Clutch device with fastening means for fixing the output hub

A clutch device comprises an engine-side input hub (6) including a driver disk (10) and a cutout (70), a transmission-side output hub (46) adapted to be indirectly coupled to the engine-side input hub (6), a fastener (68) for axially fixing the transmission-side output hub (46) to a transmission shaft (60) and adapted to be accessed for actuation through the cutout (70) after the engine-side input hub is indirectly coupled to the transmission-side output hub, and a cup-shaped stopper (72) for opening and closing the cutout (70) and, in an installed state, has a guide section (108) that projects in an axial direction out of the cutout (70) and can be supported in an end-side depression (110) of an engine output shaft (5).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of PCT Patent Application PCT/EP2008/000736 entitled “CLUTCH DEVICE WITH FASTENING MEANS FOR FIXING THE OUTPUT HUB” and filed on Jan. 31, 2008, which claims benefit of German Patent Application 10 2007 007 011.1 filed on Feb. 8, 2007 and German Patent Application 10 2007 024 788.7 filed on May 26, 2007.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a clutch device having an engine-side input hub, which has a driver disk, and having a transmission-side output hub, with it being possible for the engine-side input hub to be coupled to the transmission-side output hub, and with a fastening means being provided for axially fixing the output hub to a transmission shaft.

2. Description of Related Art

The prior art discloses clutch devices, in particular multiplate clutches, which have an input hub which can be connected to the engine output shaft. The input hubs are in turn provided with a driver disk in order to transmit the rotation to the clutch input housing or the like. The input hub is for example connected to an outer plate carrier whose outer plates can be coupled to inner plates, with the inner plates in turn being arranged on an inner plate carrier. The inner plate carrier in turn has an output hub which can be connected to a transmission shaft. Here, the output hub is fixed to the transmission shaft in the axial direction with the aid of a fastening means. The fastening means is usually a securing ring.

The above-described prior art has the disadvantage that the assembly of the clutch device on the transmission or on the transmission shaft is difficult.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to create a clutch device having a fastening means for axially fixing the output hub to a transmission shaft, which clutch device permits particularly simple and therefore cost-effective assembly on a transmission.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the disadvantages in the related art in a clutch device that comprises an engine-side input hub including a driver disk and cutout, a transmission-side output hub adapted to be indirectly coupled to the engine-side input hub, a fastener for axially fixing the transmission-side output hub to a transmission shaft and adapted to be accessed for actuation through the cutout after the engine-side input hub is indirectly coupled to the transmission-side output hub, and a cup-shaped stopper for opening and closing the cutout and, in an installed state, has a guide section that projects in an axial direction out of the cutout and can be supported in an end-side depression of an engine output shaft.

The present invention overcomes the disadvantages in the related art in also a clutch device that comprises an ermine-side input hub including a driver disk and cutout, a transmission-side output hub adapted to be indirectly coupled to the engine-side input hub, a fastener for axially fixing the transmission-side output hub to a transmission shaft and adapted to be accessed for actuation through the cutout after the engine-side input hub is indirectly coupled to the transmission-side output hub, and a closure part for opening and closing the cutout that, in an installed state, has a guide section that projects in an axial direction out of cutout and can be supported in an end-side depression of an engine output shaft,

The present invention overcomes the disadvantages in the related art in also as clutch device that comprises: an engine-side input hub including a driver disk; a transmission-side output hub adapted to be indirectly coupled to the engine-side input hub; a fastener for axially fixing the transmission-side output hub to a transmission shaft, adapted to be accessed for actuation after the engine-side input hub is indirectly coupled to the transmission-side output hub, and having a radially projecting encircling collar on which the output hub can be supported in an axial direction, and an exchangeable annular spacer arranged on the encircling collar such that the transmission shaft can be supported in the axial direction on the encircling collar with interposition of the spacer and defining an outer diameter of the annular spacer that is less than an inner diameter of the output hub.

The present invention overcomes the disadvantages in the related art in also a clutch device that comprises: an engine-side input hub including a driver disk; a transmission-side output hub adapted to be indirectly coupled to the engine-side input hub, a fastener for axially fixing the transmission-side output hub to a transmission shaft, adapted to be accessed for actuation after the engine-side input hub is indirectly coupled to the transmission-side output hub, and having a radially projecting encircling collar on which the output hub can be supported in axial direction; and an exchangeable spacer arranged on the encircling collar such that the transmission shaft can be supported in the axial direction on the encircling collar with interposition of the spacer and adapted to be fastened at an end side to the transmission shaft.

