Clutch arrangement

Abstract

A clutch arrangement includes a first shaft, a second shaft arranged coaxially to the first shaft, and a clutch for connecting the first shaft to the second shaft without play. An axis of rotation is defined in accordance with the two shafts, a circumferential direction is defined around the axis of rotation, and a radial direction is defined perpendicularly to the axis of rotation. In addition, the clutch includes at least one displacement element and at least one clutch element which is displaceable relative to the two shafts in the circumferential direction and/or in the radial direction, and wherein the displacement element is designed to press the clutch element against the first and/or second shaft without play in the circumferential direction and/or in the radial direction in order to compensate for play between the two shafts in circumferential direction and for inevitable manufacturing tolerances of axial and angular offsets of the two shafts.

Claims

1. A coupling arrangement comprising a first shaft configured as a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine; a second shaft configured as an armature shaft of an electric machine, wherein the second shaft is arranged coaxially with respect to the first shaft; and a coupling configured to connect the first shaft to the second shaft without play, wherein an axis of rotation is defined in accordance with the coaxially-arranged first shaft and second shaft, a circumferential direction is defined about the axis of rotation, and a radial direction is defined perpendicular to the axis of rotation, wherein said coupling comprises: at least one motion element and at least one coupling element which is movable relative to the first shaft and second shaft in at least one of the circumferential direction and the radial direction, and at least one sleeve having an engaged state that prevents such movement, and a disengaged state that permits such movement, and wherein the motion element is configured to compensate for play in the circumferential direction between the first shaft and second shaft by pressing the coupling element against at least one of the first shaft and second shaft without play in at least one of the circumferential direction and radial direction.

2. The coupling arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the motion element is at least one of a spring and a hydraulic pressure chamber.

3. The coupling arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coupling is configured as an Oldham coupling and comprises a rotating main body, wherein the first shaft and second shaft each have a groove, and the main body engages by way of projections into the grooves, wherein at least one coupling element is formed by a piston which is mounted in the main body so as to be movable in a radial direction.

4. The coupling arrangement as claimed in claim 3, wherein the motion element is at least one of a spring and a hydraulic pressure chamber, wherein the motion element forces the piston away from the main body, such that the piston abuts against the first shaft or second shaft.

5. The coupling arrangement as claimed in claim 4, wherein a plurality of pistons that are movable in a radial direction are arranged on a side of the main body that faces toward the first shaft and on a side of the main body that faces toward the second shaft.

6. The coupling arrangement as claimed in claim 3, wherein a plurality of pistons that are movable in a radial direction are arranged on a side of the main body that faces toward the first shaft and on a side of the main body that faces toward the second shaft.

7. The coupling arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coupling is a claw coupling comprising: a first ring arranged rotationally conjointly on the first shaft and which has first claws; a second ring arranged rotationally conjointly on the second shaft and which has second claws; and a compensation ring which is arranged between the first and second shafts and which has compensation claws, wherein the first claws, the second claws and the compensation claws engage with one another and, as viewed in the circumferential direction, in each case one compensation claw is arranged between a first claw and a second claw, and wherein, between at least one second claw and one compensation claw, there is arranged a spring for pressing the second claws against the first claws.

8. The coupling arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coupling comprises, as coupling elements, a first toothed shaft, a second toothed shaft and a third toothed shaft arranged between the first toothed shaft and the second toothed shaft, wherein the three toothed shafts are arranged coaxially with respect to the axis of rotation, wherein the first toothed shaft is connected to the second toothed shaft by way of a torsion spring.

9. The coupling arrangement as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first shaft comprises a first shaft toothing, and the second shaft comprises a second shaft toothing, wherein the first shaft toothing meshes with the first toothed shaft and simultaneously with the third toothed shaft, and wherein the second shaft toothing meshes with the second toothed shaft and simultaneously with the third toothed shaft.

10. The coupling arrangement as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first toothed shaft and the second toothed shaft are each connected rotationally conjointly to the torsion spring, and the third toothed shaft is arranged so as to be rotatable relative to the torsion spring.

11. The coupling arrangement as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first toothed shaft and the second toothed shaft are each connected rotationally conjointly to the torsion spring, and the third toothed shaft is arranged so as to be rotatable relative to the torsion spring.

12. The coupling arrangement as claimed in claim 8, wherein the third toothed shaft is internally hollow, and the torsion spring extends through the third toothed shaft.

13. A method for mounting a coupling arrangement as claimed in claim 8, the method comprising the acts of: bracing the torsion spring by rotating the first toothed shaft relative to the second toothed shaft; inserting a first rotation prevention means that fixes the first toothed shaft relative to the third toothed shaft; inserting a second rotation prevention means that fixes the second toothed shaft relative to the third toothed shaft; mounting the first toothed shaft on the first shaft; mounting the second toothed shaft on the second shaft; and releasing the two rotation prevention means.

14. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the first rotation prevention means comprises a first sleeve that is pushed on and, for fixing purposes, meshes simultaneously with the toothings of the first toothed shaft and of the third toothed shaft.

15. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the second rotation prevention means comprises a second sleeve that is pushed on and, for fixing purposes, meshes simultaneously with the toothings of the second toothed shaft and of the third toothed shaft.

16. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein, during the mounting of the second toothed shaft on the second shaft, the second sleeve is pushed fully onto the third toothed shaft.

17. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein, during the mounting of the first toothed shaft on the first shaft, the first sleeve is pushed fully onto the third toothed shaft.

18. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein, the first rotation prevention means comprises at least one first pin that is pushed in and, for fixing purposes, engages simultaneously into the first toothed shaft and into the third toothed shaft.

19. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein, during the mounting of the first toothed shaft on the first shaft, the at least one first pin is pushed fully into the third toothed shaft.

20. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein, the second rotation prevention means comprises at least one second pin that is pushed in and, for fixing purposes, engages simultaneously into the second toothed shaft and into the third toothed shaft.

21. The method as claimed in claim 20, wherein, during the mounting of the second toothed shaft on the second shaft, the at least one second pin is pushed fully into the third toothed shaft.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows a coupling arrangement according to the invention as per a first exemplary embodiment,

(2) FIGS. 2 and 3 show a coupling of the coupling arrangement according to the invention as per the first exemplary embodiment,

(3) FIGS. 4 to 6 show a coupling of the coupling arrangement according to the invention as per a second exemplary embodiment,

(4) FIG. 7 shows the coupling arrangement according to the invention as per a third exemplary embodiment,

(5) FIGS. 8 and 9 show the coupling of the coupling arrangement according to the invention as per the third exemplary embodiment,

(6) FIG. 10 shows the coupling of the coupling arrangement according to the invention as per a fourth exemplary embodiment,

(7) FIG. 11 shows the coupling of the coupling arrangement according to the invention as per a fifth exemplary embodiment,

(8) FIG. 12 shows the coupling arrangement according to the invention as per a sixth exemplary embodiment, and

(9) FIG. 13 is an exploded illustration of the coupling of the coupling arrangement according to the invention as per the sixth exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(10) In FIGS. 1 to 13, identical or functionally identical components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

(11) In FIG. 1, the coupling arrangement comprises a first shaft 3, in the form of a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine 2 in a motor vehicle. The first shaft 3 is arranged in an engine case 4. The first shaft 3 is mounted in the engine case 4 by way of at least one bearing 5.

(12) Furthermore, the coupling arrangement 1 comprises a second shaft 7, in the form of an armature shaft of an electric machine 6. The electric machine 6 is operated primarily as a high-voltage generator. The electric machine 6 may furthermore also be operated as a motor for the purpose of starting the internal combustion engine 2. The electric machine 6 comprises a generator case 8. The second shaft 7 is mounted in said generator case 8.

(13) The generator case 8 is fixedly connected to the motor case 4 by way of a screw connection 9, which is merely schematically illustrated. The two shafts 3, 7 are arranged coaxially. Here, the arrangement is of extremely space-saving design. A coupling 10 is provided for the coaxial connection of the two shafts 3, 7. The coupling 10 projects into an internal toothing on the first shaft 3 and into an internal toothing on the second shaft 7. The generator case 8 is thus positioned closely adjacent to the engine case 4, such that the coupling 10 projects in the axial direction as far as the bearing 5.

(14) An axis of rotation 17 is defined in accordance with the rotation of the two shafts 3, 7 and of the coupling 10. A circumferential direction 18 is defined about the axis of rotation 17. A radial direction 19 stands perpendicular to the axis of rotation 17.

(15) The exact construction of the coupling 10 is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Here, FIG. 3 shows a sectional view. The coupling 10 comprises a first toothed shaft 11, a second toothed shaft 12, a third toothed shaft 13 and a torsion spring 14. The third toothed shaft 13 is arranged along the axis of rotation 17 between the first toothed shaft 11 and the second toothed shaft 12. The torsion spring 14 is, at its ends, connected rotationally conjointly by way of a polygonal formation 20 to the first toothed shaft 11 and to the second toothed shaft 12. The third toothed shaft 13 is internally hollow, such that the torsion spring 14 can extend through the third toothed shaft 13.

