Abstract:
The present disclosure provides a double clutch assembly and a device for assisting an actuator of the double clutch. The device applies an assistance force to the actuator upon an operation of the actuator. In particular, the double clutch assembly includes first and second actuators which engage or disengage first and second clutches, respectively. The device includes: an elastic member to apply an elastic force; a first transfer portion to transfer the elastic force of the elastic member to the first actuator; and a second transfer portion to transfer the elastic force of the elastic member to the second actuator.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2015-0171748, filed on Dec. 3, 2015, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
       FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to a double clutch assembly and a device for assisting an actuator of the same. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art 
         [0004]    A double clutch transmission (DCT) has a double clutch assembly having two separate clutches for odd gear sets and even gear sets. 
         [0005]    The double clutch assembly has two actuators for separately driving two clutches, in which the actuator may be configured of an electric motor, or the like. 
         [0006]    However, as the high-capacity actuator is installed to stably maintain operability of a clutch, we have discovered that there is a disadvantage in that the existing double clutch assembly has a heavy weight, takes up a large installation space due to a large size, has high manufacturing costs, and has a high heat radiating amount. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    The present disclosure provides a double clutch assembly and a device for assisting an actuator of the same capable of reducing capacity of the actuator by applying an assistance force to each of the actuators upon an operation of each of the actuators. 
         [0008]    According to one form of the present disclosure, a device for assisting an actuator of a double clutch assembly having first and second actuators separately engaging and disengaging first and second clutches includes: an elastic member configured to apply an elastic force; a first transfer portion configured to transfer the elastic force of the elastic member to the first actuator; and a second transfer portion configured to transfer the elastic force of the elastic member to the second actuator. 
         [0009]    The first actuator may have a first output member moving upon an operation of the first actuator and the first transfer portion may have a first rack fixed to the first output member and a first pinion engaged with the first rack. 
         [0010]    The second actuator may have a second output member moving upon an operation of the second actuator and the second transfer portion may have a second rack fixed to the second output member and a second pinion engaged with the second rack. 
         [0011]    The elastic member may be configured of a torsion spring interposed between the first pinion and the second pinion to apply the elastic force to the first pinion and the second pinion in a rotation direction. 
         [0012]    The elastic member may apply the elastic force to move the first and second racks in the same direction as a direction in which the first and second output members move upon the operation of the first and second actuators. 
         [0013]    According to another form of the present disclosure, a device for assisting an actuator of a double clutch assembly having first and second actuators includes: a first elastic member configured to separately apply an elastic force to the first actuator; a second elastic member configured to separately apply an elastic force to the second actuator; and a pivot member configured to support the first elastic member and the second elastic member and be pivotally installed between the first elastic member and the second elastic member. 
         [0014]    The first actuator may have a first output member moving upon an operation of the first actuator and the first elastic member may be configured of a coil spring applying the elastic force in a longitudinal direction of the first output member. 
         [0015]    The second actuator may have a second output member moving upon an operation of the second actuator and the second elastic member may be configured of a coil spring applying an elastic force in a longitudinal direction of the second output member. 
         [0016]    The pivot member may be pivotally installed between the first output member and the second output member. 
         [0017]    The pivot member may have a first support protrusion supporting the first elastic member and a second support protrusion supporting the second elastic member. 
         [0018]    The first output member may have a support tap protruding from one side thereof, an upper end of the first elastic member may be supported to the support tap of the first output member, and a lower end of the first elastic member may be supported to the first support protrusion of the pivot member. 
         [0019]    The second output member may have a support tap protruding from one side thereof, an upper end of the second elastic member may be supported to the support tap of the second output member, and a lower end of the second elastic member may be supported to the second support protrusion of the pivot member. 
         [0020]    According to another form of the present disclosure, a double clutch assembly includes: first and second clutches configured to be separately operated from each other; first and second actuators configured to separately engage or disengage the first and second clutches; first and second force transfer portions configured to transfer forces applied by the first and second actuators to the first and second clutches; and a device for assisting an actuator configured to selectively apply an assistance force to the first and second actuators. 
         [0021]    The device for assisting an actuator may use an elastic force of an elastic member to apply the assistance force to the first and second actuators. 
