Abstract:
A centrifugal-force pendulum device having a pendulum flange and at least two pendulum masses fastened on both sides of the pendulum flange by means of a spacer bolt received in a cut-out of the pendulum flange to form a pendulum mass pair, wherein the pendulum mass pair is guided and pivoted in a limited manner with respect to the pendulum flange by means of at least two rolling elements, and the rolling elements are received and roll in guide tracks in the pendulum masses and in complementarily shaped guide tracks in the pendulum flange, and wherein the spacer bolt is equipped, in its axial region which reaches through the cut-out in the pendulum flange, with damping means for damping contact of the spacer bolt against the cut-out, and compression of the damping means is limited by contact of a rolling element against the guide track which receives the rolling element.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is filed under 35 U.S.C. §120 as a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/924,289, filed Jun. 21, 2013, which application claims priority of International Patent Application PCT/DE2011/002145, filed Dec. 20, 2011, which application claims priority from German Patent Application No. DE 10 2010 055 895.8, filed Dec. 23, 2010, which applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]    A centrifugal pendulum device is known from application DE 10 2010 011 141.4, having a pendulum flange which can rotate about an axis of rotation, and having two pendulum masses which are attached to create a pendulum mass pair, the same arranged on both sides of the pendulum flange in the axial dimension by means of a spacer bolt accommodated in a recess of the pendulum flange. The pendulum mass pair is further able to pivot in a guided and limited manner with respect to the pendulum flange by means of two roller elements, forming a pendulum track. For this purpose, the roller elements are accommodated in curved, and particularly kidney-shaped tracks in the pendulum masses, and in the complementary-shaped guide tracks in the pendulum flange, and can roll in the same. In an axial region of the spacer bolt, which engages through the recess in the pendulum flange, said spacer bolt is surrounded by a damping means in the form of a damping sheath, for the purpose of damping the impact of the spacer bolt on the recess. The damping of the impact is realized by the damping means compressing a spring, and thereby forming a spring compression path. In this case, when a greater load occurs, meaning a large relative impulse in the pendulum masses and/or the pendulum mass pair relative to the pendulum flange, an excessively high load can occur on the damping means. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]    The problem addressed by the invention is that of increasing the reliability of a centrifugal pendulum device, and reducing the generation of noise. 
         [0004]    Accordingly, a centrifugal pendulum device is suggested which has a pendulum flange and which has at least two pendulum masses which are attached on each side of the pendulum flange by means of a spacer bolt accommodated in a recess of the pendulum flange to create a pendulum mass pair, wherein the pendulum mass pair is able to pivot relative to the pendulum flange in a guided and limited manner by means of at least two roller elements, and the roller elements are accommodated in guide tracks in the pendulum masses, and in complementary-shaped guide tracks in the pendulum flange, and can roll in the same, and wherein the spacer bolt, on an axial region thereof, which engages through the recess in the pendulum flange, is equipped with a damping means for the purpose of damping the impact of the spacer bolt on the recess. A spring compression of the damping means can be limited by a roller element impacting on the guide track which accommodates the roller element, thereby increasing the reliability of the centrifugal pendulum device, particularly of the damping means on the spacer bolt. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]    In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the damping means is compressed when the roller element impacts on the guide track. A maximum compression of the damping means is advantageously limited by the impacting of the roller element on the guide track. 
         [0006]    In a further embodiment of the invention, the damping means encloses the spacer bolt, forming a damping sheath. 
         [0007]    In one advantageous embodiment of the invention, the damping means is formed from an elastic material, wherein the elastic material can be an elastomer and/or a plastic and/or a rubber and/or a composite material. 
         [0008]    The damping means is advantageously connected to the spacer bolt in a material connection or a positive-fit connection. 
         [0009]    In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, at least two pendulum mass pairs are arranged neighboring each other on the peripheral surfaces thereof. 
         [0010]    The invention also comprises a torque transmission device such as a hydrodynamic torque converter and/or a torsional vibration damper and/or a wet or dry clutch and/or a double-mass flywheel having a centrifugal pendulum device according to one or more of the embodiments above. 
     
    
     
         [0011]    Additional advantages and advantageous embodiments of the invention are found in the description and the drawing, wherein the illustrations thereof are not given with scale accuracy, for reasons of clarity. All explained features can be used not only in the given combination, but also in other combinations and/or individually, without departing from the scope of the invention. 
