to the drive train for damping torsional vibrations, wherein the absorber is at least partially arranged in the pan and comprises: one or more absorber masses; an absorber carrier configured to couple to the drive train and receive the one or more absorber masses, which are guided in a movable manner by the absorber carrier to at least partially damp the torsional vibrations; a balancing plate provided for balancing the absorber, the balancing plate coupled to the absorber carrier for conjoint rotation; and a displacer element fastened to the balancing plate, which surrounds the one or more absorber masses at least partially, configured to at least reduce a penetration of the fluid to one or more rotatably arranged absorber masses of the absorber.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0056] Some examples of exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in more detail hereinafter merely by way of example, with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures:

[0057] FIG. 1 is a part of a conventional transmission of a vehicle in a sectional view;

[0058] FIG. 2A is an absorber with a displacer element; and

[0059] FIG. 2B is an absorber.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0060] Various exemplary embodiments are now described in more detail and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which some exemplary embodiments are shown.

[0061] Although exemplary embodiments can be modified and changed in different ways, exemplary embodiments are shown as examples in the figures and are described in detail herein. However, it should be made clear that it is not the intention to limit the exemplary embodiments to the respectively disclosed forms but rather that exemplary embodiments are intended to cover all functional and/or structural modifications, equivalents and alternatives which are within the scope of the invention.

[0062] Vehicle transmissions can be partially filled with a fluid provided for cooling and/or lubrication. The fluid is, for example, transmission oil which can firstly act as a lubricant and secondly as a coolant for the transmission.

[0063] In transmissions with a plurality of components a requirement for transmission oil can be high, so that components of the transmission are at least partially located below a fluid level of the transmission oil in the transmission. For example, an absorber for damping torsional vibrations can be partially immersed in the transmission oil.

[0064] When the absorber is rotated, an immersion and removal of the absorber masses, which are fastened to the absorber over a circumference of the absorber, can lead to the transmission oil being spun off and foaming. Foamed transmission oil can flow back slowly into a pan or a sump provided for storing the transmission oil, which is unsatisfactory, so that sometimes insufficient transmission oil can be available for supplying components in the transmission.

[0065] This is intended to be clarified hereinafter with reference to an example.

[0066] FIG. 1 shows a part of a conventional transmission 100 as can be used, for example, in a (hybrid) vehicle.

[0067] The transmission 100 comprises a speed-adaptive absorber 110, a fluid 120 located in the transmission 110, a dual-mass flywheel 130, a torsional vibration damper 140, and a separating clutch 150. In particular, when used in a hybrid vehicle, the separating clutch 150 can be provided for decoupling an internal combustion engine from an electric drive.

[0068] The fluid 120 is, for example, transmission oil, which serves for the cooling and lubrication of components of the transmission 100. Depending on a requirement for transmission oil 120, a fluid level 122 of the transmission oil 120 can be high, such that the absorber 110 is partially immersed in the transmission oil in a radial direction.

[0069] As can be seen, in particular, absorber masses 112 which are arranged over a circumference of the absorber 110 are immersed in the transmission oil 120.

[0070] The absorber masses 112 are arranged in an axial direction between flange parts 114 of an absorber carrier. The absorber masses 112 are, for example, movably arranged so that they can contribute to the damping of torsional vibrations or torsional oscillations by displacements, in particular, in the radial direction.

[0071] When the absorber 110 is rotated, the absorber masses 112 can foam the transmission oil so that it can flow back slowly into a sump 124 of the transmission 100 and thus is sometimes not available for the cooling and/or the lubrication. Thus, as a result, it can lead to an insufficient cooling and/or lubrication of further components of the transmission 100.

[0072] Thus an object of the present invention is providing an improved design for an absorber.

[0073] FIG. 2a shows a first exemplary embodiment of an absorber 210, which is configured at least to reduce a penetration of a fluid to an absorber mass 212 of the absorber 210.

[0074] In particular, FIG. 2A shows a rear view (left), a sectional image (center) and a front view (right) of the first exemplary embodiment.

[0075] The absorber mass 212 is arranged in an axial direction between flange parts of an absorber carrier 214. The flange parts 214 can be provided with bolts 216 that penetrate through openings 219 of the absorber mass 216 in the axial direction for receiving the absorber mass 216. The openings 219 are configured such that the absorber mass 212 is movably guided within a deflection region between the flange parts 214 in the radial direction and peripheral direction. Thus, due to displacements within the deflection region, the absorber mass 212 can cause changes to a moment of inertia of the absorber 210, which lead to the damping or absorption of torsional vibrations which originate from a drive train coupled to the absorber 210.

[0076] Moreover, the absorber 210 comprises a balancing plate 215 which is provided for balancing/counterbalancing the absorber 210 and which, together with the absorber carrier, is coupled by a riveted connection 217 fixedly in terms of rotation to a hub 218. The hub 218 is additionally coupled by a shaft to the drive train via a toothing.

[0077] Alternatively, the balancing plate 215 and the absorber carrier can be separately coupled and in some exemplary embodiments additionally directly coupled, i.e. without an interposed hub, to the drive train or to the shaft of the drive train.

[0078] The balancing plate 215 has a plurality of balancing recesses 224 which, for example for adjusting a mass distribution of the balancing plate 215, are incorporated therein in order to reduce or absorb an imbalance of the absorber 210 (“balancing/counterbalancing”).

