Patent ID: 6443282
Filing Date: 2002-09-03
Classification: B60K,B60T,F16D

Abstract:
A viscous coupling apparatus for lockingly connecting two parts which are rotatable relative to one another, comprising:(a) a first coupling part in the form of rotational housing (24); (b) a second coupling part in the form of a hub (25); (c) a sealed annular chamber (26) at least partially filled with a viscous fluid, and formed by said first coupling part and said second coupling part, which are rotatable relative to one another and positioned co-axially inside one another; (d) axially alternating first coupling plates in the shape of annular discs, with means for providing a non-rotatable connection of said alternating first coupling plates with said first coupling part; and (e) second coupling plates in the shape of annular discs, with means for providing a non-rotatable connection with said second coupling part, said first coupling plates and said second coupling plates are arranged inside said chamber (26); and cooperating with each other through shear forces occurring in said viscous fluid; (f) said coupling plates, in their entirety, being divided into at least two functionally different sets of coupling plates (31, 32, 33), each of said sets comprising alternating first and second coupling plates and forming separated axial regions positioned one behind the other; and (g) at least one set of coupling plates (32, 33) being provided with means allowing said first or said second coupling plates to be controllably coupled to, and separated from, the respective coupling parts; and further comprising an abutment, and wherein said first or second coupling plates provided for controllable coupling and separating operations are rotatably positioned in said chamber, and said means for carrying out a controllable coupling and separating operation comprises (i) coupling discs which are inserted between said coupling plates, which are non-rotatably connected to the respective coupling part and which are axially movable in the chamber, and (ii) setting means for axially moving said coupling plates and said coupling discs against said abutment.