CENTRIFUGAL CLUTCH WITH FRICTION-MINIMIZED COUPLING PIN AND DRIVETRAIN

Abstract

A centrifugal clutch includes an angle plate, an inner basket, a pre-stressing element, and a coupling pin. The angle plate has an elongated hole and a loading section with a first side. The coupling pin is inserted into the elongated hole. A pre-stressing element stop is attached to the pre-stressing element and a coupling pin stop is attached to the coupling pin. The coupling pin is arranged to at least partially transmit axial movement of the angle plate to the inner basket. In an intermediate operating position, a relative movement between the angle plate and the coupling pin is possible when the inner basket rotates relative to the angle plate, and the coupling pin stop is matched to the pre-stressing element stop and the loading section so that the first side of the loading section has a maximum contact area to transmit a force to the pre-stressing element.

Claims

1.-10. (canceled)

11. A centrifugal clutch for a drivetrain of a motor vehicle comprising: an angle plate comprising an elongated hole and a loading section with a first side; a centrifugal mass; an inner basket for holding laminae; a pre-stressing element; a pre-stressing element stop attached to the pre-stressing element; a coupling pin, at least partially surrounded by the pre-stressing element, inserted into the elongated hole; a coupling pin stop attached to the coupling pin; wherein: the centrifugal mass is coupled to the angle plate such that a radial movement of the centrifugal mass from a centrifugal force axially moves the angle plate; the coupling pin is arranged to at least partially transmit axial movement of the angle plate to the inner basket; and, in an intermediate operating position: a relative movement between the angle plate and the coupling pin is possible when the inner basket rotates relative to the angle plate; and, the coupling pin stop is matched to the pre-stressing element stop and the loading section so that the first side of the loading section has a maximum contact area to transmit a force to the pre-stressing element.

12. The centrifugal clutch of claim 11 wherein the first side faces the pre-stressing element.

13. The centrifugal clutch of claim 12 wherein the relative movement between the angle plate and the coupling pin is free of any pre-stressing of the pre-stressing element.

14. The centrifugal clutch of claim 11 wherein the coupling pin stop is a support plate rigidly attached to the coupling pin by a fastener.

15. The centrifugal clutch of claim 14 wherein the pre-stressing element stop is an intermediate plate placed on the coupling pin between the pre-stressing element and the coupling pin stop.

16. The centrifugal clutch of claim 11 wherein a force introduced by the pre-stressing element operates on the first side of the loading section of the angle plate.

17. The centrifugal clutch of claim 11 wherein the angle plate and the coupling pin are coupled to each other such that the coupling pin allows a movement of the angle plate in a direction away from the coupling pin.

18. The centrifugal clutch of claim 11 wherein the coupling pin stop is formed by a fastener rigidly connected to the coupling pin.

19. The centrifugal clutch of claim 11 wherein the coupling pin is a stepped rivet.

20. A drivetrain of a motor vehicle comprising: a motor; the centrifugal clutch of claim 11; and, a transmission.

21. A centrifugal clutch comprising: a first radially displaceable centrifugal mass comprising a first conical surface; a first angle plate comprising a second conical surface in contact with the first conical surface; a second angle plate comprising an elongated hole with a first diameter; a connecting piece, fixed to the second angle plate, for transmitting an axial force from the first angle plate to the second angle plate; an inner basket drivingly engaged with a plurality of laminae; and, a coupling pin comprising a first distal end fixed to the inner basket and a second distal end disposed proximate the elongated hole and comprising a second diameter less than the first diameter.

22. The centrifugal clutch of claim 21 further comprising a compression spring installed on the coupling pin between the second angle plate and the inner basket.

23. The centrifugal clutch of claim 22 further comprising a first stop fixed to the second distal end of the coupling pin and comprising a third diameter less than the first diameter and greater than the second diameter.

24. The centrifugal clutch of claim 23 further comprising a second stop installed on the coupling pin between the compression spring and the first stop.

25. The centrifugal clutch of claim 24 wherein the second stop comprises a fourth diameter greater than the first diameter.

26. The centrifugal clutch of claim 24 wherein the second stop is installed on the coupling pin between the second angle plate and the compression spring.

27. The centrifugal clutch of claim 21 further comprising a second radially displaceable centrifugal mass with a third conical surface, wherein the second angle plate comprises a fourth conical surface in contact with the third conical surface.

28. The centrifugal clutch of claim 21 further comprising: a hub arranged for driving engagement with a transmission shaft; and, a leaf spring comprising a first end fixed to the hub and a second end fixed to the inner basket by the coupling pin.

29. The centrifugal clutch of claim 21 wherein the second distal end of the coupling pin is axially displaceable relative to the second angle plate.

30. The centrifugal clutch of claim 21 further comprising a contact segment arranged to clamp the plurality of laminae when the first radially displaceable centrifugal mass moves radially outward and axially displaces the first angle plate.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Example embodiments will be explained in greater detail below by means of figures. The figures show the following:

[0027] FIG. 1 shows a perspective longitudinal section through a centrifugal clutch according to the disclosure;

[0028] FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the centrifugal clutch;

[0029] FIG. 3 shows a coupling pin according to the disclosure in enlarged view; and

[0030] FIG. 4 shows an angle plate according to the disclosure in top view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The figures are merely schematic in nature, and serve to aid in understanding the disclosure. The same elements are provided with the same reference labels. The features of the individual exemplary embodiments may be exchanged with one another.

