192 clutches and power-stop control – Clutches – Axially engaging
Patent
1995-05-02
1996-07-23
Lorence, Richard M.
192 clutches and power-stop control
Clutches
Axially engaging
192 7013, 192 7014, 192 91A, 192110S, 19211335, 19211336, F16D 250638
Patent
active
055381219
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The invention concerns a pressure actuated multi-disk clutch, operating in friction, for vehicles having an additional or auxiliary drive axle.
In agricultural and industrial vehicles, such as agricultural tractors and the like, pressure actuated multi-disk clutches are applied for the engagement of front wheel drives. These clutches are usually controlled by pressurized oil. For reasons of safety the stack of clutch disks is loaded by a spring arrangement, so that the clutch is applied (engaged) in the absence of any pressure. If, however, pressurized oil is applied to a piston chamber of the clutch, then the piston compresses the spring arrangement, whereby the load forcing the surfaces of the clutch disks against each other and thereby also the engagement of the clutch is canceled.
In addition to the clutch disks, clutches of this type usually contain pressure plates which cover the stack of disks on both sides, means of transmitting the force of the piston to the spring arrangement and other auxiliary devices. One pressure plate supports the stack of clutch disks against the clutch drum, while the other pressure plate engages the spring arrangement.
The problem underlying the invention is seen as that of defining a multi-disk clutch of the aforementioned type that is compact and space saving, consists of as few individual components as possible and that can be assembled easily and quickly.
The problem is solved on the basis of the overall concept of patent claim 1 through its particular characteristics. Further advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention follow from the subordinate claims.
Preferably this is a multi-disk clutch that is engaged by spring force and disengaged by the pressure of a pressurized fluid, where the chamber containing the clutch disks is configured as a generally sealed chamber, into which the pressurized fluid for the disengagement of the clutch is introduced. Between the shaft and the clutch bell housing a piston is arranged that can be moved axially and that is forced against the clutch disks by a spring arrangement in order to assure the transmission of a torque. In the region of the clutch unit, which can be pre-assembled as a unit, the shaft is progressively stepped towards one side and is therefore appropriate as a plug-in assembly.
The input drive gear preferably is molded as a unit with the clutch bell housing which can consist of a casting or a forging. This one-piece design permits the transmission of the forces applied to the input drive gear directly through the clutch assembly, the piston and the clutch disks to the shaft.
The clutch unit is supported on two bearings, where one bearing is located at the clutch bell housing approximately under the input gear and the other bearing at the piston.
A preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the clutch disks are arranged directly between a radial surface of the housing enclosing the chamber and a radial surface of a spring-loaded piston that can be moved axially with respect to the housing where at least one compression spring, preferably a Belleville spring supported on the housing, engages the side of the piston outside the chamber. This solution makes pressure plates and other auxiliary devices superfluous. Thereby the number of components can be reduced, resulting in a low-cost design.
The multi-disk clutch according to the invention consists of a minimal number of components and therefore can be manufactured at very low cost. All components relevant to the clutch are inserted into the clutch bell housing and pre-loaded by a Belleville spring package. The shaft, which is preferably the output shaft and which may be designed as a one-piece shaft, is plugged into the pre-assembled clutch unit and is preferably fixed in its axial location by two bearings. This assures an assembly process optimized for time. Furthermore extensive pre-assembly is possible.
In contrast to known clutches the multi-disk clutch according to the invention can be integrated into a very compact design and saves
REFERENCES:
patent: 3047115 (1962-07-01), Lee et al.
patent: 3213984 (1965-10-01), Cook
patent: 3893556 (1975-07-01), Lech et al.
Deere & Company
Lorence Richard M.
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