         [0022]    Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         [0023]    In order that the disclosure may be well understood, there will now be described various forms thereof, given by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0024]      FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating a double clutch assembly according to one form of the present disclosure; 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating an engaged state of a first clutch in the double clutch assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating an engaged state of a second clutch in the double clutch assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating a device for assisting an actuator according to another form of the present disclosure; 
           [0028]      FIG. 5  is a view viewed from arrow direction A of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating a state in which an assistance force is applied to a first output member by the device for assisting an actuator of  FIG. 4  upon an operation of a first actuator; 
           [0030]      FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating a state in which the assistance force is applied to a second output member by the device for assisting an actuator of  FIG. 4  upon an operation of a second actuator; 
           [0031]      FIG. 8  is a diagram illustrating a device for assisting an actuator according to another form of the present disclosure; 
           [0032]      FIG. 9  is a diagram illustrating a state in which the assistance force is applied to the first output member by the device for assisting an actuator of  FIG. 8  upon the operation of the first actuator; and 
           [0033]      FIG. 10  is a diagram illustrating a state in which the assistance force is applied to the second output member by the device for assisting an actuator of  FIG. 8  upon the operation of the second actuator. 
       
    
    
       [0034]    The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0035]    The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features. 
         [0036]    For reference, a size of components, a thickness of a line, and the like which are illustrated in the drawing referenced for describing exemplary forms of the present disclosure may be slightly exaggerated for convenience of understanding. Further, terms used to describe the present disclosure are defined in consideration of functions in the present disclosure and therefore may be changed depending on a user, an operator&#39;s intention, a practice, and the like. Therefore, the definition of the terminologies should be construed based on the contents throughout the specification. 
         [0037]      FIGS. 1 to 3  are diagrams illustrating a double clutch assembly according to various forms of the present disclosure. 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 3 , the double clutch assembly may include first and second clutches  11  and  12  separately operated from each other, and first and second actuators  31  and  32  for separately engaging and disengaging the first and second clutches  11  and  12 . 
         [0039]    The first clutch  11  may include a first clutch disc  13  connected to a first input shaft  1  of the transmission and a first pressure plate  15  adjacent to the first clutch disc  13 . 
         [0040]    The second clutch  12  may include a second clutch disc  14  connected to a second input shaft  2  of the transmission and a second pressure plate  16  adjacent to the second clutch disc  14 . 
         [0041]    A middle plate  17  is installed between the first clutch disc  13  of the first clutch  11  and the second clutch disc  14  of the second clutch  12 , in which the middle plate  17  may be selectively in frictional contact with the first clutch disc  13  and the second clutch disc  14 . 
         [0042]    Further, a first force transfer portion  21  is installed between the first clutch  11  and the first actuator  31  and a force from the first actuator  31  may be transferred to the first clutch  11  by the first force transfer portion  21 . 
         [0043]    The first force transfer portion  21  may include a first fork  23  connected to the first actuator  31  and a first diaphragm spring  25  connected to the first fork  23 . 
         [0044]    The first fork  23  is connected to a first output member  33  of the first actuator  31 , and therefore as the first output member  33  moves forward by an operation of the first actuator  31 , the first fork  23  may pivot. Here, the first actuator  31  may be an electric motor, a reducer, or the like and the first output member  33  may also be a rod or a cylinder moving forward or reverse by the electric motor and the reducer. 
         [0045]    The first diagram spring  25  is connected to the first fork  23  through a first bearing  27 , and as the first fork  23  pivots by the first actuator  31 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the first bearing  27  may press one side of the first diaphragm spring  25  to operate the first diaphragm spring  25 . 
         [0046]    The first diaphragm spring  25  and the first pressure plate  15  may be connected to each other by a first connection member  35 , and therefore a force from the first diaphragm spring  25  may be transferred to the first pressure plate  15  through the first connection member  35 . 
         [0047]    The engaging operation of the first clutch  11  will be described below in detail with reference to  FIG. 2 . 
