TORQUE TRANSMISSION DEVICE

Abstract

The present invention relates to a torque transmission device (2) comprising a planetary gear train (22), which has a rotatable component (28), a stationary housing (18), and a clutch device (32) for selective coupling of the component (28) with the stationary housing (18). The clutch device (32) has a friction-locking first clutch (34) and a positive-locking second clutch (36), wherein the component (28) may be coupled to the stationary housing (18) via the first clutch (34) before a coupling by means of the second clutch (36).

Claims

1. A torque transmission device (2) comprising a planetary gear train (22), which has a rotatable component (28), a stationary housing (18), and a clutch device (32) for selective coupling of the component (28) with the stationary housing (18), characterized in that the clutch device (32) has a friction-locking first clutch (34) and a positive-locking second clutch (36), wherein the component (28) may be coupled to the stationary housing (18) via the first clutch (34) before a coupling by means of the second clutch (36).

2. The torque transmission device (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first clutch (34) and the second clutch (36) are independently or interdependently actuatable.

3. The torque transmission device (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and second clutches (34, 36) are actuatable via a common actuating element (58) or the first clutch (34) is actuatable via a first actuating element (72) and the second clutch (36) is actuatable via a second actuating element (74), wherein the common actuating element (58) is preferably designed as a hydraulically drivable actuating piston or the first actuating element (72) and the second actuating element (74) are preferably designed as hydraulically drivable actuating pistons (76, 78), of which the first actuating piston (76) particularly preferably has a piston working surface (84), on which hydraulic pressure may be applied, which is designed to be larger than a piston working surface (86) of second actuating piston (78), on which hydraulic pressure may be applied.

4. The torque transmission device (2) according to claim 3, characterized in that the first actuating piston (76) and the second actuating piston (78) are arranged radially nested and or aligned flush with one another in axial direction (4, 6), and/or the first actuating piston (76) and/or the second actuating piston (78) is designed as an annular piston.

5. The torque transmission device (2) according to claim 3, characterized in that a first pressure chamber (80) is assigned to the first actuating piston (76) and a second pressure chamber (82) is assigned to the second actuating piston (78), wherein the first pressure chamber (80) is preferably delimited at least partially by the second actuating piston (78) and a reset force may be generated on the second actuating piston (78) by means of a hydraulic pressure within the first pressure chamber (80), or the second pressure chamber (82) is preferably at least partially delimited by the first actuating piston (76) and a reset force on the first actuating piston (76) may be generated by means of a hydraulic pressure within the second pressure chamber (82).

6. The torque transmission device (2) according to claim 3, characterized in that a reset device is assigned to the common actuating element (58) or the first actuating element (72) and/or the second actuating element (74) to reset the same, wherein the reset device preferably has at least one elastic reset element, particularly preferably a spring element.

7. The torque transmission device (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first clutch (34) is a disk clutch comprising a disk set (38), a first disk carrier (44) connected rotationally fixedly to the component (28), and a second disk carrier (48) connected rotationally fixedly to the housing (18), wherein the first disk carrier (44) preferably has a first rotary driving contour (46) for first disks (40) of the disk set (38) and the second disk carrier (48) preferably has a second rotary driving contour (50) for second disks (42) of the disk set (38), and the second clutch (36) particularly preferably has a movable coupling element (54) which may be brought into rotary driving engagement with the first and/or the second rotary driving contour (46; 50), and, if necessary, is permanently in rotary driving engagement with the second or first rotary driving contour (50; 46), and/or is designed as one piece with the second actuating element (74) or the common actuating element (58).

8. The torque transmission device (2) according to claim 7, characterized in that the coupling element (54) is arranged between the first actuating element (72) and the disk set (38), wherein the first actuating element (72) extends to the disk set (38) preferably through at least one window (92) in the coupling element (54), and the first actuating element (72) particularly preferably has multiple actuating fingers (90) extending through the at least one window (92) in the coupling element (54).

9. The torque transmission device (2) according to claim 7, characterized in that the coupling element (54) is connected rotationally fixedly to the second actuating element (74) or to the common actuating element (58), wherein the component (28) may preferably be coupled to the housing (18) via the coupling element (54) and the second or the common actuating element (74; 58).

10. The torque transmission device (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the planetary gear train (22) has a sun gear (24), a ring gear (26), and a planet gear carrier (28) with at least one planet gear (30) which is in rotary driving engagement with the sun gear (24) and the ring gear (26), wherein the sun gear (24), the ring gear (26), or the planet gear carrier (28) forms the component (28), and a second component (26), which is particularly preferably formed by the ring gear (26), is connected preferably rotationally fixedly to the housing (18).