           [0012]    The invention is described in detail below with reference to the drawings, wherein: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  shows a partial cross-section of a torsional vibration damper with a centrifugal pendulum device according to the prior art; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  shows a three-dimensional side view of a centrifugal pendulum device according to the prior art; and, 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  shows a side view of a cutaway of a centrifugal pendulum device in a special embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0016]    A partial cross-section view of a torsional vibration damper  10  with a centrifugal pendulum device  12  according to the prior art is shown in  FIG. 1 . A friction plate carrier  16  is arranged, to function as a clutch output of a clutch device, on the damper input part  14  of the torsional vibration damper  10 . The clutch device can be designed, by way of example, as a torque converter lock-up clutch and/or as a wet clutch. The torsional vibration damper  10  in this case is functionally integrated between the clutch output and an output hub  18 , wherein the output hub  18  can be connected via a toothing  20  to a transmission input shaft of a transmission in a drive train of a motor vehicle. 
         [0017]    The damper input part  14  is centered radially on the inside of the output hub  18 , and secured axially, and the outermost peripheral segment thereof encompasses first energy storage elements  22 , for example coil springs, which functionally connect the damper input part  14  to an intermediate damper part  24 , wherein the intermediate damper part  24  is able to rotate to a limited degree with respect to the damper input part  14 . The intermediate damper part  24  is in turn able to rotate to a limited degree with respect to the damper output part  28  via the action of a second set of energy storage elements  26 —for example coil springs—which are positioned further inward. The damper output part  28  is fixed to the output hub  18  in a manner preventing rotation, for example via a welded connection. 
         [0018]    The intermediate damper part  24  consists of two axially spaced disk parts  30 ,  32  which axially enclose the damper output part  28  and which are fixed to each other in a manner preventing rotation by means of an attachment means, which is not illustrated here, such as spacer bolts or a spacer rivet. The one disk part  32  in this case is extended radially outward to form a pendulum flange  34 . The pendulum flange  34  is an integral component of the disk part  32 . The disk part  32  is rotationally fixed inward to a turbine hub  36 , and the turbine hub  36  serves to bind and support a turbine wheel of a hydrodynamic torque converter. The turbine hub  36  is centered on the output hub  18  and is arranged so as to be able to rotate with respect to the same. 
         [0019]    The pendulum flange  34  accommodates two axially opposed pendulum masses  38  in a segment which is radially further outward, wherein the pendulum masses  38  are connected to each other via a spacer bolt  40  to create a pendulum mass pair, and the spacer bolt  40  engages through a recess  42  in the pendulum flange  34 . The spacer bolt  40  is fixed to the pendulum mass  38 , for example by riveting, welding, bolting, or caulking. 
         [0020]    A three-dimensional side view of a centrifugal pendulum device  12  according to the prior art is illustrated in  FIG. 2 , wherein the upper pendulum mass in this illustration has been faded out to clarify the region lying below it axially. The centrifugal pendulum device  12  is arranged on the disk part  32  of the intermediate damper part of the torsional vibration damper, wherein the radial extension of the disk part  32  forms the pendulum flange  34  to accommodate the pendulum masses  38  arranged on both sides of the pendulum flange  34 , wherein two pendulum masses  38  are arranged on each axial side of the pendulum flange  34 , and are connected to each other via a total of three spacer bolts  40 , to create a pendulum mass pair. The spacer bolts  40  each engage through recesses  42  in the pendulum flange  34 , wherein the recesses  42  are shaped like a kidney such that they allow a pendulum movement of the pendulum masses  38  with respect to the pendulum flange  34 , along a defined pendulum track  44 . The pendulum track is in turn fixed by the contour of guide tracks  46  in the pendulum masses  38 , and complementary guide tracks  48  in the pendulum flange  34 , wherein roller elements  50 , for example roller bodies, are accommodated in the kidney-shaped guide tracks, and these can roll in the guide tracks  46 ,  48 . 
         [0021]    In an axial region of the spacer bolt [ 40 ] which engages through the recess  42  in the pendulum flange  38 , the spacer bolt  40  is equipped with a damping means  52  in the form of a damping sheath, for the purpose of damping an impact of the spacer bolt  40  on the recess  42 . In particular, the damping means  52  consists of an elastic material, for example an elastomer and/or a plastic and/or a rubber and/or a composite material. In this case, the damping means is fixed to the spacer bolt, preferably by a material-, positive-fit, force-fit, or friction-fit connection. 