The present invention overcomes the disadvantages in the related art in also a clutch device that comprises: an engine-side input hub including a driver disk; a transmission-side output hub adapted to be indirectly coupled to the engine-side input hub; a fastener for axially fixing the transmission-side output hub to a transmission shaft, adapted to be encircling depression on a periphery of the transmission shaft, adapted to be accessed for actuation after the engine-side input hub is indirectly coupled to the transmission-side output hub, and having a radially projecting encircling collar on which the output hub can be supported in an axial direction; and an exchangeable spacer arranged on the encircling collar such that the transmission shaft can be supported in the axial direction on the encircling collar with interposition of the spacer and adapted to be inserted into the depression of the transmission shaft.

In one advantageous embodiment of the clutch device according to the invention, the clutch device is protected from contamination with dirt in that a closure part is provided for opening and closing the cutout on the clutch device. In this way, too, the surroundings of the clutch device are prevented from contamination with dirt, such as for example abrasion particles.

In order that the clutch device can also be used as a wet-running clutch, the cutout may, in a further advantageous embodiment of the clutch device according to the invention, be closed off in a sealing fashion by means of the closure part. An escape of oil and also contamination of said oil with dirt from the outside is reliably prevented in this way.

To obtain particularly secure closure of the cutout, in a further advantageous embodiment of the clutch device according to the invention, the closure part is a cup-shaped stopper. The casing of the cup-shaped stopper may thus for example bear against the wall of the cutout over a relatively long distance in the axial direction in order to obtain a good sealing action. Furthermore, a cup-shaped stopper is lightweight, such that only a small mass must be rotated. The stopper is preferably composed of rubber.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the clutch device according to the invention, the closure part, in the installed state, has a guide section which projects in the axial direction out of the cutout and which can be received, guided and/or supported in an end-side depression of an engine output shaft. While the dimensions of the guide section are fixedly predefined by the input hub in conventional clutch devices, the size, such as for example the diameter and the length, of the guide section can be varied in this embodiment according to the invention by means of suitable selection of the closure part, such that simple retroactive adaptation of the clutch device to the respective engine output shaft, to which the clutch device is to be connected, is possible.

In one particularly preferred embodiment of the clutch device according to the invention, the fastening means can be connected at the end side to the transmission shaft. In this way, particularly good accessibility of the fastening means is ensured even when the clutch device is fully assembled. In the solutions known from the prior art, which propose a securing ring for fastening the output hub, which securing ring is attached to the periphery of the transmission shaft, the fastening means is significantly more difficult to access and actuate even when the clutch device is open.

To be able to fix the output hub to the transmission shaft in a particularly simple and fast manner, in a further particularly preferred embodiment of the clutch device according to the invention, the fastening means has a thread section which can be screwed to a transmission-shaft-side thread section. The assembly is particularly simple if the thread sections extend in each case in the axial direction, since then, the tool which is inserted through the cutout need merely be rotated without thereby requiring a large amount of space.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the clutch device according to the invention, the fastening-means-side thread section has an external thread and the transmission-shaft-side thread section has an internal thread.

To ensure particularly uniform support of the output hub on the fastening means over the entire periphery, in a further preferred embodiment of the clutch device according to the invention, the fastening means has a fitting section which, when connected to a transmission-shaft-side fitting section, forms an interference fit for centering the fastening means. Furthermore, the interference fit serves to strengthen the connection between the fastening means and transmission shaft.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the clutch device according to the invention, the fastening-means-side and transmission-shaft-side fitting sections are of conical design.

In a further preferred embodiment of the clutch device according to the invention, the fastening-means-side and transmission-shaft-side fitting sections are of cylindrical design, with preferably at least one of the cylindrical fitting sections having a conical end section which faces toward the other fitting section. In this way, it is possible for the one fitting section to be inserted into the other fitting section in a simple manner. The conical end section may for example be designed as an encircling chamfer.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the clutch device according to the invention, the fastening-means-side fitting section and/or thread section are/is provided on an axially projecting connecting part of the fastening means, and the transmission-shaft-side fitting section and/or thread section are/is provided in an end-side recess in the transmission shaft.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the clutch device according to the invention, the axially projecting connecting part of the fastening means can be inserted in the axial direction into the end-side recess in the transmission shaft. As a result of the insertion in the axial direction, the fixing of the output hub to the transmission shaft is particularly simple.