Description

[0024] The invention will subsequently be explained in more detail by means of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. As shown in:

[0025] FIG. 1 a partial side view of a first embodiment of the torque transmission device according to the invention in a cutaway presentation with the first and second clutches in the decoupled position,

[0026] FIG. 2 the torque transmission device from FIG. 1 with the first clutch in the coupling position and the second clutch in the decoupled position,

[0027] FIG. 3 the torque transmission device from FIG. 2 with the first and the second clutches in the coupling position,

[0028] FIG. 4 a partial side view of a second embodiment of the torque transmission device according to the invention in a cutaway presentation with the first and second clutches in the decoupled position,

[0029] FIG. 5 the torque transmission device from FIG. 4 with the first clutch in the coupling position and the second clutch in the decoupled position,

[0030] FIG. 6 the torque transmission device from FIG. 5 with the first and the second clutches in the coupling position,

[0031] FIG. 7 a partial side view of a third embodiment of the torque transmission device according to the invention in a cutaway presentation with the first and second clutches in the decoupled position,

[0032] FIG. 8 the torque transmission device from FIG. 7 with the first clutch in the coupling position and the second clutch in the decoupled position,

[0033] FIG. 9 the torque transmission device from FIG. 8 with the first and the second clutches in the coupling position,

[0034] FIG. 10 a partial side view of a fourth embodiment of the torque transmission device according to the invention in a cutaway presentation with the first and second clutches in the decoupled position,

[0035] FIG. 11 the torque transmission device from FIG. 10 with the first clutch in the coupling position and the second clutch in the decoupled position,

[0036] FIG. 12 the torque transmission device from FIG. 11 with the first and the second clutches in the coupling position.

[0037] FIGS. 1 through 3 show a first embodiment of a torque transmission device 2 for an automatic transmission. In the figures, the opposite axial directions 4, 6, the opposite radial directions 8, 10, and the opposite circumferential directions 12, 14 of torque transmission device 2 are indicated by corresponding arrows, wherein torque transmission device has an axis of rotation 16 extending in axial directions 4, 6.

[0038] Torque transmission device 2 has a stationary housing 18 which is not rotatable about axis of rotation 16. Stationary housing 18 delimits a housing interior 20 outwardly in radial direction 8. A planetary gear train is arranged in housing interior 20. Planetary gear train 22 has a sun gear 24 lying inward in radial direction 10, a ring gear 26 arranged nested with sun gear 24 in radial direction 8, 10, and a planet gear carrier 28 on which the at least one planet gear 30 is rotatably arranged, wherein planet gear 30 is in rotary driving engagement with ring gear 26 outwardly in radial direction 8 and with sun gear 24 inwardly in radial direction 10. Both ring gear 26 and also planet gear carrier 28 are essentially designed as annular, consequently extending in circumferential directions 12, 14. Whereas planet gear carrier 28 is designed as a rotatable first component, ring gear 26 is designed as a second component connected rotationally fixedly to housing 18, which is consequently not rotatable about axis of rotation 16. Planet gear carrier 28 will therefore be subsequently referred to as first component 28, whereas ring gear 26 will be designated as second component 26 of planetary gear train 22.

[0039] A clutch device 32, which functions for selective coupling of first component 28 to stationary housing 18 and thus also to second component 26, is assigned to planetary gear train 22, wherein clutch device 32 is arranged on stationary housing 18. Clutch device 32 has a friction-locking first clutch 34 and a positive-locking second clutch 36, wherein these are arranged in such a way that first component 28 may be initially coupled to stationary housing 18 via first clutch 34 and subsequently by means of second clutch 36, as this will be described later in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 1 through 3. Subsequently, the structure of friction-locking first clutch 34 will be initially described.

[0040] First clutch 34 is designed as a disk clutch. Thus, first clutch 34 has a disk set 38 with a least one first disk 40, in this case an inner disk, and at least one second disk 42, in this case an outer disk. First and second disks 40, 42 follow alternating with one another in axial direction 4, 6. A first disk carrier 44, which is connected rotationally fixedly to first component 28 and has a first rotary driving contour 46 facing outward in radial direction 8, is provided on first component 28. First rotary driving contour 46 functions for achieving a rotary driving connection with the at least one first disk 40, wherein first disk 40 is additionally displaceable in axial direction 4, 6 relative to first disk carrier 44. In addition, first clutch 34 has a second disk carrier 48, which is connected rotationally fixedly to housing 18, in this case is designed as one piece with housing 18. Second disk carrier 48 has a second rotary driving contour 50 facing inward in radial direction 10, which functions for achieving a rotary driving connection with second disks 42, wherein second disks 42 are also displaceable in axial direction 4, 6 relative to second disk carrier 48. Disk set 38 is supported or supportable in axial direction 4 on housing 18 by means of an end plate 52.