         [0048]    As the first output member  33  moves forward by the operation of the first actuator  31 , the first fork  23  pivots, and as a result the first bearing  27  may move forward. The first diaphragm spring  25  is operated by the forward movement of the first bearing  27  and therefore the first connection member  35  is pulled, such that the first pressure plate  15  may press the first clutch disc  13  to the middle plate  17 . By doing so, the first pressure plate  15  and the middle plate  17  are in frictional contact with both side surfaces of the first clutch disc  13 , and as a result the engaging operation of the first clutch  11  may be made. 
         [0049]    A second force transfer portion  22  is installed between the second clutch  12  and the second actuator  32  and a force from the second actuator  32  may be transferred to the second clutch  12  by the second force transfer portion  22 . 
         [0050]    The second force transfer portion  22  may include a second fork  24  connected to the second actuator  32  and a second diaphragm spring  26  connected to the second fork  24 . 
         [0051]    The second fork  24  is connected to a second output member  34  of the second actuator  32 , and therefore as the second output member  34  moves forward by an operation of the second actuator  32 , the second fork  24  may pivot. Here, the second actuator  32  may be the electric motor, the reducer, or the like, and the second output member  34  may also be the rod or the cylinder moving forward and reverse by the electric motor and the reducer. 
         [0052]    The second diagram spring  26  is connected to the second fork  24  through a second bearing  28 , and as the second fork  24  pivots by the second actuator  32 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the second bearing  28  may press one side of the second diaphragm spring  26  to operate the second diaphragm spring  26 . 
         [0053]    The second diaphragm spring  26  and the middle plate  17  are connected to each other by a second connection member  36 , such that a force from the second diaphragm spring  26  may be transferred to the middle plate  17  through the second connection member  36 . Further, the second pressure plate  16  may be supported to the second diaphragm spring  26 . 
         [0054]    The engaging operation of the second clutch  12  will be described below in detail with reference to  FIG. 3 . 
         [0055]    As the second output member  34  moves forward or reverse by the operation of the second actuator  32 , the second fork  24  pivots, and as a result the second bearing  28  may move forward. The second diaphragm spring  26  is operated by the forward movement of the second bearing  28  and therefore the second connection member  36  is pulled, such that the middle plate  17  may press the second clutch disc  14  to the second pressure plate  16 . By doing so, and the second pressure plate  16  and the middle plate  17  are in frictional contact with both side surfaces of the second clutch disc  14 , and as a result the engagement of the second clutch  12  may be made. 
         [0056]    Further, in another form, the double clutch assembly may include a device  50  for assisting an actuator applying an assistance force upon the operation of each of the actuators  31  and  32 . 
         [0057]    The device  50  for assisting an actuator may apply the assistance force upon the operation of each of the actuators  31  and  32  to greatly reduce the capacity of actuators  31  and  32  compared to the related art, such that the small-capacity actuators  31  and  32  may be installed. Due to the application of the small-capacity actuators  31  and  32 , the miniaturization and the weight reduction of the actuator may be implemented, thereby greatly saving the manufacturing costs and greatly reducing the heat radiating amount. 
         [0058]    According to one form, as illustrated in  FIGS. 4 to 7 , the device  50  for assisting an actuator may be installed between the first output member  33  of the first actuator  31  and the second output member  34  of the second actuator  32  to apply the assistance force to the output members  33  and  34  upon the operation of each of the actuators  31  and  32 . 
         [0059]    According to another form, as illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the device  50  for assisting an actuator may include an elastic member  58  applying an elastic force, a first transfer portion  51  transferring the elastic force of the elastic member  58  to the first output member  33  of the first actuator  31 , and a second transfer portion  52  transferring an elastic force of an elastic member  60  to the second output member  34  of the second actuator  32 . 
         [0060]    The elastic member  58  may be a torsion spring which may apply an elastic force in a circumferential direction, in which the torsion spring may have a pair of arms each of which may apply the elastic force. 
         [0061]    The first transfer portion  51  may include a first rack  53  fixed to the first output member  33  of the first actuator  31  and a first pinion  55  engaged with the first rack  53 . The first pinion  55  may be connected to a housing of the first actuator  31  through a first support frame  55   a,  a center of the first pinion  55  may be rotatably installed at an upper end of the first support frame  55   a,  and the first pinion  55  may be adjacently disposed to the first output member  33  of the first actuator  31 . 
