Device for transmitting torque

Details Device for transmitting torque Device for transmitting torque

2000-03-16

2002-06-11

Lorence, Richard M. (Department: 3681)

192 clutches and power-stop control

Clutches

Axially engaging

C192S055610, C192S070170, C192SDIG001

Reexamination Certificate

active

06401897

ABSTRACT:

The invention relates to a device for transmitting torque having at least one disc part fixed directly or indirectly to a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine, and a clutch formed as a structural unit wherein the disc part with the clutch as the structural unit can be fitted on the crankshaft and the structural unit of the clutch can be separated from the disc part for maintenance purposes, and also relates to a method for assembly and maintenance.
A torque transmission device of this kind, described for example in DE PS 44 28 829, can be fitted complete on the crankshaft and has a clutch unit which is connectable to a secondary flywheel mass of a divided flywheel so that for maintenance purposes the divided flywheel can remain on the crankshaft and only the structural unit of the clutch has to be removed.
Dismantling the clutch unit is difficult insofar as for release, screws or rivets fitted from the engine side from outside into the secondary part also have to be removed from the engine side whereby tools have to be inserted in the often very restricted interspace between the engine housing and flywheel and have to be guided in the axial direction through openings in the first flywheel mass part up to the connecting means in order to release individually the numerous connecting means which are spread out round the circumference, resulting in a considerable maintenance expense. In many cases where this interspace is not accessible for the tools this device cannot be used.
The object of the invention is therefore to provide a device for transmitting torque and a corresponding method wherein the worn out parts can be quickly and easily replaced. Furthermore the device is to be capable of use in a wide number of applications and is thus to be more cost-effective since it can be produced in increased numbers. A method for the assembly and maintenance of the device is to be carried out with few steps and using simple tools whereby the clutch can be interchangeable in modular fashion and when required can be replaced by a new clutch module without additional adjustment work.
This is achieved through a device for transmitting torque, more particularly for motor vehicles which has at least one first disc part fixed directly or indirectly on a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine, to which (disc part) a friction clutch is connected which consists as a separate component part of at least a contact pressure plate, a clutch cover which holds axially displaceable and rotationally secured a pressure plate and engages radially round same, and a clutch disc which is mounted axially between the contact pressure plate and the pressure plate and which is fitted with friction linings provided radially on the outside which can be brought into friction engagement with the pressure plate and contact pressure plate by means of at least one energy accumulator acting axially between the pressure plate and clutch cover, and is connectable rotationally secured to a gear input shaft of a transmission on the output side in the force flow, wherein the device can be fitted as a complete unit on the crankshaft and the friction clutch is connected to the disc part by means of fixing means which can be separated from the transmission side.
A friction clutch, for example prefabricated as a module, can be connected to the disc part by means of screws, rivets and/or other fixing means, but a fixing is particularly advantageous having self-locking fixing means so that the clutch during the initial assembly as well as after servicing can be pressed for fixing onto the disc part without the need for tools. Dismantling the clutch is thereby carried out from the transmission side, after the gearbox has been separated from the engine housing, or at least the gear input shaft has been removed from the hub of the clutch disc so that after loosening the connection to the disc part the clutch can be removed. To this end for separating the fixing means the required tools are guided through corresponding recesses in the plate spring tongues which can also serve for fixing the device on the crankshaft and vice versa. It can thereby be particularly advantageous to provide the fixing means or the connection between the disc part and clutch in the radial area of the mountings of the device on the crankshaft, for example radially outside or radially inside same. It is also possible according to the inventive idea to arrange the fixing means directly at the radial height of the hub of the clutch disc so that the tools required for separating the fixing means are guided through corresponding recesses in the hub or through the opening for mounting the gear shaft.
It can thereby be advantageous to use a push-fit connection whereby the two parts are pushed into each other and fixed axially and circumferentially on each other, with at least one or more for example several, circumferentially spaced out push-fit connections forming the connection with the disc part. In the simplest case a push fit connection of this kind can be formed from an axially raised extension arm which is pushed into a corresponding recess of the complementary component part and is held there, for example by means of a fixing screw. It can be particularly advantageous to form the push-fit connection as an axially locking or better still an automatically axially locking snap-fit connection which can be designed so that it can be released in one step.
An advantageous development of a device according to the invention provides axial extension arms of the friction clutch on a second disc part which takes up the contact pressure plate and which is fixedly connected to the clutch cover along its outer circumference. In this way a module can be formed from the clutch which can be removed completely and closed per se from the first disc part through separating the connection at the axial extension arms.
It has proved advantageous to arrange several, for example two to ten, preferably three to six, axial extension arms or mounting points over the circumference of the disc part wherein these are fixedly connected to the same number of axial extension arms of the other disc part or to another component part of the clutch.
In order to form a cost-effective and automatically engaging mechanism, assemblies have also proved advantageous where snap-fit noses are provided on a component part forming the connection to snap-fit in complementary openings of the complementary component part which forms the connection. The snap-fitting noses can thereby be arranged so that all the snap-fitting noses are arranged on one component part, for example on the mountings on the clutch side, or on both mountings—alternately on the clutch side and engine side, preferably round the circumference. The alignment of the snap-fitting noses can be in any direction wherein an alignment radially outwards has proved advantageous wherein the snap-fitting noses engage in corresponding openings of the complementary component part. In many cases and embodiments it can be advantageous or even a requirement if the disc part fixed on the crankshaft, and the clutch for example are indeed fixed axially through the second disc part which is connected to the clutch cover and engages round the contact pressure plate, but rotatable in the circumferential direction at least over a restricted angular area.
To this end the fastening means, for example circumferentially spaced out extension arms with snap noses, of the one side to be connected can be mounted on a common ring, which can have complementary openings for engaging the snap-fitting noses, of the other side, which is mounted axially fixed and rotatable on one of the two disc parts. In this way the fastening means of the one component part form with the other component part an axially fixed but rotatable connection which can be separated accessible from the gearbox side.
An advantageous development provides a ring which is mounted axially between a disc part, for example the disc part on the clutch side receiving the contact pressure plate, and

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