[0041] Second clutch 36 has a movable coupling element 54, stated more precisely, a coupling element 54 displaceable in axial directions 4, 6. Coupling element 54 has a rotary driving contour 56, facing inward in radial direction 10 and open in axial direction 4, which may be brought into rotary driving engagement with first rotary driving contour 46 to achieve a positive lock between coupling element 54 and first disk carrier 44 on first component 28. Coupling element 54 is thereby designed as one piece with or as a section of a common actuating element 58 via which both first clutch 34 and also second clutch 36 are interdependently actuatable.

[0042] Common actuating element 58 is designed as a hydraulically drivable actuating piston. In addition, common actuating element 58 is designed as an annular piston extending in circumferential direction 12, 14. Common actuating element 58 is thereby arranged in a cylinder 60 which is connected rotationally fixedly to housing 18 on the one side via a toothing 62 and is rotationally fixed to common actuating element 58 on the other side via a toothing 64. Common actuating element 58 designed as an actuating piston is additionally arranged in cylinder 60 in such a way that a pressure chamber 66, which may be impinged with hydraulic pressure, and a counter pressure chamber 68, which may be impinged with hydraulic pressure, are formed, wherein pressure chamber 66 and counter pressure chamber 68 are assigned to common actuating element 58, in the form of the actuating piston, in opposing axial directions 4, 6.

[0043] FIG. 1 shows both first clutch 34 and also second clutch 36 in the decoupled position. If first component 28 is to be coupled to housing 18, then hydraulic pressure is applied to pressure chamber 66, whereupon common actuating element 58 is moved in axial direction 4 and a corresponding actuating force is exerted in axial direction 4. As is clear in FIG. 2, common actuating element 58 thereby initially presses on disk set 38 via a reset spring 70, by which means first clutch 34 is transitioned into the coupling position, if necessary by using slip. In contrast, second clutch 36 is still located in the decoupled position. As a result of the closing of first clutch 34, first component 28 is accordingly decelerated, adjusted in terms of speed to stationary housing 18.

[0044] If, in contrast, the actuating force of common actuating element 58 overcomes the reset force of reset spring 70, so that this is additionally compressed, then common actuating element 58 is further displaced in axial direction 4, wherein rotary driving contour 56 of coupling element 54 engages in first rotary driving contour 46 so that second clutch 36 also assumes its coupling position according to FIG. 3. Since coupling element 54 is connected rotationally fixedly to common actuating element 58, in this case is even designed as one piece with the same, first component 28 is coupled in a positive locking way to housing 18 via coupling element 54, common actuating element 58, and cylinder 60.

[0045] It is clear from the preceding description that, in the first embodiment, first and second clutch 34, 36 are interdependently actuatable, i.e., first clutch 34 must initially be closed before second clutch 36 may be transitioned into its coupling position. In order to transition both clutches 34, 36 back into the decoupled position according to FIG. 1, the previously described steps are carried out in reverse order.

[0046] FIGS. 4 through 6 show a second embodiment of torque transmission device 2, wherein subsequently only the differences from the first embodiment shall be addressed; identical reference numbers are used for identical or similar parts and the previous description correspondingly generally applies.

[0047] In the second embodiment, two actuating elements, namely a first actuating element 72, via which first clutch 34 may be actuated, and a second actuating element 74, via which second clutch 36 may be actuated, are used instead of a common actuating element 58. Both actuating elements 72, 74 are again designed as hydraulically actuatable actuating pistons, so that subsequently a first actuating piston 76 and a second actuating piston 78 will be discussed. Both actuating pistons 76, 78 are designed as annular pistons extending in circumferential direction 12, 14. Both actuating pistons 76, 78 are thereby arranged nested in radial direction 8, 10, wherein second actuating piston 78 is arranged in radial direction 10 within first actuating piston 76. Both actuating pistons 76, 78 are arranged in cylinder 60 so that a first pressure chamber 80, to which hydraulic pressure may be applied, is assigned to first actuating piston 76, whereas a second pressure chamber 82, to which hydraulic pressure may be applied, is assigned to second actuating piston 78. Hydraulic pressure may be applied independently to both pressure chambers 80, 82, so that first clutch 34 and second clutch 36 are also independently actuatable. In addition, first actuating piston 76 has a piston working surface 84, facing first pressure chamber 80 in axial direction 6 and upon which hydraulic pressure may be applied, which is designed as an annular surface based on the annular design of first actuating piston 76. This piston working surface 84 is thereby larger than piston working surface 86 of second actuating piston 78, upon which hydraulic pressure may be applied in second pressure chamber 82, and which is likewise annularly designed. This is advantageous inasmuch as second actuating piston 78 functions for actuating positive-locking second clutch 36, for which a lower actuating force is generally required to hold it in the coupling position.