(16) FIGS. 2 and 3 show the coupling 10 in a state before it is mounted into the two shafts 3, 7. In FIGS. 2 and 3, rotation prevention means 15 in the form of sleeves are engaged onto the coupling 10 at both sides. Before the mounting of the coupling 10, the first toothed shaft 11 and the second toothed shaft 12 are rotated relative to one another such that the torsion spring 14 is braced. To maintain this braced state, the rotation prevention means 15 is pushed on at both sides. Here, the rotation prevention means 15 mesh with the toothings of the toothed shafts 11, 12, 13. During the mounting of the coupling 10, the rotation prevention means 15 are displaced inward onto the third toothed shaft 13. As a result, the first toothed shaft 11 and the second toothed shaft 12 are no longer fixed relative to the third toothed shaft 13, and the torsion spring 14 can act, whereby the driving flank of the internal toothing of the crankshaft is pressed with the spring force against the driven flank of toothed shaft 13, and the driving flank of the toothed shaft 13 is pressed with the spring force against the flank, which is to be driven, of the internal toothing of the armature shaft.

(17) After the mounting process, the two rotation prevention means 15 can remain, without function, on the third toothed shaft 13. In FIG. 2, multiple lugs 16 are formed on the two rotation prevention means 15. On the first shaft 3 and/or on the second shaft 7, it is necessary for devices to be provided which engage on said lugs 16 in order, during the mounting process, to displace the rotation prevention means 15 inward and transfer the holding force for the preload from the sleeves to the internal toothing.

(18) FIGS. 4 to 6 show a further exemplary embodiment in which the coupling 10 comprises the three toothed shafts 11, 12, 13 and the torsion spring 14. FIG. 4 shows an exploded illustration of the coupling 10. FIGS. 5 and 6 show sectional views of the coupling 10 in different mounting states.

(19) In the second exemplary embodiment, the rotation prevention means are in the form of pins 21. After the rotation of the first toothed shaft 11 and of the second toothed shaft 12 for the purposes of bracing the torsion spring 14, pins 21 are pushed in order to hold the torsion spring 14 in the braced state. This state is illustrated in FIG. 5.

(20) During the mounting of the coupling 10 into the two shafts 3, 7, mounting pins 22 are pushed in at the face sides. Said mounting pins 22 push the pins 21 further inward, into the third toothed shaft 13. This causes the rotation prevention means to be released, and the torsion spring 14 can act.

(21) For pushing in the mounting pins 22, face-side mounting plates 23 are shown at both sides. Said mounting plates 23 may also be constituent parts of the shafts 3, 7, such that the pins 21 are released at the same time as the coupling 10 is mounted.

(22) FIGS. 7 to 11 show exemplary embodiments in which the coupling 10 is in the form of an Oldham coupling.

(23) FIG. 7 shows the coupling arrangement 1 with the coupling 10. The coupling 10 comprises a main body 24. The main body 24 has in each case one projection 27, 28 at its two axial ends. The first projection 27 engages in a first groove 25 in the first shaft 3. The second projection 28 engages in a second groove 26 in the second shaft 7.

(24) FIG. 8 shows the first projection 27 of the main body 24 in detail. The second projection 28 is of identical construction but rotated through 90 about the axis of rotation 17.

(25) On the first projection 27 there are two opposite surfaces which, depending on the direction of rotation, abut against the first groove 24 in order to transmit torque. A piston 29 is provided on each of the two surfaces. The piston 29 constitutes a planar surface for play-free abutment.

(26) On the inner side of the piston 29 there are provided in each case four studs 30. The studs 30 each engage in a hydraulic pressure chamber 31. In each of the hydraulic pressure chambers 31 there is situated a spring 32 in the form of a plate spring. The springs 32 and the corresponding pressure in the hydraulic pressure chambers 31 force the pistons 29 away from the first projection 27.

(27) FIG. 9 shows, in a sectional view, hydraulic ducts 33 for the supply of pressure to the hydraulic chambers 31. A check valve 34 ensures that a pressure in the hydraulic pressure chambers 31 is adequately maintained. It is preferably the case that hydraulic oil is delivered out of the internal combustion engine 2 into the hydraulic ducts 33, and thus into the hydraulic pressure chambers 31, via the check valve 34.

(28) FIG. 10 shows the design of the main body 24 in accordance with a further exemplary embodiment. In this exemplary embodiment, in each case one large piston 29 is provided on each projection 27, 28. Said large pistons 29 are also subjected to load by springs 32 and situated in hydraulic pressure chambers 31. FIG. 10 shows that a piston 29 is provided in each case only on one side of each projection 27, 28. It would however alternatively be possible for in each case two opposite pistons 29 to be used on each projection 27, 28.

(29) FIG. 10 also shows that outlet openings 35 are provided in the pistons 29. Oil from the hydraulic pressure chambers 31 can pass to the outside through said outlet openings 35. The outlet openings 35 each constitute throttles for regulating the pressure in the hydraulic pressure chambers 31. At the same time, the oil that emerges serves for lubricating the surfaces between the coupling 10 and the two shafts 3, 7.