         [0022]      FIG. 3  shows a side view of a recess of a centrifugal pendulum device  12  in a special embodiment of the invention. In this case, the centrifugal pendulum device  12  is illustrated in a position of maximum extension with respect to the pendulum track, wherein the damping means  52  is compressed on the spacer bolt  40 . The maximum extension of the pendulum mass  38  with respect to the pendulum flange  34  is limited by the roller element  50  abutting or impacting the respective guide track  46 ,  48  in the pendulum flange and the pendulum mass, by the roller element coming into contact with the contact surfaces  54  of the guide track  46 , and with the contact surfaces  56  of the guide track  48 , thereby preventing the damping means  52  from further compressing. In this way, it is possible to prevent an excessive load on the damping means  52 . The impact of the roller element  50  on the guide tracks  46 ,  48  can preferably occur in a damped manner by means of the compression of the damping means  52  on the spacer bolt  40 . 
         [0023]    The present disclosure includes a method of damping vibration with a centrifugal pendulum device, for example device  12 . Although the method is depicted as a sequence of steps for clarity, no order should be inferred from the numbering unless explicitly stated. The centrifugal pendulum device includes: pendulum flange  34 , pendulum masses  38 A and  38 B arranged on first and second sides, respectively of the pendulum flange; spacer bolt  40 A fixed to pendulum masses  38 A and  38 B and passing recess  42 A in the pendulum flange; spacer bolt  40 B fixed to pendulum masses  38 A and  38 B and passing recess  42 B in the pendulum flange; roller element  50 A passing through guide track  46 A in the flange and accommodated in respective guide tracks  48  in pendulum masses  38 A and  38 B; roller element  50 B passing through guide track  46 B in the flange and accommodated in respective guide tracks  48  in pendulum masses  38 A and  38 B; damping sheath  52 A disposed about spacer bolt  40 A; and damping sheath  52 B disposed about spacer bolt  40 B. 
         [0024]    A first step pivots pendulum masses  38 A and  38 B with respect to the pendulum flange. A second step displaces spacer bolts  40 A and  40 B in the recesses  42 A and  42 B, respectively. A third step partially compresses damping sheaths  52 A and  52 B against the pendulum flange. A fourth step rolls roller elements  50 A and  50 B within guide tracks  46 A and  46 B, respectively. A fifth step contacts the flange with roller elements  50 A and  50 B. A sixth step prevents, with the contact between the pendulum flange and roller elements  50 A and  50 B, further compression of damping sheaths  52 A and  52 B against the pendulum flange. 
         [0025]    In an example embodiment, displacing spacer bolts  40 A and  40 B in recesses  42 A and  42 B includes: displacing spacer bolts  40 A and  40 B closer, in radial direction RD, to axis of rotation AR for the centrifugal pendulum device; and contacting, with damping sheaths  52 A and  52 B, ends E 1  and E 2  of recesses  42 A and  42 B, respectively. In an example embodiment, partially compressing damping sheaths  52 A and  52 B against the pendulum flange includes less than fully compressing damping sheaths  52 A and  52 B against the pendulum flange. 
         [0026]    In an example embodiment: rolling roller element  50 A within guide track  46 A includes contacting end E 3  of guide track  46 A with roller element  50 A; and rolling roller element  50 B within guide track  46 B includes contacting end E 4  of guide track  46 B with roller element  50 B. In an example embodiment: contacting end E 1  with damping sheath  52 A includes partially compressing damping sheath  52 A against end E 1 ; and, contacting end E 2  with damping sheath  52 B includes partially compressing damping sheath  52 B against end E 2   
         [0027]    The present disclosure includes a method of damping vibration with a centrifugal pendulum device, for example device  12 . Although the method is depicted as a sequence of steps for clarity, no order should be inferred from the numbering unless explicitly stated. The centrifugal pendulum device includes: pendulum flange  34 , pendulum masses  38 A and  38 B arranged on first and second sides, respectively of the pendulum flange; spacer bolt  40 A fixed to pendulum masses  38 A and  38 B and passing recess  42 A in the pendulum flange; spacer bolt  40 B fixed to pendulum masses  38 A and  38 B and passing recess  42 B in the pendulum flange; roller element  50 A passing through guide track  46 A in the flange and accommodated in respective guide tracks  48  in pendulum masses  38 A and  38 B; roller element  50 B passing through guide track  46 B in the flange and accommodated in respective guide tracks  48  in pendulum masses  38 A and  38 B; damping sheath  52 A disposed about spacer bolt  40 A; and damping sheath  52 B disposed about spacer bolt  40 B. 