[0048] Coupling element 54 is in turn designed as one piece with second actuating piston 78; however, it has, in addition to rotary driving contour 56 facing inward in radial direction 10, a rotary driving contour 88 facing outward in radial direction 8 and open in axial direction 4, which is designed on the end facing outward in radial direction 8 of coupling element 54 extending in radial direction 8, 10. This rotary driving contour 88 may be brought into rotary driving engagement with second rotary driving contour 50 of second disk carrier 48 on housing 18, oras shown in FIG. 4rotary driving contour is permanently in rotary driving engagement with second rotary driving contour 50, so that rotary driving contour 88, in conjunction with second rotary driving contour 50, functions equally as an axial guide for second actuating element 74 and coupling element 54 connected thereto, even if second clutch 36 has not yet been transitioned into its coupling position.

[0049] As is clear in FIG. 4, coupling element 54 is arranged in axial direction 4, 6 between first actuating element 72 and disk set 38 of first clutch 34. In order to still facilitate the transfer of the actuating force from first actuating element 72 in the shortest possible path to disk set 38, actuating fingers 90, projecting in axial direction 4 are provided on first actuating element 72 or first actuating piston 76, which extend in axial direction 4 through windows 92 in coupling element 54. Stated generally, first actuating element 72 thus extends through at least one window 92 in coupling element 54 to disk set 38 of second clutch 36.

[0050] In order to couple first component 28 to housing 18, hydraulic pressure is initially applied to first pressure chamber 80, whereupon first actuating piston 76 is moved in axial direction 4 in order to act on disk set 38 via actuating fingers 90 extending through windows 92 in coupling element 54, and first clutch 34 is closed in this way or is transitioned into its coupling position, which is shown in FIG. 5. Subsequently, second clutch 36 is transitioned into its coupling position, in that hydraulic pressure is applied to second pressure chamber 82. Coupling element 54 is thereby displaced in axial direction 4 by second actuating piston so that rotary driving contour 56 engages in second rotary driving contour 50, as this is clear in FIG. 6. In the coupling position of second clutch 36 according to FIG. 6, first disk carrier 44 and second disk carrier 48 are connected to one another in a positive locking way via coupling element 54.

[0051] A special feature of the second embodiment consists in that first and second clutches 34, 36 may be independently actuated. If first component 28 should not rotate, or rotate only at a low speed relative to housing 18, then a transition of first clutch 34 into its coupling position may in essence be omitted; instead, starting from FIG. 4, hydraulic pressure is applied only to second pressure chamber 82 in order to close second clutch 36 and thus to immediately achieve a positive locking connection between first component 28 and housing 18. Consequently, the positive locking may be achieved particularly quickly, which leads to time savings, in particular in the stopped state of a drivetrain.

[0052] FIGS. 7 through 9 show a third embodiment of torque transmission device 2, which corresponds substantially with the embodiment according to FIGS. 4 though 6, so that subsequently only the differences shall be addressed; identical reference numbers are used for identical or similar parts and the previous description correspondingly generally applies.

[0053] Whereas in the second embodiment, first pressure chamber 80 is delimited by cylinder 60 and housing 18, and second pressure chamber 82 is delimited exclusively by cylinder 60, a more compact design in the area of actuating pistons 76, 78 may be achieved in the third embodiment. As is clear in FIG. 7, first pressure chamber 80 is delimited at least partially by second actuating piston 78, in this case inwardly in radial direction 10 and laterally in axial direction 6. It may also be stated that first actuating piston 76 is arranged in a recess, extending in an annular shape or in circumferential direction 12, 14, in second actuating piston 78, or that first pressure chamber 80 is designed in such a recess.

[0054] To close first clutch 34, the hydraulic pressure is initially increased in first pressure chamber 80 (FIG. 8). Subsequently, the hydraulic pressure is increased in second pressure chamber 82 in order to transition second clutch 36 into its coupling position according to FIG. 9. Subsequently or parallel to this, the hydraulic pressure may be reduced again in first pressure chamber 80. In a closed second clutch 36 according to FIG. 9, the hydraulic pressure in first pressure chamber 80 may also be completely released, since a positive locking is already achieved via second clutch 36.