To obtain a secure arrangement of the fastening means and therefore also of the transmission shaft which is connected thereto, of the overall assembly, in a further preferred embodiment of the clutch device according to the invention, the fastening means is supported in the radial direction on the input hub and vice versa. For this purpose, it is for example possible for an encircling radial bearing to be arranged between the fastening means and the input hub.

In a further preferred embodiment of the clutch device according to the invention, the fastening means has an actuating section, which faces toward the cutout, for a tool. An actuating section of said type may for example be designed as a polygon, such that a screwdriver or a wrench socket can be used for rotating the fastening means.

In one particularly preferred embodiment of the clutch device according to the invention, the actuating section has an end-side engagement portion for a tool, into which engagement portion a tool can be inserted in a positively locking fashion. The end-side engagement portion, which is particularly easily accessible in any case, could for example have a polygonal cross section, such that corresponding tools, such as for example an Allen key, can be inserted in a positively locking fashion.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the clutch device according to the invention, the fastening means has a radially projecting encircling collar on which the output hub can be supported in the axial direction. An encircling collar ensures particularly uniform support along the entire periphery.

In a further particularly preferred embodiment of the clutch device according to the invention, an exchangeable spacer is arranged on the encircling collar, such that the transmission shaft can be supported in the axial direction on the encircling collar with the interposition of the spacer. In this way, the axial play of the output hub with respect to the transmission shaft can be adapted to the respective application by means of suitable selection of the spacer.

To obtain uniform support of the shaft on the encircling collar, in a further advantageous embodiment of the clutch device according to the invention, the spacer is of annular design.

To be able to adjust or adapt the axial play of the output hub with respect to the transmission shaft in a particularly simple manner, in a further particularly preferred embodiment of the clutch device according to the invention, a holding space is provided in the clutch device, in which holding space the transmission shaft can be held, with it being possible for the spacer to be passed through the holding space and attached to the fastening means. The spacer must therefore be of correspondingly small design such that it can be inserted through the holding space.

In a further particularly preferred embodiment of the clutch device according to the invention, the outer diameter of the annular spacer is less than the inner diameter of the output hub, such that the annular spacer can be guided through the output hub to the fastening means without problems.

In a further particularly preferred embodiment of the clutch device according to the invention, the spacer can be fastened at the end side to the transmission shaft. It is thus possible, for example, for a corresponding receptacle into which the spacer can be inserted or pushed to be provided on the end side. In this way, the spacer can be guided through the holding space together with the transmission shaft, thereby significantly simplifying assembly.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the clutch device according to the invention, the transmission shaft has an end-side receptacle which is designed as an encircling depression on the periphery of the transmission shaft and into which the spacer can be inserted. In this way, the spacer can be inserted into the receptacle in a particularly simple manner, such that assembly is simplified.

To enhance the above-stated advantage, in a further particularly preferred embodiment of the clutch device according to the invention, the encircling depression is open in the radial outward direction and in the axial direction.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood while reading the subsequent description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

FIG. 1shows an embodiment of the clutch device2according to the invention in cross section, with the illustration showing only the upper part in relation to the longitudinal or rotational axis4about which the rotatable parts of the clutch device2rotate.

The clutch device2has an engine-side input hub6. The input hub6is connected by means of a torsional vibration damper8, of which only a part is indicated inFIG. 1, to an engine output shaft5, such that a rotation can be transmitted from the engine output shaft5to the input hub6. Here, any rotational shocks are absorbed by the torsional vibration damper8. The input hub6is rotationally fixedly connected, at its end remote from the torsional vibration damper8, to a driver disk10.

The driver disk10is rotationally fixedly connected to an outer plate carrier12. Here, the outer plate carrier12has an outer support section14and an inner support section16. The support sections14,16are provided in each case with an internal toothing18,20. The teeth of a multiplicity of longitudinally movable outer plates22,24engage into the internal toothings18,20, which outer plates22,24are therefore rotationally fixedly connected to the outer plate carrier12.

The clutch device2, which is embodied as a multiplate clutch, also has an outer and an inner inner plate carrier26and28respectively. The two inner plate carriers26,28have, at their radially outwardly pointing end, a support section30,32with an external toothing34,36. A multiplicity of longitudinally movable inner plates38,40are provided, which inner plates38,40are in engagement with the external toothings34,36, such that the inner plates38,40are rotationally fixedly connected to the inner plate carriers26,28. The outer and inner plates22,24and38,40are arranged one behind the other in an alternating fashion in the axial direction, and thereby form an outer plate pack42and an inner plate pack44.

