Patent ID: 6116392
Filing Date: 2000-09-12
Classification: F16D

Abstract:
A coupling device for transmitting torque between a first part and a second part, said first part rotatable relative to said second part, said coupling device comprising:a multi-plate coupling unit having a plurality of axially and alternatingly arranged first plates and second plates, said first plates each connected in a rotationally fixed manner to one of said first part and said second part and said second plates each connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the other of said first part and said second part;said coupling device further including an actuating assembly for axially loading said multi-plate coupling unit by means of a setting piston;said actuating assembly having an annular chamber filled with a highly viscous fluid and delimited by said setting piston;a rotational member arranged in said annular chamber, said annular chamber of said actuating assembly being formed in one of said first part and said second part with said rotational member connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the other of said first part and said second part;a relative rotation between said first part and said second part effecting pressure-loading and displacement of said setting piston towards said multi-plate coupling unit as a result of the shear of said highly viscous fluid in said annular chamber; anda pressure plate positioned between said setting piston and said multi-plate coupling unit, said pressure plate and said setting piston having opposed faces, at least one of said faces being tapered thus forming a radially outwardly tapering gap between said opposed faces in which there are arranged radially freely movable wedge elements in a play-free manner wherein said faces of said pressure plate and said setting piston form the basal areas of a plurality of radial grooves, said wedge elements being arranged in said radial grooves.