The present invention relates to a double clutch of a double clutch transmission.
Double clutch transmissions are currently increasingly used in motor vehicle construction, due to their numerous advantages. A key member of this type of transmission is the wet running or dry running double clutch, which respectively transmits engine torque to one of two partial transmissions. While one clutch is closed, the other one is opened. The gear speed is then shifted on the transmission shaft of the opened clutch. In case the opened clutch produces large drag moments in this context, these moments have to be overcome during synchronization of the gear speeds, in addition to the inertia of the transmission shafts. In practice, this means either a decrease of the service life of the synchronizing units or, usually, the use of more efficient and thus more expensive synchronizer rings. Simultaneously, the large drag moments contribute to an increased fuel consumption of the vehicle. The drag moments mainly result from the fact that both clutches have to be lubricated together during operation. Liquid friction between the clutch disks causes these moments.
It is therefore an object underlying some embodiments of the present invention to provide a double clutch of a double clutch transmission which enables a separated lubrication of its clutches, and is simultaneously structured in a space-saving coaxial or nested design with clutches disposed within one another.
An object of the present invention is solved by using a common disk carrier for both clutch packs, which is characterized in that two hubs with teeth for the disk packs are engaged with one another. Consequently, axial slots are formed between the teeth of the two hubs.
If these slots or cavities are covered axially on one side, preferably with corresponding metal sheets, oil may be supplied and discharged separately to and from the two individual clutches. For this purpose, specially distributed holes are preferably punched into the toothwork of the hubs, which supply the oil from one side of the complete clutch, e.g. the outer clutch, and discharge the oil of the inner clutch toward the other side of the complete clutch. Preferably, the oil for both clutches is supplied separately, and is supplied separately in the clutch toward the individual clutches. This can be effected by corresponding metal sheets in the clutch housing.
Further details, advantages and features of the present invention are provided in the following description of embodiments with reference to the drawings, in which:
The double clutch 1 shown in
The double clutch 1 further comprises an outer clutch 6 which is connected to an outer hollow shaft 20 in which the inner shaft 3 extends axially, as is shown schematically in
Further, the double clutch 1 comprises a drive member 9 which is arranged on a drive shaft (not shown in detail). The drive member 9 comprises inner and outer drive disks, wherein the illustrated example provides five outer drive disks and five inner drive disks, one outer drive disk being designated with reference numeral 11 and one of the inner drive disks being designated with reference numeral 10 in
The thick arrows B, R in
The oil flow R for the inner clutch 2 enters the housing interior 21 of the clutch through other boreholes in the hub of the clutch that are axially offset from the oil B, and is thus separately controllable. The oil flow R is distributed via a guide plate 19 and is thus supplied to the inner hub of the inner clutch 2. The oil flow R passes through holes in the inner disk carrier 5, and thus lubricates the inner disk pack 12 defined by the inner disks/plates 4, 10. From the disk pack 12, the oil flow R then enters lower tooth cavities 24, 25 (see
With this arrangement, it is possible to supply both clutches 2, 6 with oil separately. Therewith, each of the clutches 2, 6 can be made completely oil-free, if required. Also, some embodiments of the present invention can reduce drag moments that would otherwise be experienced by the double clutch 1. Further, the principles of the present invention can result in a very simple double clutch structure with few additional components, a very modular design (if required) in which the double clutch can be adapted to conventional lubrication without significant additional construction, and/or a significant savings of space.
It should be noted that the principles of the present invention apply equally to wet or dry running double clutches.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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07001762 | Jan 2007 | EP | regional |
This is a continuation application of and claims priority to PCT Application No. PCT/EP2008/000643 filed on Jan. 28, 2008. Priority is also claimed to European Patent App. No. 07001762.9 filed on Jan. 26, 2007. The entire contents of both prior-filed patent applications are incorporated herein by reference.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20100180704 A1 | Jul 2010 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | PCT/EP2008/000643 | Jan 2008 | US |
Child | 12509232 | US |