         [0062]    The second transfer portion  52  may include a second rack  54  fixed to the second output member  34  of the second actuator  32  and a second pinion  56  engaged with the second rack  54 . The second pinion  56  may be connected to a housing of the second actuator  32  through a second support frame  56   a,  a center of the second pinion  56  may be rotatably installed at an upper end of the second support frame  56   a,  and the second pinion  56  may be adjacently disposed to the second output member  34  of the second actuator  32 . 
         [0063]    An elastic member  58  may be interposed between the first pinion  55  and the second pinion  56 , in particular, the elastic member  58  may be concentrically disposed with respect to the first pinion  55  and the second pinion  56  and each arm of the torsion spring may be separately engaged with the first pinion  55  and the second pinion  56 . Therefore, the elastic member  58  may apply the elastic force to the first pinion  55  in a rotation direction (refer to arrow K 1  direction of  FIG. 4 ) upon the operation of the first actuator  31  and apply the elastic force to the second pinion  56  in a rotation direction (refer to arrow K 2  direction of  FIG. 4 ) upon the operation of the second actuator  32 . As the first pinion  55  or the second pinion  56  rotates in a predetermined rotation direction by the elastic force of the elastic member  58 , the first rack  53  or the second rack  54  may move longitudinally. 
         [0064]    In particular, the elastic member  58  may apply the elastic force to move the first and second racks  53  and  54  in the same direction as the direction in which the first and second output members  33  and  34  move upon the operation of the first and second actuators  31  and  32 . 
         [0065]    When the first actuator  31  is operated for the engaging operation of the assistance force transfer first clutch  11  by the first transfer portion  51 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the first pinion  55  may be rotated by the elastic force of the elastic member  58 . In this case, the first rack  53  may move straight by the rotating force of the first pinion  55  and the first output member  33  may be applied with the elastic force of the elastic member  58  as the assistance force by the straight movement of the first rack  53 , in addition to the force applied by the first actuator  31 . 
         [0066]    In summary, the elastic force of the elastic member  58  may be applied to the first output member  33  through the first pinion  55  and the first rack  53  of the first transfer portion  51  as the assistance force. Reviewing this from the viewpoint of the equilibrium of force, the force applied by the first diaphragm spring  25  is the same as a summed value of the force applied by the first actuator  31  with the assistance force by the elastic member  58 , and therefore a desired maximum output of the first actuator  31  may be set to be much lower than before, thereby reducing the capacity and size of the first actuator  31 . 
         [0067]    When the second actuator  32  is operated for the engaging operation of the assistance force transfer second clutch  12  by the second transfer portion  52 , as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the second pinion  56  may be rotated by the elastic force of the elastic member  58 . In this case, the second rack  54  may move straight by the rotating of the second pinion  56  and the second output member  34  may be applied with the elastic force of the elastic member  58  as the assistance force by the straight movement of the second rack  54 , in addition to the force applied by the second actuator  32 . 
         [0068]    In summary, the elastic force of the elastic member  58  may be applied to the second output member  34  through the second pinion  56  and the second rack  54  of the second transfer portion  52  as the assistance force. Reviewing this from the viewpoint of the equilibrium of force, the force applied by the second diaphragm spring  26  is the same as a summed value of the force applied by the second actuator  32  with the assistance force by the elastic member  58 , and therefore a desired maximum output of the second actuator  32  may be set to be much lower than before, thereby reducing the capacity and size of the second actuator  32 . 
         [0069]      FIGS. 8 to 10  illustrate a device  60  for assisting an actuator according to another form of the present disclosure. 
         [0070]    Referring to  FIGS. 8 to 10 , the device  60  for assisting an actuator may include a first elastic member  61  installed to apply an elastic force along a longitudinal direction of the first output member  33 , a second elastic member  62  installed to apply an elastic force along a longitudinal direction of the second output member  34 , and a pivot member  65  pivotally installed between the first elastic member  61  and the second elastic member  62 . 
         [0071]    The first elastic member  61  may be a coil spring long installed on an outer surface of the first output member  33  to apply the elastic force along the longitudinal direction of the first output member  33 . 