[0055] To open both clutches 34, 36, the hydraulic pressure in first pressure chamber 80 may be initially increased again, whereas the hydraulic pressure is reduced in second pressure chamber 82. Due to the increase of the hydraulic pressure within first pressure chamber 80, a reset force is generated acting on second actuating piston 78 in axial direction 6, so that second actuating piston 78 is forced back by this reset force into its initial position according to FIG. 7, whereas first actuating piston 76 may re-close first clutch 34 or hold it in the coupling position. To achieve a complete decoupling of first component 28 and housing 18, the hydraulic pressure need only be subsequently reduced in first pressure chamber 80, wherein reset elements, not depicted in greater detail, for example, reset springs acting between first actuating piston 76 and housing 18, may affect a displacement of first actuating piston 76 into its initial position according to FIG. 7.

[0056] FIGS. 10 through 12 show a fourth embodiment of torque transmission device 2, which corresponds substantially with the embodiment according to FIGS. 7 though 9, so that subsequently only the differences shall be addressed; identical reference numbers are used for identical or similar parts and the previous description correspondingly generally applies.

[0057] In the fourth embodiment, the two actuating pistons 76, 78 have exchanged positions in contrast to the third embodiment. Thus, second actuating piston 78 is arranged in an outer recess of first actuating piston 76 so that second pressure chamber 82, assigned to second actuating piston 78, is delimited by first actuating piston 76 inwardly in radial direction 10 and laterally in axial direction 6. Consequently, in this embodiment, a reset force acting on first actuating piston 76 in axial direction 4 may be generated by means of an increased hydraulic pressure within second pressure chamber 82. Also in contrast to the third embodiment, in the fourth embodiment according to FIGS. 10 through 12, the previously mentioned relationship between the piston working surfaces 84, 86 is again established, according to which piston working surface 86 is designed as smaller than piston working surface 84, particularly as the maintenance of the coupling position of positive-locking second clutch 36 necessitates a lower actuating force. Otherwise, second actuating piston 78 also interacts with coupling element 54, which again is designed as one piece with second actuating piston 78 and has the previously mentioned windows 92 through which actuating fingers 90 of first actuating piston 76 engage.

[0058] In the first, second, and fourth embodiments, coupling element 54 is designed as one piece with second actuating piston 78 or common actuating element 58. It should, however, be noted that coupling element 54 may also be designed in these embodiments as basically separate from second actuating piston 78 or common actuating element 58. In the third embodiment according to FIGS. 7 through 9, coupling element 54 is designed separately from second actuating piston 78 or second actuating element 74 in order to simplify assembly. Within the context of the assembly, however, separate coupling element 54 may also be fixed on second actuating element 74 after first actuating element 72 has been transitioned into its set position.

[0059] In addition, in the previously described embodiments, a reset device may be assigned to common actuating element 58 or to first actuating element 72 and/or second actuating element 74 for resetting the same, wherein the reset device preferably has at least one elastic reset element, particularly preferably a spring element. A depiction of the reset device was omitted, however, for reasons of clarity.

REFERENCE SIGN LIST

[0060] 2 Torque transmission device [0061] 4 Axial direction [0062] 6 Axial direction [0063] 8 Radial direction [0064] 10 Radial direction [0065] 12 Circumferential direction [0066] 14 Circumferential direction [0067] 16 Axis of rotation [0068] 18 Housing [0069] 20 Housing interior [0070] 22 Planetary gear train [0071] 24 Sun gear [0072] 26 Ring gear/Second component [0073] 28 Planet gear carrier/First component [0074] 30 Planet gear [0075] 32 Clutch device [0076] 34 First clutch [0077] 36 Second clutch [0078] 38 Disk set [0079] 40 First disk [0080] 42 Second disk [0081] 44 First disk carrier [0082] 46 First rotary driving contour [0083] 48 Second disk carrier [0084] 50 Second rotary driving contour [0085] 52 End plate [0086] 54 Coupling element [0087] 56 Rotary driving contour [0088] 58 Common actuating element [0089] 60 Cylinder [0090] 62 Toothing [0091] 64 Toothing [0092] 66 Pressure chamber [0093] 68 Counter pressure chamber [0094] 70 Reset spring [0095] 72 First actuating element [0096] 74 Second actuating element [0097] 76 First actuating piston [0098] 78 Second actuating piston [0099] 80 First pressure chamber [0100] 82 Second pressure chamber [0101] 84 Piston working surface [0102] 86 Piston working surface [0103] 88 Rotary driving contour [0104] 90 Actuating finger [0105] 92 Windows