The outer inner plate carrier26is rotationally fixedly connected, at its radially inwardly pointing end, to a first output hub46, while the inner inner plate carrier28is rotationally fixedly connected, at its radially inwardly pointing end, to a second output hub48. The clutch device also has a hydraulically actuable, axially movable outer and inner actuating piston50and52respectively. By means of the outer actuating piston50, the outer plate pack42can be pressed together, such that the input hub6can be coupled indirectly to the first output hub46. By means of the inner actuating piston52, the inner plate pack44can in turn be pressed together, such that the input hub6can be coupled indirectly to the second output hub48.

The output hubs46,48have in each case one central passage which is provided with an internal toothing54,56. In the installed state, the internal toothing54of the first output hub46engages into the external toothing58of a first transmission shaft60, which is designed as a solid shaft, while the internal toothing56of the second output hub48engages into the external toothing62of a second transmission shaft64, which is designed as a hollow shaft and which surrounds the first transmission shaft60. In the installed state, the transmission shafts60,64are held in an elongate holding space66of the clutch device2, into which holding space66the transmission shafts60,64can be pushed from the side facing away from the input hub6along the longitudinal or rotational axis4. The smallest diameter of the holding space66in the longitudinal direction is predefined by the inner diameter “a” of the first output hub46.

To axially fix the first output hub46to the first transmission shaft60, a fastening means68is provided, which is described below with reference toFIG. 2together with further features of the clutch device2.

The engine-side input hub6is designed such that the fastening means68can still be actuated even after the attachment of the engine-side input hub6to the rest of the clutch device2. For this purpose, the input hub6has a continuous central cutout70which extends along the longitudinal axis4. A tool can be guided through said cutout70in order to actuate the fastening means68.

The clutch device2also has a closure part72for closing off and opening the cutout70, with the closure part72closing off that side of the cutout70which faces away from the clutch device2and which faces toward the engine side. In the present embodiment, the closure part72is formed in the manner of a cup-shaped stopper which is composed substantially of rubber and which closes off the cutout70in a sealing fashion.

The fastening means68has an axially projecting connecting part74which extends to the first transmission shaft60. Here, the projecting connecting part74comprises a fastening-means-side thread section76and an adjoining fastening-means-side fitting section78with a larger diameter. The fitting section78is adjoined by a section in which a radially projecting encircling collar80is provided. The collar80is adjoined in the axial direction by a support section82. The support section82of the fastening means68is supported in the radial direction on the inner side of the input hub6via a radial bearing84. In the same way, the input hub6is supported on the fastening means68via the radial bearing84. The fastening means68accordingly extends into the input hub6, which is designed in the manner of a pot, with the closure part72forming the base of the pot.

Further in the axial direction, the support section82is adjoined by an actuating section86for a tool, with the actuating section86facing toward the cutout70or being arranged in the latter. An engagement portion90, which is designed as a hexagonal engagement portion, is provided in that end side88of the fastening section86which faces toward the cutout70. A tool, such as for example an Allen key, can be inserted into the engagement portion90in a positively locking fashion through the cutout70in order to subsequently rotate the fastening means about the longitudinal axis4.

The fastening means68may be connected at the end side to the first transmission shaft60. For this purpose, a recess92is provided in that end side of the first transmission shaft60which faces toward the fastening means68. Proceeding from the end side, the recess92has a transmission-shaft-side fitting section94and an adjoining transmission-shaft-side thread section96.

Further features of the invention are described below with reference toFIGS. 1 and 2within the context of the description of the procedure for mounting the clutch device2on a transmission.

Firstly, the fully assembled clutch device2is provided. Here, the fully assembled clutch device2comprises all the components shown inFIG. 1, with the exception of the torsional vibration damper8, the transmission shafts60,64and the engine output shaft5, such that the holding space66is empty, the closure part72can be removed and the fastening means68is accessible via the cutout70. To define the axial play of the first output hub46which is to be fastened to the first transmission shaft60, an exchangeable annular spacer98is firstly attached to the fastening means68. Here, the annular spacer98is firstly guided through the holding space66to the fastening means68, since the clutch device2has already been fully assembled. The outer diameter “b” of the annular spacer98is selected here so as to be smaller than the inner diameter “a” of the first output hub46, such that the annular spacer98can actually be guided up to the fastening means68. Having arrived at the fastening means68, the annular spacer98is pushed over the fastening-means-side fitting section78and supported in the axial direction on the collar80.

The clutch device2is subsequently placed onto the transmission, as a result of which the transmission shafts60,64are guided along the longitudinal axis4into the holding space66. In this way, the axially projecting connecting part74of the fastening means68is inserted in the axial direction into the end-side recess92in the first transmission shaft60.