[0032] FIG. 1 depicts a centrifugal clutch. The centrifugal clutch 1 has a centrifugal mass 2, which is operatively connected to an angle plate 3. Furthermore, the centrifugal clutch 1 has a coupling pin 5 surrounded by a pre-stressing element 4. An elongated hole 6 makes a certain relative rotation between an inner basket 7 and the angle plate 3 possible. In order for force to be transmissible from the pre-stressing element 4 to the angle plate 3, the angle plate 3 has a loading section 8. Furthermore, to transmit force between the pre-stressing element 4 and the angle plate 3 a stop 9 is attached firmly to the coupling pin, as well as a stop 10 attached firmly to the pre-stressing element.

[0033] Force is introduced into the friction clutch 1 by means of a ring gear 11. The latter is connected non-rotatingly to the input part 12. Between the input part 12 and a first shaft 13, a thrust bearing is positioned so that the input part 12 and the first shaft 13 are rotatable relative to each other. A first centrifugal mass 14a is coupled with the input part 13 so that it is fixed in the circumferential direction and variable in the radial direction. A second centrifugal mass 14b is positioned to the transmission side of the first centrifugal mass 14a. Due to a bevel 15 on a first angle plate 16, the radial movement of the first centrifugal mass caused by the centrifugal force is converted to an axial movement of the first angle plate 16. A thrust bearing 17 prevents rotation from being transmitted from the first angle plate 16 to a centrifugal mass carrier part 18.

[0034] A connecting piece 19 ensures that the axial movement of the first angle plate is transmitted to a second angle plate 20. According to the disclosure, the coupling pin 5 is coupled with the second angle plate 20 in such a way that, in a state in which the maximum pressing force pre-stressed by the pre-stressing element is not reached, the axial movement of the second angle plate results in an axial movement of the inner basket 7. The inner basket is made up of a driver 21 and a load transfer cup 22. A contact segment 23 of the inner basket 7 causes laminae 24 to be pressed against one another in such a way that a torque is transmissible from the motor side to the transmission.

[0035] The frictional lock referenced by the arrow 25a in FIG. 1 represents the flow of force resulting from the clamping of the laminae 24. The frictional lock referenced by the label 25b is that which transmits the rotation from the inner basket 7 to the second angle plate 20. A relative rotation can occur here, due to the geometry of the elongated hole 6. According to the disclosure, friction occurs here between the stop 10 attached to the pre-stressing element and the loading section 8. According to the disclosure, this friction is determined by the pre-stressing of a leaf spring 26.

[0036] When the inner basket 7 rotates, a rotation is transmitted via the leaf spring 26 to the hub 27. The hub 27 drives the transmission input shaft. The hub 27 is connected rigidly to a housing part 29 by means of a bolt 28.

[0037] FIG. 2 depicts a sectional view of the component presented above. Here, the connection between the leaf spring 26 and the hub 27 as well as the inner basket 7 is clearly evident. Also shown is the connecting piece 19, which couples the first angle plate 16 axially rigidly with the second angle plate 20. The thrust bearings 17 prevent rotation from being transmitted from the first angle plate 16 to the second angle plate 20.

[0038] FIG. 3 shows an enlarged depiction of the coupling pin 5 according to the disclosure, in the installed state. The pre-stressing element 4 surrounds the coupling pin 5. The stop 9 attached to the coupling pin is formed by a supporting plate 30. The supporting plate 30, in turn, is attached rigidly to the coupling pin 5 by means of a fastening element 31. An operative connection is produced between the loading section 8 of the angle plate 3 and the supporting plate 30 by means of the stop 10 attached to the pre-stressing element. In the present example, the stop 10 attached to the pre-stressing element is designed as an intermediate plate 32.

[0039] FIG. 4 shows a top view of an angle plate 3 according to the disclosure. The bevel 15 is located here at three positions in the circumferential direction. It causes an axial movement of the angle plate 3 when a centrifugal mass 3 is moved in the radial direction. The angle plate 3 has various openings. Besides the central opening 33, the elongated holes 6 are of primary relevance according to the disclosure. The coupling pin 5 is positioned in these. The top view shows the angle plate 3 with its side 34 facing the transmission.

REFERENCE LABELS

[0040] 1 centrifugal clutch [0041] 2 centrifugal mass [0042] 3 angle plate [0043] 4 pre-stressing element [0044] 5 coupling pin [0045] 6 elongated hole [0046] 7 inner basket [0047] 8 loading section [0048] 9 stop attached to the coupling pin [0049] 10 stop attached to the pre-stressing element [0050] 11 ring gear [0051] 12 input part [0052] 13 shaft [0053] 14a first centrifugal mass [0054] 14b second centrifugal mass [0055] 15 bevel [0056] 16 first angle plate [0057] 17 thrust bearing [0058] 18 centrifugal mass carrier part [0059] 19 connecting piece [0060] 20 second angle plate [0061] 21 driver [0062] 22 cup-shaped load transfer plate [0063] 23 contact segment [0064] 24 lamellae [0065] 25a first flow of force [0066] 25b second flow of force [0067] 26 leaf spring [0068] 27 hub [0069] 28 bolt [0070] 29 housing part [0071] 30 supporting plate [0072] 31 fastening element [0073] 32 intermediate plate [0074] 33 central opening [0075] 34 side facing the transmission