[0079] Moreover, the absorber 210 comprises a displacer element 211, which at least partially surrounds the absorber mass 212 so as at least to reduce a penetration of a fluid, which at least partially surrounds the absorber 210, to the absorber mass 212. The displacer element 211 overlaps the balancing plate 215 in the radial direction and is fastened to the balancing plate 215 in the region of a radial overlap by a riveted connection 213. The riveted connection 213 comprises a plurality of rivets, as visible in the rear view of the absorber 210.

[0080] The connection of the displacer element 211 to the absorber 210 via the balancing plate 215 can be advantageous, for example, relative to a connection via one or both of the flange parts 214, since as a result no modification of the absorber carrier or the connection thereof to the drive train is required.

[0081] Additionally, in contrast to the flange parts 214, the balancing plate 215 is produced, for example, from unhardened steel/material, whereby the connection of the displacer element 211 via the balancing plate 215 can require less technical effort than the connection of the displacer element 211 via the flange parts 214 or the absorber carrier. For example, it can be less technical effort to incorporate bores for the riveted connection 213 in the balancing plate 215 than in the absorber carrier 214.

[0082] The displacer element 211 is configured such that it surrounds the absorber mass 212 at least partially radially and axially. As the first exemplary embodiment shows, the displacer element 211 fully covers/surrounds, in particular, the absorber mass 212 in the radial direction and at least partially from both sides in the axial direction.

[0083] To this end, the displacer element 211 has a U-shaped profile, also called the “U-profile”. The absorber mass 212 is arranged relative to the displacer element 211 such that the absorber mass 212 partially protrudes into the U-profile.

[0084] As a result, the transmission oil can be displaced from the deflection region or movement region of the absorber mass 212, and a penetration of the transmission oil to the absorber mass 212 can be at least reduced thereby relative to an absorber without such a displacer element 211.

[0085] Additionally, the displacer element 211 can reduce a quantity of transmission oil which can penetrate to the absorber mass 212 by transmission oil being splashed around.

[0086] As a result, a foaming and/or frothing of the transmission oil can be reduced or prevented by the absorber mass 212.

[0087] As a result, the cooling and/or lubrication can be ensured by the transmission oil.

[0088] The displacer element 211 can be designed, for example, as a one-piece bent workpiece. Expensive and time-consuming joining processes when producing the displacer element can be avoided thereby.

[0089] The displacer element 211 is additionally configured and arranged, for example, such that the absorber mass 212 has a safety spacing from the displacer element 211 in the radial direction, in particular in the case of maximum deflections in the radial direction. As a result, it is possible to avoid wear and any damage caused by collisions of the displacer element 211 with the absorber mass 212.

[0090] The displacer element 211 is connected on one side, i.e. on an axial side of the absorber mass 212, to the balancing plate 215 in order to reduce, for example, a mounting effort relative to a two-sided connection of the displacer element 211.

[0091] On a side of the absorber mass 212 opposing the balancing plate 215 in the axial direction, the displacer element 211 extends sufficiently far inwardly in the radial direction that an opening 221 is formed radially inside the displacer element 211, transmission oil, which has penetrated to the absorber mass 212, being able to be carried away via said opening by the absorber mass 212. For example, the absorber mass 212 can carry away the transmission oil through the opening 221 by rotation.

[0092] FIG. 2b shows a second exemplary embodiment of the absorber 210.

[0093] In particular, FIG. 2B shows a rear view (left), a sectional image (center) and a front view (right) of a second exemplary embodiment.

[0094] In contrast to the first exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2A, the displacer element 211 does not overlap the balancing plate 215 in the radial direction but is flush in the radial direction or is arranged “in abutment” with the balancing plate 215 and connected thereto by a material connection 213′. The material connection 213′, for example, is a welded connection in the form of a so-called “weld seam”.

[0095] By a connection of the displacer element 211 to the balancing plate 215 by the welded connection 213′, a number of components and costs can be saved relative to a connection by the riveted connection 213 as in the first exemplary embodiment.

[0096] For further cost saving, the welded connection 213′ can be automated and produced mechanically.

[0097] The flange parts 214 are, for example, made of hardened steel, as is common in practice. For the person skilled in the art, it is clear that a welded connection of the absorber carrier/flange parts 214 to the displacer element might be technically more complex to produce than the welded connection 213′. By the connection of the displacer element 211 shown in FIG. 2b, therefore, costs can be saved, for example, when producing the absorber 211.

[0098] Moreover, the balancing plate 215 has a plurality of recesses 222 which can serve as an improvement for carrying away transmission oil, in the same manner as the opening 221 for carrying away/removing the transmission oil.

[0099] Additionally, the balancing plate 215 has a balancing mass 223 which is welded, for example, onto the balancing plate 215.

[0100] The above-described absorber 210 can be used, for example, in a similar manner to the absorber 110 in a transmission for a drive train of a vehicle in which the absorber 210 protrudes into a pan which is filled with transmission oil.

[0101] The aspects and features which are described together with one or more of the previously detailed examples and figures can also be combined with one or more of the other examples, in order to replace the same feature of the other example, or additionally to incorporate the feature in the other example.

[0102] Moreover, the following claims are incorporated herewith in the detailed description, where each claim can be a separate example per se. Whilst each claim can be a separate example per se, care should be taken that - whilst an independent claim can refer in the claims to a specific combination with one or more other claims,—other examples can also comprise a combination of the dependent claim with the subject of each other dependent or independent claim. Such combinations are explicitly proposed here, provided it is not specified that a specific combination is not intended. Moreover, features of a claim are intended to be incorporated in every other independent claim, even if this claim is not made directly dependent on the independent claim.

[0103] Thus, while there have shown and described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.