         [0072]    The second elastic member  62  may be the coil spring long installed on an outer surface of the second output member  34  to apply the elastic force along the longitudinal direction of the second output member  34 . 
         [0073]    The pivot member  65  may be pivotally installed between the first output member  33  and the second output member  34  and may be connected to the housings of the first and second actuators  31  and  32  through a support frame  68 , in which the support frame  68  may be disposed between the first output member  33  and the second output member  34 . Further, the pivot member  65  has a middle part rotatably installed at an upper end of the support frame  68  and therefore the middle part of the pivot member  65  is formed with a pivot point, such that the pivot point of the pivot member  65  may be positioned between the first output member  33  and the second output member  34 . 
         [0074]    The pivot member  65  may have a first support protrusion  66  supporting the first elastic member  61  and a second support protrusion  67  supporting the second elastic member  62 . 
         [0075]    Meanwhile, the first output member  33  may have a support tap  33   a  protruding from one side thereof, an upper end of the first elastic member  61  may be supported on the support tap  33   a  of the first output member  33 , and a lower end of the first elastic member  61  may be supported by the first support protrusion  66  of the pivot member  65 . By doing so, the first elastic member  61  may be expanded or compressed corresponding to the movement of the first output member  33  to apply the elastic force to the first output member  33 . 
         [0076]    Further, the second output member  34  may have a support tap  34   a  protruding from one side thereof, an upper end of the second elastic member  62  may be supported on the support tap  34   a  of the second output member  34 , and a lower end of the second elastic member  62  may be supported by the second support protrusion  67  of the pivot member  65 . By doing so, the second elastic member  62  may be expanded or compressed corresponding to the movement of the second output member  34  to apply the elastic force to the second output member  34 . 
         [0077]    When the first actuator  31  is operated for the engaging operation of the first clutch  11 , as illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the pivot member  65  pivots so that one side (right part in  FIG. 9 ) of the pivot member  65  moves upwardly, such that the first support protrusion  66  presses the first elastic member  61  to directly apply the elastic force of the first elastic member  61  to the first output member  33 . By doing so, the first output member  33  may be applied with the elastic force of the first elastic member  61  as the assistance force, in addition to the force applied by the first actuator  31 . 
         [0078]    In summary, the elastic force of the first elastic member  61  may be applied to the first output member  33  as the assistance force by the pivoting of the pivot member  65  upon the operation of the first actuator  31 . Reviewing this from the viewpoint of the equilibrium of force, the force applied by the first diaphragm spring  25  is the same as a summed value of the force applied by the first actuator  31  with the assistance force by the first elastic member  61 , and therefore a desired maximum output of the first actuator  31  may be set to be much lower than before, thereby reducing the capacity and size of the first actuator  31 . 
         [0079]    When the second actuator  32  is operated for the engaging operation of the second clutch, as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the pivot member  65  pivots so that the other side (left part in  FIG. 10 ) of the pivot member  65  moves upwardly, such that the second support protrusion  67  presses the second elastic member  62  to directly apply the elastic force of the second elastic member  62  to the second output member  34 . By doing so, the second output member  34  may be applied with the elastic force of the second elastic member  62  as the assistance force, in addition to the force applied by the second actuator  32 . 
         [0080]    In summary, the elastic force of the second elastic member  62  may be applied to the second output member  34  as the assistance force by the pivoting of the pivot member  65  upon the operation of the second actuator  32 . Reviewing this from the viewpoint of the equilibrium of force, the force applied by the second diaphragm spring  26  is the same as a summed value of the force applied by the second actuator  32  with the assistance force by the second elastic member  62 , and therefore a desired maximum output of the second actuator  32  may be set to be much lower than before, thereby reducing the capacity and size of the second actuator  32 . 
         [0081]    As described above, the desired capacity of the actuator may be reduced by applying the assistance force to each of the actuators upon the operation of each of the actuators to implement the miniaturization, the weight reduction, or the like of the actuator, thereby saving the manufacturing costs and greatly reducing the heat radiating amount. 
         [0082]    Hereinabove, although the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary forms and the accompanying drawings, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, but may be variously modified and altered by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.