To now securely fix the first output hub46to the first transmission shaft60in the axial direction, the closure part72is firstly removed. An Allen key is, subsequently inserted through the cutout70into the engagement portion90in order to screw the fastening means68into the recess92in the first transmission shaft60. Here, the external thread of the fastening-means-side thread section76is screwed to the internal thread of the transmission-shaft-side thread section96. As a result of the screwing action, the cylindrical fitting section78of the fastening means68is forced into the cylindrical fitting section94of the first transmission shaft60and forms an interference fit with said cylindrical fitting section94, which interference fit serves inter alia to center the fastening means68with respect to the first transmission shaft60. To permit simple insertion of the one fitting section78into the other fitting section94, it is possible for at least one of the cylindrical fitting sections78,94to have a conical end section (not illustrated) which faces toward the other fitting section94,78. The fastening means68is now screwed further into the recess92until the first transmission shaft60is supported with its end side on the encircling collar80with the interposition of the annular spacer98.

The first output hub46is now fixed to the first transmission shaft60with play in the axial direction, with the movement of the first output hub46in the direction of the input hub6being restricted by the encircling collar80, against which the first output hub46can be supported in the axial direction. The thicker the annular spacer98is designed to be in the axial direction, the greater the axial play of the first output hub46. In the other axial direction, the movement of the first output hub46is restricted indirectly by means of a securing ring100on the internal toothing56of the second output hub48. The securing ring100is arranged in an axially immovable manner on the second output hub48and serves as a stop for the end side of the second transmission shaft64.

After the connection of the fastening means68to the first transmission shaft60, the cutout72can be closed off again by means of the closure part72, before the torsional vibration damper is thereafter rotationally fixedly connected to the input hub6.

In a modified embodiment (not illustrated) of the clutch device2, the fastening-means-side and the transmission-shaft-side fitting sections78,94are of conical design. The fitting sections78,94therefore serve not only to center and strengthen the connection. In fact, the fitting sections78,94also serve as stops between the first transmission shaft60at one side and the fastening means68at the other side. It would then be necessary to select the annular stop98such that the first output hub46is supported on the encircling collar80with the interposition of the annular space98. The first embodiment is however preferable since, in the alternative embodiment, the attachment of the annular spacer98through the holding space66is more difficult.

In a further modified embodiment (FIG. 3) of the clutch device2, a receptacle102is provided on the end side of the first transmission shaft60for fastening the spacer98to the first transmission shaft60. Here, the receptacle102is designed as an end-side encircling depression into which the spacer98can be inserted. Here, the receptacle102is provided on the periphery of the transmission shaft60, in such a way that the receptacle102is open in the radial outward direction and in the axial direction. In this way, the spacer98can firstly be captively inserted into the receptacle102on the transmission shaft60in a particularly simple manner and subsequently guided together with the transmission shaft60through the holding space66to the fastening means68, thereby significantly simplifying assembly.

FIG. 4shows an alternative embodiment of the closure part72′. The closure part72′ is fixed in the cutout70of the input hub6in the direction of the longitudinal axis4by means of a securing ring104, with a seal106being provided in order to be able to close off the cutout70in a sealing fashion. In the installed state of the closure part72′, the latter has a guide section108which projects out of the cutout70in the axial direction. After the clutch device is mounted on the engine output shaft5, said guide section108is held in an end-side depression110of the engine output shaft5, as shown inFIG. 4. The guide section108is also guided in the axial direction, and supported in the radial direction, within the depression110on the engine output shaft5. A closure part72′ of said type has the advantage that the length and the diameter of the guide section108can be changed quickly and in a simple manner by means of an exchange with a different closure part whose guide section has different dimensions. Particularly simple adaptation of the clutch device2to respective engine output shafts5, to which the clutch device2is to be connected, is therefore possible.

While, in the above-described embodiments, the fastening means68is brought to the transmission shafts60,64as a module together with the clutch device2, it may be advantageous for the fastening means68to be added only after the attachment of the clutch device2to the transmission shafts60,64. In such a case, the cutout70should be dimensioned such that the fastening means68—if appropriate together with the spacer98—can be guided through the cutout70and attached to the transmission shaft60retroactively. In the above exemplary embodiments, it would then be necessary for the encircling collar80to have, for example, a diameter which is smaller than the smallest diameter of the cutout70. Said dimensioning of the cutout70is also advantageous for example if a simple securing ring were to be used instead of the fastening means68.