(30) FIG. 11 shows a further exemplary embodiment of the Oldham coupling. In FIG. 11, there are multiple small pistons 29 arranged adjacent to one another in both projections 27, 28. Each piston 29 is seated in a dedicated hydraulic pressure chamber 31 and is subjected to load by a dedicated spring 32 in the form of a helical spring. In the exemplary embodiment shown, four pistons 29 are used in each projection 27, 28.

(31) Superfluous openings formed during the drilling of the hydraulic ducts 33 are closed off by way of closure balls 36.

(32) FIG. 12 shows the mounted state of the coupling arrangement 1 as per a further exemplary embodiment. FIG. 13 shows an exploded illustration of the associated coupling 10.

(33) The coupling 10 comprises a first ring 37, a second ring 39 and a compensation ring 41. The first ring 37 has an internal cone which engages on an external cone on the first shaft 3. Furthermore, a clamping screw 49 is screwed into the first shaft 3, which clamping screw fixes the first ring 37 on the first shaft 3 via a clamping disk 48.

(34) The second ring 39 is mounted rotationally conjointly on the second shaft 7 by way of a conical clamping element 46 and a clamping sleeve 45. A securing ring 47 secures the axial position of the compensation ring 41 relative to the second ring 39.

(35) The first ring 37 has first claws 38. The second ring 39 has second claws 40. The first and second claws 38, 40 extend preferably in an axial direction. The compensation ring 41 has compensation claws 42. The compensation claws extend preferably in a radial direction 19.

(36) The first claws 38, second claws 40 and compensation claws 42 engage with one another. As viewed in the circumferential direction 18, in each case one compensation claw 42 is situated between a first claw 38 and a second claw 40.

(37) On the compensation claws 42 there are formed pockets 44 which open in the circumferential direction 18. In said pockets 44 there is seated in each case one spring 43, in particular helical compression spring. The respective spring 43 is supported by way of one end in the pocket 44 and by way of the other end against a second claw 40. The spring 43 pushes the respective compensation claw 42 away from the second claw 40. As a result, the compensation claw 42 presses against one of the first claws 38, whereby, in turn, said first claw 38 is pressed against the following second claw 40. This permits play-free abutment of the first claw 38 against the second claw 40, and thus also a play-free transmission of torque.

(38) In summary, the invention relates to a coupling arrangement 1, comprising a first shaft 3, preferably a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine 2, a second shaft 7, preferably an armature shaft of an electric machine 6, which is arranged coaxially with respect to the first shaft 3, and a coupling 10 for connecting the first shaft 3 to the second shaft 7 without play, wherein an axis of rotation 17 is defined in accordance with the two coaxial shafts 3, 7, a circumferential direction 18 is defined about the axis of rotation 17, and a radial direction 19 is defined perpendicular to the axis of rotation 17, wherein the coupling 10 comprises at least one motion element 14, 31, 32, 43 and at least one coupling element 11, 29, 41 which is movable relative to the two shafts 3, 7 in the circumferential direction 18 and/or in the radial direction 19, and wherein the motion element 14, 31, 32, 43 is designed to press the coupling element 11, 29, 41 against the first and/or second shaft 3, 7 without play in the circumferential direction 18 and/or radial direction 19 in order to compensate for play in the circumferential direction 18 between the two shafts 3, 7 and for inevitable manufacturing-induced tolerances with regard to axial offset and angular offset of the two shafts 3 and 7. It is likewise made possible to realize, during operation, axial compensation necessitated for example by thermal expansion.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

(39) 1 Coupling arrangement 2 Internal combustion engine 3 First shaft (crankshaft) 4 Engine case 5 Bearing 6 Electric machine 7 Second shaft (armature shaft) 8 Generator case 9 Screw connection 10 Coupling 11 First toothed shaft 12 Second toothed shaft 13 Third toothed shaft 14 Torsion spring 15 Rotation prevention means 16 Lugs 17 Axis of rotation 18 Circumferential direction 19 Radial direction 20 Polygonal formation 21 Pins 22 Mounting pin 23 Mounting plate 24 Main body 25 First groove 26 Second groove 27 First projection 28 Second projection 29 Piston 30 Studs 31 Hydraulic pressure chambers 32 Springs 33 Hydraulic ducts 34 Check valve 35 Outlet openings 36 Closure balls 37 First ring 38 First claws 39 Second ring 40 Second claws 41 Compensation ring 42 Compensation claws 43 Springs 44 Pockets 45 Clamping sleeve 46 Conical clamping element 47 Securing ring 48 Clamping disk 49 Clamping screw

(40) The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.