         [0028]    A first step displaces spacer bolts  40 A and  40 B, in the recesses  42 A and  42 B, closer, in radial direction RD, to axis of rotation AR for the centrifugal pendulum device. A second step contacts damping sheaths  52 A and  52 B with ends E 1  and E 2 . A third step partially compresses damping sheaths  52 A and  52 B against ends E 1  and E 2 , respectively. A fourth step pivots pendulum masses  38 A and  38 B with respect to the pendulum flange. A fifth step rolls roller elements  50 A and  50 B within guide tracks  46 A and  46 B, respectively. A sixth step contacts the pendulum flange with roller elements  50 A and  50 B. A seventh step prevents, with the contact between the pendulum flange and roller elements  50 A and  50 B, full compression of damping sheaths  52 A and  52 B against the pendulum flange. 
         [0029]    In an example embodiment, partially compressing damping sheaths  52 A and  52 B against the pendulum flange includes less than fully compressing damping sheaths  52 A and  52 B against the pendulum flange. In an example embodiment: contacting the pendulum flange with roller elements  50 A and  50 B includes: contacting end E 3  with roller element  50 A; and contacting end E 4  with roller element  50 B. 
         [0030]    The present disclosure includes a method of damping vibration with a centrifugal pendulum device, for example device  12 . Although the method is depicted as a sequence of steps for clarity, no order should be inferred from the numbering unless explicitly stated. The centrifugal pendulum device includes: pendulum flange  34 , pendulum masses  38 A and  38 B arranged on first and second sides, respectively of the pendulum flange; spacer bolt  40 A fixed to pendulum masses  38 A and  38 B and passing recess  42 A in the pendulum flange; spacer bolt  40 B fixed to pendulum masses  38 A and  38 B and passing recess  42 B in the pendulum flange; roller element  50 A passing through guide track  46 A in the flange and accommodated in respective guide tracks  48  in pendulum masses  38 A and  38 B; roller element  50 B passing through guide track  46 B in the flange and accommodated in respective guide tracks  48  in pendulum masses  38 A and  38 B; damping sheath  52 A disposed about spacer bolt  40 A; and damping sheath  52 B disposed about spacer bolt  40 B. 
         [0031]    A first step displaces spacer bolts  40 A and  40 B in recesses  42 A and  42 B. A second step contacts damping sheaths  52 A and  52 B with ends E 1  and E 2 , respectively. A third step less than fully compresses damping sheaths  52 A and  52 B against ends E 1  and E 2 , respectively. A fourth step pivots pendulum masses  38 A and  38 B with respect to the pendulum flange. A fifth step rolls roller elements  50 A and  50 B within guide tracks  46 A and  46 B, respectively. A sixth step contacts roller element  50 A with end E 3 . A seventh step contacts roller element  50 B with end E 4 . A seventh step prevents, with the contact between the pendulum flange and roller elements  50 A and  50 B, further compression of damping sheaths  52 A and  52 B against the pendulum flange. 
         [0032]    In an example embodiment, a sixth step displaces spacer bolts  40 A and  40 B in recesses  42 A and  42 B such that spacer bolts  40 A and  40 B are closer, in radial direction RD, to an axis of rotation AR. 
       LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS  
       [0033]      10  torsional vibration damper 
         [0034]      12  centrifugal pendulum device 
         [0035]      14  damper input part 
         [0036]      16  friction plate carrier 
         [0037]      18  output hub 
         [0038]      20  toothing 
         [0039]      22  energy storage element 
         [0040]      24  intermediate damper part 
         [0041]      26  energy storage element 
         [0042]      28  damper output part 
         [0043]      30  disk part 
         [0044]      32  disk part 
         [0045]      34  pendulum flange 
         [0046]      36  turbine hub 
         [0047]      38  pendulum mass 
         [0048]      40  spacer bolt 
         [0049]      42  recess 
         [0050]      44  pendulum track 
         [0051]      46  guide track 
         [0052]      48  guide track 
         [0053]      50  roller element 
         [0054]      52  damping means 
         [0055]      54  contact surface 
         [0056]      56  contact surface